Tribal Identity
I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. Romans 11:1 NASB
May it never be! – “me genoito” writes Paul. “Impossible!” “Don’t even think like that!” “No way!” Has God rejected Israel and put the Gentiles in their place? “Are you kidding?” “Who could ever imagine such a thing?”
Unfortunately, the answer to this last question is about one billion Christians. In fact, most Christians since the time of the early Church fathers have been taught a different way of reading these statements—and subsequently a completely different way of thinking about God and the world. And it isn’t their fault! They have been grafted into a particular cultural identity—an anti-Semitic identity—that not only validates their religious practice but actually shapes how they think of God’s interactions with them. A few days ago we looked at the application of 2 Chronicles 7:14, a verse that is often employed politically in American culture, used to imply that we Americans are the inheritors of God’s promises. If we only do what God says in this particular verse, we will have prosperity and justice. Our cultural training effectively eliminates all references to the original audience and turns the Bible into a book about us.
But this is not surprising. Non-theologians have recognized the intransigence of cultural identity change for a long time. For example, Brené Brown cogently asks, “How can we expect someone to give up a way of seeing and understanding the world that has physically, cognitively or emotionally kept them alive?”[1] We think altering our religious views is simply a matter of correcting our exegesis. I doubt that. I have witnessed dozens of Torah groups that remain Western and Christian in spite of adopting Jewish language and rituals. In fact, there are times when I seriously question whether really radical identity change is even possible. We are so much a product of our upbringing, our language, our cultural patterns that it seems as if birth is the single biggest factor in belief. “Conversion” is a much more difficult process than mental acknowledgement.
The paradigm that shapes our cultural identity is responsible for all kinds of theological gymnastics and self-validation. As an example, notice these remarks about being grafted in (from a well-known web site) in comparison with Paul’s fervent denial, me genoito.
Question: “What does it mean that the church has been grafted in Israel’s place?”[2]
Answer: In Romans 11:11–24 Paul compares Israel to the natural branches of a cultivated olive tree and the Gentile believers to the branches of a wild olive tree. The natural branches (Israel) were broken off, and the wild branches (Gentiles) were grafted in (verse 17). The Gentiles, then, have been made partakers of the promises and inherit the blessings of God’s salvation.
It is important to understand how God called Israel to be His people and how they failed to fulfill that calling. As the seed of Abraham, the children of Israel were chosen by God to be a separate people, holy to the Lord. God’s design was for them to be a light to the Gentiles so that they, too, might know God (Genesis 18:17–19; Isaiah 42, 49). Instead, the Israelites chased foreign gods and betrayed their calling (Ezekiel 23; Hosea 11). But God, who knew they would do this, had already promised to restore His kingdom to Israel after they rebelled and then eventually repented (Deuteronomy 30:1–10). So God sent His Son, preceded by a forerunner, to invite Israel to “repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2; 4:17).
However, when Jesus revealed Himself as the promised Davidic King who would restore Israel (Matthew 11—12; Acts 3:19–22), He was rejected by the Jews, exactly as Isaiah had prophesied (Isaiah 52—53). Jesus therefore called His disciples to fulfill Abraham’s commission to bless the nations (Genesis 12:2–3) by preaching the gospel of the Kingdom to all nations until the end of this age (Matthew 28:18–20). Paul thus preached the gospel of the Kingdom to the Jews and was repeatedly rejected (Acts 13—28); in consequence, Paul brought the good news to the Gentiles, who in turn became Abraham’s spiritual seed by faith and heirs of the promises to Abraham and his seed (Galatians 3—4). This is what Paul meant in Romans 11 by the Gentiles being “grafted” into the “olive tree” and nourished by the “root” (the promises to Abraham). The tree thus signifies the collective people of God; the “wild branches” grafted in are Gentile believers; the “natural branches” that are cut off are the Jews in unbelief. Jewish believers remain in the tree but are joined with Gentiles and “made” into a “new body,” the Church (Ephesians 2:11–22).
Given this theological onslaught, is there any chance of an ordinary believer coming to the conclusion that God is the God of Israel, not the God of the Christian substitutionary Church? I don’t think so. Until a person reaches some particular point of extreme dismay and emotional discomfort, there is no chance for real change. And even this sort of change doesn’t seem to actually alter our embedded birth worldview. As van der Kolk notes in his study of trauma:
“Change begins when we learn to ‘own’ our emotional brains. That means learning to observe and tolerate the heartbreaking and gut-wrenching sensations that register misery and humiliation. Only after learning to bear what is going on inside can we start to befriend, rather than obliterate, the emotions that keep our maps fixed and immutable.”[3]
What I’m suggesting is that theological change is primarily cognitive, and as such does not touch the real issues of living, that is, the deeply-held emotional and social connections that tell us who we are. Cognitive conversion is a mental aberration, not a transformation. It is, unfortunately, the primary means of religious “conversion.” Perhaps that’s why even Hebraic roots adaption eventually seems so incipient.
It seems to me, now more than ever before, that the Bible is really a record of God’s involvement with men and women dealing with deep emotional trauma. The Bible is a story, a personal disclosure of the tragedy of these lives and the possibility of some kind of redemption. It is not a theological treatise and if it is treated as one, it immediately loses its real connection to who we are. It becomes one more prop in our self-justifying cultural identity.
I am challenging you to put aside your theology, to stop arguing about doctrine and dogma, exegetical nuances and philosophical perspectives. I am challenging you to read about the lives of these biblical characters as real people experiencing real trauma, and to see what God does with them. After all, I doubt very much that theology will save any of us. Until we know who we are, we will be lost even if we have all the right answers.
Topical Index: trauma, Bessel van der Kolk, Brené Brown, me genoito, Romans 11:1
[1] Brené Brown, Daring Greatly, (Avery, 2012), p. 158.
[2] https://www.gotquestions.org/grafted-Israel.html
[3] Bessel van der Kolk, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, pp. 131-132.
I recently purchase Van Der Kolk’s book because you have been quoting from from it. I have found it fascinating. As a math teacher, I have tried to understand why some kids just don’t come around, and are so self destructive despite all the time and effort poured into them. I bought a copy for the guidance counselors at my school too, hoping it will help them in their job. I found Bessel’s comments full of compassion. And we like him need to do all we can to make a change when we see
a wrong not being righted. Our identities are so hard to change, so I whole heartedly agree with your words above Skip. I rest in knowing my Father knows me, all of me. And I will struggle to keep that rest the rest of my life. I don’t speak in this forum much, but I would like to thank this community for how you have impacted me and my family. Shalom
I minister in the inner-city. We were just talking about our “identity” last night. Another leader used the term “in Christ” but many did not understand what that meant. I asked everyone, in just our city alone, how many children do they think are lost (from Biblical terms) vs. how many adults (% wise). From their own mouths, over 80% of children and way more adults. We got to talking just how damaging thought processes are and how most are not taught how to process pain, abuse and other traumas. This truly affects the way people think and learn (let along obey God). The Lord just showed me something that happened to me at 2, under my conscious level of understanding that created a pattern that was replicated my whole life. I didn’t even know it was there. The amount of chaos, verbal and physical abuse, gun shots, threats and violence that goes on in our cities, is going into the DNA of our children. This is not healed in a day a week or year. Last night, as we discussed identity we got to a place where I said – what’s better, giving yourself over to someone or something that ultimately wants to see your demise? Or, giving yourself over to the Lord, who though He may allow pain and suffering in your life, it is ultimately meant to free you, make you whole and make you part of Him? They got that based on experiences.
Thank you, Dana. That is the kind of sharing that really helps me, both personally and in my interactions with others. Your work also makes it easier for me in many ways.
It is hard for me when I ‘lose’ somebody (so many times by burying them) and I feel like all the heart and effort is ‘wasted’, but it never is. Please be encouraged that you are doing larger good in the world than you could know (and that would be all who are sacrificing their lives for others). Light and salt go a long way.
I really love you, sister in Christ. Thank you for being just who you are. I smile and praise God every time I think of you.
Brenda,
Let us know what you think as you are reading this. I, too, am a teacher and see the self destructing going on; the guilt, the shame. All the past experiences already as young children. Our study this past year was Yah’s promises and who we are in HIM. It was a good year! I’ve been learning this myself, Skip. Who am I in Him and how much He loves us! Praise HIM! I have pulled back from alot of the Hebraic Roots stuff. I just didn’t see the most important thing- above all else, LOVE! Let us be of one mind and spirit- Him and His love 🙂 Shalom to all!
“I am challenging you to put aside your theology, to stop arguing about doctrine and dogma, exegetical nuances and philosophical perspectives”.
For a little more clarity on this one line Skip; Is this addressing us who post on the response board or is this a general acknowledgment of what is occurring within the ‘believers’ community at large?
An observation of mine is that I needed to reread this Today’s Word slowly to garner the message (and probably will again in short order) as it twists in some secular science (van der kolk’s study of trauma) into the biblical narrative that was perhaps not present in the consciousness of those who lived the text (and perhaps those near generations that followed et al).
Is there only the moment of ‘a better understanding’ based upon the present conditions of ‘advancement’ of higher learning concerning the human condition? Where does that leave the prior generations who went forward without the benefit of such?
Perhaps the ‘theology’, doctrine, dogma, exegetical nuances and philosophical perspectives, has been the motivator of us who question such when we actually read the content of God’s revelation to Moshe.
And not so much the emotional experience.
Sorry – I hit the disagree button when I wanted to “read more”. Using the touch screen, the buttons are too close…
lol, glad you posted this. I was thinking, “Ouch! What did Richard say?”
Difficult and traumatic though it is, isn’t this the pretty much the same thing as renewing our minds, becoming as little children, being born again? No wonder poor Nicodemus was perplexed!
“Until we know who we are, we will be lost even if we have all the right answers.”
I totally love this statement, Skip. I am going to be chewing the rest of the day on that pithy summation. Thank you!
Which brings up the question: who are the lost? Which brings up the question: define “lost”. Most people are trained to answer: “lost from the church”. The real answer, according to you, is, “lost from ourselves”. Radical!
“Lost” is an IDENTITY issue! We don’t know who we are, therefore we cannot know who God is. He cannot “come in and eat and sup” with people who can’t even turn on their front porch lights much less know where their own front doors are.
Who am I? That is a question of who I am connected TO. Now, that is supposed to be the Body, who reflects to me accurately who I am; in fact, who I am is an organ of an organism by design, “whose head is Christ”. Church, or synagogue (not to mention family and neighborhood association, for that matter) is supposed to reflect me back to me so that I know who I am. That is a burden of the Body, but if you have an institution claiming to be doing that but is filled with people who still do not know who they are, then I would say the institution has failed the Body test. A tight-knit, responsive group of co-workers may be doing a better job in the Body department at that point. If we cannot ‘find ourselves’ in a collection of folks, then that collection is not following the Body design, even though their sign may claim that they are, and that goes for ALL social groups, y’all. I
n the Torah, I find Body design for all interactions of daily life, and most, if not practically ALL of that is OUTSIDE the ‘church’. Take a minute and reflect that the Tabernacle was designed for sacrifice for sin: the only time people even showed up at the place was when they had a sin issue, and most of the time when they were called to ALL show up was because they had a COLLECTIVE sin issue to deal with. The whole place was designed to deal with sin. Period. Now, how many churches actually are set up to deal with individual sin (much less COLLECTIVE) sin? Nope, “sermon” is not the right answer.
I would like to suggest that theology DOES matter in that it codifies a group’s understanding (and, hopefully, implementation) of the Body design, but, sadly, function of Body is way down the list of most of the theology out there.
Identity function is the litmus test of Body function. If the individuals cannot ‘find themselves’, it is going to be because the theological grouping they are looking for themselves in is lost, first.
What restores identity? Deliverance from all that is not me. If I cannot go to a group, especially a group that specifically claims to be part of the Body of Christ, -Who came specifically to deliver us from sin and return us back to life – and actually get delivered from my sin and so find out who I am, then I am not actually in the Body. Identity gets buried under a flood of sin. The Body is supposed to be designed to be a shovel to dig us back out again and restore us to function (which is always a PART of a whole). If the theology does not match that design correctly, then I would be tempted to say Body implementation is probably not going to happen.
I have noticed the same thing regarding Torah groups, though much less extensively than Skip. Interestingly, in view of today’s post I have just started reading two books, one called “Misreading scripture with Western eyes, removing cultural blinders to better understand the Bible” , and Kenneth Bailey’s Jesus Through Middle Eastern eyes, cultural studies in the Gospels.
“Whosoever believes” doesn’t seem to smack of any particular
identity pattern. All nations means ALL people does it not?
I’m perplexed by man’s idea of “who we are”.
God knows . . . and He draws ALL men to Himself.
We were all created in God’s image and God is offering the
olive branch to whosoever “sees” the need to identify with
their original design.
Well stated, so true!
Though I agree with all 3 of the following final statements, and I think they are very valid and important insights and exhortations, there are just a couple of non-oppositional questions and a matter of clarification or emphasis that I would propose. Here they are:
1) “I am challenging you to read about the lives of these biblical characters as real people experiencing real trauma, and to see what God does with them.”
2) “After all, I doubt very much that theology will save any of us.”
3) “Until we know who we are, we will be lost even if we have all the right answers.”
One question is, how does doing #1, reading about the lives of these biblical characters as “real people experiencing real trauma”, and “seeing what God does with them”, result in the desired outcomes of #2 and #3, “to know who we are” and thus be “saved” from being “lost”?
There must be something more we must do than the just the reading about the lives of these biblical characters as “real people experiencing real trauma, and seeing what God does with them”, to THEN “know who WE are” and thus be “saved” from being “lost”.
I’m guessing that at least some of this additional part of the process would be that we would, somehow and certainly by the help of the Ruach HaKodesh:
1) IDENTIFY with these characters ON AN EMOTIONAL LEVEL, out of our own personal experiences and then,
2) SEE what God does with them and then RECOGNIZE what God is doing in OUR LIVES, and how we are responding to that,
or
3) ANTICIPATE what he may yet do and CONSIDER how we ought to respond.
All this, to help us “know who we are”, resolve the trauma of our own lives, and thus be “saved” (delivered, healed, transformed into who He has created us to be in His image) from being “lost”.
Is that somewhat correct?
Another question is, what more do we need to understand about what even THAT means – “know who we are”?
…..Now, the matter about which I propose a clarification or emphasis so as to not “pendulum swing” to an extreme (and I do believe you, Skip, know this and seek to live in this deeper, truer, more complete way of life). This journey of “salvation” and/or “transformation” is not to be just one or the other – just a cognitive, or just a behavioral, or just an emotional one – but we are to love YHWH with all our heart, AND with all our soul, AND with all our mind, AND with all our strength, AND to love our neighbor as ourselves. Therefore, it is to be a WHOLISTIC process, AND one which is also in “SPIRIT and TRUTH”, in relationship with GOD, OURSELVES, and OTHERS. It involve not only right theology but ALSO right knowledge of ourselves.
“Yeshua answered, ‘The first is, “Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai echad. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is ONE. And you shall love Adonai your God with all your HEART, and with all your SOUL, and with all your MIND and with all your STRENGTH.” The second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as YOURSELF.” There is no other commandment greater than these.'” [Mar 12:29-31]
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in SPIRIT and TRUTH.” [Joh 4:24]
“But as for you, teach what accords with SOUND DOCTRINE.” [Tit 2:1]
I read your comment today and wanted to share. I love God, but how much more I love Him after He has healed me of one of my traumas. Every time He heals me, He becomes the “only One” in my eyes. But then, there’s something else He shows me, another place that I gave myself to that I was unaware, and He takes me down a journey of setting me free of that idol. I think that’s what it’s all about, the Garden. We unknowingly, put on all these “fig leaves” to cover our nakedness’s. But, it requires a sacrifice (Yeshua). And if we deal with “truth” and let God share “truth” with us, He will reveal what/how/ and why we put on the “fig leaf” in the first place instead of going to Him. The good news is He doesn’t take off all the fig leaves at once or we would all end up in the Psych ward! He’s gentle and compassionate and knows what we can handle and its all meant to help us cling to a group of others becoming one and seeing that He needs to be at the Center or the “Head” of us. What I’ve been experiencing though is making us one is not easy…but worth it.
God has often used secular resources to open up truth for me. All wisdom is His, all truth is His. I find the lies and dishonesty mostly to be within myself. Turmoil; buried inside, denied, hidden; that has kept me from hearing God. I have found great peace, and finally joy, in learning about the Hebrew worldview. I don’t have to fear “the evil”, I can trust what God is doing.
I think of some of those secular sources as being ‘fed by crows’ (Elijah).
I have the privilege of having a small group in my home once a month. We really have no set way to do our meeting, there is no leader and we just read and discuss the Torah portion together. We have grown to about twelve of us. It’s pretty interesting how we came together and the fellowship we’ve developed. We have all come from very different church backgrounds and try not to discuss what we were taught in church.
We mostly stick to just reading Torah and share things from Torah Class, a group one couple listens to, and I share a lot from things I’ve learned because of listening to lessons from your teachings Skip.
We have know idea where we’re going but we all know we’re not going back.
How am I supposed to read it as anything other than instructions? Not trying to challenge but an honest question. I mean i can verbally say that I will but into practice, what does that look like? Everything that I’ve been taught has been to read it as a rule book ie Torah. Even ‘coming into Torah’, it was about adopting these ‘rules’ or ‘instructions’. I once found it nearly offensive that people wouldn’t adopt these instructions that God has so clearly laid out Never has it been explained to to me to read it as a biography…
So what do I do then? How does one approach it? Is the point not the ‘instructions’ or ‘rules’, but rather to see how God deals with broken people?
I agree with your statement that theology won’t save any of us. But now what? What does it look like? How do I study it and what should I be taking away?
Hi Derek
Skip: “I am challenging you to read about the lives of these biblical characters as real people experiencing real trauma, and to see what God does with them.” – (Jacob, Josef, Solomon, David). I don’t think he was referring to the Torah instructions as such.
IT IS ALL SACRED And if this site does not apply to me then what am I doing here,Richard G? Two weeks ago this am I was again put under the knife of a very skillful surgeon, He carefully removed Cataracts. …
Glaucoma. …Age-related macular degeneration. … THANK YOU Skip, your skill in handling the Sword of Spirit is only surpassed by your gentle touch before during and after the procedures. I for one hear the still small voice, rest in the boat and sleep on the breast of the Lamb, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am learning not to fear the awesome, smoke and thunder on the mountain, Like Manoah I fall on my face and like His wife I will not Die but live… Walk before me and be blameless G17:1 step by step, Thanks to all who bear the secrets of their hearts and joy in the journey, Shalom Shabbat Shalom