Ariel HaNaviy Messianic Jew and Torah Teacher with Messianic Congregation 'The Harvest'

*Because this is a discussion about the Hebrew Roots Movement, I will use quite a lot of Hebrew terms, but I will try to define each and every one of them.

I would like to add my “two shekels” to this question and discussion… (a shekel is an Israeli denomination)

The definition and background to the Hebrew Roots Movement was already covered in a previous answer, so I will not repeat it here. Like the Messianic Jewish Movement, a central aim of the HRM is to promote Torah for Jews and Gentiles from a Messianic (Christ-centric) perspective and to reach lost Jews for Yeshua (Jesus) the true Messiah of Isra'el. As Jews we are proud of our heritage, and yet we are equally as proud to call Gentiles in Messiah our true brothers and sisters. I don't personally claim to be a member of the HRM, preferring instead the label “Messianic Jew” or simply “member of the Torah Community.” I also call myself a Christian and am proud to do so.

As a Messianic Jew and adjunct Torah Teacher with my home Messianic congregation, I am embarrassed to hear of the many failings of the HRM as described by some in mainline Christianity. The HRM is as much in need of grace as those in mainstream Christianity. After all, no one is perfect. We are all a work in progress. So, while not perfect, everyone must admit that the HRM nonetheless shares much in common with the religious culture of the 1st century Jewish sect called The Way since that is an intentional and primary thrust of their foundational core beliefs. As such, modern Christianity which doesn't seek to purposely imitate the Jewish culture of the sect called The Way, would nevertheless do well to learn what they could from any group that seeks to mimic and recover the original grassroots movement started by Yeshua and his faithful few. After all, logic suggests that if Yeshua and his disciples “did it,” then it cannot be wrong if, in a spirit of grace and forgiveness, and without pride, arrogance, and judgmental attitudes, “we do it also.” What should be so simple has, unfortunately become quite complex and confusing, thus the many marked differences between standard Christianity and the HRM.

Reducing what I believe to a bare-bones minimum for this question, I will say that I try to keep my theology to these simple points: I hold strong convictions that man is a sinner and only Yeshua can save him (Jn. 14:6). That there exists One God, One Messiah, One Spirit (essentially Eph. 4:4-6 theology), One Body of believers called the Remnant of Isra'el, a.k.a., the Church (Rom. 11:17-24), and One Law (from Genesis to Revelation) for both Jews and Gentiles in Messiah to follow (Ex. 12:49; Jer. 31:33; Matt. 5:17-20; Rom. 3:27-31; 1 Cor. 7:19). 

Without sounding like I am dismissing all of the other points that necessarily fall in between these pillars of Truth, for me, any theology that diverges from the foundational theology of these simple points starts to become questionable.

September 05 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

---

View All Answers