The Truth from the Inside
But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8 NASB
Contrary – There is a marginal note concerning the translation of this preposition (para) in the NASB. There should probably be a marginal note in every English translation. That’s because the preposition para is usually found in spatial contexts (like “out of” or “from” or “along side”). The marginal note reads that this preposition in Galatians might be translated “other than” or “more than.” This recognizes the use of the preposition with a certain kind of Greek noun (called the accusative) where the meaning shifts from spatial to comparative. But it still takes the context to translate the word as “contrary.” It could just as well be that Paul meant “a gospel more than” or “a gospel other than.” The idea that this alternative good news must be against the first declaration is interpretive license. All that is really required is that it be different.
Why is this important? Because Paul is reflecting and alluding to a very old declaration of the Tanakh found in Deuteronomy 12:32. “Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it.” In Hebrew (the Hebrew text is 13:1), the negative is lo, the strongest possible sense of “not.” In fact, the Hebrew text says more than “whatever I command you.” It says, “kol-hadavar”. All the words (things). You shall remove nothing. You shall add nothing. Isn’t this precisely what Paul says? Paul, the rabbinic Pharisee, knew that the revelation given to Moses was untouchable. It cannot be changed! No matter who says so. In fact, if Paul actually proclaimed a message more than or other than the revelation given to Moses, he would have uttered a curse on himself in the eyes of every Jew and every Gentile proselyte in Galatia. Does that make any sense to you?
Today we Christians are quick to apply Paul’s pronouncement to Mormons who believe that an angel from heaven provided a “new” revelation to Joseph Smith. We quickly point to Paul’s statement when we encounter Muslims who believe that a spirit revealed “new” material to the prophet Mohammed. But we don’t think that Paul’s proclamation actually applies to us! We think that somehow Paul’s reference to Moses’ warning can’t be true of “Christians” in spite of the fact that we have certainly added to and taken away from the revelation given to Moses. Somehow we think that Paul would not have included “believers” who worship on Sunday, celebrate Christmas and Easter, eat whatever they wish, tithe to an organized religion and pay little if any attention to ritual purity requirements. We think that “Jesus” changed all this. But if He did, wouldn’t He also be under the curse? If Jesus actually preached a gospel that was more than or other than God’s revelation to Moses, would Jesus Himself be accursed? You can’t have it both ways. Either Paul curses himself and Yeshua and all the others who were supposed to have converted to Christianity, or Paul held that same revelation as Moses and it is we who have changed it.
Forget Maroni and Mohammed. Let’s begin with Moses. Does Paul expect us to set aside Moses’ warning or does Paul intend us to adhere to it? It’s really that simple. Who is accursed now?
Topical Index: contrary, para, more than, other than, Deuteronomy 12:32, Galatians 1:8
In fact, if Paul actually proclaimed a message more than or other than the revelation given to Moses, he would have uttered a curse on himself in the eyes of every Jew and every Gentile proselyte in Galatia. Does that make any sense to you?
(and from Paul’s own writings) ~ For I determined to know nothing among you except Yeshua HaMashiach, and Him crucified~ (I Corinthians 2.2)
It was not Moshe who was crucified, neither Elijah, nor John the Baptizer..- it was Yeshua HaMashich, Jesus (who is the) Christ, the Anointed ONE who is the perfect Passover Lamb, the Sent ONE- Savior of the world and they who dwell therein. Salvation/deliverance is “to the Jew first” AND (praise God!) to the Goyim. When our LORD said “Whosoever”- He included me.
Peter had good intentions. He meant well, of this I am sure. But when he said, “let us make three tabernacles- he blew it. One for Moses. One for Elijah. and one for this other man- Jesus. NO, no, and NO! Why? Moses was a man. Elijah was a man. And Who-Who-Who? was Jesus? Answer this one question and you sir, you m’am, are well on your way. First let us ask the correct question. The question is- NOT “Who was Jesus?” Moses is dead. Elijah is dead. And what about the carpenter’s son from Nazareth? Who, my educated, enlightened friends is ALIVE and well and living in the people He has for a temple? Who was crucified, buried in a borrowed tomb and was resurrected on the third day? Was it Moses? No. Was it Elijah? No. Noah? David? Abraham?- Nope. What was His Name? oh! (sorry..) Not “was”…. “IS” !!!!!!!!!!!! Jesus, (who IS the) Christ, Yeshua HaMaschiach “is” LORD. -Shall we continue? Is there more? Oh…….please! Yes!- May I? May I share “my” story with you? It is a simple one..
I will sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me.
How He left His home in glory
For the cross of Calvary.
Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.
I was lost, but Jesus found me,
Found the sheep that went astray,
Threw His loving arms around me,
Drew me back into His way.
I was bruised, but Jesus healed me,
Faint was I from many a fall,
Sight was gone, and fears possessed me,
But He freed me from them all.
Days of darkness still come o’er me,
Sorrow’s path I often tread,
But His Presence still is with me;
By His guiding hand I’m led.
He will keep me till the river
Rolls its waters at my feet;
Then He’ll bear me safely over,
Where the loved ones I shall meet.
Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.
Hear again, (for the first time)- the testimony of Rabbi Sha’ul: It has been written and recorded for “whosoever will” in 1 Corinthians 15:
~For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter (Cephas) , and then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all He appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. ~
Very good word Skip, I think Peter Green had it right in the lyrics below. We Christians think G-d is very well pleased with us. I would be afraid to ask Him what He thinks of me……
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAzd8Jkkqaw&feature=related
I can’t help about the shape I’m in
I can’t sing, I ain’t pretty and my legs are thin
But don’t ask me what I think of you
I might not give the answer that you wan’t me to
Oh well
Now, when I talked to God I knew he’d understand
He said, stick by my side and Ill be your guiding hand
But don’t ask me what I think of you
I might not give the answer that you want me to
The very fact that the “church” has proclaimed that “Jesus kept the Law perfectly so we don’t have to”, that the Law is finished, completed, no longer applicable, that Jesus taught something new, that “keep my commandments” somehow meant something other than the commandments given to Moses; this is the reason that Judaism (at least, in the majority) rejects Yeshua as Messiah – because the “church” has declared him to be, by the standards of Deuteronomy, a false prophet.
Was Yeshua of Nazareth (although he was actually born in Bethlehem) truly a false prophet? God forbid! He was not. He was completely obedient to all of the commandments that applied to him (and not all of them did – after all, he was not a Levitical priest, nor the High Priest, nor a woman). He taught nothing more and nothing less than what was revealed to and through Moses (although He did teach something other than what the Pharisees, Saducees, Essenes and various other sects taught where their traditions departed from Torah.
“Blessed are you, O Lord our God, who chose us out of all of the peoples and gave us the Torah. Blessed are you, Lord, giver of the Torah.”
Now, this is not argument, these are honest questions.
You or anyone who can answer me without using a single “izm”, I will pay attention to.
Can you tell me what was the entire purpose of ushering in a New Covenant?
If the law could save, what was bloody Calvary for?
What did Paul mean when he said:
“Wherefore the law WAS our schoolmaster to bring us unto Messiah, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster” (Galatians 3:25-26)?
When a person observes the Lord’s Supper, is this in rememberance of the 613 precepts of the Law or the living New Covenant in the blood of Jesus? The New Covenant is called a “new and living way” (Hebrews 10:20), whereas the Law was called the way of “sin and death” (Romans 8:2).
1.) We do not follow Moses in any of the 613 precepts of the law. We follow Jesus and his teachings as given to the Apostles.
2.) We do not follow Moses to offer animal sacrifices. We follow Jesus as the sacrifice for the sins of man.
3.) We do not follow Moses in the types and shadows of the tabernacle. We follow Jesus as the tabernacle of God’s divine presence.
4.) We do not follow Moses and Mount Sinai. We follow Jesus and Mount Calvary.
5.) We do not follow Moses after the Levitical Priesthood. We follow Jesus after the Melchisedec priesthood.
Certainly Jesus did not break any of Moses law, or He wouldn’t have been sinless. Our redemption required a sinless sacrifice, as everybody knows, but I wish to emphasis it.
Who, –however faithful,– truly keeps the Sabbath?
(1) All food eaten on the Sabbath must be prepared on Friday the day before.
(2) Everyone must abide or stay in their houses.
(3) No one can go out of their house on the Sabbath day.
(4) No work or labor of any type or kind on the Sabbath day.
(5) No fires in the house or out of the house to be burning on the Sabbath day.
(6) All who break the Sabbath must be put to death.
(7) Anyone who broke these rules of the Sabbath were to be stoned to death.
These seven elements contain the law of the Sabbath.
Who around the world keeps the first 6 and who around the world keeps the 7th?
Because #7 is not kept, the Law of the Sabbath is not Scripturally observed, therefore the Sabbath is not kept.
Jesus never intended for the Law to be the Gospel of salvation that he taught to the Apostles before sending them to all nations. They understood perfectly that they had a great commission to carry to the world the Commandments of Jesus. And on the final day of his being on earth in Acts 1 Jesus gave the Apostles Commandments and none of them was about Sabbath keeping or the Apostles would not have missed preaching it. Otherwise what was the entire purpose of ushering in a New Covenant?
Jesus is our rest, our Sabbath. Now it is Sabbath in our hearts everyday. We worship Him continually, all day long, anyday and everyday in the temple where He lives inside our hearts.
I could go on and make a book, but I’m exhausted. I rest in and upon JESUS my Savior. The cross throws its shadow across my life and I will never move from its finished work of eternal life for me.
Dear Dorothy,
I don’t want to enter into an argument here either,especially since I have written thousands of pages on these topics in the last 9 years. But I will say this: it is critical that you and others who continue to espouse the antinomian view of Yeshua’s death at least get the facts straight. Please look at the BIBLICAL restrictions on the Sabbath, not the ones you listed nor the ones you have been told from tradition. Please note that Moses (and therefore God through Moses) completely expected the people to be able to keep all 613 commands (cf. Deuteronomy). Please note, as I have mentioned in the past, the difference between atonement and forgiveness, especially when it applies to Yeshua’s sacrifice. Please note that Yeshua reiterates nearly all of the 613 commandments of the Torah in one form or another, and that if you wish only to follow His commandments, there are 1086 in the New Testament. Please note that animal sacrifice NEVER removed sin. It only affected the guilt associated with sin. Please note that the Greek view of what is real and what is shadow is NOT the Hebrew view. And as for Sinai versus Calvary, your suggestion that they are of the same category is in error. One is about how we live in this world. The other is about God’s way of restoring relationships SO THAT we can live in this world.
Paul, in his own words, claims to be a follower of the Torah as given by Moses AND the elders. He makes this claim decades AFTER he encountered Yeshua in a vision. So, either Paul is a liar or what he means by “schoolmaster” does NOT mean “replacement.” And please don’t ignore Paul’s constant theme that the LAW is good and holy, etc.
There are dozens of scholarly works on this subject, re-examining Paul and Yeshua in light of their Hebrew paradigms. Of course, most Christians ignore not only the scholarly work of these well-known experts but also the Hebraic reading of the text, written by Jews. Why do Christians ignore all this? Because rather than search the Scriptures they are more comfortable believing what they have been taught. The greatest impediment to learning is what we think we already know. In most cases, THE TRADITION IS MORE POWERFUL THAN THE TEXT. A perfect example is our concept of the “Lord’s Supper.” Originally a once-a-year recasting of the fulfillment of the Passover, the Christian Church, with the help of Augustine and others, turned it into a continual ritual of the deification of Christ. If you want to read the actual documents that show this to be the case, read Marianne Dacy’s work (which I have cited in the past). It clearly shows that the early Catholic Church deliberately recast Passover in this new light in order to break away from Judaism. The motivation was entirely political. We could say the same things about Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, Lent, etc.
Finally, please remember that the covenant revealed in the life of Yeshua is NOT NEW. It is the “renewed” covenant, as any analysis of the Jeremiah 31:31 allusion by Yeshua will show. The basis of replacement theology, which is what you are espousing, is not theology. It is politics – and anti-Semitism. Go read the history. Once you get past the modified history presented by the Church and actually read the documents, letters and edicts, you will see that the effort was to separate from Judaism because Rome was killing those who lived by the Book. Greek philosophy married political expediency to produce Christian doctrine.
I know that most churches don’t teach this, but that’s not because it isn’t true. Most churches don’t teach any of the above because, frankly, they just don’t know. They are taught DOCTRINE, not Scripture, and all Scripture is interpreted via the doctrine. But once you decide to look at the actual historical record and read the text in its actual cultural setting, you CANNOT embrace replacement theology without denying what really happened – and changing Scripture to met your doctrinal requirements.
Replacement theology? Is the “church” the new (and improved of course!) Israel? No. Not at all. Not by a long-shot. Not to worry, the Jews have been and will always be “God’s chosen people.” We, (the Goy) are the adopted ones, adopted into all the covenant promises including the (as you say) “new-er” blood-covenant of Christ. But this covenant, the blood-covenant, is the capstone and cornerstone of all. All the prophets point to, allude to and foreshadow Christ. He is (and remains and forever will be)- the Way, the Truth and the Life, for all mankind, always and forever, – “to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Christ is NOT divisional- He is the Reconciler, the Union of two houses, between both the Human and the Divine and between the age-long apparent schism between the Jew and the Gentile. Just as a gentle reminder, the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom. “What meaneth this?” lol! – “Whosoever will” may come. Open access for anyone. Ruth, my friends, is neither Jew nor Gentile. She is a half-breed and has no hope apart from what Boaz, her Kinsman Redeemer has to offer. Christ is our Boaz, our near Kinsman-Redeemer and we are Ruth! (honestly!).
I don’t know why or how anyone could continue in sin (which is the transgression of the Law- God’s Law- from God’s Book- and call themselves a Christian or if you prefer to be more palatable and politically correct as to not “offend” anyone, a “follower of the Way..” Who claimed to be the Son of God? Was it Moses? uhhh.. no? It is the LORD.
This is the God-Man who ever loves and cares for His own.. (and how wonderful it is to be ever in His watchcare) for He is unlike any other man who ever graced this green planet, – (all rabbis and professors, preachers, teachers included).
We will not, “none” will ever know God without knowing this Man- the man Christ Jesus. We cannot “study” our way into Heaven, neither earn a pass by “doing good”. All arrive by and go through the same Door,- the LORD Jesus (who is the) Christ, who said “I AM the Door.”
Faith, whether Jew or Gentile, comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. One thing we all have in common is “sin.” Why? Because as the word of God clearly states, “all have sinned.” (and one more time..) – does this include the Law abiding Jew? does this include the clueless Gentile? Translate for me (all who will)- try this one out- what does “all” mean to you? All have sinned. Not a problem for me. For I know I am a sinner.
How much sin does it take to be a sinner? Is it the “amount” of sin or the fact of sin? For one transgression (yes, just one) is all it takes… – any “perfect people” out there? Someone please- claim to be sinless…or throw the first stone. (sure is quiet in here…)
Only ONE sinless man ever lived on this planet, and friends, is was not Moshe. Nor David. Nor Abraham. Nor Peter, Paul or Mary. Only ONE, and we (all) know His Name.
~Salvation/deliverance/freedom is found in no one else, for there is no other Name under Heaven given to men by which we (all) must be saved. ~ (Acts 4.12)
Is this Christian doctrine? Better than!- This is Bible doctrine- straight from God’s Book.
And he brought them outside and he said to them, “Sirs, what must I do so that I may live?” Poor fella’ – He thought he had “to do” something.. – (not by works of righteousness which we have done- BUT according to His mercy, His chesed, His finished and final work on the (not much talked about nor presented) Tslav of Calvary. Oh, we haven’t even begun to talk about the cross! Hallejah (praise to the God whose Name is Yah!) for the tslav!)
And their answer (and ours) is (and remains to this day)- ~ “Trust in our Lord Yeshua The Messiah, and you shall live, you and your household. ~ (Acts 16.31)
Is this too easy? It might be easy and it might be free, but it’ far from cheap considering the cost. –
Now go wash in the Jordan seven times Naaman.. (2 Kings 5.13)
Sirs, what can wash away my sin? Who must I believe to be saved?
Oh, Oh, I know this answer! *hand raised high in the air*
Every good story whispers His Name, every blessing, every good gift, every starry night, every ocean swell, every new baby cry, every bride, every smile, every taste of honey, every peaceful brow, –Believe on Jesus! I know HIM, oh, I do, I do
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ A-men ♥
thank you 🙂
lol!!!- Go ahead, … “make my day!!” (oh!!, – He already has!) – lol!
(psalm-song 118.24)
See there are only 3 tiers I will respond to your question here:
“I cannot follow wordpress indentions when it gets this long.
To whom are you speaking? (I know all who will read), but your first sentence:
‘Many of your points are very similar to those of David Turner on JPOST’ makes me need to know whose points you are addressing? thank you
Skip Moen’s response to you above. His points of abuse are common knowledge for most, if not all Jews. My argument is that both sides have good points and both sides have made mistakes. We can dwell on that which seperates us, or we can work to restore what was lost. This work requires the will of Adonai to bear fruit.
Many of your points are very similar to those of David Turner on JPOST. I don’t entirely agree with either side of this finger pointing. Both sides make good arguments and both sides have faults. For the christians the turning point was when the Roman Empire accepted them as the new state religion because this gave them a new charge for which they were ill prepared – literally thousands, if not millions, of new goyim many who lacked education and the ability to read and write. It was inevitable that conflict should lead to mutual hate and disresepect just as today with Israel and the Palestinians. To argue that the new covenant is really a renewed covenant is a superficial gloss. Was the Mosaic Covenant new compared to the Abrahamic Covenant? As Paul points out – when you have a change in priesthood, you have a change in law. The Targum’s describe Shem, the son of Noah as Melchizedek the covenant title for high priest who blessed Abraham and to whom Abraham tithed – establishing continuity between the declaration of Adonai in the Garden of Eden and Moses. The fulfillment of the Mosaic Covenant is not an ending as you point out. The word means complete as in perfect not end. The gospel of Matthew 5: 17-19 also establishes this point as it addresses the Scribes and Pharisees who declared that Jesus was trying to abolish the Torah and the Prophets. In the destruction of the second temple the Levitical priesthood ended and everything that was perishable was destroyed so that that which is imperishable remains. That is why Revelation 6 describes the remnent of the Mosaic Covenant as 12 thousand from each tribe of Israel with the tribe of Joseph replacing Dan who betrayed the covenant. It also describes the Jews and goyim who accepted Mashiach and cleansed their robes in the blood of the lamb. Finally in chapter 10 you have the two olive trees – old and new covenants and the two lampstands – the spirit of Moshiach in each covenant. In terms of covenant theology from Adam until Jesus there is only one covenant which has been increased like seed planted in the soil grows. As you mention below biblical tithing was never intended to refer to the land, Israel’s inheritence, but rather to the fruit of the land. Tithing is the act of possession because the Torah teaches that we only truly possess that which we have given. Thus Abraham came into possession of the covenant blessing from Shem the first born of Noah and Abraham became the HighPriest of the covent when Shem closed his eyes. That is when Adonai established a change in law and circumcision began. Likewise in Egypt every father of every household sacrificed the lamb for Pessah because every father was a priest under the Abrahamic covenant until the goldencalf incident were Israel was secularized and the Levites ordained as the new priests. Under Jesus the Melchizidekian priesthood has been restored forever offering the Body and Blood of Jesus as under the form of bread and wine – as Paul testifies, he who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks damnation. So Israel has been stripped forever of the Levitical priesthood to inherit the order of Melchizedek along with the goyim. What remains is a covenant offering of bread and wine that perfects Pessah for both Jew and goyim. What remains? For Jews and goyim that which the Law of Moses demands which does not require the temple and which the change in law has not abolished. For circumcision was replaced by baptism and annointing with oil for the investiture of office replaced by the praying and laying of hands. Can circumcision still be practiced? Yes, as an act of faith rather than covenant obediance. The one who undergoes circumcision as Luke did does so to reject the power of the flesh, putting his faith in Adonai to preserve his house and his inheritence and not the ability to procreate, least like those of old, disaster should destroy his progeny leaving his house abandoned. So back to my original point the divisions between the Church and Judaism were predicated on the Church’s need to provide for the uneducated and illerate and was a response to predatory Rabbis seeking to exploit the ignorant faithful of the Church. The conversion of Rome by the Church represents the final fulfillment of the Messsianic prophesies of Daniel who spoke of Rome as the beast of iron and which authentic Judaism failed to do. If you remember my posting about conflating authority with sanctification then it becomes evident that scrupulous and self seeking interests are the true culprits behind both anti-Semitism and anti-Catholicism and that both Jewish and Church leadership are guilty when both are called to unity with each other. For Israel is the olive tree that is Judah and Jacob restored and the Church is the olive tree that is the House of David. The angel in revelation 10 is the office of messenger spoken of by Malachi 3: 1 and the two prophets are both Jesus and His spirit living in the office of messenger and the one to whom it is appointed – for as Paul testifies the Man of Sin can not come before the one who opposes is put away. (Forgive me if I am being a little preachy today.) The two prophets therefore are the office of the two lampstands – Israel restored and the House of David. They are a type for person, a type for angel, and a type for priest – all which Malachi 3:1 points to in parallelism.
Hi Cristopher
“For circumcision was replaced by baptism and annointing with oil for the investiture of office replaced by the praying and laying of hands” – What verse? To me this sounds too much like yet another replacement theology – what about the idea of One God, One Covenant, one babtism from beginning to end and visa versa – ? One, with many dimensions? I am not telling, but asking.
I also read Jer 31:33 ..no longer will any of them teach his fellow community member or his brother, “Know Adonai”; for all will know me, from the least of them to the greatest;… – but this hasn’t happened yet? So is this covenant for when Yeshua returns?
Numbers: 8:10 – the people of Israel will lay their hands on the L’vi’im
Is a sign of a covenant ever suppose to go away? Do you still see a rainbow?
I cannot follow wordpress indentions when it gets this long.
To whom are you speaking? (I know all who will read), but your first sentence:
“Many of your points are very similar to those of David Turner on JPOST” makes me need to know whose points you are addressing? thank you
i-yi yii, and I did the same thing, I meant to say,
“Christopher, to whom are you speaking” ?
If I had just one “wish” that could come true, I’d probably asked for the removal of the chapter/verse divisions found in the Scriptures. This makes it ever so easy for people to “abstract” a section out of its context.
As a result, people no longer know how to read the Bible. They read it for abstracted words that they can apply in the existential moment. They play a game of “pin the tail on the donkey” with Scripture. Wherever the drawing pin lands, that’s the “word” for the moment. Tomorrow, we’ll close our eyes and pin again.
As a further consequence, they read the words, but they cannot follow the “logic” of the writer of the section of the Bible. Most preaching is done in this manner: it merely uses the text as an excuse to speak on something. I heard a sermon on the text of Acts 17, Paul’s confrontation with the Athenians, and not one reference was made to the actual words of the text to see how St. Paul constructed his presentation to the Athenians. Instead, we were told “we need to witness, to evangelize.” Well, sure we do, and the preacher just passed over one of the best texts on how to do it in certain situations.
Or they see the word “law” in Romans 3:27 and that gives them the excuse to preach on law, in the process taking absolutely no notice of what Paul is actually arguing. So hardly anyone notices Paul’s use of “law of works” and “law of faith” as the great explanation of his next statement: therefore you are justified by faith. And sorry, folks, he did not say “justified by faith alone. That word was added by Luther who seemed to have missed Paul’s explanation of “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ”
Hermeneutics is in disarray. Preaching is a collection of pious abstractions. And everyone does what is right in his own mind, and uses selective Scripture to back it up.
On second thoughts, maybe as a “wish” I’d confine preaching to merely reading the Scriptures alone and let the Scriptures speak for themselves. I used to think that this is what sola scriptura meant, but apparently I was wrong (again!).
I hope that your one wish doesn’t mean you include Today’s Word in the category of “pin the tail on the donkey.” 🙂
I am afraid that your second wish wouldn’t help either since allowing Scripture to “speak for itself” is a function of paradigms and that would only mean that those who have embraced a Greek-based view of the world would still hear Scripture filtered through that paradigm. What I wish is that we had all grown up in the first century in Israel as observant Jews. Then we would actually hear the words as they were spoken.
Sorry to say that this wish will never come true. So, we must dig and dig and dig. I have just spent about 12 hours working on one TW (to come later). It is the most complicated TW I have ever done and it deals with some vocabulary that is so familiar, and so ingrained, that we don’t even think there are any problems with the text. I’m not finished yet. It is driving me crazy. It is SO COMPLICATED, not because it would have been complicated to first century Jews but because our current language doesn’t even have adequate words to express what Yeshua is saying. Every time I try to provide a reasonable translation, I stumble over English-Greek ideas that don’t belong to the text.
I am afraid the same is true for our Christian concept of LAW and GRACE and a host of other important words that are now so entwined with Greek philosophical concepts as to be impossible to extract.
I need you, Ian. We have so much to unlearn.
“Sola scriptura,” excellent! – Amein! (May it be so!).
Where I come from common ‘taters sell for 10￠ a barrel. Oh, but aren’t they plentiful! lol! Everyone, (and is this not true?) -everyone has an opinion, and is so ready to “commentate.” Ahh, but what we need are “just the facts m’am”. And where may we find “Truth?” Enter “sola scriptura.” ~ How can a young man keep his way pure? (the scriptures say) -by living according to Your word ~ (Psalm 119.9)
Brothers, sisters- Whose Word? “Your Word.” God’s word. The Word of God. The Word of the LORD. Our Bible, (and it is “our” Bible) is the Logos of YHWH. “Sola scriptura”. ~ Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth ~ (2 Timothy 2.15) Study what? We, you and I, and all of our neighbors have a Textbook to study. We have a Teacher and we have a Textbook. We are all “learners”-students,-talmudim. -And we have been “commanded?”- is this a command of Elohim? to study the scriptures?
The toe-bone IS connected to the ankle-bone. The robe of Christ our Messiah (yes, our Messiah) was seamless. The N.T. is but a commentary on the O.T. but is it ever an eye-opener! Listen, listen… listen once again… “behold the Lamb.” “Behold… take a look. Take a good look. Take a good long look. Look for the Lamb…. -Why? Do we (yes I said we) need a Savior? What about this Christ- do any of us “need” Him? (I speak as a fool..)
The scriptures, all of them are connected- just as the two halves of our brain are connected. Which half would we prefer to do without? – I need both. Grace and Law? I need both. Male and female? both?
Here is one “exhibit A” I AM come that you might have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10.10) The book John wrote, chapter 10 and verse 10. “It is written” both chapter and verse for us to find, to read, to commit to memory (Thy Word have I hid in my heart) that we (all of us) may meditate and marinate our minds with the very Word of God. I AM come that you might have life. Ahh- then come the questions.. Here am I- questioning the scriptures! (I speak again.. as a fool) What a foolish thing to do- to question the scriptures- the word(s) of G-d. Ahh, but question we must- does this “surprise” God? (Does anything we do surprise God?) lol! – “not!”
Words (surprise, surprise) have meaning. God speaks to us (all of us) through His word. Do preachers preach out of a comic book? What we need (all of us need) is more “preachers” (proclaimers-even plumbers and painters) to stand and to say “thus saith the LORD.” I read that in a book somewhere.. Oh!- it was God’s book.. yes- it was recorded in God’s word,- Hallelujah!
But there is a world within one word. Brilliant!- or “bashful?”- Well.. what do you know? – words have meaning. Just. simply. amazing. And (according to “sola scriptura”) ~ But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they (we) shall give account thereof in the day of judgment ~ (Matthew 12.36) Therefore.. (what is it there for?) ~ May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight O LORD, my Rock( and my Redeemer ~ (Psalm-song 19.14)
There is ONE whose words are always True and Faithful. As He stood before Pilate and poor Pilate, beggar that he was standing before the very Son of God (prophetically?) put forth the question: “what is Truth?” (Do we remember the words of our Christ?- or have we forgotten once again?) What was it He said? “I AM the Way-the Truth-AND the Life.” Truth, Mr. Pilate is a Person, the ONE who is standing right before your very eyes. ~ Behold the Lamb ~
The Jews require a sign (the scriptures say) and the Greeks seek after wisdom.
~ and many of the Judeans read this tablet, because the place in which Yeshua was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic and in Greek and in Latin ~ (John 19.20- “it is written”- This is Jesus. King of the Jews.
Friends, -“WHO?” was crucified on that cross? – and WHY?
it was my sin that held Him there
until it was accomplished.
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished.
Christ, the incarnate Word of God, crucified.
~ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing ~ (Matthew 23.37)
~ What more could have been done for My vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad? (Isaiah 5:4)
~but by their fruit you will know them ~ (Matthew 7.16)
“Sola scriptura” – Why?
~ Because the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart ~ (Hebrews 4.12)
Dear Ian Hodge,
It is not possible to understand the bible with out understanding Judaism which christianity completes. Understanding Judaism requires both halacha and typology ( which rabbis have for the most part lost). Both the Tanakh and the Gospels are highly structured writings. The Tanakh establishes covenant case law which the Gospels draw upon. The order is highly structured and includes various literary forms of expression. Jesus doesn’t depend on old or new testament teaching. He uses the old to proclaim the new as a single continuity: The typology of covenant salvation follows the paradigm of the Tree of Life. Marriage is the root from which covenant begins. Noah’s covenant is the trunk lives off the root. Abraham’s covenant is the three branches that reach to the heavens. Moses’ covenant is the greenery with 613 leaves in 10 bunches (3,3, and 4 attached to each branch). David’s covenant is the unripened fruit. Jesus’ covenant is the quickening that brings forth seed. We are the seed and when Jesus returns then comes the harvest. Each covenant forms a single unity – the Tree of Life – which is the unchanging act of Adonai as He speaks His Name into creation. The principal of typology is the principal of kabbala – as above so below.
Yes, “it is finished.” Complete. Final. Paid in full. Nothing I can add- and certainly nothing I can take away. Friends, from every kindred, every tribe on this terrestrial ball- “Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain. He washed it white as snow..
What is sin? Sin is the transgression of the Law. But friends- “whose Law is it anyways?” Who gave the Law and who dear ones is the Law Giver? Was it Moshe? NO!- Not at all!- Moshe/Moses was just like any other “preacher” on the planet!- Nothing but God’s messenger boy. That’s all any of us are- the “tools” He uses. As He said to Joshua- “Moses my servant is dead, “now go..” Now it is Joshua’s “turn” and time to lead God’s people. Just how many have been “used by God” over the centuries? Thousands. And today and in this time- I want to “one among many.” There is nothing, nothing, nothing more thrilling than to be used by YHWH and know it! To be a servant (one of many) of the Most High is the most high calling anyone -anywhere may be called to. Paul, a servant of the LORD.. Skip.. a servant of the LORD.. Carl, ADONAI give unto this man a servant’s heart and I will serve my Savior with my lips, and with my life. My time, my talents, my treasure, my testimony, my teeth and my time are Yours to do with as You please my prodigal Father. Joint-heirs with Christ? – We don’t have a clue- do we? Sheep indeed.
~ Other sheep have I which are not of this fold..~ What? There are people in this world who worship “differently” than I do? One God- many people groups from all over – everywhere, but yes, there is ONE LORD ONE Faith, and ONE Baptism. By one Spirit have you all been baptized (immersed) into Christ. Are YOU “in?”
I didn’t ask your social standing. I didn’t ask your background or where you live. I didn’t ask if you were black or white or vegetarian. There is either wheat or tares, sheep or goats, those who are “in Christ” and those who are not. “In” – “not in.” Are you “in?” lol! – Everyone wants to be include in the “in” crowd! (you would think!) – How do we know this and is this relationship knowable? (I’ll include this in the seemingly ever-growing list of things that make me want to say “oy!”)
Can we know that Jesus saves us, can we know?
Be assured each moment, everywhere we go?
Can we know our sins are all forgiven, washed away?
-that our path is leading to God’s perfect day?
Oh yes – we- can know! – can know our sins are washed away!,
we can know! – can know are sins are washed away:
Chapter one, verse twelve of John – is the ground we stand upon!
For as – many as – received him then and there became sons of God, by simply trusting in Name! Chapter one, verse twelve of John – is the ground we stand upon!
~ and how firm a foundation..! ~
~ He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a Rock and gave me a firm place to stand ~ (Psalm 40.2)
~my God is my Rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my Savior–from malicious men You save me ~ (2 Samuel 22.3)
He must increase, but “I” must decrease..
He must increase, but Moses must decrease..
He must increase, but David must decrease..
He must increase, but Solomon must decrease.. – for a greater than Solomon is here!!
Yes, sister Dorothy, I too could “go on” and write a book, but one’s already been written! And it is (of course!) the word of God. But wait.. one more thing!- (only one?)
~ He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His Name is the Word of God ~ (Revelation 19.13)
I need some tithe re-education. If I have been wrong in giving 10% to “organized religion ‘ (storehouse), and over and above to other Christian folks and organizations……….where am I to give that honors God?
Frank Viola’s book, Pagan Christianity, demonstrates that the historical precedent for 10% to the church comes from the Middle Ages when the RCC owned the land and serfs paid yearly rent of 10%. The biblical tithe is completely different. I have written about this on the web site, and there are many other sites that will help you straighten it out. Bricks and mortar were not part of the “tithe” until the church got into property ownership. Do some research and let us know what you discover.
Dear Dr. Moen,
This subject is certainely not a milk for the infants, but a food one has to chew… for a while too 🙂
May the Lord bless you for investing your time in to the lives of others.
I very much appreciate all of your teachings.
That’s because the preposition para is usually found in spatial contexts (like “out of” or “from” or “along side”).
Here’s another consideration of this preposition, alongside 🙂 these other connotations, there seems to be the idea of “attachment.” We find it in our “modern” language in words such as para-chute (not much good to have a chute alongside you as your falling through the air if it’s not attached) and in greek words such as para-kletos and, an interesting one, para-chomai. (matt 5:18)
The reason I bring this up is that as Skip noted above, it’s not the blatant misrepresetation of God that’s the most dangerous but rather small misalignments that are attached to it, slowly, little by little, over a long period of time that are the most insidious.
How can we as christians declare that God never changes and then turn on our heels and proclaim that He’s done exactly that. When we declare things such as a “new covenant” and a new law such as the “Law of Christ”, as supposing that it’s in contrast to the “Law of God” or Torah we stand on dangerous ground. It’s not that the terms aren’t legitimate, it’s how we understand them that’s wrong. We understand them in a “redefined” context, not by God’s definition as declared in His word.
How did we get here, a little got attached here and a little there, (additions and subtractions) line upon line, line upon line, precept upon precept, precept upon precept. Sheniy, if it didn’t look like truth, we probably wouldn’t have swallowed it. What did John mean that the anti-christ would come and that in fact he was already there?
Do you suppose Yeshua was kidding when He said that the deception would be very great!?
I appreciate Mr. Moen, too.
Sorry if more than one smiley face, and then a little song, upset or caused anyone to think I was disrespectful. I wouldn’t have done it if I known it would offend. (Around where I live we are a pretty joyful bunch)
Were Adam and Eve saved? (anybody think?) Or were they the first ones in hell as well as the first ones on the earth?
How was Abraham saved?
Was Abraham a Jew? Wasn’t he a Hebrew, and the father of both the Jews and Arabs, but he himself was neither.
I thinks –and happily so– that folks get saved by God’s amazing grace, and not because of anything they do or don’t do. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I try, I mean well, but I am a miserable failure, BUT 🙂 (its needed here) have been taken in like Ruth was. And now I’m in his family tree.
Perhaps the first step in reorientation is to disconnect the idea that effort has anything to do with God’s gracious favor and realize that effort has everything to do with how I respond to that favor. No one earns deliverance, but no one is delivered who subsequently ignores obedience as an expression of thanksgiving. It’s time to put aside the old mistaken teaching that LAW and GRACE are opposed to each other. They are not. We are the ones who created the opposition.
There’s a fascinating passage of Scripture, Hebrews 3:18-19. “And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.”
There are some choices in understanding this passage:
1. the author was correcting himself. His use of “unbelief” is a correction of “disobedient.” IN other words, he really did not mean to suggest that disobedience was the problem, but unbelief was the real problem.
2. That the author is using disobedience an unbelief to explain the same phenomenon; failure to enter God’s rest. In which case, disobedience and unbelief are synonymous in the mind of the writer to Hebrews.
#1 to be the correct reading, however, requires importing into the text an idea that’s not there: the writer is correcting himself. There’s nothing in the text itself to indicate this, so something external to the text needs to be imported into it to explain.
#2 just needs to be read, and reread and let the words we read change the way we think about obedience and faith.
The modern assumption about YHWH and the Scripture is this: YHWH is apparently unable to communicate clearly. He has all these contradictions or missing words that will only be corrected by preachers and commentators. EXAMPLE: Paul says in Rom 3:28, “justified by faith” he did not find it necessary to say, “justified by faith alone.” Why not? If you want Paul’s answer, not Luther’s and later Protestantism’s, read the first 7 chapter of Romans like you’d read any other book and follow Paul’s argument. Paul’s as clear as he can be on the true meaning of “justified by faith” for the very reason that he’s correcting the wrong view about Torah. You might be surprised at what you uncover. You’ll certainly see why Paul found it quite unnecessary to use the word “alone: in his great statement on justification.
Paul uses “works of law” an halachaic term referring to prescriptions of the Mosaic covenant such as circumcision. James mentions works as well but what is important and what Paul discusses in Hebrew’s chapter 4 are the works of witness to which James refers which testify to one’s faith. Works with out faith is dead. Faith with out the witness is dead. It is not enough to say to your brother peace be with you when you ignore his needs. If you show partiality to the rich you likewise condemn yourself.
Adam and Eve were both saved by Adonai by His promise of salvation in Gen 3:15. That is why after the sin in the garden Adam named his wife Eve – mother of the living. In the Ark of the Covenant likewise were the two sets of tablets – the whole set (representintg Christ) and the broken set (representing Adam) placed.
I don’t know when or where on this globe the sun rises for you, but I want to give you something for your next sunrise. Its a ‘thank you’ for your servant attitude and clear representation of our Savior, by whatever name we know Him.
“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who re-enacts the works of creation.”
http://youtu.be/i_AEMF6SPek
And I think here is another truth from inside:
James 1: 22 “Dont deceive yourselves by only hearing what the word says, but do it” – James must be referring to the Tanach, since no new Scriptures were available.
“Let’s begin with Moses. Does Paul expect us to set aside Moses’ warning or does Paul intend us to adhere to it?”
Isn’t Moses the most important Hebrew prophet?
To answer my own question, I consulted Judaism 101:
The greatest of the prophets was Moses.
It is said that Moses saw all that all of the other prophets combined saw, and more.
Moses saw the whole of the Torah, including the Prophets and the Writings that were written hundreds of years later.
All subsequent prophecy was merely an expression of what Moses had already seen.
Thus, it is taught that nothing in the Prophets or the Writings can be in conflict with Moses’ writings, because Moses saw it all in advance.
Dear Luzette
Understanding circumcision is difficult to say the least. First Paul was a poskum who taught halacha. In Acts he stood as the witness to Stephan’s execution – an office of the Bet Din in Jerusalem given only to the greatest teachers. His many references to circumcision in his letters are written as references to halachaic authority. A good link that describes the basic issues with out going into detail can be found at:
http://www.jimmcguiggan.com/reflections3.asp?status=Romans&id=344
In John 2: 23-25 the gospel speaks about many who believed in Jesus but whose faith was rejected. Then in John 3:5 Jesus tells Nicodemus that only those born of water and the Holy Spirit can enter the kingdom of heaven. Finally in John 3:15 Jesus says that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. The baptism of Jesus by water and the Holy Spirit is the reality that circumcision images baptism just as the Pessah lamb is a symbol of Jesus. Having entered into covenant with Jesus believers must give witness to their faith by their deeds. That is the meaning of John 3: 15. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is through the laying on of hands (Acts 8:17) as is the office of priest (Acts 6:5-6) given through the laying of hands and prayer. In every case receiving the Holy Spirit requires the laying of hands in contrast to the Mosaic Covenant that required annointing for the offices of prophet, priest, and king.
A great deal of confusion exists on these understandings because those who read them lack the backround in halacha Paul refers to extensively. His opponent poskim are confounded because Paul uses the original contextual meaning in the Torah to argue his points as covenant case law.
consistent with Romans 11
Skip mentions in one of his lessons (the Genesis ones I believe) that women experience circumcision (so to speak) when the hymen is broken…is this what is alluded to in the verse: But women will be saved through childbearing–if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety. 1 Tim 2:15 ?
You have picked a very strange verse. I doubt it is about childbearing. Loren Cunningham in his book, Why Not Women, tackles this verse in its context. I mention it in Guardian Angel. I think Cunningham’s argument is correct. Paul alludes to THE CHILD BIRTH, not childbearing. But read the books and see what you think.
thanks, I will
Skip,
In reading this again and again, it seems as if you equate adding to the Gospel as adding to the Law of Moses. However, those two are not the same, correct?
Sincerely,
Anthony
What is the “good news” if it is not about removing the guilt that comes from disobedience and being invited to obey with a clean slate. How can the gospel be presented WITHOUT Moses? Ask James (Acts 15).
Skip,
We can’t add to the Gospel in the sense that we can’t make the Gospel mean something “other than/contradictory to/in addition to” the Law. From my perspective this is why Jesus says he didn’t come to abolish the law, but fulfill it. It’s not mutually exclusive nor is it additive. Jesus is the completion of the Law (OT), not an addition to it. I think, too, of when Jesus did the opposite of teachers of the Law by not making people learn his translation of the Law; His yoke was easy and light. This is not additive, it is completion.
Thoughts?
I have recently written something on “yoke” which you will see in a week or so. Enough for now. Too much to do, sorry. I am struggling with one particular topic that I wish to examine in some detail. You will see it as a discussion of “body and soul” in a later TW. It is HARD!