So after the three presenters on Jewish believers and the Torah, three other presenters spoke on the relationship between Gentile believers and the Torah. This was really interesting, because more than any other topic so far, the three speakers represented three wholly different opinions on the subject.
The first presenter took the stand that the Torah is applicable to everyone, and should be adhered to by all believers. However, he was also very quick to state that biblical salvation is by faith alone, and always has been. So observance is for everyone, with the understanding that the heart intent and motivation must be in the proper place, and faith must be at the core of any obedience.
In the second slot, the presenter took the position that it was up to the person whether they choose to follow Torah or not. However, she made an incredible insightful statement. She said, "The Spirit-filled life will certainly reflect the Jewish Torah observant life of Moses' day in many respects, as God's character has not changed." She continued on to say that the key principles of unity and love must be the overarching guiding forces in the life of the believer. This should lead to the practice that one places the needs and desires of others over and above one's own preferences. But then she added that one's own convictions should also be secondary to those of others. This, for me, created a paradox. If the Spirit-filled life leads to Torah observance, and there are times when those convictions are tossed aside, isn't that operating outside the guiding of the Holy Spirit?
The third and final presenter held the position that Gentiles should have nothing to do with the Torah. I believe that this view came almost entirely from his personal testimony, in which he spent a great deal of time in the Jewish community in Israel. He learned Hebrew, learned the culture, observed the Torah, and to all intents and purposes, became Jewish. In fact, he mentioned that he had considered conversion. All this while, he never spoke about the Messiah at all, especially not to his Jewish friends. All of this led him to the conclusion, years later, that it is far better to just be yourself, and not get caught in the same trap that he did.
It was fascinating that there were parts of each presentation that I agreed with. In the first case, I agreed with much of what he said. There is a biblical case for the continued adherence to Torah, as many had noted in the presentations on Jewish Believers and the Torah. (See my other post.) Yet, it has nothing to do with salvation, and everything to do with a response to salvation. It becomes our expression of love and thanksgiving, in other words, worship, because of what God has done for us in sending His Son. This is the proper heart intent and motive that was referred to in the first presentation.
Paradox not withstanding, the second presenter really had a lot of good things to say. It is rare that one combines Torah observance with unity. More common, it is connected with the command to love. I would say that love and unity are intimately related. And as she put it, our freedom under the new covenant must always desire to promote unity within the body of Messiah.
And you might guess that I disagreed with most of the third position, and you would be right. However, I think that he was correct in the need to never hide who you really are. If you are Gentile, be Gentile. This does not, however, preclude Torah observance. Nor can Torah observance make a Gentile Jewish.
One last comment. Once again, Kim had a very insightful comment regarding all of this. In a faith community that is trying very hard to figure out the Jewish/Gentile relationship, and not make anyone feel second-best, separating these topics on relation to Torah into Jew and Gentile is in some ways contrary to our overall goal of unity, and the promotion of the one new man of Ephesians.
Therefore, regardless of being physical or spiritual seed of Abraham, what should the believer's relationship to Torah be?
The first presenter took the stand that the Torah is applicable to everyone, and should be adhered to by all believers. However, he was also very quick to state that biblical salvation is by faith alone, and always has been. So observance is for everyone, with the understanding that the heart intent and motivation must be in the proper place, and faith must be at the core of any obedience.
In the second slot, the presenter took the position that it was up to the person whether they choose to follow Torah or not. However, she made an incredible insightful statement. She said, "The Spirit-filled life will certainly reflect the Jewish Torah observant life of Moses' day in many respects, as God's character has not changed." She continued on to say that the key principles of unity and love must be the overarching guiding forces in the life of the believer. This should lead to the practice that one places the needs and desires of others over and above one's own preferences. But then she added that one's own convictions should also be secondary to those of others. This, for me, created a paradox. If the Spirit-filled life leads to Torah observance, and there are times when those convictions are tossed aside, isn't that operating outside the guiding of the Holy Spirit?
The third and final presenter held the position that Gentiles should have nothing to do with the Torah. I believe that this view came almost entirely from his personal testimony, in which he spent a great deal of time in the Jewish community in Israel. He learned Hebrew, learned the culture, observed the Torah, and to all intents and purposes, became Jewish. In fact, he mentioned that he had considered conversion. All this while, he never spoke about the Messiah at all, especially not to his Jewish friends. All of this led him to the conclusion, years later, that it is far better to just be yourself, and not get caught in the same trap that he did.
It was fascinating that there were parts of each presentation that I agreed with. In the first case, I agreed with much of what he said. There is a biblical case for the continued adherence to Torah, as many had noted in the presentations on Jewish Believers and the Torah. (See my other post.) Yet, it has nothing to do with salvation, and everything to do with a response to salvation. It becomes our expression of love and thanksgiving, in other words, worship, because of what God has done for us in sending His Son. This is the proper heart intent and motive that was referred to in the first presentation.
Paradox not withstanding, the second presenter really had a lot of good things to say. It is rare that one combines Torah observance with unity. More common, it is connected with the command to love. I would say that love and unity are intimately related. And as she put it, our freedom under the new covenant must always desire to promote unity within the body of Messiah.
And you might guess that I disagreed with most of the third position, and you would be right. However, I think that he was correct in the need to never hide who you really are. If you are Gentile, be Gentile. This does not, however, preclude Torah observance. Nor can Torah observance make a Gentile Jewish.
One last comment. Once again, Kim had a very insightful comment regarding all of this. In a faith community that is trying very hard to figure out the Jewish/Gentile relationship, and not make anyone feel second-best, separating these topics on relation to Torah into Jew and Gentile is in some ways contrary to our overall goal of unity, and the promotion of the one new man of Ephesians.
Therefore, regardless of being physical or spiritual seed of Abraham, what should the believer's relationship to Torah be?
I agree with the statement, "Yet, it has nothing to do with salvation, and everything to do with a response to salvation. It becomes our expression of love and thanksgiving, in other words, worship, because of what God has done for us in sending His Son." I would also affirm that Kim's observation is very true, and extremely important to the future of both Jew and Gentile believers.
ReplyDeleteWith regard to, "Torah observance, and there are times when those convictions are tossed aside, isn't that operating outside the guiding of the Holy Spirit?" If you didn't simply choose to sin, I think the question becomes, "Did the Ruach direct you to lay-down your conviction, or did He call you to a higher one?
If we are to help a neighbor to get his livestock out of a ditch on the shabbat (never done this but I'm guessing it would fall under the category "hard work"), then perhaps a believer who sets aside his eating habits for love of a brother does rightly.
As when David took the Holy bread to feed his beloved brothers while they ran from Saul, it seems to me that this is choosing love over law - Isn't that the essence of grace? In extending grace, do we do only what our Messiah does? He does as He sees His Father do.
I say this because to my mind, Yeshua's life is a constant story of grace over righteous indignation. After all, He could have picked up the stone and said, "Woman you know the Law. I've got no sin. Its a tough day to be you - Thwap!" Instead, He says, "Where are your accusers?". Reassuring her that He will not accuse either, He instructs, "go and sin no more". Not exactly what the Law commands concerning adultery but, I believe He shows us that the higher calling is love.
If we take the term "תוֹרָה" torah to be "instruction" as opposed to meaning "the first five books of the bible," then I would, in fact, say that what Simon said IS following the Torah, God's instruction with a capital "T." As is following Yeshua's commandment of love, which is also found in the first five books, once in Leviticus 19:18, and once in Deuteronomy 6:5.
ReplyDeleteGreat points, Simon. However, are you saying that if a believer helps his neighbor get his, say, pig, out of a ditch on Shabbat, and then eats the pig, did rightly? Just saying...
No pig! Cow on the other hand, if the fire is already burning, and it accidentally fell into the flames... ...be right back. I'm gonna need a snack!
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