I've been reading this & it's been great. I must admit I'm very fascinated by Judaism, especially since our faith is a continuation of this ancient faith. Reading history & finding out how & why Chrisianity left its Jewish roots, & the effect of this purposeful shift in both Christian orthodoxy & orthopraxy is really eye-opening to our current conditions. Another outstanding book is "Father Abraham: The Jewish Roots of our Christian Faith.
6 comments:
...I have even heard some historians argue that it was not Christians who left their Jewish roots, but rather Jews that required Messianic Jews to recant faith in Jesus as Messiah, or leave the synagogue. Specifically, Jewish Christians were viewed with suspicion after they fled Jerusalem in obedience to Jesus' prophetic command regarding the city's destruction.
Steve,
I have also heard that same argument. In Our Father Abraham, the author says that the first Christians were viewed with suspicion for a lack of national pride. During the Jewish revolts, many of the Messianic Jews would not join with the national forces to fight against their enemies. In the process, many did leave the city.
Sean...I am about 3/4 of the way through Our Father Abraham. It is a great read. What a different set of lenses in so many areas. He really speaks to some very practical components of our life as followers of Jesus. Whether it is our dualistic way of thinking, our individualism, or our interpretation of the OT (I mean, the Hebrew scriptures). It has really been challenging me. With my recent trip to Israel, many of these thoughts have been at the front of my mind. A Hebrew mind set is so radically different than my own.
After you're done with your current read, let me know how it is.
Blessings to my brethren...or should I say Shalom!
Kyle
You went to Israel? Yeah reading the history of why Christianity started as a Jewish faith & ended up as a Gentile faith is amazing. Too, how this has shaped theology is also very telling to how we view God, etc...
My dad had been over there a couple of times and said it so changed how he read the scriptures that I had to see it. He said he wished he would have had the opportunity to see what you get to see at my age. So my folks paid for my trip and I got to spend almost 2 weeks hanging out with my dad, walking where Jesus walked.
We had a messianic Jew for a guide which was a real treat. Messianic Jews make up less than 1% of the population in the country. To see on a daily basis, how a Jew who believes in Jesus as the Messiah, read the scriptures is amazing.
And you're right, the way we understand God, and especially how we read the scriptures is so influenced by a western (ie. Greek) mindset, that we don't even know what we are missing. Or how much.
I think I need to go celebrate a feast or sacrifice something now.
someone mentioned this book to me, was it you?
I didn't recommend the book to you then, but I will recommend it to you now.
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