Monday, August 24, 2015

Whoops!! I Didn't Know

For years we have heard the same thing. We find ourselves saying, "that's what I was told.", or "that's how I was taught". 
Listening to a sermon about acceptance of Jesus as Messiah you have probably heard, "The Jews Just Missed It!"
We have to be careful of this kind of teaching, and many do it unintentionally, because it leads to or gives our Jewish brethren a feeling of anti-semitism. 
The 120 in the upper room were mostly Jews. Only the leadership of that day, "Missed It". 
Right now I am reviewing a book for an author on the "Jewish Gospel of John" which when read you can get a anti-semitic vibe from. 
So far I believe that this particular gospel was intended for Jewish readers. That's why it starts out sounding like the Torah, 
"In the beginning". 
So how is this detrimental?
1. Getting back to our Apostolic roots is rich with Jewish heritage and biblical understanding and we can "Miss It".
2. It can actually be harmful to any of our Jewish friends who are among us. 
3. It may lead to other forms of expressing anti-semitism. 
When I first started Hebrew Perspectives I had no idea that things like this happened. It wasn't until I started making a lot of Jewish friends that my eyes began to open to some of the "replacement theology" that had crept in. 
I'm thankful to say that many have come to realize this was happening and are endeavoring to teach others and right the wrongs of the past. 
Blow the shofar and sound the alarm in these perilous times.