Why Christians Should Learn About

Jews and Jewish Traditions

Part Two

     We are living at a time when the Lord is calling both Jews and Christians back to their biblical roots. The biblical root of Christianity grew from an everlasting covenant God made with Abraham. Christians become part of that covenant through faith in Jesus (Yeshua).

     There were 2,000 years of Hebrew history, culture, language, traditions and customs that formed the root of Christianity. We may not like it nor want to acknowledge it, but Christianity is nourished from that Hebraic/Jewish root. The more we can learn about our Hebraic/Jewish roots, the more blessed we will be in our Christian lives.

Clarification of Pauls Writings

     Paul is one of the most misunderstood persons in history. Both Christians and Jews believe Paul was an anti-Law Jew who established a Gentile brand of Christianity that was different from his ancient faith. We learn otherwise when we study Paul's writings from his Hebraic-Jewish roots.

     The greatest misunderstanding of Paul's writing relates to his views on Law and Grace. For centuries, the church has taught that, in the First Testament, the Hebrews were saved by Law, but in the New Testament we are saved by grace and faith.

     From a Western view, the Law was understood as a legalistic system of rules which the Hebrews had to keep in order to be saved. Grace was understood as freedom from the Law. Judaism with its Law, and Christianity with its grace, were placed in opposition to one another.

     This is a Western view, but it is not Paul's view, nor is it what he intended us to understand from his writings.

TORAH

The Hebrew word for law is Torah.

It means to teach, instruct, guide, and direct.

Torah is teaching people the way to walk with God.

     It does not mean a legalistic set of rules one must follow in order to be saved.

     The consequence of this misunderstanding has been a disaster for the church. Christianity became a lawless religion in which people believed they could simply confess a creed and live as they pleased.

     The entire New Testament is Torah teaching us how to walk with God in order to live an abundant Christian life.

A Better Follower of Jesus

     Another exciting benefit of studying our Hebraic/Jewish roots is that we will be a better follower of Jesus.

     Jesus said to two of His followers, ... 0 foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ (Messiah) to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory? And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself (Luke 24:25-26).

     Luke recorded this story and went on to say." Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him. ... And they said to one another, Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:31-32).

     When we learn our Hebraic-Jewish roots, the Spirit of the Living God will open our spiritual eyes to know Jesus more clearly and more intimately. Gods words will burn within our hearts with a fresh fire that cannot be quenched.