Much of the confusion in today's church is a direct result of refusing to acknowledge our past. In modern Christianity we have all but forgotten our Jewish roots. Yet we study a Jewish book, written by Jews. We serve a Jewish God. We have a Jewish Savior who had Jewish disciples. If it weren't for the Jews, there would be no Christians! How are we to fully comprehend our faith if we do not recognize our heritage?
Not long ago, the expression "What Would Jesus Do?" became very popular. There's another saying I like that very succinctly reminds me of Christianity's Jewish roots: "My boss is a Jewish carpenter." Jesus was Jewish, so if we do not know how a Jewish man behaved during His time how could we possibly know what Jesus would do??
Romans 11:13, 17-18 tells us:
For I speak to you Gentiles, And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
The apostle Paul compared Gentile Christians to olive branches cut from wild olive trees and grafted into the olive tree of Israel. He believed that the dividing wall separating Jew and Gentile had been removed, and to him that was the "mystery of the gospel."
Not long ago, the expression "What Would Jesus Do?" became very popular. There's another saying I like that very succinctly reminds me of Christianity's Jewish roots: "My boss is a Jewish carpenter." Jesus was Jewish, so if we do not know how a Jewish man behaved during His time how could we possibly know what Jesus would do??
Romans 11:13, 17-18 tells us:
For I speak to you Gentiles, And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Much of the Bible seems mysterious to most people. To fully comprehend what the Bible says, we have to understand a culture that no longer exists and that is rarely taught in the world today. We need to be knowledgeable about ancient Israel's geography, culture, language, family lifestyles, history, idioms, poetry, politics...The list goes on and on. In other words, the Bible is only understood if we are aware of our Jewish roots.
Studying Scripture from an American perspective is like trying to mine gold by candlelight--you can see enough to stumble around, but wouldn't it be a lot easier (and more profitable) with additional light? A good grasp of the ancient Jewish customs and terminology will allow you to reexamine Scripture in a powerful flood light, exposing intricate details and treasures.
Until next post...
Studying Scripture from an American perspective is like trying to mine gold by candlelight--you can see enough to stumble around, but wouldn't it be a lot easier (and more profitable) with additional light? A good grasp of the ancient Jewish customs and terminology will allow you to reexamine Scripture in a powerful flood light, exposing intricate details and treasures.
Until next post...
Colassians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.
RESOURCES:
A rare chance to know Jesus as his first disciples knew him. What would it be like to journey back to the first century and sit at the feet of Rabbi Jesus as one of his Jewish disciples? How would your understanding of the gospel have been shaped by the customs, beliefs, and traditions of the Jewish culture in which you lived? Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus takes you on a fascinating tour of the Jewish world of Jesus, offering inspirational insights that can transform your faith.
As an introduction to the world of Hebrew thought, Our Father Abraham is biblical, historical, and cultural in nature. At the same time, the writing is personal and passionate. The book (1) develops a historical perspective on the Jewish origins of the church, (2) sets forth the importance and nature of Hebrew thought, (3) discusses how the church can become more attuned to the Hebraic mind-set of Scripture, and (4) offers practical suggestions for interaction between Jews and Christians.
Listening to the Language of the Bible is an introduction to rich Hebrew words and Jewish cultural concepts that greatly deepen Bible study. It is a guide for discovering the beauty of the Scriptures in their Hebraic setting. From seemingly odd phrases, it shares important insights that do not translate well from culture to culture.The book examines many topics from the perspective of the ancient Hebraic writers, including prayer, family and the promised Messiah. It also looks at the powerful sayings of Jesus in light of the Jewish culture of his time.
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