07-19-2007, 08:21 AM
When I became interested in the native peoples of our country, one thing I observed in both myself and others is that there are two sorts of unhelpful focuses on those peoples: that which fastens onto them with such strong fascination that it lasts for years, even a lifetime, to the point it becomes more of a one-sided romance. It is so common that the native peoples are accustomed to either having to patiently tolerate or openly express scorn against such who attempt to befriend them in their culture, because they instinctively sense the falseness of such focus. The second kind is that which is quite familiar with the native peoples, yet doesn't share the fascination of the first sort, although it is generally sympathetic with them, but views any attempt to interact or help as futile and largely unimportant to its own interests. There is a rare third kind, which does not qualify so much as a focus but one which by serving God thereby serves the people that which is rarely served to them--the gospel unattached. Because of the strength of not only the traditional religion, but also the negative experience with Christianity and the presence of a plethora of conflicting Christian faiths and constant political struggles, the native peoples do not receive the gospel in droves and necessarily exclusively; however, the faith can be found among the tribes, and fellowship in Christ can be shared. The most desired today among the native peoples is that of one of their own in a position of pastor, teacher, advisor; a spiritual leader from their own.
So it isn't strange to hear occasional comments from visitors to JFJ that there might be too many non-Jews here, or a shortage of strictly traditional, orthodox Jews who have come to trust Y'shua. We relate much more comfortably to our own "family," especially when it comes to making spiritual (or political) decisions.
In a recent thread there was discussion about John Hagee's preaching concerning the Jews and how he appears to handle donations to the Jewish people in Israel. The main complaint was that Hagee preached for the Jews a different approach to God than what the gospel presents, which gospel is trusting in what Y'shua accomplished on the cross of Calvary and the resurrection, ascension and anticipating His return to restore the kingdom and reign from Israel over the whole world.
Like the native peoples of our country have experienced, the Jewish people also are faced with negative history, conflicting Christian faiths, and political struggles that can make it more difficult to hear the gospel.
Similar to Hagee's worldview, Armstrongism assigns to its adherents an identity, probably best expressed by ben Ariel's attorney's words, as being "linked with the Jews and Israel." That is, the more you do for Israel, the more favor you find with God.
While the Bible states that those who bless Israel will be blessed, the scarlet thread throughout the Bible is that the blood of Jesus is shed for the remission of sins, and that we must believe that for our selves. The Bible says that without that faith it is impossible to please God.
Armstrongism is only one of many that presents a rejection of the doctrines and theology that is presented here by Jews for Jesus. Those who wish to research it on their own can make their own comparisons.
To use the Bible to fashion another Y'shua and another gospel does not help nor can it bless Israel. The order of business for every person desiring to bless Israel is to first make sure that they themselves have trusted in the Jesus Who died on Calvary, was buried and rose again bodily, as witnessed by many before His ascension.
And having done so, be on guard against a self-seeking spirit which would gratify itself at the expense of the needs of God's chosen nation.
So it isn't strange to hear occasional comments from visitors to JFJ that there might be too many non-Jews here, or a shortage of strictly traditional, orthodox Jews who have come to trust Y'shua. We relate much more comfortably to our own "family," especially when it comes to making spiritual (or political) decisions.
In a recent thread there was discussion about John Hagee's preaching concerning the Jews and how he appears to handle donations to the Jewish people in Israel. The main complaint was that Hagee preached for the Jews a different approach to God than what the gospel presents, which gospel is trusting in what Y'shua accomplished on the cross of Calvary and the resurrection, ascension and anticipating His return to restore the kingdom and reign from Israel over the whole world.
Like the native peoples of our country have experienced, the Jewish people also are faced with negative history, conflicting Christian faiths, and political struggles that can make it more difficult to hear the gospel.
Similar to Hagee's worldview, Armstrongism assigns to its adherents an identity, probably best expressed by ben Ariel's attorney's words, as being "linked with the Jews and Israel." That is, the more you do for Israel, the more favor you find with God.
While the Bible states that those who bless Israel will be blessed, the scarlet thread throughout the Bible is that the blood of Jesus is shed for the remission of sins, and that we must believe that for our selves. The Bible says that without that faith it is impossible to please God.
Armstrongism is only one of many that presents a rejection of the doctrines and theology that is presented here by Jews for Jesus. Those who wish to research it on their own can make their own comparisons.
To use the Bible to fashion another Y'shua and another gospel does not help nor can it bless Israel. The order of business for every person desiring to bless Israel is to first make sure that they themselves have trusted in the Jesus Who died on Calvary, was buried and rose again bodily, as witnessed by many before His ascension.
And having done so, be on guard against a self-seeking spirit which would gratify itself at the expense of the needs of God's chosen nation.