Biblical Illiteracy Behind the Anti-Hebrew Roots Agenda
Is Biblical Illiteracy Behind the Anti-Hebrew Roots Agenda?
Is Biblical Illiteracy behind the Anti-Hebrew Roots Agenda these days. In this post I reflect upon a recent experience I had on Facebook that suggested to me that Biblical Illiteracy may, in part, be behind the animus Christians have towards our Hebrew Roots/Messianic Community.
I happened upon a Facebook page today, the sole purpose of which, was to demonstrate via the Holy Scriptures, just how dangerous Hebrew Roots is to the world.
Aside from the dozens of other religions and movements (both religious and secular) in existence throughout the world today that one would naturally reason are of an existential threat to mainstream Christianity, I found it quite unnerving that the Facebook page owner would focus his ire upon our small, but harmless community. I mean, it’s one thing to post an article or two about one or more things germane to Hebrew Roots that you take exception to, but it’s an entirely different level of disdain one would have towards Hebrew Roots in order for them to dedicate an entire Facebook page badmouthing our Community. The sad part to this is that the page’s owner did not provide his readers with any content that would help them live the life abundant. The only thing the page owner provided was a warning–over and over and throughout the whole of his very robust page–of how heretical our Faith Community is to the world.
Look, I get it: there are always going to be haters of the True Faith once delivered out there. Clearly, it would have been so much easier for me to ignore such content.
The problem I saw with this page, however, is not an innocuous one if you ask me. The problem is actually bigger problem than we might think it to be. The owner of the “hate on Hebrew Rooters” page went to great lengths to look up and use bible passages to spew his disdain towards our community; our lifestyle; and our beliefs. And after reading a handful of postings on his page, I could clearly see how millions of potential Christian readers would be misled and manipulated and be denied the Truth as a result of their own Biblical illiteracy.
As I’ve mentioned and written about quite extensively over the course of the last several years we’ve ministered to the Body of Messiah via this website, Biblical illiteracy is an epidemic in Christianity. People, such as the owner of this anti-Hebrew Roots Facebook page, are either wittingly or unwittingly leveraging the blight of Biblical illiteracy to their advantage. These individuals are counting on their readers to not have the wherewithal to conduct serious, Spirit-led and administered, in-depth study of the Holy Bible in order to make up their own minds as to what is Truth and what is not. Such individuals are, essentially, practicing witchcraft. Whenever you take something of value to individuals and manipulate it such that it has an effect that will get those individuals to do what you want to them to do, you are practicing witchcraft in my book.
The chasm that exists between our community and our cousins in Christianity is based in great part on Biblical illiteracy.
Case in point: the page owner’s most recent posting targeted our beliefs in the efficacy of the Torah-based food instructions (i.e., Laws). The writer used the passage in Mark 7 where it is recorded that Master defended Him and His disciples’ practices of not following the Rabbinic-based tradition of ceremonially washing one’s hands before they eat. In this particular incident, Master was going up against a handful of Rabbinic Jewish leaders. Master railed against the Rabbinic Jewish leaders in their adherence to Talmudic practices that they themselves help elevated to the level–even surpassing in many respects–Torah. Master summarized His position on such man-made traditions that carried the authority of Torah with them, by saying to the group that, washing one’s hands in accordance to any man-made manner as a requirement of the overall set of God-given instructions, does not in any way eliminate one from being inwardly defiled and unclean. Master went on to say that that which comes out of, or from within an individual is the very thing that actually defiles that individual–such as hatred, envy, strife, covetousness, anger, etc. Failure to ceremonially wash one’s hands as stipulated by the Rabbis of old would not in any regard cause one to be defiled. That defilement would come about only in the eyes of the Rabbinic traditionalists; certainly not in the eyes of YHVH.
Now, this passage, in effect, had nothing whatsoever to do with the consumption of food–be it YHVH sanctioned or non-sanctioned foods. It was all about traditions trumping the rule of Torah. The writer of the post using this passage of Mark, however, failed entirely to discuss and use this passage via its truest context. Instead, the writer misinterpreted the passage–either intentionally or unintentionally–I’d probably think it was unintentionally; the writer being another likely victim of Biblical illiteracy himself. Regardless, what the writer has done through his ignorance is mislead and manipulate individuals into hating on Hebrew Rooters. I would go even further and submit that this writer may have succeeded in creating a stumbling block for countless Truth-seekers in finally finding the True Faith once delivered to the first centuries saints.
I thought initially to just move on and not pay the page any mind. (Oh, by the way, the Facebook page is entitled Hebrew Roots Heresy. I don’t necessarily recommend you check it out for yourself. I only wish to put this point that I am about to make into its proper context by referencing the actual page, if you will.) But I felt led to respectfully and lovingly correct the false writings of the page’s owner. In so doing and upon reflection, as bought and paid-for Torah Observant Believers in Yahsohua Messiah, it falls to each of us to in some way correct the scourge of Biblical illiteracy in the world. We have been called to make disciples for Master Yeshua of the nation peoples of this world. In order to do that, we must work to end Biblical illiteracy. Failure to do so will result in a failure to complete our mandated roles in the Great Commission.
But first,. we must eliminate Biblical illiteracy in our own Community, which seems to be a bigger problem than one might ever concede. The reason we have so much variation in our Faith Community today is because so many of our members refuse to read their Bibles. Many members elect to glob on to so-called Hebrew Roots teachers who feed them “processed content” that these bad teachers have taken and manipulated for their own purposes in many cases. If the the True Body of Messiah is well versed in their Bibles and are in alignment with the Holy Spirit that is operating within them, they will not fall victim to the inaccurate and false teachings that are unfortunately circulating throughout our Faith Community.
I have a love and passion for the lost and truth seekers of this world. In general, these are the individuals that we have been called to serve. Thus, I pledge to take on this mantle and work towards reducing the scourge of Biblical illiteracy in this world. The first place to start, of course, is to accurately put out through this blog and podcast program, that which Master Yahoshua taught and modeled for us. To that end, we can then begin to move forward to helping remove the blinders that the enemy has placed over the eyes and minds of the peoples of this world to the True Gospel Message and the benefits of an abundant life of Torah Living. It’s going to take fervent prayer, fasting and a major move of the Holy Spirit to effectively tackle this beast.
I invite you to join with me in this effort by seeking Father’s will for your life in this endeavor. Thus, I encourage you to seek of Father how you will serve His kingdom and fulfill your role in Master’s Great Commission.
Let us with great zeal and leading of the Holy Spirit (i.e., the Ruach haKodesh) go forth and do that which Father has given us to do.
Faithfully Submitted,
Shalom
The Realities of the Messianic’s Liberty in Messiah–Thoughts and Reflections of Torah Reading 95
These are my thoughts and reflections on the 95th parashah of the 3-year Torah Reading cycle. It is contained in Leviticus/Vayiqra 25:39-26:2. I’ve entitled this discussion: The Realities of the Messianic's Liberty in Messiah--Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading...
TMTO Ministry Update
Greetings I'm back! Well, not quite. But almost. History of Ministry QFC (2012) Blog (2012) Podcast (2014-11/2022) YouTube (2018-11/2022) QFC Affiliates with Feastkeepers (New York) and First Century COG (Baltimore) (2019-2021) Why we ended the podcast...
Shabbat Chazon–Our Hope for Salvation and Redemption–Thoughts and Reflections on Isaiah 1:1-27
Shabbat Shalom Saints of the Most High on this balmy, but sublime Sabbath in the DFW. I'm Rod Thomas. Hoping, trusting, and praying that this teaching finds you well and blessed. As this teaching is being recorded and posted, 7/22/23, the 4th day of our 5th biblical...
God’s Requirements for Holiness in Worship–Thoughts and Reflections of Torah Reading 92
Greetings, Saints of the Most High, on this sizzling but beautiful Sabbath in the DFW. These are my thoughts and reflections on this week's Torah Reading, which happens to be the 92nd reading of our 3-year Torah Reading cycle. Given its contents, I've entitled...
Becoming and Existing as Priests of God-Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 91
Greetings beloved of Yehovah on this steamy, but beautiful Sabbath here in the DFW. This week's Torah Reading is the 91st Reading of the 3-year reading cycle. It is contained in the 21st Chapter of the Book of Leviticus and entails the exclusive and exceeding...
Remaining Set-Apart in the Midst of this Evil and Adulterous Generation-Rebooting my Thoughts and Reflections of Torah Reading 90
Shabbat Shalom Greetings beloved, on this glorious set-apart day from the DFW. My sincerest hope, trust, and prayer is that this reboot of Torah Reading 90 will be a tremendous blessing to you in these troublesome times were living. This Week's Reading as a Reboot...
Conforming to God’s Ways in the Midst of Present Day Wokeness: Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 89
Greetings from the DFW on this warm but glorious Shabbat. We commenced the 4th month of Yah's sacred calendar year earlier this week, and we're trusting in His keeping mercies as we progress throughout the month. These are my thoughts and reflections on the 89th...
Oh the Blood of Yeshua-Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 88
Greetings, Beloved of the Most High, on this warm but glorious Sabbath in the DFW. I pray that you, your families, and your fellowships are well and blessed. This is the 88th parashah or reading of the 3-year reading cycle. It is contained in Leviticus/Vayiqra...
Only One Way to God-Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 87
This week's reading comes under the General Torah Reading Title of "Acharey Mos," which covers chapters 16 through 28 in the Cepher of Leviticus/Vayiqra. Shabbat Shalom on this warm but otherwise beautiful Sabbath in the DFW. Our reading here today is contained within...
Dwelling in the Presence of God Through Physical and Spiritual Cleanness-Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 86
Shabbat Shalom from the DFW on this, what promises to be a warm but beautiful Sabbath. What follows are my thoughts and reflections on this week's Torah Reading, which is the 86th reading of the 3-year Torah Reading cycle. Our portion is found in...
0 Comments