Posted on 01/17/2002 5:35:50 AM PST by Israel
Recently, as a result of an article I posted, I was asked to comment on a recent event wherein a Hebrew teacher in a Jewish school in Israel burned a copy of the New Testament given to a 6th grade student by a Christian missionary. Clearly, it was wrong to burn the Bible of another's religion. However, to be fair, it was equally wrong to gift such a book to an impressionable Jewish youngster. The book burning will, no doubt, sort itself out but, the matter of Christian missionaries trying to convert Jews to some sect of Christianity remains a problem.
To convert a Jew to another religion plainly states that the all-seeing G-d was wrong in selecting the Jewish people to serve him. Most, if not all, religions agree that G-d is perceived to be clear-minded about the future all the way into what is called the 'End of Times'. Therefore, He knew the Jewish people would ebb and flow in their mission. He allowed the Jewish Prophets to glimpse the future so that they could issue warnings for the people and their Kings to mend their ways and stay steady on the path intended as a "light unto the nations".
Sometimes they succeeded and sometimes they failed but, either way, G-d was not unaware of these lapses yet to be. The successes and failures were both well documented in the Hebrew Bible, the first five books of Moses as given by G-d to Moses on Mt. Sinai. There was no attempt to hide the weaknesses (or the strengths) of Jewish leaders and these failures were held out as a lesson for future generations. Men are not angels although in different ages a handful have reached the level of Tzadikim (righteous ones).
There are other religions whose level of expectations was to minimally accept the seven Noahide laws which have indeed marked the progress of Christianity. One can reach higher and adopt more advanced levels of behavior but, too often religion has been used as an excuse to persecute, torture and even destroy "the other" of different religions. Domination via conquest of others was always viewed as a sign in primitive thought that their god was more powerful and theirs was the only correct god to follow. Regrettably, that belief seems to prevail even today as exemplified by our struggle in Afghanistan and the Middle East. It is ramping up even now between India and Pakistan.
The Jews were not instructed to proselytize or press other religions into accepting the Jewish 10 Commandments plus the additional 603 'Mitzvot' (rules of conduct) which the Jews had accepted to live by. They were merely to be servants to HaShem (lit. "The Name" of G-d) and, in doing so, to be a light (example) unto the nations. Granted, they (we) failed frequently and were duly punished for our inability to stay the course. Jews were also not instructed to tell those of other religions that they too were able to cross the threshold of entering the Covenant given to the Jews IF they adopted the laws of Torah.
However, it was not up to men who chose other pathways to G-d to instruct the Jewish people in the belief that G-d had made a mistake in selecting them for this difficult mission. It is understandable that the evolvers of new religions wished their followers to worship in their own ways. It is NOT understandable for them to presume that G-d was mistaken in putting the burden or privilege of servitude on the Jewish people. Moreover, not having spoken directly with G-d as did Noah, Abraham, Moses, how is it possible to challenge or to correct G-d's pronounced judgement in the Torah from these ancient Prophets?
Within the Roman Catholic Church it is believed that the Pope is infallible. Can the one G-d be less so? Can mankind presume to fathom G-d's Mind, Plans and His Vision through all infinite eternity and conclude that He was in error? The hubris of men, to presume to probe the Mind or Intentions of G-d - who rules billions of galaxies out into infinite space - beyond what He has said to do, is presumptuous.
Is it right and proper for various Christian sects who surely believe in their G-d then to come to Jewish youngsters and, in effect, tell them that their Jewish history, their destiny was NOT pre-ordained but the Christian version is? That G-d has changed his mind because He did not or could not see the future. Can anyone say to the Jewish people that "it is our destiny to replace you because, in our opinion, you have failed your mission and G-d's judgment was misplaced"?
The Jewish people are deeply familiar with book burning. During the Church-inspired Inquisition, Torah parchment scrolls were wrapped around rabbis and those who refused forced conversion to Christianity and then set on fire. The parchment was dampened with water so the Jewish victim being burned at the stake would burn to death more slowly and have the opportunity to repent his stubborn dedication to G-d's Covenant and accept conversion.
We recall Hitler's thugs confiscating Jewish holy books and scrolls, using them to create huge bonfires. Later, they burned knowledgeable Jews in the Krupp ovens - with children often thrown in alive. Neither the Catholic Church nor Islam protested. In fact, the world remained curiously silent. Here the motive was not conversion but disposal of a people who would always remain Jewish.
The surge of radical religions has an unhappy past. The Christian Crusades swept through Europe and the Holy Land, killing everyone in their path always proclaiming this was being done in G-d's Name. Christianity raged at that time - certain they were doing G-d's work. Had they actually received G-d's Word or was this merely the zealous imagination of self-anointed clerics thwarted in their self-appointed mission?
Similarly, the Muslim nations surged back against the Crusaders, imposing Islam on the Holy Land and into Spain and France. They also believed that conversion by the sword was what Allah would applaud. Each in their time of glorious conquest demanded obedience to their gods as did the earlier Romans.
Now, in the present, we see Christians being driven out of most Arab and Muslim-dominated countries. They would be allowed to stay IF they accepted conversion to Islam and the correct pathway to their G-d who the Muslims called Allah. This same formula would, of course, apply to the Jewish nation as it always has down through the centuries.
Pursuing other religions with the intent to convert them by aggression or stealth is a sure fire way to inspire hatred and war. Is it not passing strange that down through the ages first Christianity and later Islam sought to meld the lineage of the Jewish tribe of Abraham through conversion with their growing religions even as they proclaimed the Jew had failed the Covenant G-d gave them? Is it possible to dismiss and demonize a people and yet still claim to be the correct heir to their heritage back to their first conversations with G-d?
A Hebrew teacher in Israel, protecting his students from what he considered undue dangerous influence of missionaries using a New Testament book drafted in the Hebrew Language as a tool of conversion, chose the wrong response. He should have visited the school or offices of that Christian sect and returned the book with a public protest.
I have often thought that it would be right and proper for Jewish students, knowledgeable in Torah law, to gather around those who come to proselytize and provide them with an education of why a Jew follows HaShem's laws of instruction in how to lead his life. They must be reminded that HaShem (G-d) had specifically instructed the Jews that: "There shall be no other G-d before Me." Shall a Jew leave G-d's Covenant and break his obligation to the one G-d who revealed Himself to the Jewish people? Has the lesson been forgotten wherein Eve was seduced to break G-d's instructions, resulting in great punishment for all?
Shall we listen to creative men advocating their religions because they can finesse language and thought so they are entirely convincing to others? Perhaps it would be better if they choose as their opponent the G-d who made the rules. I grant you that may be difficult, since G-d seems to have stopped talking to us humans in voice or even through Prophets.
However, if He spoke to us once, perhaps he will do so again. Until that time, wherein He comes to judge us and issues rulings, I think the effort to convert Jews to other ways should be put aside. Presently, we have the Ten Commandments, included in the 613 Mitzvot, and the ethical/moral judgement of wise men who instruct us to treat each other with respect. That is sufficient for now. We are not, however, unaware of the assistance our Christian friends have given Israel during its difficult times and for this we thank you. We understand your efforts to save us are according to your beliefs.
As for the material actually given to the Jewish youths for the purposes of conversion, simply gather it up and return it to the entrance of the institution from whence it came.
He was to be the seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15) who was to bruise Satan's head (Gal. 4:4). As the seed of Abraham (Gen. 22:18, Gal. 3:16) and the seed of David (Psalm 132:11, Jer. 23:5, Acts 13:23), he was to come from the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:10, Heb. 7:14).
He was to come a specified time (Gen. 49:10, Dan. 9:24-25, Luke 2:1), born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14, Matt. 1:18-23), in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Matt. 2:1, Luke 2:5,6). Great persons were to visit Him and adore Him (Psalm 72:10, Matt. 2:1-11), and through the rage of a jealous king, innocent children were to be slaughtered (Jer. 31:15, Matt. 2:16-18). He was to be preceded by a forerunner, John the Baptist, before entering His public ministry (Isaiah 40:3, Mal. 3:1, Luke 1:17, Matt. 3:13).
He was to be a prophet like Moses (Deut. 18:18, Acts 3:20- 22), and to have a special anointing of the Holy Spirit (Psalm 45:7, Isaiah 11:2, Isaiah 61:1,2, Matt. 3:16, Luke 4:15-21,43). He was to be a priest after the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4, Heb. 5:5,6). As the servant of the Lord, he was to be a faithful and patient redeemer for the Gentiles as well as for the Jews (Isaiah 42:1-4, Matt. 12:18-21).
His ministry was to begin in Galilee (Isaiah 9:1,2, Matt. 4: 12,16-23); He was later to enter Jerusalem (Zech. 9:9, Matt. 21: 1-5) to bring salvation. He was to enter the temple (Hag. 2:7-9, Mal. 3:1, Matt. 21:12). His zeal for the Lord is mentioned (Psalm 69:9, John 2:17); His manner of teaching was to be by parables (Psalm 78:2, Matt. 13:34-35); His ministry was to be characterized by miracles (Isaiah 35:5-6, Matt. 11:4-6, John 11:47). He was to be rejected by His brethren (Psalm 69:8, Isaiah 53:3, John 1:11, John 7:5), and a "stone of stumbling" to the Jews--a "rock of offense" (Isaiah 8:14, Rom. 9:32, I Pet. 2:8).
He was to be hated without cause (Psalm 69:4, Isaiah 49:7, John 7:48, John 15:25), rejected by the rulers (Psalm 118:22, Matt. 21:42, John 7:48), betrayed by a friend (Psalm 41:9, Psalm 55:12,14, John 13:18,21), forsaken by His disciples (Zech. 13:7, Matt. 26:31-56), sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zech. 11:12, Matt. 26:15), and His price given for the potter's field (Zech. 11:13, Matt. 27:7). He was to be smitten on the cheek (Mic. 5:1, Matt. 27:30), spat upon (Isaiah 50:6, Matt. 27:30), mocked (Psalm 22:7- 8, Matt. 27:31,39-44), and beaten (Psalm 50:6, Matt. 26:67, 27:26,30).
His death by crucifixion is described in Psalm 22. The meaning of His death, as a substitutionary atonement, is provided in Isaiah 53. His hands and feet were to be pierced (Psalm 22:16, Zech. 12:10, John 19:18, John 19:37, John 20:25), yet not one of His bones was to be broken (Ex. 12:46, Psalm 34:20, John 19:33-36). He was to suffer thirst (Psalm 22:15, John 19:28) and be given vinegar to drink (Psalm 69:21, Matt. 27:34). He was to be numbered with the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12, Matt. 27:38).
His body was to be buried with the rich (Isaiah 53:9, Matt. 27:57-60), but was not to see corruption (Psalm 16:10, Acts 2:31). He was to be raised from the dead (Psalm 2:7, 16:10, Acts 13:33), and ascend to the right hand of God (Psalm 68:18, Luke 24:51, Acts 1:9, Psalm 110:1, Heb 1:3).1
It is sometimes asserted that Jesus did not fulfill all of the Messianic expectations outlined in the Hebrew Scriptures, only many of them. It must be remembered, however, that Jesus said repeatedly that he would be coming again in glory, and there is every reason to expect these additional passages to be fulfilled at that time. Certainly the vast number of prophecies that he did fulfill defies all odds, such that, after considering them carefully, it would take more faith to believe he was not the Messiah than to believe that he was.
You are absolutely correct....It is true because God said it is.....
The Jewish faith was correct and the way to God....until He sent his son....He promised you a savior, did he not?.....and the Jewish people/faith rejected Christ the Son of God as that savior. From The day he gave his life on that cross for ALL mans sins, forward, is where the Jewish people miss the boat.
I am truly interested in why....the Jewish Faith/people are still waiting on his return and why they rejected Christ as the Son of God.
"The Jewish people are deeply familiar with book burning. During the Church-inspired Inquisition, Torah parchment scrolls were wrapped around rabbis and those who refused forced conversion to Christianity and then set on fire."
We will studiously avoid mentioning that the persuecution of the Jews in Spain was largely motivated by their covert support for the Moslems with whom Spain had been at war for several centuries. And gruesome executions were not reserved for Jews: Turks did it to Christians (and vice versa), Protestants did it to Catholics (and vice versa). The Jews were not specifically singled out for egregiously brutal handling. This was just the way of the world back then.
I observe that Jews who do not scruple at condemning Torquemada are quite silent with respect to the treatment of the Canaanites, what with the divinely ordered slaughter of men, women, children, livestock, and housepets. I guess Jews get a "historical context dispensation" but goyim do not.
"We recall Hitler's thugs confiscating Jewish holy books and scrolls, using them to create huge bonfires. Later, they burned knowledgeable Jews in the Krupp ovens - with children often thrown in alive. Neither the Catholic Church nor Islam protested."The Nazis confiscated and detroyed lots of books; most of them were NOT Jewish. The Nazis also killed lots of people -- 20 million, by some estimates -- and here's the surprise: most of them weren't Jewish either. If anything, the largest block of civilians killed by the Nazis probably consisted of Orthodox Christians. But they don't even merit a footnote in most Holocaust Studies. Maybe it's payback for the pogroms of the Cossacks.
And the Catholic Church was silent? We will ignore all of the contemporary accounts of the Vatican's condemnation of Nazi practices, amply documented in the New York Times during the war. We will ignore the praise heaped upon Pope Pius XII during his lifetime by Jews who were rescued by the Church, and hidden on the very grounds of the Vatican. We will ignore the imprisonment of Christian clergy and laity who resisted the Nazis. Most importantly, we will ignore the Nazis documented war against Christianity and post-war plans to "settle with the Church once and for all." You can easily find this in the writings of Goebbels, Streicher, Rosenberg, and Hitler himself.
And, by the way, Krupp didn't make ovens. It made steel and heavy machinery, including cannon and armoured vehicles.
"The surge of radical religions has an unhappy past. The Christian Crusades swept through Europe and the Holy Land, killing everyone in their path always proclaiming this was being done in G-d's Name . . . Similarly, the Muslim nations surged back against the Crusaders, imposing Islam on the Holy Land and into Spain and France.Rather than simply ignoring history, the author here conveniently reverses it, putting the effect before the cause. A glance at any map will reveal that Islam is not native to either France or Spain (or even North Africa). It was imposed through brutal conquest by nomadic barbarians. The Crusades were a response to Islamic aggression, not the cause.
I see no reason to convert Jews to Christianity, since the original Covenant was not abrogated. But it amazes me that so many Jews (and I am thinking specifically of the membership of organisations like the ADL, ACLU, NEA) continue to propagate lies about Christianity. What point does it serve to continually accuse contemporary Christians of the crimes of people three hundred years ago, or -- worse yet -- accuse them of complicity in the Nazi regime? Frankly, I am surprised that they haven't gotten around to calling the Lenin/Stalin purges and Gulag an anti-semitic plot of the Orthodox Church. Maybe they will, some day, after they can convince us that the NKVD was staffed exclusively by gentiles.
First, as I have explained numerous times (and I'm sure you're not stupid), I respect God and His word, in which He moves His prophets to use His personal name some ~6823 times, and in which He urges His people to call on and invoke and swear by His name. I respect God. I have no respect for people who imagine they can be holier or godlier than God.
Second, your second point is beside the point. It is sad, but true, that some Jews do not acknowledge their Messiah. Moses predicted this would be the case. But the article discusses the propriety of those who DO acknowledge Israel's Messiah trying to persuade those who FAIL to acknowledge Him. I was simply demonstrating that believing Israelites reaching out to non-believing Israelites is fully in accord with Torah.
Third, as he is about so many other things, Prager is wrong about Jesus. He fulfilled many prophecies, including the crucial passage in Isaiah 52:13 — 53:12, which precedes His bringing peace to the earth.
Thanks for an interesting response!
The Jewish interpretation of this passage is that it refers to all the future prophets, not just one. You agree that there was more than one prophet after Moses?
This is one of the most absurd statements I've read in a long time. To agree with it, one would have to assume the following:
God selected the Jewish people to serve him.
Okay, I'll give you that one. But God also selected the entire house of Israel, which consisted of 12 tribes. The house of Judah (the Jews) make up only one twelfth of Israel. Why is the author unconcerned about other Israelites who may be under the same covenant to serve God?
One serves God by not converting from Judaism.
Give me a break. There are thousands of ways to "serve God," one of which is doing unheralded acts of Christian service.
A Jewish person should not allow himself/herself to be converted to another religion.
Is the Jewish faith so weak, that mere exposure another religion is something to be feared? Having a Bible doesn't make a person Christian. We have plenty of evidence of that.
To convert a Jew...
This is directed at the converter, not the convertee. How can Jewish law bind those who are not Jews?
God was wrong...
Christians do not believe that God was "wrong" in the Old Testament. Why do Jews believe He was wrong in the New Testament? Someone has a misinterpretation of God's intentions. Perhaps we should ask God what He really meant, rather than attributing things to Him that we want to believe He meant.
Let the kid keep his Bible.
Please point out for me exactly where in the Hebrew scriptures the messiah is prophecied to come more than once. Jesus himself said that his return would be within the lives of 'this generation'. His disciples clearly expected his imminent return. It wasn't until 2 Peter that we see them beginning to try to come up with reasons for the delay of Jesus's expected return.
Maybe it is because Jews are generally secure enough in their own beliefs that they don't feel the need to convince everybody else that they are right.
Point me to where this was said....i want to look at it for myself.....thanks....
Amen.
The " chosen people" were at that time in the OT, the chosen out of the pagan peoples. However, here is where discerntment comes in. The "chosen" are neither Jew nor Gentile ( Gentile= pagan at that time.) The chosen are NOW grafted in with the origianl chosen. We ( believers in Jesus) are chosen by Him, " the chosen", we did not choose Him but He chose "US". Faith is a gift, keep that in mind.
Modern-day Jewry consists of all 12 tribes. In your Bible you will note that the area of Judah (southern modern-day Israel) was given to the sons of Judah and Benjamin. Levites were not given any territory but were set aside to serve as the priesthood. The nine other guys got (northern) Israel. So don't worry; everybody is accounted for.
Faith is a product of free will....Grace is the "gift"
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