16 April 2008

I just want to say a heartfelt Thank You for your wonderful website.  It is such a huge encouragement to me.In brief:  I'm a daughter of Avraham and Sarah, so not Gentile.  But my forebears (followers of Yeshua since the early 1800s!) have so intermarried with Gentiles on both sides that I'm not Jewish either.  And, oh dear, that has caused a lot of negativity with some so-called Messianic folk who think that as a non-Jewish person I should definitely not follow Torah.  (One 'advisor' said I could keep my family's 'traditions' - Shabbat and kosher diet, but nothing else.)

Meanwhile, the Gentile church just wants to tell me that Torah has been abolished, full stop/period. Just by reading the Scriptures, I have never been able to believe that. Result: ostracism on both sides.  I don't fit in anywhere.  I call myself a Torah-observant Christian (who is neither Jew nor Gentile in Yeshua <smile>) .... but I have felt like such a minority of one that, at times, I have doubted my integrity, intelligence, interpretation.  Surely if I was right, then other people would have the same understanding?

And so it has been so good to read your website.  I'm only about three-quarters of the way through at the moment, but wanted to break off to write this, feeling so encouraged and positive.  One line that will always stay with me is, 'God is not a polygamist: He has ONE bride.'

Thank you for it all.

Lisa  
England

22 May 2008

About eight years ago my wife and I had joined a nondenominational church and as time went on I become the small group leader for the pastors. I am the son of a deacon in a Baptist church and was raised by that faith. I had always questioned the jewish part of the bible and asked about the old testament but was told that it was not valid anymore. As I began to lead the pastors small group I once a again started asking these questions and something did not seem right to me. I went to God in prayer and asked that he reveal to me the truth of things and use the Holy Spirit to guide me. Boy what a journey he sent me on. I discovered the Messianic Jews and started really learning everything that they had to offer. Finally after two more  years of leading small groups God asked me to stop what I was doing because the truth was not there. I left and started attending a couple of Messianic congregations but I just could not agree with everything that they had put forth. About a week ago I asked God to show me that out there was at least something that would teach the full meaning of the truth as well as did one of my best friends.

My friend and I discovered your site and this is what we have been looking for. These teachings have to be started here where we live in San Antonio Texas! I believe that you are on the right track and every single thing that you say about the Messianics and the Christians are exactly what the Holy Spirit has been telling me and my best friend. I am not sure what to do next with this I want you to know that we support you fully and yes, you are on the right track. The Holy Spirit is dealing with me very deeply right now about this information that we have found being taught from you and we are excited. I am not sure what we are supposed to do with this but please pray for us because we are in deep prayer and excited that we found you. We do not fit in with the Messianics or the Christians so to find a teaching that we have been practically praying for is like finding gold!

Many Blessings,
Robert
Texas,
USA

25 May 2008

Shabat Shalom Avram & Ruti!

A friend who I had shared my feelings about our ‘Messianic Congregation’ and shared with me about your web site! I was AMAZED to read the things that you wrote were exactly what our LORD had been putting on my heart. Naturally since our congregation is headed up by a ‘rabbi’ who is one of the ‘head honcho’s of ‘Chosen People Ministries’ … the enemy can easily use the Word of GOD that you hear behind you saying, ‘This is the way…walk in it!’ and cause you to think ‘Maybe it’s not really GOD calling me…’

And yet, for quite some time, just like you…just like our father Avraham…I have felt like the LORD has called me out of ‘this movement’ to THE ONE TRUE GOD AND HIS WORD! As you mentioned, it is not a ‘popular’ place to be called out into the wilderness ‘alone’ but like Sha’ul so many years ago found, our Blessed LORD will meet us there and show us HIS WAYS!

I sense the ‘truth’ of what you say as it feels as if ‘deep has called to deep’ and The Light of the world has illuminated the way and I know that it is the ‘voice of the LORD’ that I have heard!

Todah rabbah for sharing your testimony and thought on your web site…I am enjoying the ‘gift’ that EL SHADDAI has given to me on this erev Shabat through it!

May His face continue to shine upon you!

b’ahavat YESHUA, my LORD and KING!

Shoshanah
USA

Mr. Yehoshua,

I read with great interest several articles on the website.  I have a few comments and questions that I hope you will respond to.  First though, I want to thank you for your writings and your current attention.  Next, I should tell you a little something about me:  I am a Southern Baptist and I recently earned a Master of Arts in Religion degree though the Distance Learning Program at Liberty University.  During my formative years, my entire family attended church together, but now my siblings have various beliefs.  My oldest brother might be a Christian in the sense that the church that he doesn't go to is a Christian church.  My sister was divorced and remarried and is now a Deacon in another denomination.  My other brother and I are the only two who remained active Southern Baptists.  (Regardless, I e-mail my sister more so than my brothers.)  You should also know that I once visited a Messianic Jewish synagogue and attended a Messianic Seder.  I was surprised to find that much of the symbolic items were not Biblical.  Not even the juice!  

Finally, I have a small library of religious books.  My favorites include Adventuring Through the Bible by Ray C. Stedman ("The Bible without the Spirit leads to dullness, boredom, and dead, institutional Christianity.  The Spirit without the Bible leads to fanticism and wildfire.")  Christian Wisdom of the Jedi Masters by Dick Staub (which in turn enhanced my appreciation of C.S. Lewis who called Christianity the "one true myth".)  Wizards, Wardrobes and Wookiees by Connie Neal (the 'Hero's Journey' may be part of the 'light of consious').  Christ the Eternal Tao by Hieromonk Damascene (I thought of calling myself a Messianic Taoist).  I am currently reading A Tale of Two Sons by John MacArthur (I've come to realize that much of the church is Prodigal).

As I inferred earlier, I like much of what you write.  Some of the Christian theories never really made sense to me.  Dispensations imply that there are different ways to be saved depending on when you were born.  Some say that we are only under the Moral Law while others say that none of the Old Testament applies.  If that be the case, why bother with it?  I was also confused by the fact that Israel was constantly 'cursed' for not following the Law, and then when they finally only have the Law along comes Jesus who tells them they don't have to follow it.  I must take issue when you imply that Christians believe that Jesus ate pork and observed Easter.  I know Jesus fulfilled the Law and didn't do those things, but I admit that I believe He inspired the change after His ascension.   

I like the 'Traditions of Man' as long as they are not on par with the Commands of God.  Someone could wear a skull cap if not for Paul stating that men should not have a head covering.  (How do Messianics respond to that?)  After all, Hanukah started after the Old Testament but there is evidence in the New Testament that Jesus observed it.  So, someone could have Thanksgiving as long as he doesn't tell me that I have to.  Also, I believe that many of the first Gentile Christians were not allowed to participate in Passover since they were not Jewish.  Therefore, they converted their pagan practices.  I realize that it is clear in the Old Testament that a Hebrew must not practice as a pagan does.  However, there seems to be a change in the New Testament for reasons I admit I don't understand.  It may have something to do with the 'light of conscious' and elements of 'Hero's Journey' that can be found in any myth in any culture. 

Finally, I am interested to know what you actually do to observe Torah, especially since you can't sacrifice. (Speaking of sacrifice, wasn't it inefficient to create one central place to worship for an entire nation?  I image that it was a long journey into a crowded city for many Jews.  How often did the average Jew have to go to the Temple in one year?)   Lastly, do you have a leadership title such as Rabbi, Pastor, or Elder?  Do you know of any members of the Seed in the greater Cincinnati area?

Again, Thanks and God bless.
Chris
USA

23 July 2008

Greetings Avram!

I just wanted to let you know that I recently did a very brief Bible Study based on the teaching that you published on Kingdom Violence (matthew 11:12).  The study was a tremendous success.  Had it not been for your exhaustive analysis of this scripture, I would not have been able to change my view and the understanding of others re: its true meaning.  Your teaching is invaluable!

Have a Blessed Day!
Susan 
USA

Sept. 19, 2008

Dear Avram,

Thank you so much for your website, and your ministry, found it purely by chance ( or was it?), I know my Father has been dealing with my heart about Torah, the feasts etc and of course I feel as if I am swimming upstream!

My friends I am sure are certain that I am losing the plot, and being raised in a Baptist church, and having been in mainstream Christianity for so long I sometimes wonder if I am indeed on the right road. I know that I have an overwhelming desire to please my Lord, to find out what His word says and obey, to love Him with all my heart, mind, soul and strength, to give Him all of me, a living sacrifice.

There are so many opinions out there, every one has a disagreement and sometimes it seems that ultimate truth is not to be found, but then I know that He is the Way the TRUTH  and the Life,…..so there must be absolute truth and I want to search for it with all my heart. I read your article “leaving Messianic Judaism” and wow, it was like slipping into a glove that fit perfectly, I can’t explain it but it was like one huge confirmation!!!!

I feel like I  don’t know where to from here, I don’t feel like I quite belong anywhere at the moment, but I am trusting that He will lead me and keep me.

I would really like your help, on the chapters Lev 11 Deut 14 and Acts 10. Did Peters vision nullify the dietary laws concerning unclean animals? All my friends tell me so but there are so many ends that just don’t tie up for me, but that is another e-mail all on its own!!!

Avram answers:

Briefly, if Peter's vision meant the dietary laws were done away with, then why don't we see Peter eating ham, or saying that the dietary laws were done away with? Visions are symbolic, as was the case of Pharaoh's dreams of the wheat stalks and the cows. In Acts 11:18 it again tells us what the vision meant. After the believers in Jerusalem had heard what Peter had done, they accosted him. Peter retold his story and here's what they said:

“When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, “Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.”” (Acts 11:18 NRSV)

Note well that not one mention of the dietary laws being done away with is spoken here. If it had to do with that, wouldn't it be written somewhere? Of course, but it didn't deal with the ending of the dietary laws but the inclusion of the Gentiles into the Kingdom…a very radical concept which didn't take place till 9-10 years after the Resurrection as Acts 10 is generally seen to be that many years later. Now, here what Peter says in Acts 10 about the vision and coming to Cornelius:

“and he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean.’” (Acts 10:28 NRSV)

“Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:34-35 NRSV)

You might want to read this which further reveals a Hebraic perspective to often used Scriptures that the Church uses to bolster its anti-Law theology:

http://www.seedofabraham.net/law102.html

Thank you for your time Avram and may the Lord continue to bless you, Ruti and your ministry

Cayla
South Africa

7 October 2008

Hello!

I am happy and blessed to have come across your website...as a gentile Christian, you have certainly opened my eyes to many things...I have a question, and perhaps you can help me with them...

How do Jewish women observe the Torah?  I'm trying to understand how to live with a more tangible existence of the Torah in my life, and I'm not quite sure how to do it...some of the "laws," if you will, seem to not apply to my Western world...this may just be my ignorance!

Avram asks: what laws might that be?

Also, what additional readings or commentaries on the Torah do you recommend?

Avram replies: Just the Torah for now…let His Word sink into your heart and mind and be the foundation for what He thinks. I would recommend this: read the Torah, then the NT. Read the Torah, then the NT. Do that for a year so that they both become part of you in a much greater way. Then when you read commentaries or hear people talk, you'll know right away if they're speaking from God or themselves. A bank teller knows immediately when they're handling a counterfeit note. How? Is it because they are so familiar with counterfeit notes? No. It's because all day lone they accustomed to the true notes so that when a false one passes into their hands, they can immediately tell the difference.

Thank you so much!

In His Name,

Janisha
USA

Thank you Janisha,

Avram

24 Nov 2008

Hello,

erev rishon! My brother had printed up several articles from your site and we sat at the dining room table for most of the night reading through them and discussing them. i was amazed and relieved that i wasn't the only one who held such ideas and convictions concerning what is biblical and what isn't.

i must say, however, that there are two particular points that i either do not agree with at this time, or just do not have any conviction about, but, i will definately remember these things in prayer. in fact, while reading them, i did happen to say, "ummmm, Abba, what do you think about this?" from time to time, being Jewish, i am sure you can imagine what those two things might be. 

without much detail, my spiritual walk with the Living God has been a roller coaster for roughly 26 years until May of 2007. when i was about 12 i was allowed to find my religion of choice (my family was agnostic and not practicing Jews). when i was 18, the church i was involved with became known as a cult and ended up on a nation-wide television news program called 48 hours. needless to say i was shaken, turned my back on church, and pursued my Jewish roots.

i attended a Conservative Synagogue, but during our services i would be interrupted with thoughts like, "Hey! Who does this remind you of?" or "Now, isn't that just familiar?" it's difficult to turn away from someone when they keep following you and talking at you. after about 7 years a denial, i finally prayed about Yeshua, saying something along the lines of, "Okay, i can see that He is the Messiah. But now what?" i did not know how to reconcile the perceived differences and contradictions between "old" and "new" covenants. in fact, to this very day, i have some difficulties with things in Paul's writings, just as 2 Peter says would happen, but i prayerfully keep from trying to interpret them without certainty. i would rather stick with "i don't know" than to say "i know' and be wrong. the important thing, though, is that i am locked into Mashi'ach Yeshua, and I am Torah Observant.

so, i was a "rogue" Meshichi, and still attending Conservative Synagogue, since there were no Messianic Congregations to be found. i did not put much trust in "regular army" christianity. i lived in a lot of fear, not being in any real fellowship, and wondering if what i was learning and believing were correct. i was still under the cloak of letting "leaders" interpret the meaning of scripture for me, and since i had lost confidence and trust in the "leadership" i was pretty much on my own, prayerfully, but with uncertainty. 

one big change in my walk, leading to more confidence, was receiving a birthday present. i'm a bibliophile, i love books, especially old ones. my former mother-in-law had acquired an old edition (1800's) of 

The Christian Doctrine

by John Milton. she had gotten it for me while i was still turned away from Messiah, and i didn't read it until a couple of years after i accepted Yeshua as Mashi'ach. though i do not recall much of what was written, one thing did stand out to me. John Milton was of the impression that we were all responsible for our own souls. that it was up to us to learn the Word of God. we were responsible to learn the proper modes of interpretation and to let scripture speak for scripture. at first this sounded like a difficult task, even a little unnerving to me, but he was correct and confirming to something i was already contemplating, just as your site has been confirming to the things i have been contemplating myself for the last year while attending Messianic Synagogue and listening to their teachings, but every time i would bring things up in study, i would get "shot down".

i am Jewish, but to me, the Messianic Movement shouldn't be "Jewish". i would say this, but be misunderstood, and when trying to explain myself, receive the "tal'mudic method" of interruption. i would hardly get a word in edgewise and the subject would change rather quickly. and i am amazed at when i would quote plain text of scripture it would be just as easily dismissed with "are you certain that is how it is interpreted? it could also mean...". for fear of lifting myself up in pride i keep my trap shut, but i just want to say, "Come on, man! you know i have studied rabbinical interpretation long before you were even aware of the Jewishness of Yeshua!" (he's a former foursquare member). it bothers me sometimes, because our Rabbi likes that i have all this "knowledge", but only when it confirms his notions of teachings. i think i will leave it at that. i'm sure you get the picture. 

others in our synagogue have read through your site as well. being a Shammash in the congregation, i was asked to look into your site, because many things other members were discovering from the site seemed to have caused questioning. i am very protective of our congregation, and would jealously defend our members. i am not saying i would rule or dominate over anyone, just that with my experiences with cults and odd-ball theologies, i stand watch on behalf of those who may not be aware of them. now, what to do since i agree thus far with your site? keep our congregation in prayer, Chavurath ha Mashiach. i have a feeling something is going to go on and we may be in for a bumpy ride. if i am made to take sides, know that i will take the side of Elohim Chayim and of His Mashi'ach Nagid, Yeshua.

anyways, i went through this whole thing just to simply say, that personally, i am blessed and relieved by your site. He answers prayer, and once again, i have a new dose of confidence in His Word.

many blessings in Yeshua,

John B.

10 Dec 2008

Dear Avram,

I have read some of your articles and find them to have real importance. Your style seems to me to be highly linear, sequential and rational.  And this is very good as it yields clear and measured results.

I pray that your efforts to serve the God of Israel will be blessed in an abundance of fruitfulness,

In the name of Yehoshua, Israel's Master and Messiah,

Max K.

 

22 December 2008

Shalom to you! (in its most sincere and deepest HEBREW meaning)

I just wanted to let you know that your recent message about the “Messianic Movement” moved me to tears – NOT IN GRIEF OR SADNESS – but in utter relief!

There have been sooo many times that my husband and I have painfully shared many of the words contained in your letter (some of them verbatim) while sipping our coffee after dinner. We have spent years and traveled many miles seeking a group with which to affiliate. We have been stricken with grief and disappointment to see our Jewish brothers and sisters casually dismissing plain and essential Scriptures while ferociously and tenaciously grasping at erroneous or pagan traditions and teachings.

We are the leaders of a congregation called Beit Goyim – located in North Bergen, NJ, USA. We have been called to lead truth seekers from the nations out of the pagan based Christian churches and INTO TORAH. What we have been observing is a real desire for truth among the people near us. While there are some believing Jews among us, most of our congregation is made of people from Latin American and South American origins. They have told us that they, too, have been disappointed with pastors and messianic rabbis making compromises and even giving false first impressions. They tell us that they are beginning to grow weary from the hypocrisy and even carelessness when it comes to the Word of Adonai.

We truly have been attacked (sometimes viciously) from all sides for a number of years. The reason for the venomous attacks is our love of PURE Torah (without traditions and without Western Christian culture and errors imprinted on us). Although your teachings are a bit more scholarly, and your research a little more detailed, it seems that the Ruach has given our ministry some excellent foundational teachings that align with yours.

Please understand that I pause at this point – The reason is simple yet very strong. We have personally experienced the “Torah Observant” mask of many ministries; only to find out (much later) that there was no Torah knowledge or observance at all. Other times, the ministry turned out to be “Talmud Observant” with very little else. I have not had time to fully study all of your other very detailed messages, but I am not completely certain that our ministries  are 100% co-laborers in preparing Yeshua’s bride. However -  so far I am very encouraged and excited by what I have read today!

You will most likely be receiving some correspondence from my husband in the very near future.

In the love and service of our beloved Messiah, Yeshua,

Kelly

NJ, USA

 

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