One Torah, Two Approaches to God?

Posted on July 15, 2014 by Pete Rambo

A while back we posted Brad Scott’s response to the IAMCS white paper titled ‘One Law, Two Sticks…’ ( https://natsab.com/2014/04/10/brad-scotts-response-hilarious/ )

Here is a response with much truth by Jane Diffenderfer. May it help bring clarity and healing.

janediffenderfer's avatarjanediffenderfer.com

Root of our Faith

A Critical Look at the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations

and Synagogues (IAMCS) Steering Committee Report

of False Accusations Against the Hebrew Roots Movement

 

We, as Messianic leaders and teachers, have become increasingly concerned that there are a small number of individuals and groups today promoting the idea that the Torah is not valid in the lives of Believers in Messiah Yeshua [Jesus Christ]. These people, headed by the Steering Committee of the IAMCS, state that all Believers – Jewish and Gentile alike – ought not to walk as Messiah, by honoring the Torah, particularly the Shabbat, the Feasts of the LORD, and eating a Biblically kosher diet. This erroneous understanding of Scripture, which has been around since the fourth century, and the days of the Roman Emperor Constantine, is the subject of this paper. This doctrine promoted by the IAMCS leaders causes them to conclude that the…

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‘the word of the Lord came to me…’

Posted on July 15, 2014 by Pete Rambo

Lately I have felt so overwhelmed by a number of things that it has been hard to sit down and write.  There are a number of articles brewing, but distractions and rabbit trails have been an impediment.  Here is one item I’ve been pondering that is entirely incomplete, but I need to get it off my plate and would value some input/insight.

A phrase caught my eye about a year ago while doing some studying in Genesis,horses_003

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying,

“Do not fear, Abram,
I am a shield to you;
[a]Your reward shall be very great.”

2 Abram said, “O Lord [b]God, what will You give me, since I [c]am childless, and the [d]heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “[e]Since You have given no [f]offspring to me, [g]one born in my house is my heir.” 4 Then behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This man will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own [h]body, he shall be your heir.” 5 And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your [i]descendants be.” 6 Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.

I had always read that phrase to mean ‘God, the Lord, speaking…,’ yet in an instant it seemed to be personified as if ‘The Word of the Lord’ was doing the speaking.  Continue reading →

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Biblical Equality

Posted on July 12, 2014 by Pete Rambo

This looks like another book I need to read!! Good, thought provoking article here challenging the paradigms within which we have been raised!

May our Father guide us to the echad fellowship He desires for His people. All of them!

Thanks for this!

K. Gallagher's avatarGRACE in TORAH

john McKee

I just finished a short ebook by J.K. McKee of Outreach Israel Ministries and TNN Online called “Biblical Equality and Today’s Messianic Movement”. It is fantastic and I highly urge you to forgo a $3 coffee to buy this informative document. You will be glad you did. (: This post will explore some of Mr. McKee’s insights and some of my thoughts that he helped tie together.

Mr. McKee focuses on Galatians 3:28:

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Messiah Yeshua.

Notice that there are three categories of people mentioned in this verse. Most people understand that this verse is emphasizing the equity and freedom we have in Messiah. And this is true! However, there is more to the story. We will get to that…

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THE Most Accountable Generation?

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Pete Rambo

Lately, I have been pondering the fact that we are likely THE most accountable generation in history!!

Certainly, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory, and, there is none righteous, not even one, making all guilty, but the degree of culpability can vary.  When we each stand before the Judge, we will all be held accountable, though to varying degrees.

The poor old woman from the 900’s who was a faithful wife and attended church but never held, much less read a Bible is accountable for what she knew.  Take that same woman and place her in the mid-1600’s with the ability to read an available Bible translation and she is accountable for more.

Leap forward another 300 years and by the mid-1900’s, with the increase of Bible literacy and the availability of the Scriptures as well as encyclopedias and mass printing -she, or we, have still higher degrees of accountability.  The last 40 years and especially the last ten years have been a meteoric increase in knowledge and understanding, particularly in revealing ancient truths long contained in Scripture, but hidden under justifications, misunderstandings and outright falsehood.  With the advent of the internet and the accessibility of truth to the common man on every continent, we are each not only without excuse, but more accountable than every previous generation!  In fact, the basics of the Gospel message are entirely unavoidable while the truth of Torah and the revelation of syncretistic pagan practices is fast permeating the message. Continue reading →

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REVIVE2014 Highlight reel…

Posted on July 8, 2014 by Pete Rambo

Just found this fast paced recap of the excitement and people at Revive2014…

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The Answer Isn’t ‘More Law’…

Posted on July 8, 2014 by Pete Rambo

I woke at about 1:30 a.m. thinking, ‘the answer isn’t more law….’  And, a flood of thoughts ensued.  Knowing I would never get back to sleep if I didn’t make some quick notes, I got up and scratched the thoughts on a piece of paper before crawling back into bed.

law‘The answer isn’t “more law.”‘

Man’s solution has long been ‘more law.’  We have only to look at our own households.  I know in mine we are constantly adding to and fine tuning the ‘laws’ of the house.  A son might do a dumb-dumb that skirts the edge of some existing statute and upon correction he says, ‘Well.  Nobody told me that was wrong!’ leaving mom and/or dad to scratch our heads and say, ‘couldn’t you figure that out knowing such and such was wrong and this is awfully close?’  So, we solve it by adding a new rule.  ‘Don’t do ……’

You know the drill.

Our nation, indeed any nation, follows the same basic course, but on a grander scale!  Consider the founding documents and pretty simple legal code in the US Constitution, yet 200 years on the precedents, legislative actions and legal codes in this nation, including state and municipal, would fill the Grand Canyon!!  We collectively do the same as we do in our homes:  More law! Continue reading →

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Good Vibrations!!

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Pete Rambo

Okay, so if the Beach Boys are running through your head, here’s yer ‘fix!’

I’m a craftsman.  My wife says ‘jack of all trades, master of none.’  Still, I can do very nice woodwork, metalwork, I make knives, cheese, soap, candles, have designed and built aquaponic systems, raised animals, etc…  Two years ago we bought a sewing machine I tinkered with before letting it languish.  Out of necessity, last month we pulled it out so I could tailor some of my wife’s clothes.  And, I got the ‘bug.’  (Can’t you just hear my wife groaning, ‘Oh, no!’ in the background?)

Sew, uhm…  so, I wanted to try my hand at making a ball cap.

Basic ball cap. First attempt. Tommy Hilfiger shirt and curtain material with custom button. Ribbon hat band and yogurt container brim stiffener.

Basic ball cap. First attempt. Tommy Hilfiger shirt and curtain material with custom button. Ribbon hat band and yogurt container brim stiffener.

After a few Youtube videos and some online pattern ideas, I cut up a yogurt container, a shirt destined for Goodwill and a piece of fabric that was supposed to be used for some forgotten curtain project.  (This is going somewhere…  I promise!)

While the back was a bit bunchy from the elastic, and the size a bit big for my small head, the final product was good for a first attempt….  Time to try again!  Continue reading →

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Celebrating Rebellion.

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Pete Rambo

I was kinda looking forward to watching some fireworks tonight and a bit toward today…  capitol-fireworks01you know, THE Fourth of July?  Yet, since I woke this morning a phrase has been bouncing around my mind like a ricochet bullet.  “Celebrating rebellion!”

Now, certainly, I understand the actions and long-suffering nature of the Founders as well as the many grievances against the Crown.  That is not really the issue.  It is the culture we have of ‘celebrating rebellion!’

Having very recently gone through an issue of rebellion in my household and being the father involved, it occurs to me that as a culture we celebrate rebellion in all of its forms!  Think 60’s, rock and roll, pro-choice, etc, etc.  The list is really endless.  In fact, the very nature of the fallen human condition is rebellion.  Pure and simple.

Today, most have little understanding of what this day is really about.  Most think fireworks, bbq, and beer.  Oh, and a three day weekend.

But seriously.  What are we celebrating?  Continue reading →

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REVIVE2014. Vendors.

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Pete Rambo

One cool aspect of REVIVE2014 was the Marketplace, open Friday and Sunday between sessions.

I just thought I’d give a quick list and a few thoughts with a post dedicated to one specific vendor..

I’m sure I’ll miss some, but here are the ones I can remember with a few thoughts on each…

Messianic Covenant Community had a large map and push pin board for connecting fellowships and people.  Besides purchasing a terrific book titled Hebrew Word Pictures, by Dr. Frank T. Seekins, I added a pin for our fellowship.  Their website has a state by state breakdown of fellowships that they are aware of and feel comfortable promoting.

Wisdom In Torah Ministries was there with Rico Cortes occasionally at the table, though he seemed pulled a 100 different directions.  His family as well as Ryan White were the primary faces.  They had tons of dvd and cd offerings.

WildBranch Ministry was manned by Brad Scott and Co.  They, too, had a pile of dvds and cd teachings.  I failed to pick up a copy of his new, very reasonably priced Basar Echad.  I think he sold out first day!! Continue reading →

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REVIVE2014. Day 3.

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Pete Rambo

Technically, day 3 was two three four days ago…  Sunday.  (Yep, been busy since getting back and trying to catch up!!)

We finished near midnight on Sunday and had no internet access until Monday afternoon, but with travel, tiredness and family matters, I’m just now finally sitting down to recap!

What a weekend!  Already, I am excited about next year!!  Mark your calendars and start saving money/making plans.  It will be worth it!  REVIVE2015, Dallas, TX Hyatt Regency, June 26-28!

Day 3 was interesting to watch as everyone was noticeably tired and somewhat lethargic.  Overall, the crowd was great to be in/around.  Very friendly and warm atmosphere.  By this point, we were seeing and recognizing new friends in the hall between sessions and meeting still more new friends…  What a joy to hear so many different stories of how Abba calls His children back to the Torah.  All similar, yet each unique in flavor and events.

I began the morning with Tony Romibson’s third session on the Garden and its patterns.  this time the focus was on mankind.  He sang a song for us that he had written years ago and taught some basics on chiastic structures in Scripture.  Much, to me, was a refresher, however he pointed out some structures in the Garden account I had never noticed.  The first three chapters of Genesis are so deep that in the last year I have been surprised again and again at the great depth and foundational connectivity with all things written and in life!!

My second session was Dr. Deborah Wiley and her talk titled Gospel, Great Commission and the Call to Torah.  One of the interesting thoughts that she posited, similar to one I had heard the day before, was: “What is the Gospel?”  Christendom teaches that it is salvation in Yeshua/Jesus, but we know the ‘gospel’ was preached to Abraham (Galatians 3:8).  Questions she asked, to drive the point home included: Continue reading →

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REVIVE2014, Day 2.

Posted on June 28, 2014 by Pete Rambo

Another great day!!

Shabbat with 600 of my newest close friends!!

How cool to walk the hall between sessions and run into friends that I didn’t know were coming (the Lindseys and the Mercks) or to see a name flash by and my mental Rolodex spins and I turn and holler, “Ray Gardener!”  He turns and looks with a huge question mark over his head and I say as I stick out my hand, “Pete Rambo.  We’ve never met, but we’ve spoken a few times on the phone.  Thank you for your binders full of Torah portion teachings!!  What a huge help!”  And, we are fast friends!

Also, so much fun is being able to meet and just be near so many of the teachers that help me on a regular basis through their internet sites, etc…

Yesterday was such a full day, that it was a challenge to drag out of bed this morning, ut coffee has been plentiful!  Hyatt does have good coffee in the rooms!  (Plus I brought honey and cream for mine…  LOL!)

Rico Cortes, teaching Intro to the Sects of the First Century, was first on the plate this morning.  As with most of these sessions, the time is shorter than the material.  Rico is a fun teacher, even moreso in person than on line, who brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding.  But if I could use one word to classify him, it would be ‘humble.’  Truly, Abba has specially selected him for this time and role!!  His topic was very interesting, but time limits forced some shallowness.  He readily pointed to sources, so I can pursue some of the study on my own by chasing his sources!! Continue reading →

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REVIVE2014, Day 1.

Posted on June 28, 2014 by Pete Rambo

(Belated post…  internet access troubles…)

Wow! What a day!!

My head is so full already, but the buffet is still set for a couple more days, so we’ll continue to absorb as much as possible!

Previously, I linked the schedule of speakers and events while trying to decide who/what to see. Tough decisions. For starters, I chose Dr. Hollisa Alewine’s The Four Horsemen and the Beast was just fascinating in all the connections she made to Genesis and Torah. In two hours she completely reframed my perspective of much of Revelation, a thought process I plan to pursue. Just incredible!!

After her class, Kelly and I went to the Marketplace where about 25 or so vendors had displays. Lots of great stuff!! I’ll post links and names later when I have time.

In the early afternoon I heard Victor Schlatter speak on How Saved in the Jew? I look forward to reading and reviewing several of his books on various topics. His talk confirmed some of what I have been thinking regarding the Jew in the salvation plan. Frankly, his talk was a little scattered and more anecdotal than Scripture based, but what he had to say has encouraged me to pursue the topic further on my own. Continue reading →

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כל־בשׂר : “all flesh” means?

Posted on June 22, 2014 by Pete Rambo

Last week in an email discussion with a friend over what the responsibilities of the Gentile are to the Torah, he said, “I never said a Gentile couldn’t go beyond the minimum standard set in the Acts 15 halachic ruling, I just don’t think it is an obligation and that it is disobedience to God if we don’t.”

NoahDozens of times I have addressed from various angles the fact that Yahweh has one standard for righteousness and more than a few times we have specifically discussed parts of Acts 15.  Where I wanted to challenge my friend was in the Gentile obligation to Torah and whether it is disobedience to God.  I countered,

 

Okay…  here’s a question to ponder:

In this email and in your last post as well as your reply to me you seem to say that it is okay for Gentiles to follow Torah, but it is not mandatory.  Your advice seems to be, ‘Don’t worry about it, just wait for the Messiah to arrive and straighten it out.’

I know I am over simplifying, but that seems the general thrust of your thought.  so…

Isaiah 66:18-24 seems to be about the Messianic age.  Would you agree?

If so, then vss. 15-17 ought to scare the cr@p out of ALL flesh (vs. 16) and someone should be teaching that swine is unclean.  Is the blood of those judged on the Jews’ hands, or is it on yours and mine?  Or, both?

Thoughts?

My assertion is that in Isaiah 66:16-23 we are clearly warned that “the Lord will execute judgment by fire, And by His sword on all flesh,” and one of His targets are “Those who … eat swine’s flesh, detestable things and mice…”   Continue reading →

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πολιτειαν : Citizenship for the grafted in?

Posted on June 21, 2014 by Pete Rambo

Paul was being stretched out on the rack as the centurion in charge prepared to interrogate him by flogging.

Scourging Whip 1Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?”

26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. “What are you going to do?” he asked. “This man is a Roman citizen.”

27 The commander went to Paul and asked, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?”

“Yes, I am,” he answered.

28 Then the commander said, “I had to pay a lot of money for my citizenship (πολιτειαν).”

800px-Bronce_de_Ascoli“But I was born a citizen,” Paul replied.

29 Those who were about to interrogate him withdrew immediately. The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains.

While the NIV takes a few liberties in translating this passage (the word for ‘citizen’ only appears once in this Greek text), it starkly illustrates the importance of citizenship and the differences between ‘natural born’ versus ‘purchased/adopted’ citizenship. Continue reading →

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“I’m a good Christian and so am I” -Daniel Botkin

Posted on June 20, 2014 by Pete Rambo

While preparing for next week’s conference, I was planning which speakers and topics I want to attend.  Daniel Botkin is a name I’ve heard a number of times, but am not really familiar with, so I thought I’d do a little research.  Turns out, besides being a gifted teacher and long-time Messianic Jew, he is also an artist.  In cruising some of his work, I found this little gem that harkens back so some of our posts about Mr. “Golden Mouth.”

I'm a Good Christian

Botkin brilliantly captures the absurdities that came from the mouth of this ‘hero’ among the ‘church fathers.’  Following is the desription of this painting in Botkin’s own words explaining the text on the scrolls as well as the Hebrew around the perimeter: Continue reading →

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