Redefining the Word
Every one who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. 1 John 3:4 NASB
Lawlessness – The Greek word for “lawlessness” is anomos. We have English derivatives from this Greek word like antinomian. But it isn’t the Greek background of the word that matters most when we want to understand what John is saying. John, like Paul, uses nomos (“law”) for the Hebrew torah. Therefore, the opposite of law (nomos – torah) is lawless (anomos – lo torah). Once we understand the connection to the Hebrew background, we realize that John is being as consistent as any of the prophets and Yeshua. Sin is a violation of Torah. Living without Torah is “lawless,” and this is the equivalent of sin.
This raises a very difficult problem for current Christian thinking. If John is Hebraic in his use of the term “lawlessness,” then he is endorsing a Torah-observant life. In fact, he is saying that those who do not live according to Torah are practicing sin. Christian replacement thinking moves in another direction. Using the Greek/Roman idea of nomos, Christian thought usually implies that lawlessness is something akin to unruly social or private behavior. The standard is based in either the teaching of the Church or the acceptable behavior of the society. But lawlessness is definitely not considered as breaking Torah. Christianity adopts a meaning of John’s use of anomos that follows the cultural expectations of the first century Roman and Greek philosophers, not the use of the word as it is found in the mouth of Moses or Yeshua. As a result, lawlessness becomes a product of the age and the culture. One hundred years ago, homosexuality was considered lawlessness. Not today. The culture changed and the meaning of the word changed with it. Without a defined revelation of ethical, moral and righteous standard, the culture will always determine the meanings of the words.
The problem is intensely personal. If sin really is not following Torah, as John suggests, then there are a lot of “believers” who are living lives of lawlessness even if they are meeting the ethical expectations of their culture. The only way we can support the current Christian view of ethical behavior is to dismiss the Hebraic context of John’s letter, to pretend that John “converted” to Christianity and broke with the Jewish way of life tied to Torah. We have to rewrite the history of the first century in order to conclude that John did not mean what is found throughout the LXX, the disciples and Paul. But if John thinks like a Jew, writes like a Jew, believes like a Jew and follows a Jewish Messiah, how can we justify treating this text as if John thought like Christians after Marcion? Who has the correct definition of the term anomos, John or us?
There is no use pretending that what we call acceptable is good enough for God. It doesn’t matter what the preacher says or the theologian or the Church. What matters, and the only thing that matters, is the text. What does God say? “What does God demand of me?” That’s the only question, and you better not get the wrong answer.
Topical Index: anomos, nomos, law, lawlessness, Torah, 1 John 3:4
Wow! More heart searching truth. Having just went through my mom in law dying (long story) and then the standard funeral services with a “modern” pastor–oh do these teaching hit home. The lawlessness that was spoken during the funeral service was astounding to me. The lies I heard were clearly heard this time. These were things I used to find comfort in but sit there now trying not to shake my head (in a negative manner) and disrupt the entire process! The one thing is that these people had good intentions and were certainly sincere in their grief and condolences offered to my family but clearly mislead.
The church has so far departed from Law and Truth that I wonder if it can ever right itself apart from the Day of the Lord coming.
I so appreciate your steadfast holding to teaching truth and asking the hard questions Skip. This is producing a better fruit from me and I hope from other readers as well.
On another note Skip, I emailed your contact regarding Virginia Beach for details but have heard nothing. Suggestions or should I try again?
Dawn,
My condolences on your mother in law’s passing.
I hear you on the shaking your head at the pastor. Where does one even start to help others see the truth?
When I first moved to Utah and learned about the Mormons, while I was still accepting of man made doctrines, I used to wonder how I could share with them the perspective I had at that time. It hit me that they believe in a Jesus, they keep the 10 commandments (or at least try to) and then some, They believe in a God (well several actually) voila, they must be Christians. That is how they see themselves. They have built a foundation on sand, but they aren’t really any different than the evangelical churches around here.
Without Torah, one cannot come to grasp with who God is or what God expects. It is not something that can be told to another person, they must see it in action and decide for themselves if they are willing to count the cost and proceed. Once you start down the path to the Truth, you can never turn back. I think that is what the author of Hebrews was talking about when he said that you would crucify Christ anew.
“For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.” Hebrews 6:5
I am sure Barry will respond to you. Try again. It is a rather busy time, however.
Redefine? Or fulfill?
Jesus, who came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets,
did not stone the woman caught in adultery.
He forgave her.
And embued her heart with His compassionate heart,
thus enabling her to change. and radically so, so she
could “go and sin no more.”
The Law was established to show man his sins. “I would not
have known sin except through the law.” Rm 7:7
Jesus established fulfillment in Himself.
“Therefore there is now no condemnation to those who are in
Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but
according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in
Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and
death.” Rm 8: 1-2
Obedience is still paramount . . . but with a radical change!
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells
in you, He who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to
your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” Rm 8:11
Jesus put it this way to the Jews He was teaching who believed Him.
“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall
know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They answered Him,
“We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to
anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”
Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits
a sin is a slave to sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever,
but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall
be free indeed.” Jn 8 :31-36
“And so it is written, ‘the first man Adam became a living being.’ The last
Adam became a life-giving spirit.” 1 Cor 15:45
That’s the fulfillment!
Rich, I was thinking about the woman caught in adultery the other day, that she was not stoned as is called for in the Torah, and about Yashua walking along picking grain on the Sabbath, and David eating the show bread…I came to the conclusion that God wants us to know what the rules are to help each other, not to beat each other up with them.
There are many examples in the Word of people breaking the Torah regulations, such as the Hebrew midwives lying to Pharaoh, Rahab when she lied to save the spies, the three instances above, and more that I’m not going to make a list of here. Does God not expect us to use our brains when applying what we know? Not that the Lord came to do away with Torah, that He came to show us what it looks like to live it out? Putting others before ourselves, life trumps death, Love the Lord your God with all of your being?
By moving away from the foundation, Torah, don’t we always end up making up our own mind about what is good? Like Skip says above, that good will be what ever society defines good to be.
It is my understanding that there are greater and lesser commandments. The greatest of course being to love God and others. Messiah talked of this and used an ox (as an example) that had fallen in a pit-leave it cause it was Sabbath or rescue it? Allow suffering and not heal because it was Sabbath or (having love) heal and ease suffering? I think you get my drift.
No one can perfectly fulfill all the commandments. I suspect that the woman caught in adultery would not be given yet another chance where she to go AND sin some more. Choices, always choices.
But-Torah being the foundation removes (for me) a lot of the speculation and wondering.
Yes, I feel the same way. I like to know what is expected of me, it makes life’s choices a lot easier. There is much freedom in simplicity.
Again, the fact that Yeshua uses this example demonstrates that He accepted the RABBINIC interpretation of the hierarchy of Torah. So much of the Torah debate is the result of treating Torah as if it is made up of ethical absolutes rather than flexible situations.
You are mostly right. There is a hierarchy in Torah. The Talmud teaches the priority of life as the determination of this priority. But you are not quite right concerning not stoning the woman. No one who followed Torah would have stoned her since the conditions for establishing guilt were not met. And about plucking grain – see Daniel Boyarin. It isn’t about plucking at all. Look more carefully. These are NOT written Torah issues.
Still learning…always learning, mulling over these treasures you up turn in your own search Skip, that you share with us. Back to mulling. 🙂
But Rich, “I have come to fulfill” is a HEbrew idiom for “I have come to properly interpret.” We are more the losers for not hearing the words in their own culture. In Greek the word means complete or finish, but not in Hebrew AND YESHUA DID NOT SPEAK GREEK. Try again with the understanding that what all of this is about is properly interpreting the Word of YHWH.
Are We Listening?
Defining the Word
–What does God say? “What does God demand of me?”–
Two wonderful questions. God (audibly) speaks: ~ While He was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them, and a Voice from the cloud said: This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him. Listen to Him! ~ (Matthew 17.5) The Father says: “listen to Him.” Should we? Shall we? Surely.
His mother speaks: ~ and whatever He says unto you- “do it!” ~
He speaks: ~ all authority/dominion/power is given unto Me ~
Are we listening?
What was the reaction of the talmudim/the disciples?)- Ours would be the same, ~ When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified ~ (Matthew 17.6)
Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. (Hebrews 1.1)
~ But in these last days He has spoken to us by (and through) His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world ~
There were some serious changes made when a baby was born in Bethlehem. Never before – never since, has a virgin given birth to a son. What would this birth mean to a first century Jew? Seems to me, it was “business as usual” in Bethlehem that night. The night Christ was born. There were, however, some wise men (were they Jewish?- I dunno) who had (apparently) been doing some studying – and following a special star, traveled westward to find and to worship Him. Seek, and you (too?) will find..
~ Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ~ (Matthew 2.2)
(yes) ~ He “stirs up the people” all over Judea!.. ~ (Luke 23.5) lol!
Now isn’t this interesting? He was born a King and died a King. And since (as it is written!) the Jews require a sign..
~And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted His raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided Him, saying, He saved others; let him save Himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked Him, coming to Him, and offering Him vinegar, and saying, If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself. And a superscription (here’s your sign) also was written over Him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. ~
Born a King, died a King, and coming to earth again to reign as King. Two down,- one to go.
What Child is this? A child no longer.. This, this is Christ the King! …
~ From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a Name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” ~
~ Blessed is the Name of the LORD ~
~ Wherefore God also has highly exalted Him, and has given Him a Name which is above every name.. ~
Yes, ~ Who is this King of glory? ~
Jesus established fulfillment in Himself.
“Therefore there is now no condemnation to those who are in
Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but
according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in
Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and
death.” Rm 8: 1-2
It seems to me Christianity has lifted the meaning of what Paul is saying here
to mean something entirely different than the Hebrew intent of Paul.
If atonement comes about based on an event that occurred before the foundation of the
world and becomes a reality for all by teshuvah, returning to YHWH, then what follows must
fall in line with that beginning.
This is where Torah comes in to play. Returning to YHWH involves cessation of the direction of death
we are proceeding in. The beginning or our faith – full – ness, our real returning begins with moving in the
direction YHWH is moving.
Moving in a direction towards YHWH. Welcome to all who do so. Once returned, then we must NOT
walk, live according to the flesh, sin, unrighteousness, un-Torah. The instructions of the flesh oppose
life and drape us in death when we reside there. The instruction and way of YHWH, when participated
in reflects His Spirit, His manner, His life, His way – walking in His Spirit.
The instruction of the Spirit of life as demonstrated and evidenced in Yeshua HaMashiach for us translates to
no more having to be subject to the power of sin, that is death, since Yeshua killed death by conquering it
after dying on a stick. Looking upon Him who was raised up on that stick, dying because of it, then raising beyond
the power of death caused by sin, gives all those who look upon Him hope, confidence, and victory that we, too,
can not be subject to death any longer.
Those that have no condemnation are those that WALK NOT according to the flesh. This is the equivalent of
being “in Yeshua HaMashiach.”
This isn’t a magical event of some etherealness coming upon us and evading the cells of our bodies. It is life action,
or continual WALKING in Torah, YHWH’s character and essence.
Fulfillment is action reflecting Torah.
Christianity cancels most all things Torah and replaces it with good intentions, rewording, and false straw figures and
proceeds to build flimsy empires.
Kind of sounds like modern liberal political thinking to me. O. Bam! A care???
You must have written my book before me. 🙂 Right on!
I wish I could have written a book like yours. It’s because of your book(s), blog, audios, and videos that I can now sort these things in a manner that truly makes sense to me, a way that doesn’t require me to twist, turn and scrunch my brain with contortions to grasp what now seem like simple and more straight forward truths.
What I share here is primarily an attempt to explain outwardly what I’m trying to figure out inwardly. It’s one thing to juggle thoughts bouncing around inside my head. It’s quite another to make an effort to explain those thoughts intelligently via written words. Trying to express them in written form goes a long way toward helping me understand them better.
As always, thanks for your input. Often I am familiar with the concepts you share, however, they are usually all jumbled and and not quite so ordered in my head. You have a very keen way of identifying all the parts and assembling them into a cohesive whole that makes sense to me. You provide many “ahh ha!” moments for me.
I was raised by loving, caring parents.
I was told I could do anything.
And so I did. Anything and everything!
Worldly success? Yes.
Worldly shame? That, too.
Net Net: I was as lost as lost could be. I had everything.
But nothing!
Walt Kelly’s famous quote had my name written all over it:
“We have seen the enemy and he is us.”
That was me. Gifted. Talented. Resourceful. And . . . my own
worst enemy! Thankfully, the good Lord knew that, and began to
save me from myself. It took years. But He was, and is, so very
patient!
He led me to His Word. And at first it assalted me, which I really
needed. Then, it humbled me, which I really, really needed. Slowly,
it re-arranged me letting the air out of “my” baloon. And ultimately,
it changed me and ushered me into becoming a “new” man.”
“I can of Myself do nothing”, Jesus humbly said in Jn 5:30
Jesus said that!!!?
Whoa! Where had I been? I thought I could do anything.
What I needed to do was to get rid of the enemy . . . myself!
I was a candidate for some radical teaching.
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest” Mat 11:28 That was it! I was sooo tired dragging
myself around.
Luckily,I went to the same school John the Baptist attended!
The HUGE lesson: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Jn 3:30
So tough to learn. Much tougher to accomplish. But . . .”I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil 4:13
Sure wish my loving, caring parents taught me THAT!
“One hundred years ago, homosexuality was considered lawlessness. Not today. The culture changed and the meaning of the word changed with it. Without a defined revelation of ethical, moral and righteous standard, the culture will always determine the meanings of the words.”
Truth! And the culture will ALWAYS go the way of compromise!
So is it any wonder that a constitution based on a spiritualized, allegorically editorialized, culturally relevant to the modern hears, interpretation of Torah should digress into a document that changes according to the cultural whims as well?
We all keep trying to call our country back to just such a biblical understanding.
Torah lovers stand up and be seen. If you have come to know the truth declare it and push mightily against the tide of assimilation. How will they know there is another way if nobody stands uncompromisingly In what scripture tells us ‘literally’ what we should do?
Shabbat Shalom
Can any of you share how you handle family and friends that still celebrate Christmas, Easter and have no real interest in knowing or studying to learn about the times we should be celebrating? This is very hard. The more truth I discover the harder it becomes to be involved in these celebrations. I am struggling. Thanks!
Hi donna,
My family is still struggling with the best way to handle these days, too. I still haven’t figured out what to say to family who question the shifts and changes we’re making, but I’ve started thinking of Christmas and Easter as kind of national holidays, like the 4th of July or President’s Day (or Israel’s independence day or other national holiday there – technically, Hanukkah isn’t a Torah required holiday, so it falls under the same category at Christmas in my mind – nationally recognized celebration). We see family and give gifts, but it’s not a “religious” or Torah holiday (although we explain that it’s when people celebrate Yeshua’s “birthday”). That kind of helps because with small children (like we have), they don’t understand much of any of this. They just think the lights are pretty.
As we’ve started adding Torah “holidays”/celebrations into our lives, most of our family think it’s interesting/weird/legalistic. Some want to join in (we’re getting quite the gathering at Passover). But I don’t always try to do long explanations about why things are changing or try to “convert” them to our way of thinking. A lot of the time I point them to this site and recommend that they start reading. Or I buy them a copy of one of Skip’s books for Christmas. That seems a little ironic, actually. 🙂
Shalom!
Thanks, Amanda! It IS hard with young children. I have 7 grandchildren. Although they and their parents understand the truth about this they are still celebrating. I am not critical of them and do share what I have learned. I also started a neighborhood school where my students are learning about our Hebraic roots. I have to tread lightly where parents are concerned:) Their children are teaching them! Most parents don’t have a clue about any of this. Thanks for your input. Shalom!
It was incremental for me and I have to keep reminding myself it will be the same for our children and their children. I think the awareness of the pagan nature of Christmas and Easter creeps up on you until suddenly you just can’t stand it anymore — kind of like the smell of pork.
If you have young children now and you have an awareness of the pagan-nature of Christmas, you can start setting the tone in your home. We give small gifts to our grandchildren at Hanukkah and remind them that Grandma and Grandpa don’t participate in Christmas. This year I did send them a late package (not wrapped like Christmas) that arrived today and we will watch them open it later today on Skype – again reminding them that the gift is because we love them and not because of Christmas. I do send little gifts for no reason at other times of the year so this is not out of character.
It’s not totally as I wish it could be but I look at it as a transition for my son and daughter-in-law who grew up with Christmas and still celebrate with her family. And it is setting apart the fact that Grandma and Grandpa are different with the hope that this generates questions as they get older.
Very nice, kind and loving response to the culture of Christmas. Getting people to ask questions is very Hebrew and very good in my opinion! Nothing needs to be shoved down anyones throat.
I also like the idea of simply giving a gift at any time of the year just because of love for someone. Or perhaps seeing a need and meeting it.
I am working my way thru all of the Christmas and Easter culture things and wanting to do so in such a manner to encourage questions and not get all self-righteous with others.
Thank you for sharing. This is what helps others grow.
RICH…. Praise the LORD!! 🙂