It’s universally accepted and taught in Judaism, Messianic Judaism, Jewish roots, and every adjacent movement, that, without question, God gave Israel the Torah on Shavuot—that our observance of Shavuot should also celebrate the receiving of the Torah, because that momentous event occurred on the very same date as the Feast. But did it? In this episode, Kevin definitively answers whether the idea that the Torah was given on Shavuot is biblical, and how this should effect our understanding and celebration of one of the major Feasts of Israel.
Does God Have a Son, Pt. 3
Messianic Jewish TheologyThe idea that God can have a son is not only biblical, but was well-understood by the ancients. As we explored earlier, the concept is found most clearly in the kingship of David and the expectation for the sonship of his endless line upon Israel’s throne. But someone being called God’s son is not quite the same as someone being the Son of God. Yeshua, then, needed to further narrow the definition of God’s “son.” He would not only be Israel’s messianic, priestly king, but also the means of blessing all the families of the earth through His sacrifice, atonement, and offer of salvation and eternal life. Yeshua had to be something more than those who came before… something that many of the people of Israel weren’t yet ready to receive. Read more
Does God Have a Son, Pt. 2
Messianic Jewish TheologyAs we previously learned from the Hebrew Scriptures, there is nothing bizarre or outrageous about God having a son. It does not imply or necessitate any kind of natural childbirth or other-worldly conception, but instead speaks to the characteristics of a special relationship with God. Israel’s sonship, for example, is defined by being called God’s firstborn and heir of His promises and purposes—God’s instrument for blessing all the nations. God also declared both David and David’s heir to be His son, as He brought forth a line of kings that He promised would reign in Israel forever. Israel and David, then, are God’s sons in the sense that He is the progenitor of a people through whom He would disseminate and propagate His message and glory to the world.
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Does God Have a Son, Pt. 1
Messianic Jewish TheologyThe “New Testament” claims that Yeshua is the Son of God—an inconceivable and offensive claim in the eyes of Judaism. How could the holy, eternal Creator of the universe have a human son? Did He defile Himself to procreate with humans? Did He father biological offspring as in Greek myths and pagan religions? Yet despite such cynical ad hominems and red herrings—and regardless of whether one is prepared to believe that Yeshua is indeed that very Son—the concept of God having a son is actually not so unbelievable. It is, in fact, deeply rooted in the history of Israel and in the Hebrew Scriptures. Read more
Was the Torah Really Given on Shavuot?
VideosIt’s universally accepted and taught in Judaism, Messianic Judaism, Jewish roots, and every adjacent movement, that, without question, God gave Israel the Torah on Shavuot—that our observance of Shavuot should also celebrate the receiving of the Torah, because that momentous event occurred on the very same date as the Feast. But did it? In this episode, Kevin definitively answers whether the idea that the Torah was given on Shavuot is biblical, and how this should effect our understanding and celebration of one of the major Feasts of Israel.
The Prophet Like Moses
Messianic Jewish TheologyReaching the end of his days, Moses stood before Israel, giving them his final instructions before he could lead them no more. Prophet that he was, Moses pointed to the future, urging his people to await the coming of one who would take his place. Read more
Does the Old Testament Affirm Messiah as God?
VideosChristians say that Jesus is God. But isn’t this understanding just a misinterpretation or twisting of Scripture? Or maybe it’s an invention of the New Testament authors, not embraced by Yeshua Himself. Isn’t the idea of a man being God in total conflict with the Hebrew Scriptures? Not so fast! In this episode, Kevin considers at the biblical legitimacy of Yeshua’s deity, and whether or not the Hebrew Scriptures—the “Old Testament”—teaches that the Messiah is also God.
Two Signs, One Doorpost
Feasts & Appointed TimesIs the blood of the Lamb of God, painted on the doorposts of our hearts, really enough for us to be made righteous in God’s eyes? Or do we possibly need something more? Some followers of Yeshua today believe that righteousness can only be obtained if we also zealously follow the commands of Torah. But could this really be true? Perhaps we can settle this question by considering two passages from the Torah itself, each visually and practically depicting a different doorpost of the houses of Israel. Examining these two doorposts reveals that both the blood and the commands are important, but they have different functions… and only one of them alone can bring salvation.
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For Such a Time as Now
Israel & the Jewish PeopleWe all know the story of Purim. A beautiful Jewish girl is taken from her family and married by the foreign, occupying king. Her cousin warns her that the king’s right-hand-man is plotting to exterminate the Jewish people. The girl boldly faces the king, risking her life to expose the conspiracy. Her people are saved, the evil man executed, her cousin promoted, and all is right in the end.
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Fullness of the Gentiles
Messianic Jewish TheologyAs a Messianic Jewish ministry, our hearts’ desire and prayer to God is to see the salvation of all Israel. We yearn for that glorious day when God’s chosen people embrace their Messiah. Yet despite any strides which have been made toward this goal, most Jews remain cut off in their unbelief (Rom. 11:20), and the day of Israel’s salvation is nowhere in sight. What are we missing?
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An Obsolete Priesthood
Messianic Jewish TheologyThe book of Hebrews speaks of a mystery central to our faith: How did the great High Priest, Yeshua, arise from outside the priestly tribe of Levi, and why? Though the question may seem obscure to us now, thousands of years after the line of priests was broken, the answer is still as important as ever. Grasping it not only illuminates the magnificence of the Master’s sacrifice, but also illustrates how the Father continually maintains His covenants—sometimes in unexpected ways.
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