It is easier said than done! What is? One of the most difficult things in life is to be a good listener –– All too often, we don’t let the other person finish what they are saying before we butt in!
ISRAEL’S RIGHT TO EXISTS IS A FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT!
RONI GIVES A STRONG JUSTIFICATION!
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Speak, I am Listening!
Bring Them Home Now!
“You cant’t always get what you want, but you get what you need!”
The Rolling Stones
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THE BORN AGAIN MOVEMENT: In the late 1960s –– 1980s during this era a powerful acclimation of the GOOD NEWS was being proclaimed in the Western World –– Billy Graham was one it’s main protagonists and he preached to thousands in the USA, and his message was spread through multiple Gospel agencies an this included Teen Challenge, Campus Crusade for Christ, Africa Enterprise in Southern Africa and also East Africa in countries such as Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
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If you enjoy listening to these podcasts – Guess what? I have just had to renew the Word Press Subscription and it Cost – £174
This Programme is about Crossing the J-Line: Answers many Questions concerning Jews Believing in Jesus -Yeshua.
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Teaching Judaism in Manchester
Some years ago while teaching Contemporary Judaism at Manchester University, UK, I co-taught part of the module together with Rabbi Brian Fox, a Reform Rabbi from Sherston Reform Synagogue. On one of the visits that my students and I took to the synagogue Brian stood in the front of the Ark where the Torah scrolls were kept behind a curtain, he spoke about the J-line.
What you may ask is the J-line?
This question was certainly in all our minds as to what was the rabbi referring?
He went on to explain what he meant: Pointing to a join in the carpet on the floor in the front, and he then said: “Imagine a “J-Line,” or “Jesus-line.” “If you believe in Jesus you can’t be Jewish, for Jews don’t believe in Jesus as their Messiah and remain Jewish.” More particularly, he had me in mind as a Jesus-believing Jew, but more generally, my Gentile Christian theological students though sympathetic to Judaism, can’t think of themselves as being Jewish and should the want to convert they cannot hold onto a belief in Jesus.
Supersessionism
What am I getting at? Supersessionism is the belief that the majority of Christian’s have held to, and largely continue to subscribe to. It is the outlook, and belief that when Jesus came as not only the Jewish Messiah, but the Christ of the Gentiles too, then Judaism became superseded and had fulfilled its purpose and usefulness.
Supersessionism, also called replacement theology and fulfillment theology by its proponents, is the Christian doctrine that the Christian Church has superseded the Jewish people, assuming their role as God’s covenanted people, thus asserting that the New Covenant through Jesus Christ has superseded or replaced the Mosaic covenant. Supersessionists hold that the universal Church has become God’s true Israel and so Christians, whether Jew or gentile, are the people of God.
What are the implications of such a belief for both Christians and Jews? Tough questions that we not only need to confront, but navigate our way through. We can be like ostriches and bury our heads in the sand, or face up to these issues. I choose the latter.
Big problems are created for everyone due to bad theology that has produced two thousand years of misery and suffering for Jews, Jewish believers in Yeshua (Jesus), and the church in general.
Let me explain: In a recent conversation with a Messianic Jewish friend who is the daughter of a Holocaust survivor – She said that in conversation with a senior Orthodox Rabbi who knows that she is a believer, he said: “One of the biggest mistakes we made as Jews was our rejection of Jesus-believing-Jews. We should have kept them as part of the Jewish people.”
This is a profound statement and helps us to realise that when a Jewish person embraces Yeshua as Messiah and Lord, they don’t stop being Jewish. Though the majority of their fellow Jews may want to push them to the margins of Judaism, or worse even exclude the all together, this does not mean that this is the end of the matter.
Rabbi Brian Fox and his J–Line: Is this a false proposition? In other words, when a Jew becomes a Jesus-believing-Jew they don’t stop being Jewish. Neither have they become a ‘convert,’ ‘apostate,’ or ‘a Gentile.’ Yes, there are those Jews who in becoming believers have rejected their Jewish heritage, and they only want to be known as ‘a Christian,’ and repudiate their Jewish background.
Christian Supersessionism: Christian Supersessionism, also known as replacement theology, is the theological view that the Christian Church has replaced Israel in God’s plan and covenantal relationship. This perspective asserts that the promises, covenants, and blessings once given to Israel now belong solely to the Church, with Israel being either set aside or excluded due to their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah.
Key Elements of Supersessionism:
Theological Framework: Supersessionism interprets the New Testament as teaching that God’s covenant with the Jewish people has been superseded by the new covenant established through Jesus Christ.
Fulfillment of Promises: It holds that the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the nation of Israel are now fulfilled in the Church.
Rejection of Israel’s Unique Role: Supersessionism generally denies or minimizes any ongoing, distinct role for ethnic Israel in God’s redemptive plan.
Variations of Supersessionism:
Punitive Supersessionism: Argues that God has rejected Israel as a punishment for their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah.
Economic Supersessionism: Suggests that Israel’s role was temporary, serving as a “stage” for God’s work until the Church emerged.
Structural Supersessionism: Implies that the structure of biblical theology itself marginalizes Israel, often interpreting the Old Testament primarily through a Christological lens.
Biblical Arguments Used for Supersessionism:
Romans 9-11: Some proponents interpret this passage to mean that the Church inherits the promises made to Israel.
Hebrews 8:13: “By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete.”
Galatians 3:28-29: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile… If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Criticisms of Supersessionism:
Biblical Critique: Opponents argue that passages like Romans 11 affirm the continued role of Israel, emphasizing that “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29).
Historical Critique: Supersessionism has been linked to anti-Semitic attitudes and actions throughout history, including fostering hostility toward Jews.
Theological Critique: Many theologians argue that God’s covenants with Israel are unconditional and eternal, pointing to scriptures such as Genesis 12:1-3 and Jeremiah 31:35-37.
Alternative Theologies:
Dual-Covenant Theology: Maintains that God has separate covenants with Israel and the Church, both of which remain valid.
Dispensationalism: Views Israel and the Church as distinct entities in God’s plan, with Israel playing a key role in future eschatological events.
Messianic Judaism: Emphasizes the Jewish identity of Jesus and sees belief in Him as the fulfillment—not the replacement—of God’s promises to Israel.
Relevance Today:
Christian Supersessionism remains a controversial topic in theological discussions. Its implications affect interfaith dialogue between Christians and Jews, eschatology, and the understanding of God’s covenantal faithfulness. Many modern theologians and Christian groups have rejected supersessionism, embracing a more inclusive theology that affirms God’s continued covenant with Israel alongside the Church.
Christian Supersessionism has had profound negative effects on Jews, Judaism, and Messianic Jews throughout history, impacting theology, relationships, and interfaith dynamics. Here is a breakdown of the key consequences:
1. Impact on Jews and Judaism
A. Historical Persecution
Supersessionism created a theological foundation for anti-Semitism in Christian Europe, portraying Jews as a rejected people, cursed for their rejection of Jesus. This contributed to centuries of persecution, including:
Forced Conversions: Jews were often pressured or violently coerced into converting to Christianity under the belief that Judaism was obsolete.
Expulsions and Pogroms: Events such as the Spanish Inquisition and Russian pogroms were fueled by theological hostility rooted in supersessionism.
Holocaust: While not directly caused by Christian theology, centuries of anti-Semitism justified by supersessionist ideas created fertile ground for Nazi ideology.
B. Theological Marginalization
Supersessionism invalidated Judaism as a viable spiritual path, labeling it as “blind” or “stubborn.”
Jewish religious practices, such as observing the Sabbath, dietary laws, and festivals, were dismissed as unnecessary or legalistic.
C. Cultural Stereotyping
Supersessionism perpetuated harmful stereotypes, such as the depiction of Jews as Christ-killers or as spiritually inferior.
These stereotypes alienated Jews from Christian-majority societies and contributed to their social and economic marginalization.
2. Impact on Messianic Jews
A. Identity Confusion
Supersessionism often forces Messianic Jews into an identity crisis. Messianic Jews see themselves as both Jewish and believers in Jesus (Yeshua), but supersessionist theology:
Denies the legitimacy of their Jewish identity by claiming the Church has replaced Israel.
Pressures them to abandon Jewish practices, often labeling them as unnecessary or “too Jewish.”
B. Marginalization by Both Communities
From the Jewish Community: Many Jewish communities reject Messianic Jews as “traitors” for believing in Jesus, viewing them as complicit in supersessionist theology.
From the Church: Some Christian groups pressure Messianic Jews to assimilate entirely into Christian culture, rejecting their distinct Jewish identity.
C. Suppression of Jewish Expression in Worship
Messianic congregations often face resistance from non-Messianic churches when incorporating Jewish elements into worship, such as:
Using Hebrew liturgy or symbols (e.g., tallit, menorah).
This can lead to a loss of cultural and spiritual heritage among Messianic Jews.
3. Hindrance to Jewish-Christian Reconciliation
A. Erosion of Trust
Supersessionism has damaged trust between Jews and Christians, making meaningful dialogue difficult.
Many Jews view Christianity with suspicion, associating it with centuries of persecution and theological hostility.
B. Barriers to Understanding
By dismissing the continued relevance of Israel and Judaism, supersessionism obscures the Jewish roots of Christianity.
This limits Christians’ understanding of the Bible in its original Jewish context and alienates them from the richness of Jewish theology and tradition.
C. Stifling of Mutual Respect
Supersessionism creates a hierarchical relationship where the Church is seen as spiritually superior to Israel. This hinders interfaith relationships, as Jews are often viewed as objects of conversion rather than as partners in theological dialogue.
4. Broader Effects on Theology and Practice
A. Eschatological Confusion
Supersessionism undermines the biblical promises regarding Israel’s future role (e.g., Romans 11, Jeremiah 31:35-37). It erases hope for the restoration of Israel as part of God’s redemptive plan.
B. Loss of Jewish-Christian Unity
The early Church was deeply rooted in Jewish identity and practice. Supersessionism contributed to the separation of Christianity from its Jewish foundations, leading to a loss of unity and shared mission between Jews and Gentiles.
Examples of Recovery and Hope
Despite the damage caused by supersessionism, many movements and theologians today are working to repair the harm:
Messianic Judaism emphasizes the fulfillment of Jewish identity in Yeshua, reclaiming Jewish practices as integral to faith.
Post-supersessionist Theology rejects replacement theology, affirming God’s covenant with Israel while embracing the Church’s inclusion.
Jewish-Christian Dialogue is growing, fostering understanding and healing between communities.
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THE EXISTENTIAL THREAT UPON THE JEWS – This is nothing new, but currently what is transpiring in the Western world against the Jews has serious consequences for Jewish survival in the twenty first century contemporary world!
In a new book by Gol Kalev, THE ASSAULT ON JUDAISM he discusses something as sinister as the actual physical attack upon Israel on 7 October 2023 that is taking place in the West and one of its main sources is the mainline Western media that in some instances is parroting Hamas and its propaganda against Israel.
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I am wearing a Logo of the Yellow ribbon on my jacket!
Living in the UK, even the “trusted BBC,” that is supposed to be committed to unbiased impartiality in its reporting is guilty in the way that it reports the current Israeli wars that it is involved in in the Middle-East. In the way it portrays Israel’s enemies, it all too often makes them out to be innocent victims.
Some thinkKilling Jews is OK! Why have we reached this state of affairs? What are some of the reasons for this?
In the Lord’s Prayer we express a number of different issues that cover aspects of human life and relationships…
The Importance and Significance of Symbols, and Symbolism When we view symbols, such as the three in the painting of Roni & an Orthodox Jewish friend at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, we should note those things that are symbolic – Seven branch candle stick, Star of David, and the box of the phylacteries on Ron’s head. What do each of these symbolise mean, and what do they signify?
We should note that Judaism and Christianity each have multiple symbols that carry powerful religious meaning that lie at the heart of these two Abrahamic faiths. Though some are distinctive to its specific faith, others are significant to both. So, let’s begin by exploring some of these powerful images and explore their importance.
Some synonyms for ‘type’: sign, character, mark, letter, hieroglyph, ideogram, emblem, token, representation, figure, image, type, metaphor, and allegory.
HIGHLIGHTS:
What do you understand from the idea of symbol & symbolism?
With the use of a graphic image such as a Star of David or menorah how does that define Judaism?
Think about the significance of wearing a sign or symbol on your arm, and between your eyes – how do these influence ‘faith,’ and ‘practice?’
Learn to say the Shema in Hebrew – Follow the Link below.
In the New Testament in John’s Gospel Chapter 1 we have several symbols such as “light,” “Lamb of God,” how does these assist our understanding of the Messianic faith?
The symbol of the Menorah, Star of David, with a Cross, and the Fish, what do these images symbolise?
Read John Chapter 1 and identify as many symbols as you can, and think about how they may be applied?
Please enjoy this presentation by Elisheva Mechanic on Messianic Jewish Art: A New Perspective
Our objective in giving expression to Messianic Jewish Art
A group of artist friends from the Messianic Jewish Alliance of Australia have started an art group to give expression to their desire as Messianic believers to explore the way that they may depict visual art works. Part of this enterprise involves the exploration of the spiritual dynamic and desire to communicate the reality that the members as Messianic believers are both artist or love the visual arts (art appreciation), and are exploring new ways to develop their artistic ability. Membership of this forum is not exclusively for people living down under, but through social media, through the use of WhatApp, Zoom, Google Meetup, etc., it is possible to participate both locally in Sydney, Melbourne, and elsewhere in Australia, but especially, anywhere else in the world where there is internet connectivity.
How may you get involved?
Firstly, you need to share the faith values of the Group, then you will need to send a request to participate to the group administrator.
What is Messianic Jewish art?
We need to differentiate between, Jewish art, Christian art, and Messianic Jewish art. Each of these categories are very broad and each in turn requires both clarifying and defining.
Jewish art
When we consider the Jewish world of art and culture, the two are intimately link, for artistic expression is an outworking of various art forms that notably helps define that people of whom it is a part, but it also helps to define who they/we are as a distinctive people-group within the world.
The Twelve Tribes Glass Windows by Marc Chagall
We must note that Chagall’s depiction of the Twelve tribes has avoided any explicit images, but is rather abstract in its interpretation due to the prohibition of the visual representation of humans and beasts in the Torah.
Notwithstanding, from the mid-nineteenth century Jewish artists under the influence of the Enlightenment threw caution to the wind, and began to boldly enter the world of European artistic expression that held no such restriction upon the portrayal of general everyday human life. This included breaking through another taboo of the representation of Jesus of Nazareth, who had been most certainly off limits to Jewish people in general, and in this context artists as well.
Christian art
Christian artistic representation of Biblical, theological, ecclesiological and general religious themes have been part and parcel of the Christian faith from its inception and did not follow Judaism’s ban on the visual presentation of humans and animals as explained above.
Messianic Jewish art
Where you may ask does Messianic Jewish art fit into the scheme of things? Is it constrained by the Torah’s prohibition as in the case Orthodox Jewish interpretation? Has it fully embraced the Christian world-view? Or does it fall somewhere in between the two faith, a bit like a half-way house, or a bridge, to use these two metaphors?
This is where the ‘new perspective.’ When we speak about a ‘bridge,’ this analogy fits well the attempt that Messianic Jewish artist and their supporters are attempting to achieve giving a clear presentation of Biblical themes and everyday life.
Work in progress
We are on a journey to ‘somewhere,’ not nowhere, as Talking Heads says. The ‘somewhere’ is what this venture and exploration is all about. We want invite you to consider what we have been discussing and discover your place within this ‘new perspective.’
Additional Resources Available:
This art book is available from Amazon Worldwide in Hardcover & Paperback
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anic Jewish Passover. Personal anecdotes are included of the author’s experience of cross-cultural ministry and life experiences in ministry.
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Mindlessness – ‘blow your mind,’ is a popular expression to take drugs, get high, etc.
In contrast Think about what you are contemplating – The thing that you are considering to act upon have consequences. Love, peace, and concord, verse hate, violence, and discord are two path that are set out before us as individuals.
So, what’s it to be? While others may influence you to choose their preferred path, ultimately, we are the one’s that must decide which way to go!
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 English Standard Version:
15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. 16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God[a] that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules,[b] then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
I have decided to follow Yeshua – Jesus – It is probably one of the most important decisions that you can make in your life.
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; No turning back, no turning back.
2. Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow, Tho’ none go with me I still will follow, Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow; No turning back, no turning back.
3. My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus; My cross I’ll carry till I see Jesus, My cross I’ll carry till I see Jesus; No turning back, No turning back.
4. The world behind me, the cross before me, The world behind me, the cross before me; The world behind me, the cross before me; No turning back, no turning back.
A way back…What do I mean when I speak of a way back? If we have misgivings, doubts, second-thoughts, or regrets about a decision that you have made, then you don’t have to accept that you made a wrong choice. You can attempt to find a way back. In biblical terms, we refer to this as ‘repentance.’ Repentance is multifaceted – it has many dimensions to it, and also it potentially carries deep implication, that will not only have a personal outcome, but may well influence the live of many others.
The big one, and the smaller ones…What do I mean by saying that there is a big one, and there are small ones? The big one – is when we recognise that our relationship with our Heavenly Father is broken, and we make the decision to repent!
Repentance involves…Confession – admitting that we are wrong, and have done wrong. Turning back, or turning around are part of the vital process. Having regret is only the beginning of the process, and many get stuck at first base and never progress to make a home run to use a baseball metaphor.
We began by saying, ‘Your mind matter!’ The philosopher Rene Descartes said, cogito ergo sum literally mean?
‘I think, therefore I am‘ – cogito ergo sum
The Latin cogito, ergo sum, usually translated into English as “I think, therefore I am“, is the “first principle” of René Descartes’s philosophy. While his viewpoint is quite profound, it does not contain the whole truth! His is a purely human response to ur being, or existence. He has missed our God’s point of view – God say something substantially different about our existence – he created us to not only be, but supremely to love him, worship, and adore him – in other words, that our live may glorify him always!
Cogito, ergo sum, dictum coined by the French mathematician and philosopher René Descartes in his Discourse on Method (1637) as a first step in demonstrating the attainability of certain knowledge. It is the only statement to survive the test of his methodic doubt. The statement is indubitable, as Descartes argued in the second of his six Meditations on First Philosophy (1641), because even if an all-powerful demon were to try to deceive him into thinking that he exists when he does not, he would have to exist in order for the demon to deceive him. Therefore, whenever he thinks, he exists. Furthermore, as he argued in his replies to critics in the second edition (1642) of the Meditations, the statement “I am” (sum) expresses an immediate intuition, not the conclusion of a piece of reasoning (regarding the steps of which he could be deceived), and is thus indubitable. However, in a later work, the Principles of Philosophy (1644), Descartes suggested that the cogito is indeed the conclusion of a syllogism whose premises include the propositions that he is thinking and that whatever thinks must exist.
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This book is a guide for those beginning a lifetime of cross-cultural ministry and for anyone wanting to spend some time in a cross cultural situation such as a short term mission. It includes some Social Anthroplogy background as well as an understanding of cross-cultural communication and approaching ministry in a new cultual setting. It will help the reader to understand world view and how to overcome the negative effects of adjusting to a new culture and come to an understanding of the customs and outlook on life of a new community of people. Included are insights into understanding the Jewish community as well as several other cultural groups.The Biblical feasts are included as well as an order of service for a Messianic Jewish Passover. Personal anecdotes are included of the author’s experience of cross-cultural ministry and life experiences in ministry.
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