Highly Recommended Book; The Redeemed

[Tallen]

I highly recommend the following book. I just finished reading it and was blessing with the insight and perspectives I gained. Easy to follow format that presents the data, historical and biblical, to show who the redeemed of God are and how the scripture explains the purpose of Christ's mission.

Walk in the Light Series
The Redeemed
An examination of Israel, the Church and the Chosen People

By: Todd Bennett
Shema Yisrael Publications.

[Joe S]

I dunno Tallen- I looked at his website and he looks like a modern Judaizer. Check out some of his other works (http://www.shemayisrael.net/books.html).

[Yodas_Prodigy]

I thought that the book was well-written. Like any perspective, I did not agree with every word that the author said. I do believe that he gave some very good arguments for the positions that he posited. His insight into viewing the New Testament through the Jewish Converts eyes was quite interesting.

The points that rung clear to me are:

-The Hebrews were not all physical decendents of Avraham (i.e Caleb)
-OT blievers and NT believers are one people of God
-Today's Israel (Actually Yahudah) does not represent the OT paradigm of Jews returning to their homeland
-The "fullfillment of the Gentiles" has not happened Yet

[Yodas_Prodigy]

I dunno Tallen- I looked at his website and he looks like a modern Judaizer. Check out some of his other works (http://www.shemayisrael.net/books.html).

Joe, what is a Judaizer? I should remind you that Paul (Shaul) was Jewish (actually from the tribe of Benjamin). The rest of the Apostles were from the Tribe of Judah (Yahudah). Jesus (Yahushua) is from the tribe of Yahudah.

[Tallen]

I dunno Tallen- I looked at his website and he looks like a modern Judaizer. Check out some of his other works (http://www.shemayisrael.net/books.html).

I would have said the same thing a few years ago. But now that I have look at the theology I think that there is a move of God toward a covenant understanding of scripture and finding our roots in the faith of the Apostles.

[Joe S]

Joe, what is a Judaizer? I should remind you that Paul (Shaul) was Jewish (actually from the tribe of Benjamin). The rest of the Apostles were from the Tribe of Judah (Yahudah). Jesus (Yahushua) is from the tribe of Yahudah.

Gee, I didn't know that. :L44:

My definition of a Judaizer is one who would take the Old Covenant types and shadows which pointed to the Messiah and were abolished when the substance was revealed in Christ and impose them on the New Covenant people of God either for legalistic reasons (in order to obtain or maintain salvation) or for moralistic reasons (in order to recieve blessings or favor or as a means of sanctification.)

I have not read anything other than the scant blurbs on his website, but apparently he believes that Christians are to keep the Old Covenant feast days, eat only Kosher foods and keep the seventh day sabbath, so I conclude that he is a Judaizer. If I am mistaken about his beliefs I apologize.

[Yodas_Prodigy]

Gee, I didn't know that. :L44:

My definition of a Judaizer is one who would take the Old Covenant types and shadows which pointed to the Messiah and were abolished when the substance was revealed in Christ and impose them on the New Covenant people of God either for legalistic reasons (in order to obtain or maintain salvation) or for moralistic reasons (in order to recieve blessings or favor or as a means of sanctification.)

I have not read anything other than the scant blurbs on his website, but apparently he believes that Christians are to keep the Old Covenant feast days, eat only Kosher foods and keep the seventh day sabbath, so I conclude that he is a Judaizer. If I am mistaken about his beliefs I apologize.

Okay, fair enough. What if we want to participate in these feasts, eat Kosher foods, and keep the Sabbath? There certainly is a choice here. Jews converted to Christ in Acts continued in their Jewish traditions, but chose not to force converted gentiles to participate.

Acts 15:19-21 (New International Version)

19"It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath."


Acts 15:28-30 (New International Version)
28It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.

30The men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter.

Acts 21:20-26

20When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. 21They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. 22What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, 23so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. 24Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everybody will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. 25As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality."

26The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.

[Tallen]

My definition of a Judaizer is one who would take the Old Covenant types and shadows which pointed to the Messiah and were abolished when the substance was revealed in Christ and impose them on the New Covenant people of God either for legalistic reasons (in order to obtain or maintain salvation) or for moralistic reasons (in order to recieve blessings or favor or as a means of sanctification.)

Joe, what if he isn't "imposing" (I take it that you mean imposing in the sense of requiring) them and doesn't teach that we should do anything that isn't in line with the Apostle's teachings? And certainly he isn't teaching salvation by anything else but through faith in Jesus Christ. Would you change your mind a little?

[Joe S]

That is somewhat vague, because even cultists claim to align with the Apostles teachings. But I am confident that you understand the Apostles teachings, and even if this guy goes astray you have the discernment to benefit from his good insights while not accepting bad theology.

I would be cautionary to those who are not so grounded, the young in Christ, that may easily be lead astray.

[Joe S]

It would seem to me that these ceremonial activities were permitted in the New Testament to accomodate the weaker bretheren who could not accept the freedom we have in Christ, but not required of the Gentiles because there is no Spiritual benefit in them. If there was Spiritual benefit in them, why were the Gentiles not advised to observe these things? And if they are of no benefit, why do you want to adopt them?

[Yodas_Prodigy]

It would seem to me that these ceremonial activities were permitted in the New Testament to accomodate the weaker bretheren who could not accept the freedom we have in Christ, but not required of the Gentiles because there is no Spiritual benefit in them. If there was Spiritual benefit in them, why were the Gentiles not advised to observe these things? And if they are of no benefit, why do you want to adopt them?

First, I have not adopted any ceremonies yet. I am weighing what would be pleasing to YHWH and will proceed from there.
I think this scripture should not be left out:

Acts 21:20

20When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.

Note, coming to the Lord made the Jewish want to learn the Torah. They were excited to please YHWH. They wanted to know him better.

I also point out that Paul was regularly teaching the Torah to new and future converts.

Blessings Brother

[Tallen]

Joe, in my opinion, this fellow is harder on the Judaizers than you are. His point in this book is what is being redeemed with the shed blood of Christ and the relationship of the redeemed to the word of God. I know what you mean about Judaizing and the teachings of many of those folks. But there is some folks that are seeking the understanding of scripture and the roots of our faith. This fellow is blantantly clear that modern Judism is in apostasy and even teaches that the modern nation of Israel is not the nation that is prophesied in scripture. There are many very good points that he makes in his book, and to be truthful, points that I had never considered before that are made from scripture.

Blessings brother.

[tking]

I highly recommend the following book. I just finished reading it and was blessing with the insight and perspectives I gained. Easy to follow format that presents the data, historical and biblical, to show who the redeemed of God are and how the scripture explains the purpose of Christ's mission.

Walk in the Light Series
The Redeemed
An examination of Israel, the Church and the Chosen People

By: Todd Bennett
Shema Yisrael Publications.

If it were anyone but you recommending it, I'd probably steer clear after looking at his other book titles and descriptions. But since I know you've been through the whole Hebraic Roots, Messianic Jew, Replacement theology stuff, too, I figure it must be alright. I have to admit some of the descriptions of the other books there make my antennae inch toward alert mode. Have you read the Law and Grace one? If so, what's it like?

[Yodas_Prodigy]

Well said. I'll have to get my copy back from Kevin ASAP so I can site the author better.

[Yodas_Prodigy]

Have you read the Law and Grace one? If so, what's it like?

That is the next one on the reading list.

[tking]

That is the next one on the reading list.

Oh good...let us know, if you would, please.

[Tallen]

Joe and I are ordering that one today. I'll let you know how it goes. So far, I can tell you that his material is not what I expected.

[Tallen]

My copy is already getting well marked up and highlighted.

[Yodas_Prodigy]

My copy is already getting well marked up and highlighted.

:L53: Mine Too