Cluster Theology
“Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees;” Acts 23:6
I am – “I am a Pharisee,” says Paul. Do you think we hear what he proclaimed? I doubt it. Most of us think of Paul as a Christian convert from Judaism. Most of us think of the Pharisees as the bad guys. We think Paul left all that behind when he met Yeshua on the Damascus road. As a result of this fallacious thinking, we interpret Paul’s teaching with our Greek mindset, forcing him to follow the conceptual patterns that we bring to the text. We don’t understand what it means to be a Pharisee, how Pharisees think or how they use the Scriptures. The result: confusion and contradiction. For centuries the “church” has argued over what Paul really means, all the while denying Paul’s logic is based in an eastern Semitic process that stands in radical opposition to western Greek thinking. When was the last time you received instruction about how to think like a Pharisee so that you could really understand Paul? Or Jesus?
Brad Young makes the following comment:
“The Hebrew mind viewed God quite differently from the systematic theological thinking of the West, which defines God and his work with creation in a linear fashion. The Western-style treatment of the divine character attempts to explain inconsistencies and harmonize contradictions systematically. The Hebrew mind was filled with wonder at the mystery of God. The vastness of God and his inscrutable ways left them awestruck. Inconsistencies and contradictions are intimately related to human, finite understandings of the infinite God. He is beyond human comprehension. First-century Jews approached God through an interactive associative mentality. The fact that God is incomprehensible is very much a part of Jewish thought processes. The Western mind, however, explains everything but understands so little of the divine nature. The Hebrew mind, on the other hand, is overpowered by a sense of wonder and amazement. It thrives on the inconsistencies and contradictions of the one awe-inspiring God.”
Young demonstrates Paul’s theology is “circular and interactive,” and reflects the eastern, Hebrew mentality. Paul doesn’t strain in the least to say God is sovereign and we are predestined in one breath, and that we must work out our salvation and make eternal choices in the next. Paul holds human beings totally accountable for their sins and at the same time seems to say that Adam is responsible for the whole problem. And what do we do with these “inconsistencies?” We write linear, logical systematic theologies in an attempt to “fix” them. Have you ever wondered why there is no Jewish systematic theology? Maybe it’s because for the Hebrew, God is simply too big, too wonderful and too amazing to be forced into our boxes. Maybe it’s because tension is OK in the pursuit of God. Not everything has an answer – now. Some mysteries will have to wait in spite of theological headaches.
Read a little of Paul’s letters with an eye toward mystery and wonder. See if suddenly you don’t have a new appreciation for the way Paul thinks. See if you don’t discover clusters of praise and amazement. See if Paul’s circular reasoning just can’t be pounded into Greek square holes. And recognize that it’s OK not to know all the answers. Yes, I am sure that will be quite uncomfortable. Our culture wants to be correct; to know the truth for certain. But maybe the Hebrew mind is a little closer to reality. Maybe there is something about God that is just beyond us. Can you live with that?
Topical Index: Hebrew mind, Paul, theology, Acts 23:6, wonder, inconsistencies
Good word! The more I study, the more I realize that I don’t have all the answers. I am working on getting the questions and enjoying the process.
amen Barry.. I also am enjoying the process of growth in Christ. I owe much to this wonderful ministry of Today’s Word. There is such amazing power in G-d’s words. Yeshua himself stated, “the words I speak unto you- they are spirit and they are life. How I desire to know His words! “Every word of G-d is pure.” Our Abba’s fullest blessings to you as you “study to show yourself approved unto G-d, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.”
Our G-d is an awesome G-d! It seems my mouth is far too little to even attempt to say this. I know how big He is! (how big you ask?) the answer is simple. I like simple answers. I am a simple man. A 56 year old child actually. And the more I know, the more I realize I don’t know and guess what? No worries, no fears, no problem. Why? Because I know G-d. What cheek! What nerve! What chutzpah! Paul declared his credentials. A Pharisee of the Pharisees. No small potatoes here! This was the tip of the top, the bees-knees, top-drawer, best of the best. They just don’t come any finer. Born into the right family, and educated by the world’s best. He had it goin’ on! Read for yourself, the rest of the story.. What did Paul (formerly known as Saul) declare? “O wretched man that “I am”. It does make you stop and say hmmm. Jesus had a nightime conversation with Nicodemus (whose name means Superior) a ruler of the Jews. Another one of our finest reps. And what did our Master say to him? “You must be born again”. Pardon me while I say again.. hmmm. Why was this “born again” stuff necessary? Didn’t Jesus realize who He was talking with? This was Mr. Nicodemus- way up the food chain. And yet we know G-d doesn’t wastes any words. He says what He means and He means what He says. Yeshua said before Abraham was “I am”. I agree- “He is”
Why was this “born again” stuff necessary?
Hi Carl,
Last Saturday, I learned from Rabbi Gorelik that being “born again” is a little bit like reincarnation, rather than a one time event that lasts forever.
It’s kind of like taking a bath to refresh the body with the spirit; and you would want to do it at least once a week 🙂
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Hello Michael. So to reiterate what Rabbi Gorelik has said, being “born again” is a little like reincarnation. I am sorry to say I do not know Rabbi Gorelik but I would like to know his views or what he believes about Jesus, who claimed to be the Messiah. Does he agree to what Jesus said about himself or does he hold to another belief concerning the Christ?
Hi Carl,
First let me say that I might have used the term reincarnation incorrectly and that Rabbi Gorelik did not use the term at all. As you probably know 🙂
But I think it is safe to say that Rabbi Gorelik believes that Jesus is the Messiah and that we all need to refresh ourselves with the Holy Spirit on a routine basis.
I have only listened to a few of Rabbi Gorelik’s tapes, but for me he complements Skip’s approach, which is in writing and focused on the meaning and significance of the text.
Rabbi Gorelik’s oral presentation is wide open; one minute Rabbi Gorelik might be talking about the meaning of a sacrifice and the next, nuclear physics made simple and fun.
From one standpoint, you could probably compare Skip and Rabbi Gorelik to Plato and Socrates.
Between the two of them, you get all you need to know about the Bible, IMO; in other words, they are second to none.
Rabbi Gorelik’s website is located at the following URL: http://www.eshavbooks.org/index.htm
Wow, thanks for the complement, although I will say that Bob and I would find the comparison to Greek icons quite amusing. Just shows you how much our culture is bound (even in its idioms) to the Greeks. What comparable figures would you find in Hebrew?
Bob is one of the most lucid, Jewish, Messianic believers that I know. All those who are going to Israel with Bob and me will be overwhelmed with his understanding and clarity. All the rest of you are encouraged to immediately avail yourselves of http://www.eshavbooks.org
Hi Carl,
I notice that you comment everyday, but you seldom reply or interact with us.
Once in awhile some personality comes through, but I’m sure all of us would like to get to know you as a friend too.
Hello Antoinette and felicitations from Memphis, Tennessee. Thank you for your invitation toward friendship. I would surely love to spend more time “online”, with such a wonderful fellowship of likeminded brothers and sister in Christ. I look forward with great anticipation to the day when “time shall be no more” and we will have eternity to listen to each other’s stories and witness of our Savior’s redeeming love. The constraints of time are the enemy though in this present day. I am at times a “hit and run” contributor where I’ll come online leave a comment and then return “posthaste” to fulfill the duties of the day. I would love to sit with you and talk about our Savior forever. G-d is love and Jesus is wonderful. My story? A sinner, saved by grace. “Jesus paid it all” about sums it for me. I now serve a living Savior who is the Sovereign Lord over the telescopic and the microscopic. I’ve been “rode hard”, hung up wet, and pulled through a knothole twice”, but He said unto me (also), “my grace is sufficient for you.” No one gets through this life unscathed and unscarred but I know in the center of my soul, “it will be worth it all” when we see Christ! Our Abba’s fullest blessings to you each and every day. Your servant and His, carl.
Carl, I too believe that the more that I know, the more that I realize I don’t know….it’s more that HE knows me.
“First-century Jews approached God through an interactive associative mentality. The fact that God is incomprehensible is very much a part of Jewish thought processes.The Western mind, however, explains everything but understands so little of the divine nature. The Hebrew mind, on the other hand, is overpowered by a sense of wonder and amazement.It thrives on the inconsistencies and contradictions of the one awe-inspiring God.”
When I became increasingly more serious in my study of God’s Word, I was thankful to notice some things coming together that made no sense (nonsense!) previously. As I continued on this way, I came to a juncture where I could not reconcile my “Christian life”, especially within “the church”, with what I was learning. I did not see the “interactive associative mentality” around me or in the life I was living. At the expense of being too negative, I will leave it at that. I became very depressed and despondent. I was too miserable to live although I knew suicide was not an option. I needed THE TRUE gospel. Health, wealth, the power of positive thinking, and legalistically “doing more for the Lord” was not enough. I needed to know the truth. I needed to see the truth lived out around me. I was taught the second definite work of grace-sanctification and the baptism in the Holy Spirit would be the cure-all/end-all. One having received those “experiences” have arrived. Yet, that “power” to perform in the church did not translate into holy and acceptable living every day-all day. How dare we think denominational doctrine will set us free! Give me the pure Word as He intended! TW challenges my old/Greek worldview. My spouse challenges my new ways of thinking. My pastor laughs and they both “lovingly” refer to me as a “Judaizer”, because I don’t want to eat BBQ/shrimp etc. I haven’t asked either of them to do that. I have a freezer full of shrimp, pork, etc. Talk about dilemma!
By His grace, I am still fighting the good fight. And, yes, this tension is almost overwhelming at times. But I am thankful that my sin status has been changed from guilty to free and uncondemned (John 5:24, Romans 8:1) and I am free to live for Him.
“For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” Acts 17:28
I can definitely empathize with what you are experiencing in the hands of your family, and community. Just keep being his light by doing what His Word tells you and praying for them. We can’t change their hearts, only He can. I started praying the Shabbat blessings for my children, also their husbands/wives, for about a year now, and I am beginning to see “changes of heart” in 2 of the 5 couples already! Small victories, but He has only begun. Bless you on your journey Mary, and may the Lord give you persistence and consistency in your walk. 🙂
Antoinette,
Your kind reply is welcomed and received. I have come too far to turn to turn back now! It is “wonder”ful and amazing to look back and see the loving crook of the staff, held by the hand of the Shepherd, leading and directing our paths.
The solution to your situation: “Do to others as you would they do to you.” If you wouldn’t eat it, why are you taking up freezer space with it? Save money. Put something in that freezer you can eat and share with everyone.
Hi Skip,
After reading your writings, I believe Hebrew thinking came naturally to me because of my conversion outside the church. Although my family never went to church, God answered my prayer when I was deeply troubled and looking for answers at age 21 in 1952. Alone in my car one night, I picked up a small Gideon bible given to me in High School and read the two passages about the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. When I asked God to help me, He overwhelmed me with His presence. My whole life experience since then has been based upon that moment in time when I was lifted high into the air and realized God knew my name among all the millions of people on the earth. How breathtaking and personal He suddenly became to me. Thank you for helping me understand anew the scriptures through Hebrew eyes.
Bill Cummins
Bill … what a great commentary!
Like you The Word was revealed to me years ago in a manner that was Hebraic (though I did not know this at the time).
Despite my theological chains (Roman Catholic … Jesuit trained) I had become estranged. When He called me back the return was like a child seeing The Word for the first time and the truth came to me through a construct ( a discernment mechanism) which had not been learned … it had been given! It can’t be stated in simpler terms … I am so humbled and thankful and not bashful in speaking to His blessings.
So perhaps for me it was not so much that “things came naturally” but rather that “things came super naturally.” Frankly I had little to do with “getting it” … it was all Him! And perhaps the same is true for you as well? 🙂
Ultimately there is great value in peeling back the onion as Skip does to reveal the truth in a Biblically correct Hebraic context …. one word at a time. Praise Adonai and may Skip be continually blessed. And over the years I have come to adopt a similar approach … trying to understand the text in context, looking at the Hebrew lexicon and patterns in Scripture as it pertains to Israel, The Hebrews … the Oracles of ELOHIM.
But …. I also believe that the Truth and the means to recognize the Truth in Spirit most certainly does not have to be learned. If we thought this way we would be putting ELOHIM back into a box yet again! What we must do however is submit and remove all of the barriers to understanding the truth. Sometimes thinking out of the box means not thinking at all … just listening!
Baruch HaShem
This reminds me of a sermon I heard a while back called “Wisdom’s Tension”, in which the pastor talked about the paradoxes of the Christian faith. He cited Proverbs 26:4-5 as one example, as well as to show that this “tension” is completely deliberate: “(4) Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself. (5) Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.” Paradoxical, but still the wisdom of God.
Also, this reminds me of 2 Timothy 2:19: “Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”” The first statement emphasizes pre-destination and the reality that the elect are chosen by God; at the same time, the second statement affirms our individual responsibility for our actions, our free will and seemingly “self-determinism”. But the point is that neither statement is true by itself. The extremes of on the one hand “only predestination” and on the other hand “only free will” are both false. They are one-sided attempts at a solution that will elude its pursuers so long as it is one-sided.
I completely agree Skip: Aristotle would throw a fit trying to fit this one into his “categories”. And Paul’s identification of himself as a Pharisee even after his conversion really caught my attention. I feel like this one today was written to specifically address what I’m struggling with right now… Thanks.
“And Paul’s identification of himself as a Pharisee even after his conversion…”
Hi Joel,
Speaking of Pharisee’s, Skip mentioned Brad Young, Paul: The Jewish Theologian, and I liked that book a lot, but I liked Brad Young, Jesus: The Jewish Theologian even better.
Both are great IMO.
And I think we have to be careful using “predestination” unless we are referring to Calvinism; determination (God “determines” what happens) is probably a more useful/accurate term.
Determinism! That’s the word! Yes, yes, you’re right, that’s what I meant, that’s much less ambiguous.
Man proposes, God disposes 🙂
Origin: This proverb is a translation from “The Imitation of Christ” by the German-born Thomas à Kempis (c.1380-1471): “For the resolutions of the just depend rather on the grace of God than on their own wisdom; and in Him they always put their trust, whatever they take in hand. For man proposes, but God disposes; neither is the way of man in his own hands.”
We do not know.
One thing we do know: We know that we do not know.
But simply because the human mind cannot know a thing, does that mean this thing cannot exist? Because we cannot give a reason, is there then no reason?
Or perhaps it simply means that we should be a little more humble, since we are not the ones who made this world. We must wait, and when all the drama is done, then we will know with the knowledge of the Author Himself.
From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe; words and condensation by Tzvi Freeman
I feel the same as Joel in regards to never having noticed Paul’s declaration of being a Pharisee after finding Christ on the road to Damascus. I have been raised and trained to see Paul as a converted Christian man who left behind all his Pharisaic roots behind. This passage alone is a glimpse of light in my own personal journey of trying understand Scripture into the reality of my own faulty frame of Western understanding. I hesitate greatly in thinking that I have seen wrong all my life, but this challenges me to humbly re-examine my own thinking and seek the truth of what God is saying in Scripture. I must settle with an I-don’t-know for now, but this Today’s Word is certainly very thought provoking. Thanks Skip!
Skip, was the term “conversion” or “being converted” really used in the original Greek translation? If so what was the Hebrew behind those words.
I have always found that word somehow not right.
Today I was re-reading Eikev, and these are some of the things I saw. I am overcome!
Deu 8:2 “You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.
Deu 8:3 “He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD.
Moses
Deu 9:9
“When I went up to the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant which the LORD had made with you, then I remained on the mountain forty days and nights; I neither ate bread nor drank water.
Deu 9:10
“The LORD gave me the two tablets of stone written by the finger of God; and on them {were} all the words which the LORD had spoken with you at the mountain from the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly.
Elijah
1Ki 19:7
The angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise, eat, because the journey is too great for you.”
1Ki 19:8
So he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.
Jesus
Mat 4:1
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Mat 4:2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.
Mat 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’ ”
Mat 4:7 Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’ ”
Mat 4:10 Then Jesus *said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’ ”
“After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There He was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: ‘This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!’ Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead” (Mark 9:2-9). The account of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ as recorded here in Mark (parallel passages are found in Matthew 17:1-3 and Luke 9:28-36) is a demonstration to three witnesses that Jesus Christ was who He claimed to be.
Mat 5:17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.
In all three accounts of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ, we are given the names of the three disciples who accompanied Jesus and who stood as human witnesses to the glory that was Christ’s. There were also three heavenly witnesses, Moses, Elijah, and the voice of God from heaven. Therefore, the Old Testament law of three witnesses required to attest to any fact was satisfied both in earth and in heaven.
Deuteronomy 19:15 “A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed.
Antoinette, (b/t/w … is your name French?)
It really does not matter how many times we go back to The Word …. does it?
It seems that ELOHIM is quite desirous of feeding us when our heart attitude is genuine. I love the weekly parsha studies that we have at Beth El Gibbor and … they never get stale … from cycle to cycle! Always something new! Always something exciting or profound! 🙂
I am glad that you were blessed today and that you shared …. and now I am wondering just how many folks at TW follow the traditional Torah reading cycle?
And if a good number do …. would Skip entertain letting us use the TW venue to share thoughts, revelations, questions, etc.? Just a thought anyway! 🙂
Perhaps … Skip … might even want to consider ….. oh never mind …. the brother is busy enough! LOL 🙂
Hi Drew,
No, my name is Dutch, I was named after my grandmother, she raised a big Catholic family, and was the midwife of the area in which they lived in Holland. She died shortly before I was born, but her name lives on in 5 of her grandchildren.
I have mentioned the idea of a midrash to Skip, he is terribly busy, and I think wisely waiting on the Lord for direction. I pray that HaShem leads us all walk in his way.
When you said you were Jesuit trained, did you mean you were a seminarian studying to become a Jesuit, or that they were your teachers in your high school or college?
My Journey is on my website – I am a work in progress, as are we all!
“Dutch” … Nice 🙂 …. My grandmother was Dutch as well … her last name was “Thesing” or there abouts 🙂 But I am also Italian, Irish, … a typical mutt! 🙂
Big Catholic family …. me too … are there any small ones? HA! 🙂
I was Jesuit trained …. Prep School … College … no seminary … but enough nonetheless!
And now I am a member of a Messianic community led by a Rabbi …. Ha! And I view myself as just another Israelite amongst the mixed multitude! Praise Yeshua! The rest of the Catholic clan simply sees me as the “Messianic Jew” with the emphasis on Jew … oh well!
And like everyone else that is serious about Yeshua …. I am just another work in progress…
Shalom
Out of curiosity, where can one find a calender/schedule detailing the “traditional torah reading cycle”?
http://ffoz.org/downloads/ third item from the bottom, they should be putting up the schedule for 5770 soon, there are only 5 weeks left in this year’s cycle.
Hey everyone. TW is merely a springboard. It just gets the conversation started. All in the community are free to use it as they wish. As for me, I am struggling to keep up 🙂
If Peter said nearly 2000 years ago “even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in ALL his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to be understood, WHICH THEY THAT ARE UNLEARNED and unstable wrest, as they do also other scriptures, UNTO THEIR OWN DESTRUCTION.” ( II Peter 3:15&16)it makes me realize that 1) one MUST be learned in the Torah in order to understand the old testament and 2) the point here, “How far away have we been lost in translation over 2000 years?!”
Skip,
You wrote: The Hebrew mind, on the other hand, is overpowered by a sense of wonder and amazement. It thrives on the inconsistencies and contradictions of the one awe-inspiring God.”
Have you ever published anything that would confirm Brad Young’s statement of inconsistencies and contradictions of God. I have always believe God has not been inconsistent or contradictory, unless we interpret His writings incorrectly and therefore we make it appear to be inconsistent or contradictory. Skip please respond. Blessings, Jim
The quest of certainty, and the corollary – the need for all answers – comes from a Greek metaphysics. Please listen to my lecture on epistemology. It will outline the bankruptcy of the 2500 years of Greek thought. It also raises the serious question: Do we really believe that the character, purposes and plans of God can be reduced to be completely understood by human intelligence? The Greeks must answer YES because their system hold reason as the supreme object. The Hebrew answer NO because he understands that the Creator is far greater than the created. What we know of God must be revealed to us. That is all the information we have to deal with. We can try our best to make it all fit a single, logical model, but in the end, God might just reveal to us things that don’t fit our model and we are left with tension. The reason they don’t fit is not because God is inconsistent. We know (because He tell us) that He is not. But that doesn’t mean we can MAKE it all fit now.
What an amazing discussion on this subject, and related ones. I just want to add this: the “born again” theology of the current evangelical persuasion does not find much support in the Greek text. Peter coins the word. Jesus never uses it. Yes, John 3 does not say “born again” as most evangelically based translations suggest. He uses the words “born from above”, which by the way, are translated “from above” in every other occurrence except this one. That should tell you something.
At any rate, the Hebrew expression, found hundreds of times in the Scriptures, comes from the root “shuv” and means generally, to return, to turn back, to restore. Jeremiah uses it in 17 different nuances. It is the fundamental word in Hebrew for man’s renewed fellowship with God. If that is the basis of all the Scripture, then why do we put so much emphasis on the “born again” idea (which appears only 1 time in Peter’s letter)? It’s worth thinking about.