Outreach
Israel Ministries is pleased to offer the following materials, many of which
are not readily available through normal sources of distribution. Please note
that some items may not be in stock.
You can purchase items via
credit card (PayPal) by clicking on the Add to Cart image which will add
it to your
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PRICES ARE SUGGESTED CONTRIBUTIONS
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If you wish to place a credit card order by phone, please
call the Outreach Israel Ministries office at
(407) 933-2002.
All international orders must be
processed via the
Printable
Order Form. You
may mail it to us with appropriate
shipping charges in $US, or fax it
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(407) 870-8986.
If you order online, it will be
refunded to your bank account.
Outreach Israel Ministries director Mark
Huey has written Torah commentaries and
reflections that are thought provoking and
very enlightening for Messianic Believers
today.
TNN Online editor and Messianic apologist
J.K. McKee has written on Messianic theology
and practice, including studies on Torah
observance, the end-times, and commentaries
that are helpful to those who have difficult
questions to answer.
SPECIAL OFFERS
Receive a single copy of
every
available publication by TNN Press:
1 copy of Hebraic Roots: An Introductory
Study 1 copy of Introduction to Things
Messianic 1 copy of Messianic Sabbath Helper 1 copy of Messianic Winter Holiday Helper 1 copy of Messianic Spring Holiday Helper 1 copy of Messianic Fall Holiday Helper 1 copy of The New Testament Validates
Torah 1 copy of Torah In the Balance, Volume I 1 copy of When Will the Messiah Return? 1 copy of The Dangers of Pre-Tribulationism 1 copy of The Two Houses of Israel 1 copy of TorahScope, Volume I 1 copy of TorahScope, Volume II 1 copy of Counting the Omer 1 copy of Sayings of the Fathers 1 copy of Scripture Under Scrutiny 1 copy of A Survey of the Tanach for the Practical Messianic 1 copy of A Survey of the Apostolic
Scriptures for the Practical Messianic 1 copy of James for the Practical
Messianic 1 copy of Galatians for the Practical
Messianic 1 copy of Ephesians for the Practical
Messianic 1 copy of Philippians for the Practical
Messianic 1 copy of Hebrews for the Practical
Messianic 1 copy of The Top
Ten Urban Myths of Today's Messianic Movement 1 copy of The Role of History in
Messianic Biblical Interpretation 1 copy of The Quest for Credibility 1 copy of Revisiting the Two-House
Teaching 1 copy of You Want to be a Pharisee 1 copy of The Effect of Mysticism and
Gnosticism on the Messianic Movement 1 copy of Answering the "Frequently
Avoided Questions" About the Divinity of Yeshua 1 copy of Answering the "Frequently
Avoided Questions" About the Messiahship of
Yeshua 1 copy of Looking at the Signs of the
Times 1 copy of Does the New Testament Annul
the Biblical Appointments? 1 copy of The "Ephraimite Erorr":
Critical Errors 1 copy of Addressing the Frequently
Avoided Issues Messianics Encounter in the Torah
Receive all of our completed MP3
Bible Study CDs:
these studies can be used in connection with the
workbooks,
and easily loaded on to your MP3 player
1 copy of
Hebraic Roots: An Introductory Study MP3 CD
1 copy of Introduction to Things Messianic MP3
CD
1 copy of The New Testament Validates Torah MP3
CD
1 copy of Torah in the Balance (Vol 1) MP3 CD
1 copy of When Will the Messiah Return? MP3 CD
1 copy of The Dangers of Pre-Tribulationism MP3
CD
1 copy of A Survey of the Apostolic Scriptures
for the Practical Messianic MP3 CDs
1 copy of James for the Practical Messianic MP3
CD
1 copy of Galatians for the Practical Messianic
MP3 CDs
1 copy of Philippians for the Practical
Messianic MP3 CD
1 copy of Hebrews for the Practical Messianic
MP3 CDs
JOINT PROJECTS
HEBRAIC
ROOTS: AN INTRODUCTORY STUDY
Hebraic Roots: An Introductory Study
has been written as a primer for the emerging
number of people who are being drawn into a more
comprehensive grasp of the ancient roots of our
Biblical faith. As a family that has been active
in the Messianic movement since 1995, we came to
the unanimous conclusion that a book about many
of the areas for growth would be beneficial for
the many thousands who are being prompted into a
fuller and richer pursuit of the God of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob--and who truly want to live the
way that Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ), our
Jewish Savior, lived.
Have you heard about the Messianic movement?
Have you heard about the significance of the
Torah for a Believer's walk of faith? Have you
been in the Messianic movement for some time? Do
you even know why you are in it? Do you need a
foundational introduction to the Hebraic Roots
of our faith and who Yeshua truly is in His
Biblical and historical Hebraic context? Do you
want to know more about what God is doing in
this hour? If you have ever asked any of
these questions, then this workbook will help
get you started!
This volume examines a number of areas for study
and discussion, and will prompt questions for
personal reflection or group exchanges in twelve
easy lessons. Each chapter has study questions
that will enable you to think and examine the
Scriptures like never before. If you are
unfamiliar with the Messianic movement, some of
its basic beliefs and lifestyle practices, and
the great potential it offers God's people
today--then Hebraic Roots is the book for
you!
SCRIPTURE
UNDER SCRUTINY:
WAS THE NEW TESTAMENT REALLY WRITTEN
IN HEBREW?
The Messianic movement today is
wrestling with many issues that need
to be addressed from a scholastic
and detailed perspective. In
many sectors of the Messianic
community it is taught and strongly
claimed that the Apostolic
Scriptures (or the New Testament)
were originally written in Hebrew.
Is this true? Can this belief be
legitimately supported with an
understanding of Biblical history,
textual criticism, and a sound
ideology that has the salvation of
the nations in mind? Or is this
belief something based in anything
but these factors?
If we examine
each text of the Apostolic Scriptures, can we
see that they were written in Hebrew—or in
Greek? Are the Greek Scriptures nothing less
than a shoddy amalgamation of texts, while the
Hebrew Scriptures have been “perfectly
preserved” since Mount Sinai? What role should
the Greek Septuagint play in our exegesis of
Scripture? These are some of the many questions
that we should all be asking when critically
examining the written origin of the Apostolic
Scriptures and gospel message of Messiah Yeshua.
After this study, you will not need to be
confused by misinformation and speculative
claims any more! You will have sound, secure,
and researched answers to the questions being
asked in our emerging movement.
The Fall holiday season of Yom Teruah/Rosh HaShanah, Yom
Kippur, and Sukkot—also including
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah—is
a very special, sacred time of year for God’s
people. It is considered to be the most holy
time of year in Judaism. As such, this season
can teach us all important things about the
great value of corporate repentance of sin, and
an annual inspection of our individual spiritual
maturity. We can learn lessons about the Lord’s
ongoing plan of salvation history, especially
the Second Coming of Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus
Christ) and the future establishment of His
Millennial Kingdom!
The Messianic Fall Holiday Helper is a valuable
compilation of resources designed to assist you,
your family, and your Messianic fellowship for
this season. We have included a selection of
articles summarizing the role of mainline Jewish
tradition, and reflective articles that focus on
day-to-day observances of the Ten Days of Awe
and the eight days of Tabernacles. Messages from
customary books of the Tanach (Old Testament)
like Deuteronomy and Ecclesiastes, which are
often studied and discussed during the Fall high
holidays, have been offered. A few FAQs on the
Fall high holidays have also been provided.
Finally, some significant liturgy derived from
Conservative Jewish sources—including a template
for both a Rosh HaShanah and Yom
Kippur morning service—is available.
If you have ever wondered what role the Fall high holidays should
play in the life of a Believer, then the
Messianic Fall Holiday Helper is definitely
something for you. You will be blessed by what
you can learn during these convocations!
The Spring holiday season is a very busy time for those in today’s
Messianic movement, beginning with Purim,
continuing to the week of Passover and
Unleavened Bread, and then culminating with
Shavuot or Pentecost. This broad season is
one of the most demanding for Messianic
Believers, not only as it concerns the many
things to celebrate and reflect upon, but also
as we strive to exhibit a positive testimony to
both the Jewish and Christian communities: to
Jewish people remembering the Passover and
deliverance of Ancient Israel from Egypt, and to
Christians memorializing the death and
resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus
Christ).
The Messianic Spring Holiday Helper is a valuable
compilation of resources designed to assist you,
your family, and your Messianic fellowship for
this season. We have included a wide selection
of articles discussing the different salvation
historical themes from the Spring season. The
significance of Purim is addressed. The
role that the Passover and the Exodus play, and
how they relate to our redemption in the
Messiah, is described. We go into great detail
discussing the Last Supper, and the death and
resurrection of the Messiah. We consider what it
means to observe Shavuot as a time for
both the giving of the Torah (Law) and the Holy
Spirit. We offer a fair-minded and loving way to
communicate to those who observe an Easter
holiday often separated from anything in the
Tanach or Old Testament. A selection of FAQs on
the Spring holidays has been provided, as are
some delicious recipes, and an educational
Passover haggadah you can use for your
home or congregation.
Let the Messianic Spring Holiday Helper be a resource of
great blessing to you during this sacred season!
Remembering the
seventh-day Sabbath or Shabbat
is one of the principal elements of
the Messianic lifestyle. Once every
week, God’s people get to rest in
Him, fellowship with one another,
and experience a taste of the
eternal rest He promises for each of
us! Of course, there are many
questions surrounding the
significance of the Sabbath, and how
it is to be respected. The
Messianic Sabbath Helper is
intended to aid you in your desire
to obey the Lord every week. We have
included articles on the importance
of Shabbat, the differences
between Shabbat and Sunday
Church, how we as Believers can
practically honor the Sabbath,
insights on how to handle the
Sabbath with our family and friends
who may presently not understand,
and a practical guide to observing
Shabbat with your family.
The Winter holiday season is frequently a
conflicted time of year for many people in
today’s Messianic movement. On the one hand,
most Messianic Believers do not celebrate the
holiday of Christmas on December 25, due to some
of its pre-Christian origins and questionable
traditions. On the other hand, the birth of
Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) is a Biblical
event which we all must acknowledge in some way.
Furthermore, during this same Winter season, the
Jewish community commemorates the Festival of
Dedication or Chanukah. What is a
Messianic Believer to do?
The Messianic Winter Holiday Helper
is a valuable compilation of resources designed
to assist you, your family, and your Messianic
fellowship for this season. We have included a
selection of articles summarizing the holiday of
Christmas, and how Messianic Believers need to
have a proper attitude toward our Christian
brothers and sisters. We have included a variety
of teachings on Chanukah, common
traditions associated with it, and how this can
be a blessed time of spiritually rededicating
ourselves to God and to each other. Information
on the time period of the Maccabees in Second
Century B.C.E. Judea, the wars that they fought,
and the long term impact they left on subsequent
generations, has been provided. A few FAQs on
the Winter holidays are offered, as are some
delicious recipes, and liturgy you can recite
for your Chanukah celebration.
Do
not let the Winter holiday season be a difficult
time for you any more. The Messianic Winter
Holiday Helper can assist you greatly in
making this a very special time for you and your
family!
Focusing on God’s
instructions in the Torah is an undeniable part
of not only the Messianic lifestyle, but also
the Messianic experience. Ever since the return
of the Jewish exiles from Babylon, the public
reading of the Torah to instruct God’s people on
what was acceptable and unacceptable behavior
has been a regular practice, something that is
also witnessed in the Apostolic Scriptures, and
continues in the traditions of today’s Jewish
Synagogue. The repetition of hearing Moses’
Teaching is important for men and women of
faith, particularly in understanding the fuller
meaning of “For I am the
Lord
your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and
be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44). The
statutes and commandments of the Torah are to
make God’s people different from the rest of the
world, possessing qualities and wisdom that
attract outsiders to Him (Deuteronomy 4:6).
When the Torah is
examined and carefully scrutinized, and not just
surveyed for people, places, and events—it
becomes quite clear that Torah observance is
much more
than just
Shabbat,
the festivals, and kosher. A great number of
ethical and moral issues/commandments become
significantly conscious to the Torah reader.
Likewise, a person has to encounter a world
going not only back some 3,300 years to the time
of the Exodus, but multiplied millennia to the
Creation of the cosmos itself. The questions and
the controversies that the first five books of
the Bible present to us, not just as students of
God’s Word, but specifically as Messianic
Believers—are quite significant.
Many people do
not know what to do when the social norms of the
ancient period are different than those of today,
and are often at a loss when reading the Torah.
Not infrequently, such issues are just avoided
or outright ignored in Messianic Torah study.
As the Messianic
movement prepares to enter into a new chapter in
both its spiritual and theological development,
there is much in the Torah that needs to be
explored by us. Today’s Messianic community need
not find itself (unnecessarily) lagging behind
in a variety of important areas, as having a
better handle on them will help us in both our
Biblical Studies and in understanding the
mission that the Lord has laid out for us—to be
a kingdom of priests and a light that can make a
difference in the world (Exodus 19:5-6; Isaiah
42:6)!
The "Ephraimite Error" white paper was
originally produced in 1999 by the International
Messianic Jewish Alliance (IMJA) to combat a
teaching that it saw as very dangerous to the
Body of Messiah. People believing in the
Two-House teaching of Judah and Ephraim were
effectively branded as cultists and heretics,
and the subject matter was something to be
quickly put aside and never discussed again. The
"Ephraimite Error" is commonly referred to when
the Two-House teaching arises in various
Messianic congregations.
In spite of such negative words, the subject
matter is not something that is going way. The
Holy Scriptures do prophecy of a greater
restoration of all Israel in the end-times: a
restoration that includes the House of Judah,
the scattered House of Israel/Ephraim, and
companions from the nations. Viewing this
restoration objectively has been made difficult
as a direct result of the "Ephraimite Error," as
one needs to be able to sort out the legitimate
data from the noise. TNN Online editor J.K.
McKee does this, addressing six critical errors
advocated by the white paper:
1. No alternative interpretation of the two
sticks prophecy of Ezekiel 37 is given
2. The false idea that we teach that
non-Israelites cannot be saved
3. The false idea that the Two-House
teaching is a reworked form of British-Israelism
4. The false idea that the Apostolic
Scriptures do not at all speak of the Two
Houses of Israel
5. The false idea that obeying God’s Torah
is optional and is thus not necessary for
non-Jews
6. The false idea that Two-House teaching
and its proponents represent a dangerous
threat to the State of Israel
The "Ephraimite Error": Critical Errors
is an excellent tool to have when trying to
moderate the disputes that have erupted between
Messianic Jews and advocates of the Two-House
teaching. It attempts to provide a mature
approach to the issues at hand. It addresses
where the white paper is in error, but also
where improvements and refinements can be made
to the Two-House teaching.
Today’s Messianic
community believes and advocates
that our Heavenly Father is
restoring the celebration of the
Biblical appointments or
moedim,
chiefly found in Leviticus 23.
Messianic Believers find great
enrichment every year going through
these annual festivals, rehearsing
God’s plan of salvation history. We
bereave the fact that too many of
our Christian brethren have not
partaken of the blessings of knowing
things like the Passover,
Shavuot,
or
Sukkot.
Some say that
because of Yeshua’s sacrifice at Golgotha
(Calvary), the Torah or Law of Moses has been
abolished, and thus the
moedim
or appointed times are done away with, annulled,
and abolished. Some believe that they might be
important for us to understand in an historical
sense for understanding the Bible, but not to be
followed as standard elements of our orthopraxy.
There are those who say that the Apostle Paul
gave us specific instruction in his epistles
that we are no longer to celebrate the “Old
Testament holidays.”
Does the New Testament Annul the Biblical
Appointments?
takes a look at Galatians 4:9-11, Colossians
2:16-17, and Romans 14:5-6, providing answers to the
Messianic
or
Christian Believer with critical questions.
How many of you have been
bombarded with the idea that “the End” is
certainly close, because of all the “unusual”
geological and meteorological activities that
seem to be occurring at a rate never seen
before? How many of you have been told certain
things about all of the earthquakes, volcanoes,
tsunamis, comets, and even blood red moons that
are heralding certain doom?
It is said of
all the scientists that it is the geologist who
is the best suited to view the Earth in its
entirety. This means that he or she will
understand how this dynamic Earth on which we
live is connected to the geological,
climatological, and astronomical events we see
all around us on the ground and in the sky, and
help others understand. God has created an
amazing place on which to place His Creation!
Margaret
McKee Huey of Outreach Israel Ministries, a
geologist, tackles some of the important signs
of the End that are seen in the Holy Scriptures.
This teaching,
Looking at the Signs of the Times,
addresses important end-time phenomenon from a
scientifically minded perspective.
One of the oldest debates that
has existed between Jews and Christians for two
millennia is whether or not Yeshua of Nazareth
is the promised Messiah. Most of Judaism has
rejected Yeshua as Messiah for a number of
reasons, and has developed arguments against who
He is. These reasons shake the faith of the
naïve and undiscerning.
As a direct response to the rise
of Messianic Judaism in the past thirty years,
and Jewish people coming to faith in Yeshua, the
anti-missionary movement within Orthodox Judaism
has arisen. Anti-missionaries target Jewish
Believers for re-conversion back to a
Messiah-less Judaism. Now, as many Christians
have investigated their Hebraic Roots and shown
a greater love for the Jewish people and
traditions of Judaism, many have found
themselves as easy prey for the arguments levied
against Yeshua by the same anti-missionaries—and
many more are denying the Lord.
In Answering the “Frequently
Avoided Questions” Against the Messiahship of
Yeshua, TNN Online editor J.K. McKee
demonstrates how weak many of the
anti-missionary arguments are, especially as
they are presented from an Orthodox Jewish
theology that sits in a textual and historical
vacuum. Ten of the common reasons given against
Yeshua’s Messiahship are carefully refuted from
an engaged perspective. Also considered are some
of the future challenges that exist in Messianic
theology that are directly connected to people
who renounce faith in Yeshua as Messiah.
Whether or not
Yeshua the Messiah is Divine, or was just a
human empowered by God, is an old debate going
back several millennia. It is not that
surprising that the Divinity of Yeshua has been
under attack in today’s emerging Messianic
community. Per a great deal of hostility
displayed toward “Christian theology,” many
consider a Divine Savior to be an errant belief
that needs to be discarded—and claim to have
Scriptural support for their case.
In recent days, a
sector of Messianics have arisen that forcibly
assert that Yeshua is not God in the flesh. They
have used a variety of means to do so, primarily
by catch phrases and overly-simplistic
assertions made about Biblical concepts. While
some claim to have support against Yeshua’s
Divinity, does their support really stand up to
close scrutiny? Have people stayed away from the
subject because the “frequently avoided
questions” are actually very easy to answer?
In Answering
the “Frequently Avoided Questions” Against the
Divinity of Yeshua, TNN Online editor J.K.
McKee demonstrates this issue to indeed be one
of salvation, and the level of engagement of
anti-Divinity Messianics to be surface level at
best. Also included is the article “What Does
the Shema Really Mean?” which analyzes the
oneness of God, and whether or not the Father
and Son can co-exist.
As today’s Messianic community strives to return
to the First Century faith of the Disciples and
Apostles, we will not just be facing “common
problems” like adultery, idolatry, or even sins
such as lying. We will also contend with some of
the very specific religious problems that the
First Century ekklēsia faced. Very few
when examining Scripture, unfortunately, fail to
consider it in its historical context. Many do
not have an understanding of First Century
Judaism, Greco-Roman religion, Second and Third
Century Christianity, and the various mystery
religions and cults that existed. Too many fail
to consider the gross religious errors that were
circulating throughout the First Century that
affected the early Believers in Yeshua—and how
some of these same errors are affecting
Believers today.
Have you encountered any current Messianic
teachings that relate to Jewish mysticism,
Kabbalah, numerology, Hebrew letter pictures,
the Bible code, or the Gnostic Scriptures? Do
you ever question where these things actually
come from and where they are seen in religious
history? Are you wondering if these things have
any Biblical basis and true spiritual value? TNN
Online editor J.K. McKee directly addresses the
problem of mysticism and Gnosticism in the
Messianic movement, and how we need to be aware
that these things are being used by the enemy to
draw many people away from the truth of the
gospel and mission that God has for us.
Having the accusation of being a
“Pharisee” is one that is not only
commonly used by some Christians
against Messianic Believers, but has
become integrated into the
vernacular language of many
Christians relating to any
individual or group that is
perceived as being legalistic and/or
archaic in their approach to society
and the Bible. It is perceived among
many people that being “Pharisaical”
is a status that no born again
Believer should even try to attain
to, because after all, were not the
Pharisees the primary antagonists of
Jesus Christ? Did not Yeshua have
most of His conflicts with the
Pharisees and the Pharisaical
religious system? Did He not rebuke
the Pharisees time and time again
for their keeping of the Law?
Few
are aware of the fact that the
foundational ideas of Messianic
faith are firmly rooted within the
tenets of Pharisaism. The beliefs in
angels, demons, miracles, an
afterlife, the Holy Spirit, and the
resurrection all stem from the
Pharisees. Without a theology based
in Pharisaism, today’s evangelical
Christianity has little to stand
upon.
TNN
Online editor J.K. McKee addresses
the significance of Pharisaical
theology to Messianic Believers, and
how we can work beyond some of the
extremes we often face.
The Two-House
teaching of Judah and Ephraim has
become a lightning rod in much of
the Messianic community. Many
believe it is a claim to a person’s
lost “birthright,” whereby all
Believers should begin to take a
stake in the Land of Israel and make
aliyah.
Many others also believe that the
Two-House teaching is a form of
racially-based salvation, with
redemption only available to
physical descendants of the
Patriarchs. Is this really what the
Two-House teaching is as defined by
the prophecies of Scripture?
Those who recognize what the
Two-House teaching actually is—a
critical and often overlooked
component in the end-time
restoration of God’s Kingdom—are
often sidelined from the extremism
that commonly dominates the current
discussions. Yet, an objective and
moderate approach to the issue is
absolutely imperative if all Israel
is to be gathered together prior to
the return of Yeshua.
In
Revisiting the
Two-House Teaching
TNN Online editor J.K. McKee
explains what the restoration of
Israel is from the Scriptures, how
Israel has a mandate from God to
bless the entire world, and how
Messianic Believers must change
their approach to this topic in
order to be effective in His
service.
Today's Messianic movement is reaching out to
fill a need in the lives of people who desire
renewal in their relationship with God. Many
have been blessed as they have adopted a
lifestyle of Torah obedience and in
understanding the ministry of Yeshua from a
First Century Jewish perspective. Yet as the
Messianic community has grown, so have there
appeared various obstacles to some of the
objectives we believe that the Lord is desiring
to see accomplished.
What three areas of teaching will
seriously discredit the Messianic movement in the minds of those
who are sincerely convicted about the message of Torah observance
and the restoration of all Israel? TNN
Online editor J.K. McKee addresses these three areas: (1) Denial
of the Divinity of Yeshua the Messiah, (2) Denial of the Inspiration
of the Greek New Testament, (3) Treating Christians with utter
contempt and hatred.
How are we to become a force of positive change
for the community of faith in the coming years?
How will we be considered believable?
These, and other pertinent questions, are asked
in The Quest for Credibility.
The need to understand the passages of the Bible
in their original historical and cultural
contexts cannot be overstated in an age when
criticism against the Scriptures is at an all
time high. How is today's Messianic movement to
adopt a more valid historical approach to
Scripture that considers the larger world that
Ancient Israel found itself? How are we to
properly employ extra-Biblical literature in
interpreting the Biblical text? How are we to
understand the worldview of those who originally
participated in the Biblical events?
These are some very important questions to
consider as today's Messianic theology moves
ahead, and as we contemplate our role in an
ever-decreasing world beset by globalization and
multi-culturalism. How important it is for us to
understand the diversity of the Bible, and how
it might effect our role and mission as the
people of God today?
TNN Online editor J.K. McKee addresses this
subject in a thorough, challenging, yet
reasonable way―as Messianic Believers seek to be
a people who can be used effectively in God's
service today.
THE
TOP TEN URBAN MYTHS OF TODAY'S MESSIANIC
MOVEMENT
Over the past ten
years (1997-2007), the Messianic movement has
been able to grow in leaps and bounds. New
people are coming to a revelation of their
Hebraic Roots and congregations are budding. But
the theology of the Messianic community and our
Biblical studies have largely not been able to
keep up with the growth. As a result, this has
led to a significant number of concepts and
ideas floating around that are not only
non-scriptural, but also non-factual.
What are some things that have
been permitted to circulate in the Messianic
movement that classify as being non-factual,
and at best
someone’s opinion? What are some of the areas
where we need to progress in order to become a
mature and stable move of God? What are some of
the challenges before us?
In a detailed yet
pragmatic way, TNN Online editor J.K. McKee
tackles the challenges of the “top ten” urban
myths floating in our midst. He encourages a
positive change on behalf of Messianic Believers
so that we can all be empowered by the Lord to
make a significant difference on our local
communities and the world at large.
BOOKS BY
MARK HUEY
SAYINGS
OF THE FATHERS:
A MESSIANIC PERSPECTIVE
ON PIRKEI AVOT
The Mishnah
tractate Pirkei Avot or Sayings of the
Fathers is a compilation of wise sayings,
proverbs, and anecdotes dating from the Third
Century B.C.E.-Third Century C.E., forming the
basis of ancient Jewish ethics. Many significant
parallels can be seen between remarks made in
the Pirkei Avot and the wisdom sayings or
teachings of Yeshua the Messiah, James the Just,
and the Apostles Peter and Paul. In the Jewish
community today, the Pirkei Avot are
traditionally read and considered during the
seven weeks between the festivals of Passover
and Shavuot.
Sayings of the Fathers: A
Messianic Perspective on Pirkei Avot
takes readers through not just one, but two
years of fifty-day reflections—and six bonus
days—of some of the ancient wisdom seen in this
valuable text. You will not only be introduced
to some of the key views present in the
Apostolic period, but also be able to weigh the
value that the Jewish Sages have in your own
personal study and reflection upon the
Scriptures. Be prepared to join into an ancient
discussion that spans the ages as you reflect on
these words. Be blessed as your faith and
outlook on the world are enriched, and you have
more to take to your Heavenly Father in prayer!
TorahScope, Volume II is a
compilation of insightful
commentaries on the weekly Torah and
Haftarah portions gleaned from the
studies and reflections posted by
William Mark Huey, director of
Outreach Israel Ministries.
Written from a Messianic
perspective, this volume shares
uplifting and encouraging
testimonies from personal life
encounters of how the Torah can be
applied in a modern-day setting
during this hour of restoration.
Many Believers today struggle with
understanding how the Torah can
apply to their lives and need
practical solutions from the
Scriptures. TorahScope offers you
with thoughts that will give you
such solutions, and will give you
focus for your examination of the
weekly Torah portions.
TorahScope follows the annual cycle
of Torah readings, and provides
contemporary examples of how the
Torah, Haftarah, and applicable
writings from the Messianic
Scriptures are applicable to
conforming the Torah student to the
image of Yeshua. Torah teachers and
students will find these
contemporary commentaries beneficial
in their pursuit of the Holy One of
Israel.
COUNTING
THE OMER:
A DAILY DEVOTIONAL TOWARD SHAVUOT
Have
you ever considered the command of
Leviticus 23:15-16 to Count the
Omer, and wondered how this applies
in the modern era?
“You shall also
count for yourselves from the day after the
sabbath, from the day when you brought in the
sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven
complete sabbaths. You shall count fifty days to
the day after the seventh sabbath; then you
shall present a new grain offering to the LORD”
(Leviticus 23:15-16).
Have you ever
wondered how this decree could be more
meaningful and fulfilling in your Messianic walk
of faith? What critical lessons can be learned
in the time between the festivals of Passover
and Shavuot?
If you can
identify with these questions, then Counting
the Omer: A Daily Devotional Toward Shavuot
is just the book for you!
Written with an
emphasis to deepen your walk with the Messiah of
Israel, this daily devotional has fifty succinct
reflections from the Book of Psalms that can
energize and guide your personal commitment to
obey and please our Heavenly Father!
“May all of our
walks be deepened and God glorified as we count
the days from Passover to Shavuot!”
TorahScope,
Volume I is a compilation of insightful commentaries on
the weekly Torah and Haftarah portions gleaned from the
studies and reflections posted by William Mark Huey, director of
Outreach Israel Ministries.
Written from
a Messianic perspective, this volume shares the author's
contention that a Believer's life and walk with the
Messiah can be viewed through the grid and lens of
consistent Torah study. TorahScope follows the annual
cycle of Torah readings. It provides contemporary examples of
how the Torah, Haftarah, and applicable writings from the
Messianic Scriptures are applicable to conforming the
Torah student to the image of the Messiah.
Torah
teachers and students will find these contemporary
commentaries beneficial in their pursuit of the Holy One
of Israel.
The Messianic movement originally
started in the 1960s as an evangelistic outreach
of Jewish Believers in Messiah Yeshua (Christ
Jesus) to their fellow Jews. As an unforeseen
side effect, it has swelled considerably since
the late 1990s with significant numbers of
non-Jewish Believers embracing their Hebraic
Roots. Why is this the case? Are such people
just eager to know more about the Bible and
experience greater spiritual fulfillment? Or is
there more that needs to be considered for the
future?
With a Messianic movement, whose
majority of people are not Jewish, important
questions about Israel have undoubtedly been
asked. Are non-Jewish Messianics people who are
beginning to reclaim their lost Jewish ancestry?
Are they actually members of the scattered
Northern Kingdom of Israel or the “Lost Tribes”?
Or is it that the prophesied restoration of
Israel as testified in the Scriptures is simply
more involved and more comprehensive than
exclusively including the Jewish people? These
are all provocative questions that have been
asked over the past decade, and have obviously
stimulated a great amount of debate and
controversy.
A diverse array of answers has
arisen to these questions, with today’s
Two-House Messianic movement often in the center
of the discussion. Some of the answers offered
are Biblically sound, and others are not. Some
of the issues that have presented themselves
have been conducted in an honest spirit of
inquiry, and others have been forced because of
sensationalism and opportunism. It is undeniable
that a great deal of opposition to the basic
Two-House message has come forth from both
Messianic Judaism and evangelicalism, but also
that various Two-House advocates have added
outside teachings to the basic message of
Israel’s restoration, perhaps compounding some
confusion.
For a Messianic movement
preparing to enter into the 2010s, TNN Online
editor J.K. McKee takes a fresh and reasonable
look at the Two-House teaching of Judah,
scattered Ephraim, and the nations being brought
together as one people in the Lord. The Two
Houses of Israel: The Coming Restoration of the
Kingdom of God examines the Biblical basis
of the Two-House teaching, various objections
that have arisen to it, required refinement and
change that must take place among its advocates,
and also the mission of what it means to be
“Israel” often overlooked by most Messianics
(Two-House or not). He offers a new style of
looking at the Two-House teaching, especially
for a broad Messianic movement that is trying to
determine what its long term goals are to be—as
we eagerly await the return of Yeshua and the
establishment of His reign from Zion!
Are you new to the Messianic movement? Do you have questions about
what the Messianic movement, lifestyle, and
theologies are all about? Do you need answers on
a wide variety of issues with some detailed
information? If these are the questions you have
been asking, then Introduction to Things
Messianic is a book that will definitely
benefit you.
Written to the new person investigating Messianic things,
Introduction to Things Messianic is a
compilation of articles that will inform the
inquirer on a wide array of Messianic topics
relevant to the current state and growth of our
movement, including:
• Is “the Church” truly a new group of elect?
• Is the Torah or Law of Moses really
relevant for Believers today?
• Who were the ancient Pharisees and what
did they believe?
• What is this “Two-House teaching” that I
hear so much about?
• Am I required to keep the Sabbath?
• What are the Biblical festivals?
• Am I required to eat kosher?
• Why do many Messianics use the proper name
of God?
• What do Messianics think about the
end-times?
• How do I properly grow in this new walk of
faith?
These questions, and many more, are discussed and detailed in
Introduction to Things Messianic. This book
builds on the foundational material in
Hebraic Roots: An Introductory Study in a
much more thorough way for those wanting an
in-depth view of these basic issues.
Introduction to Things Messianic can be used
for a single person or a group Bible study, as
study questions follow each chapter. It can also
be easily used along with the available lecture
series companion by author J.K. McKee.
Does the New Testament Really Do
Away With the Law?
The New Testament Validates Torah
is a study that we all need. We as Messianic
Believers know that we should follow the Torah
or the Law of Moses, and that Yeshua the Messiah
did not come to abolish or do away with it. Yet,
many of us cannot respond to arguments commonly
made by Christian theologians and pastors from
the Apostolic Scriptures (New Testament), which
supposedly prove that the Law has been “done
away.” The New Testament Validates Torah
answers the so-called Scriptural claims against
Torah obedience in a fair-minded and scholarly
way.
TNN Online editor J.K. McKee
addresses many of the claims given as why we
should follow God’s Torah. He addresses how the
words of Yeshua are final in relation to how we
handle other New Testament Scriptures that
address the Law of Moses. He addresses claims
such as: “we’re not under the Law,” “Christ is
the end of the Law,” “all things are lawful,”
and “He abolished the Law of commandments
contained in ordinances.” These Scriptures are
placed into a proper Biblical context, and when
necessary translation errors from Greek into
English are discussed and analyzed.
The New Testament Validates Torah
is an apologetic study that all Messianic
Believers need. It emphasizes the need for us to
know what we believe, and above all be the
testimony of a positive spiritual change to
Christians who do not understand our
convictions. It encourages a return to holy
living and an appreciation for the tapestry of
all of God’s Word.
The
pre-tribulation rapture is an extremely popular doctrine
that advocates that Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) will
one day come, unexpectedly, for the saints, and gather them
into Heaven prior to the Tribulation period. This teaching
has sold many books and created a large financial market
for prophecy materials. But in spite of its popularity,
few Believers question it. When presented with alternative
points of view such as post-tribulationism, those of the
popular pre-tribulational position oftentimes vehemently
criticize or call such people heretics.
This report is an
expanded edition of one of TNN Online’s most controversial articles. It answers the top
reasons why people believe in the pre-tribulation rapture
from a Messianic post-trib perspective. It exposes the
manipulation of Scripture on the part of pre-tribulationists
and why the pre-trib rapture cannot be ideologically
supported. It refutes the fifty reasons given in support
of the pre-trib rapture by former Dallas Theological
Seminary chancellor John F. Walvoord. This book
supplements When Will the Messiah Return? by
responding to the arguments of the escapist
pre-tribulation rapture doctrine, but with the fairness
that is often not given to post-tribulationists.
The Messianic movement largely advocates that the Torah or
Pentateuch is relevant instruction for Believers
today, and that modern Christianity has too
often ignored God’s revelation in the Tanach or
Old Testament—not benefiting from this
dismissal. Yet the subject of “Torah observance”
can often be a point of contention, not only
between the Messianic and Christian communities,
but even internally among Messianics. Why is
this the case? Do we have to be negative
about this? Is it possible that people
claiming to be Torah observant do not often know
why the Law of Moses is to instruct and teach
today’s Believers? Have some Messianics simply
lacked an appropriate perspective on how the
work of the Holy Spirit is to guide God’s people
into greater holiness and maturity, given the
promises of the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34;
Ezekiel 36:26-27)? How are we to balance how
following the Torah includes outward practices,
but also includes a greater manifestation of
God’s love and goodness to all we encounter?
Torah In the Balance, Volume I is a well needed resource for our time, as it addresses the main
aspects of how to follow God’s Torah. Subjects
addressed include: why Believers need the Torah,
the Acts 15 Jerusalem Council, the foundational
importance of the Ten Commandments, the role of
the appointed times, and the dietary laws. While
Messianic positions on these aspects of faith
can often clash with those of our Christian
brothers and sisters, they are considered in a
fair and reasonable way that encourages
positive solutions between all people who
have called out to Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus
Christ) for salvation. A large amount of
scholastic engagement and support is offered for
the validity of these aspects of faith on the
part of today’s Believers.
This book is an important addition to any Messianic library, and
should be read by those desiring not only a
comprehensive understanding regarding what the
Lord has started in this hour—but the great
responsibility we have been endowed by Him.
With everything we have been called to do,
the transforming power of God’s love is
emphasized above all! This resource encourages
growth and maturity on the part of all of
His people.
For almost two millennia, multiplied millions of Believers in
Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) have eagerly
anticipated His return. Many theories,
doctrines, and creeds have been produced
concerning the Second Coming, as well as an
entire score of books. In today’s world, many
Christians think that the Messiah can return at
any moment in an event called the
“pre-tribulation rapture.” Even among those who
do not believe in this imminent rapture are
those who still think that the final days of
humanity are upon us. Are they? Is everything in
place for the Messiah to return in the next
decade, or even in the next year? Or, is there
anything in the Scriptures that might be
overlooked, or is not being considered,
regarding the Messiah’s return?
Before Yeshua was taken into Heaven, the Apostles asked Him, “Lord,
is it at this time You are restoring the Kingdom
to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). The Apostles were
eagerly awaiting the Messiah to restore Israel,
and guide the world back to the fullness that
had once been experienced in the Garden of Eden.
But much work still had to be accomplished, as
Yeshua commissioned them to go out and make
disciples. That work still has not been
completed today, especially with the advent of
the modern-day Messianic movement.
A major part of the work that needs to be accomplished is that most
Believers in Yeshua do not understand who the
Lord is actually returning for. They consider
themselves part of a separate “Church,” often
with no connection to Israel. Because of this,
it is concluded that the Messiah can imminently
come for “the Church,” to leave Israel behind to
face the Tribulation and the antichrist. Is this
a valid teaching? Are Israel and “the Church”
separate entities? If they are not, how would
this change our perception of the end-times?
Furthermore, if a Believer is a part of the
Commonwealth of Israel (Ephesians 2:11-12), how
does it affect what we think will happen in the
Last Days and when the beast system will arise?
When Will the Messiah Return? is a unique book addressing the
end-times from a distinct Messianic perspective.
The Messiah tells us plainly that He will gather
the saints “immediately after the tribulation of
those days” (Matthew 24:29). Discussed are
common false understandings as they relate to
“the Church” being taken to Heaven for the
duration of the Tribulation period, and how
instead all Believers in Messiah Yeshua get to
participate in the end-time restoration of all
Israel.
The
Epistle of Ephesians is a letter that contains a
very important message for the people of God,
who are to be encouraged in accomplishing His
mission for the world. Yeshua the Messiah is
portrayed as exalted above the cosmos, with His
resurrection power being accessible to all
Believers. God’s people have been selected by
Him to be holy, corporately composing a Temple
in which His presence can dwell. By the
sacrificial work of the cross, Jewish and
non-Jewish followers of the Messiah are to be
united together as a “one new humanity”—the
mystery of the gospel! All are to serve one
another in the Body of Messiah in mutual
submission, as Yeshua’s thoughts and mindset
nourish the whole ekklēsia. People are
encouraged to emulate God in their behavior,
living distinctively different lives from those
around them.
In
varying degrees, Ephesians has often been highly
valued by today’s Messianic movement because of
its emphasis of Jewish and non-Jewish Believers
being a part of the Commonwealth of Israel. It
does speak of the unity that we are to all have
in the Lord, as a testament to the grander
redemption of Creation that will come in the
eschaton. But while Ephesians is a text that we
often turn to, Messianics are often not aware of
the more detailed issues surrounding this letter
present in contemporary scholarship. Were the
“Ephesians” the only audience who received the
letter, or was this a general epistle written to
Believers in Asia Minor? Did the Apostle Paul
really write Ephesians, or was it written by a
second generation Believer in his name? What is
the specific debate surrounding the dividing
wall that has been abolished by the cross—is the
wall abolished really the Torah of Moses in its
entirety or could it be something else?
Are husbands the head/authority of their wives
or the head/source of their wives? How
interconnected is the composition of Ephesians
with the composition of Colossians?
In
the commentary Ephesians for the Practical
Messianic, TNN Online editor J.K. McKee
addresses the known and unknown questions that
this important letter asks us as Messianic
Believers. A large Jewish and Greco-Roman
Mediterranean background is considered of the
issues. Careful and detailed attention has been
given to the opinions present today surrounding
the dividing wall, and complimentarian and
egalitarian views of the household codes.
References to Tanach (Old Testament) concepts in
the author’s words are considered, along with
careful consideration for how Ephesians
challenges us as a faith community trying to
achieve our Father’s objectives. Poignant
questions as to how we can be molded into a
mature people are asked for today’s season of
Messianic uncertainty.
One of the major reasons that today’s Messianic
movement has grown in the past decade is a
significant interest by Believers in the Torah
and the Tanach. In too many cases, the Tanach
Scriptures were not probed in that great a
detail in a Jewish Believer’s traditional
Synagogue upbringing—and perhaps more serious, a
non-Jewish Believer’s Christian experience often
witnessed the Old Testament taking a back seat
to the New Testament in the Church. With many of
the ethical and moral controversies the greater
Judeo-Christian religious community is
experiencing in our age, a need for God’s people
to return to a foundational grounding in the
Tanach Scriptures is absolutely imperative. The
Old Testament cannot simply be disregarded any
more.
Many have stayed away from consulting the Tanach
not because of a lack of interest, but because
few want to have to deal with the controversies
it addresses. Unlike the Apostolic Scriptures,
constrained to the First Century C.E., the
period of the Tanach stretches back all the way
to the beginning of the universe itself.
Questions like: Who was the Pharaoh of the
Exodus? Did God actually condone the genocide of
the Canaanites? and Am I the only one who
thinks the Prophets are mentally disturbed?
are debates that many people do not want to
enter into. Even more significant is the affect
of critical scholarship which has attempted to
divide the Torah into non-Mosaic sources,
question the inspiration and historical
reliability of the text, and even regard much of
the Tanach as Ancient Israel’s mythology. For a
Messianic movement that claims to place a high
value on the Tanach, it is time that we join in
to these conversations.
A Survey of the Tanach for the Practical
Messianic
takes you through the Old Testament from a
distinct Messianic point of view. It presents a
theologically conservative perspective of the
books of the Tanach, but one that does not avoid
some of the controversies that have existed in
Biblical scholarship for over one hundred and
fifty years. The student, in company with his or
her study Bible, is asked to read through each
text of the Tanach, jotting down characters,
place names, key ideas, and reflective
questions. Each book of the Old Testament is
then summarized for its compositional data and
asks you questions to get a good Messianic feel
for the text. This workbook can be used for both
personal and group study, and will be a valuable
aid for any Messianic Believer wanting to study
the whole Bible on a consistent basis.
Paul's Epistle to the Galatians is easily the
most difficult to understand text for Messianic
Believers today. Galatians has been historically
interpreted by Christianity as delivering
Believers a choice between God's Law and God's
grace. Those who choose any obedience to the
Law, according to this view of Paul, are
unfaithful to the Messiah and the saving power
of the gospel. Supposedly, Paul was desperately
concerned for anyone who was trying to keep the
Torah of Moses. Consequently, Galatians is a
frequently-quoted text to today's Messianic
Believers, most of whom are trying to live a
life of holiness by obeying God's Torah in
accordance with the example of obedience modeled
to us by Yeshua.
Understanding Galatians in its original context,
for its original audience, and for the original
issues that it addressed is a severe challenge.
Was the issue that the Galatians faced forced
circumcision, followed by salvation―or was the
issue ritual proselyte conversion for inclusion
among God's people? Likewise, who were the
people errantly influencing the Galatians? Were
they authorized members of the assembly, or
misguided outsiders with a definitive agenda?
In the
commentary Galatians for the Practical
Messianic, TNN Online editor J.K. McKee
takes a direct look at the issues of Paul's
letter as he rebukes the Galatians for errors
that have crept into their congregations.
Engaging with contemporary Christian scholarship
on Galatians, critical questions regarding
common conclusions of Paul's words are asked.
Are Paul and Yeshua truly at odds when it comes
to the Torah? Were the Jerusalem leaders and
Paul at constant odds with one another? How does
Paul's progressive Pharisaism of the Diaspora
compare to the more conservative Pharisaism of
Jerusalem? What were the spiritual dynamics
present in Galatia? What does the term "works of
law" really mean? These are only a few of the
questions that are considered. Likewise, current
proposals from the New Perspective of Paul in
theological studies are also analyzed.
The Epistle
to the Galatians gives us a small peek into the
world of the early ekklēsia, and the
social dynamics and divisions between Jewish and
non-Jewish Believers that had to be resolved.
Many of the issues that the Jerusalem Council of
Acts 15 would address had yet to be discussed.
Many did not understand the Abrahamic blessing
of his seed being a blessing to the whole world.
Many thought that inclusion among God's people
came via ethnicity, rather than faith. Many did
not know the proper place of obedience to the
Torah. Paul's letter set in motion the need for
these issues to be addressed by the First
Century faith community.
This
commentary will aid many Messianic Believers who
have difficulty with Paul's letter to the
Galatians. It also provides solid, exegetical
answers to those who are skeptical, if not
critical, of today's Messianic movement.
Also included
in this commentary is an exposition on Acts
13:13-14:28: Paul’s visit to Southern Galatia.
The letter of
Paul to the Philippians is a frequently
overlooked and disregarded text in the Bible by
today’s Messianic community—yet it speaks so
profoundly to where we presently are and the
issues we are dealing, or will deal with in the
near future. Perhaps with the most Roman
character of any other book of the Apostolic
Scriptures (New Testament), save Paul’s letter
to the Romans, Philippians invites us into a
community of First Century Believers on their
own in the Roman colony of Philippi. These
people are surrounded by neighbors who are
hostile to both Judaism and the gospel message
of Messiah Yeshua. They number only in the few,
but the Apostle Paul is able to consider them
his close and affectionate friends, and seldom
has a negative word for them. The Philippians
are generous to his ministry work, and Paul has
strong feelings for their well-being and calling
in the Lord.
The Epistle
to the Philippians presents us with many
theological and social questions that cannot be
avoided by anyone who reads it. Above all
things, the Apostle Paul places Yeshua the
Messiah at the center of his life, and urges his
Philippian brothers and sisters to do the same.
He urges the Philippians to be kind, generous,
and be a light to their pagan neighbors. He
urges them to show humility and to be about the
supreme service of the gospel, even unto death.
He urges unity in the assembly, and that all
demonstrate God’s love to others. He affirms the
mystery of both the Divinity and humanity of
Yeshua. Paul also recognizes the value of women
in the local congregation, and how God will
raise them up when there are no men. For the
modern Messianic, Philippians shows us how small
fellowships and congregations on their own
should function, in addition to the huge
questions of how we can have a global vision
that recognizes the virtues of other ethnicities
and cultures, while still maintaining an Hebraic
view of the Scriptures and God’s mission.
In the
commentary Philippians for the Practical
Messianic, TNN Online editor J.K. McKee
addresses many of the avoided issues that this
text asks Messianic Believers. He takes into
account the First Century Jewish and
Roman background of Paul’s letter. He also
considers the large amount of intertexual
references that Philippians makes to the Tanach
(Old Testament), deeply embedded in Paul’s
vocabulary and mannerisms. Most importantly, he
considers the centrality of Yeshua for Paul, and
how all human achievements pale in comparison to
who He should be for us as born again Believers
who have experienced His transforming power.
Also included
in this commentary is an exposition on Acts
16:6-40: Paul’s visit to Philippi.
As
a Messianic Believer, do you have a problem
reading the New Testament? When you read the
Apostolic Scriptures, are you confused when you
encounter the Gospels, Acts, or Epistles? Have you
possibly been taught that the "New Testament"
replaces the "Old Testament," and that there are
contradictions between the two, only to be
reconciled by the coming of Yeshua? Do you have
difficulty reconciling the words of the Torah to
Yeshua, Peter, Paul, John, and the other
Apostles?
If
you have ever asked any of these questions, it
is time that you receive a re-introduction to
the Apostolic Scriptures. These texts record the
life story of Yeshua the Messiah, the history of
the First Century Messianic community, and the
challenges that the early Believers in Yeshua
faced. These texts are not contrary to the
Torah, but do continue God's progressive story
that begins in Genesis. They have valuable
lessons that every Messianic Believer and
Messianic congregation must learn in this hour,
as the Messianic community grows and matures.
A Survey of the Apostolic Scriptures for the
Practical Messianic takes you on a journey
through the New Testament from a distinct
Messianic point of view. The student, in company
with his or her study Bible, is asked to read
through each text of the Aposta consistent basis.
The Epistle to the Hebrews is one of
the most overlooked texts in the
entire Bible, and is greatly
unappreciated by many in the
Messianic movement. A profoundly
spiritual and intellectual
masterpiece, the theme of this
treatise is undeniably the Messiah
Yeshua, and His supremacy over all.
The author engages his audience
by describing Yeshua as the Creator,
being superior to angels, Moses,
Joshua, and as mediator of the
New Covenant. The author comes to
these conclusions using some very
unique ways, employing First Century
rhetoric and literary devices that
often evade your average reader.
The Epistle to the Hebrews asks
First Century questions for a First
Century audience. The Jewish revolt
in the Land of Israel was just
getting started, and the Temple was
on the verge of being destroyed.
Many Jews from all over the
Mediterranean world--who had
received Yeshua into their
lives--did not know what to do. Was
this the end of their faith? Many
were at the point of denying the
Lord. The author of Hebrews,
employing carefully constructed and
Scripturally-based arguments,
advocates that to not heed the
warnings of the past brought Israel
extreme judgment--and to deny the
Messiah would bring even worse
judgment. The bulk of his arguments
are deeply rooted in the Jewish
theology of the First Century that
we see attested to in a variety of
sources such as the Septuagint, the
Apocrypha, the Pseudepigrapha, the
Dead Sea Scrolls, Josephus, Philo,
and traditions later recorded in the
Mishnah and Talmud.
In the commentary Hebrews for the
Practical Messianic, TNN Online
editor J.K. McKee tackles some of
the difficult hermeneutical
questions that are asked when we
consider this text for today.
Hebrews asks ancient questions that
had to be answered by an ancient
audience: Hebrews has background
issues that cannot be answered
solely by a surface reading of the
text. Who wrote Hebrews? When was it
written? How broad was its original
audience? These are some of the many
questions that surround Hebrews. The
Twenty-First Century questions that
Hebrews asks are difficult for many Messianics to consider: What should
the role of the Greek Septuagint be
in our theology? Do we ever make the
mistake of uplifting the Torah over
Yeshua? How do we maintain a high
regard for Moses, but understand
that Yeshua is superior?
In a very thorough and meticulous
way, the issues of Hebrews are
addressed fairly and scholastically.
We need to understand who Yeshua is
to us, who Moses is to us, what the
New Covenant is to us, and how we
should never lose sight of our
saving faith in Him. You will see
that the Epistle to the Hebrews is a
truly inspired and profound text.
The
letter of James the Just, the
half-brother of Messiah Yeshua, is
not without its controversy. Often
considered to have the most Jewish
character among all the books of
the Apostolic Scriptures (New
Testament), James' epistle sits
between two extremes: those who deny
his message, and those who give his
message a weight that it was never
intended to have. James' letter has
a distinctive emphasis on the works
of the individual, and many have
viewed what he has to say as in fact
annulling the grace of God. Some
have denied James' place in the
Biblical canon, and others have
forgotten who James was as a humble,
kind, and patient servant of the
Lord.
James'
epistle has a universal moral
message for all mankind, and
especially the Messianic community
today. Written at the beginning of
our Messianic faith, Yeshua's
half-brother was observing some of
the controversies and issues
creeping in as the gospel message
went beyond the Land of Israel. With
non-Jews being included in the
assembly, some were causing discord
and forgetting the ethics that God
requires of us to have as seen
throughout the Torah.
When you add to this the
persecutions that the early
Believers faced, coupled with the
fact that corrupt rich people were
being shown favor in the assembly,
you have a letter that deals with
practical faith and holy living.
In the
commentary James for the
Practical Messianic, TNN Online
editor J.K. McKee addresses what we
need to learn as Messianic Believers
today from James' epistle. He takes
into account the distinct Jewish
character of James, cross
referencing James' writing with the
Torah and Tanach, the wisdom
literature of the Apocrypha,
Josephus, Philo, and the Mishnah and Talmud. He also
considers the First Century history
behind James' letter, and parallels
that exist between James and the
writings of First Century Greek and
Roman moralists, with whom his
broad audience would have been
familiar. Most importantly, the
various theological opinions that have existed
over the centuries regarding James are addressed, as
are some of the current scholastic
trends in Jamean studies, enriching
the diligent student who is looking
for a distinctive Messianic
perspective on this letter.
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