[Reggie] White's spiritual course was changing

Philadelphia Daily News ^ | 12/27/04 | Bill Fleischman

[malakhi]

Reggie White's deep interest in religion appeared to go in a different direction after his playing days ended.

ESPN's Andrea Kremer had spoken with White several times recently about his interest in studying Hebrew. Kremer was planning to tape interviews with White about the subject next week.

"There were some things that he came to question in Christianity," Kremer said yesterday from Los Angeles. "He wanted to learn for himself how to read the scripture, and the only way to do that is study Hebrew.

"Reggie is someone who is true to his word. He didn't want to be taking other people's word for stuff. He told me he hadn't been in church in 4 years. He was on this journey to find out what religion is all about."

When CBS's Shannon Sharpe recently asked White if he was still in the ministry, White replied, "Shannon, I moved away from Christianity and started studying Hebrew because I need to know for myself what my life holds for me."

[Invincibly Ignorant]

That is not so true today. Messianic Judaism has undergone a dramatic shift in the past 10 years. There are still many 'Baptists with a tallit' out there, but the Torah-observant movement of Messianics is NOT trinitarian. To be fair, many the Torah-centered Messianics would not say that they are members of Messianic Judaism, and would distance themselves from those groups. They often struggle with identification, which is why it is interesting that Reggie said he was moving away from 'Christianity'. Those who would claim the eternality of Torah and yet believe that Y'shua is the promised Messiah would more likely call themselves something other than 'Christian' - and would also identify with what is refered to as 'Apostolic Judaism' - or the practice and faith of the first followers of Y'shua.

Perhaps you're right. I'm in the process of converting to Judaism myself. I attended a "Messianic Synagogue" for two years. I left there and considered myself "Messianic Monotheistic" and had no "congregation". It was my experience that most of "Messianic Judaism" was trinitarian. As far as the number of those that are out there by themselves as "Monotheistic", I guess I have no idea.

[malakhi]

Howdy Mack! You and Becky have a good Christmas?

[Invincibly Ignorant]

And I see that you're still wearing Becky's horse blinders. :-)

[Skooz]

Really? That slow of a week?!

Apparently. It was Garry Kasparov vs. the latest super duper chess computer.

[maestro]

FYI....

Your #129.......

I had heard he was moving in a Noachide direction.

????..........documentation?

.......Noachide-Preterist-RC& Evangelicals......(ALL) Together?

[ET(end tyranny)]

Based on what I can gather, it appears to me that he may have been moving from his Baptist Christian roots to more of a "messianic Jewish" belief. That explanation seems to account for the all the available facts.

Could very well be. Could also be that he was in a holding pattern. Once he dug around into the messianic prophecies, he might very well have realized they were forced to look like they fit J*sus. Noticing a deliberate mis-translation that forces a 'J*sus is the messiah' take on things can make you rethink J*sus' role completely.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

The White interview was not part of the Jakes program.

Never said it was.

I am certain the Sharpe comment was taken completely out of context or is erroneous. In no way did White state anything even remotely about "moving away from Christianity."

How are you certain? I sincerely want to know.

He did, however, make it very clear that he was trying to move away from his previous preconceptions about his faith.

I don't doubt he said this. My question is how old the interview was in relation to the comments White made to Sharpe.

[onevoter]

Do I believe that the quotes are fabrications? Gee, the press wouldn't do that would they? News story to follow on CBS.

Further on this subject: "White said that he had moved away from most of his previous ministries because he wanted to make sure that what he was doing was in line with the Sriptures. He said he wanted to learn what the Bible actually says, rather than what people have told him it says."

I just can't take this to mean that Reggie was turning on Christianity - why is it that you are so determined to prove this unproveable point? Your assumptions aside I wouldn't take one questionable quote from Sterling Sharpe (with no supporting tapes, etc) and bank too much on it.

[Dan Middleton]

>>>>"'ESPN 2 actually ran a chess match.'<<

>>Really? That slow of a week?!"<<

If the match referred to is the same one I'm thinking of (yes, I watched it too...), it was Garry Kasparov against the latest chess-playing super-computer.

[ET(end tyranny)]

According to Deuteronomy nothing was to be added or removed. I take that to include the NT. I agree with much of what you wrote but would have changed is to was about Yehoshua.

[judicial meanz]

Its always interesting to me that the
"Christians are haters who persecute us" argument is used by the pagans.

Pagan Rome murdered more Christians and Jews than they can ever falsely claim Christians and Jews have.

PS: Pagans really, really hate that argument.

[malakhi]

Could also be that he was in a holding pattern.

We'll never know, now, but that is certainly possible.

[Bella_Bru]

I downloaded Kasparov Chess onto my cell. It keeps me busy.

[ET(end tyranny)]

Messianic Judaism is still, as I have been fond of saying, "Contantinian Christianity in Hebrew sheeps clothing." Moving away from Christianity is not embracing it in another form.

I agree. Unfortunately info from various sources appear to be a bit too sketchy.

[malakhi]

I just can't take this to mean that Reggie was turning on Christianity

The source of your difficulty with my remarks is that you are determined to equate "Christianity" with "belief in Jesus". There are those ('messianic Jews', for example) who "believe in Jesus" but who do not use the label "Christian". It is NOT my position that White had abandoned his faith in Jesus.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

freepmail

[mn-bush-man]

bump for later reading

[joesnuffy]

When finite minds try to comprehend the infinite...

When a corrupt spirit through a corrupt mind seeks to understand
the Holy and the Pure

When flesh seeks to know spirit

When Satan seeks to impeded all relationships between man and God

There are bound to be misunderstandings and infighting...even among those who consider themselves to be among the most holy..

imo

[safisoft]

I attended a "Messianic Synagogue" for two years

Which one?

I'm in the process of converting to Judaism myself.

Orthodox?

I myself and still looking a place for a frum messianic (there is a contradition in many minds) like myself. I am attending a Messianic Congregation, but like you afirmed, many hold to 'Christian' creeds without examining their basis. I long for a solid, liturgical place, but when Meshiach comes ;) He will set all things right. If you are ever in the Dallas area, try Baruch HaShem. I have visited there and it is more like I wish was in my area.

Shavuah Tov.

[graceland]

It is odd that he has not been in church for four years