Who is a Gentile?

I mentioned in a previous blog that I was reading the "Rabbi from Burbank" by Isidor Zwirn and Bob Owen.

His story, in many respects, is a poignant one: After being rejected by his fellow Jews for becoming a Christian, he found it difficult to be understood by Christians as well.

One of the problems he found was that Christians would not, could not accept that they were not Gentiles.

"The church people of any denomination I had occasion to meet were all courteous and respectful to me... ...When I appealed to them to search out and discover their own biblical roots in Abraham and Judaism, my words fell upon deaf ears. I tried to tell the Christians that they were not goyim as defined by the Jews, a somewhat derisive term that means "heathen" or "pagan," but they would not hear me and continued to refer to themselves as Gentiles." [1]

Christians are Jews too?! Through the spirit of adoption, through the teaching on being grafted in, through being considered as Sons of God, Paul teaches that we are all a part of the Seed of Abraham. Thus we too inherit the Promises.

[1] Zwirn, R I and Owen, B (1987). The Rabbi from Burbank. Tyndale House Publishers. Illinois. Page 77.

See also Carpe Deo: "Who is a Jew?" Revisited (carpe-deo.blogspot.com)

Educating Children in the Scriptures

In our church our Children's Sunday School is little more than a baby sitting organisation. The children know very little of what is in the scriptures. They mostly play games and do arts and crafts work while the adults attend the church service in the main auditorium.

There are no (age appropriate) learning objectives, assessment or certification. In the West if we think something is important each of these elements of education one not only included, they are demanded. Why are they not required when it comes to the education of our children of the scriptures?

I have noticed that such education of our children is abrogated by Christian Parents who either do nothing or if it can be afforded, send then children to Christian schools.

I came across Isidor Zwirn's biography "The Rabbi from Burbank". He describes a similar malaise amongst some synagogues he attended. His story is invaluable for the many insights he brings to me as a Christian of a lifestyle centred in Torah Study and how it has an impact on worldview, family life, community and society.

After reading his story I am challenged to

• Study the scripture in their original languages
• Review the Weekly Parasha reading with my son.

He goes on to list several scripture study principals which I have thought useful for noting here:

• Respect another person's point of view: argue one's point with the goal of gaining understanding rather than acceptance.
• If several of you disagree on a matter of exegesis or biblical interpretation, we will record them all. Then every student will investigate each one of them. After you have done so, then every one of you is to select the one that best fits your own need, and take it as your own.
• Whenever two major views seem to contradict each other, you must temporarily set them aside, and hope that a third view will eventually be found that will harmonise the two.
• Whether truth comes from a male or female, Jew or Gentile, black or white, or even from the mouth of babes we are to accept it (see Deuteronomy 1.17, Psalm 8.2 or 8.3).
• Research (doresh) with integrity results in knowledge and insight (1 Chr 16.11, Isaiah 55.6, Psa 9.11, 34.5, 34.11, 69.33).
• Knowledge and insight, plus obedience results in God's rich rewards (Deu 28.13, Isa 29.9).

Worshipping on a Saturday

Some friends and I have been thinking of starting a Saturday worship service.

It is a little frustrating that Christian congregations that fellowship on a Saturday in Israel are not unusual and do not draw particular attention to themselves, whilst taking such an action here in the West would most likely draw criticism and the accusation of being legalistic.

Catholics chose Sunday as their main day of worship because it was considered to be the "Lord's Day" the day He was considered to be resurrected. To worship on the Sabbath i.e. Saturday was considered to be returning to the enslavement of the Law a process also embodied in the term to be "Judaised."

For worshipping on the Sabbath was considered a commandment only directed towards Jews (see Exodus 31.16-17). This argument is also supplemented by all the usual arguments against legalism (such as Romans 6:14; Colossians 2.16; Galatians 4:1-26).

In earlier blogs, we have argued that Christians misinterpreted Paul's views because these texts are inconsistent with Paul's practices; that he may have been trying to develop the idea of legalism as opposed to an appropriate observance of Torah; and that all Christians are a part of Israel through being "grafted in" and through Adoption.