Two Messianic Jews

Enjoy this short d’rash on this week’s parsha, Bamidbar (Numbers 1.1–4.20), as we explore why God counts Israel and what it reveals about how He sees His people.Shabbat shalom!To support: twomessianicjews.com/donateYou can also listen on YouTubeFollow us on Social Media: ⁠Facebook⁠⁠Instagram

Why would a pastor walk away from the Hebrew Roots movement? In this interview, Pastor Gabe May of Headland Methodist Church shares his personal journey, what drew him into Hebrew Roots, what caused him to question it, and what led him to leave. Along the way, we examine the key biblical arguments for Hebrew Roots and uncover the deeper spiritual roots behind the movement.To support our work in challenging the Hebrew Roots movement, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate1:45 - Pastor Gabe’s Christian upbringing  3:52 - What is Hebrew Roots?5:13 - How he got involved in Hebrew Roots9:50 - How Hebrew Roots affected his family 14:15 - What are Hebrew Roots communities  like? 18:00 - Hearing a Messianic Jewish perspective for the first time 23:47 - Why he believed he should be Torah observant  25:37 - Are Christians grafted into Israel? (Romans 11)36:41 - Do Christians become citizens of Israel? (Ephesians 2)41:10 - The Jerusalem Council Explained (Acts 15)43:05 - What about Acts 15:21? 46:26 - What is sinful? 53:12 - The spiritual roots behind Hebrew Roots?  1:11:40 - God’s love for Jews and Gentiles 1:13:18 - Hebrew Roots in Messianic Jewish congregations 1:15:13 - Advice for Messianic Jewish  leaders 1:17:12 - Advice for those considering Hebrew Roots1:18:45 - The moment that caused a change 1:20:26 - The way Satan deceives 1:21:16 - Why repentance matters You can also watch on YouTubeFollow us on Social Media: FacebookInstagram

The afikomen is one of the most mysterious parts of Passover. Why do we break the matzah, hide the larger piece, and bring it back later? In this video we explore how Chabad Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky and Yeshua connect breaking matzah to redemption through the Messiah.To support our work in teaching the Jewishness of the New Testament, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateChag Pesach Sameach!Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky’s article: https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2834135/jewish/Yachatz-Breaking-the-Middle-Matzah.htmBiblical passages:Luke 22:15, 19–20Jeremiah 31:34Luke 24:30–35You can also watch on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube channelFollow us on Social Media:     ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

To those who flood comment sections with 'Christ is King' or 'Jesus is King' alongside the latest (or oldest) conspiracy theories and slanders about the Jewish people, there are a few things you should keep in mind before leaving such comments. Enjoy. Share with others.To support our work in combating antisemitism and replacement theology, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateYou can also watch on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠Follow us on Social Media:     ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

We discuss the beauty and significance of Gentile identity in God's kingdom. When replacement theology and Hebrew Roots teachings are followed, we lose sight of God's design for His kingdom to be Israel and all the nations of the earth worshiping together. Check out this video to see all 8 reasons of the G.O.O.D. N.E.W.S. of Gentile identity.To support our work in combating replacement theology, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateYou can also watch on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow us on Social Media:     ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

We have on Rabbi Eric Lakatos of Tikvat Yisrael Cleveland, Ohio to discuss his new Messianic Jewish siddur, Siddur Nishmat Kol Chai, and Messianic Jewish liturgy. We discuss why liturgy matters, the importance of Hebrew, and questions that Messianic communities face when considering liturgy in their services. Enjoy!To support our work in strengthening the faith and identity of Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateA link to Rabbi Eric's websiteA link to Rabbi Eric's podcastA link to Tikvat Yisrael Cleveland______________________   You can also watch on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow us on Social Media:     ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Amidah, the "Standing Prayer," is the central prayer during a Jewish service and is prayed three times a day by religious Jewish people. This prayer is so significant in Judaism it is simply called "The Prayer" in the Mishnah, a foundational rabbinic text from the 3rd century AD that preserves earlier traditions. In this video, I show how the central themes of the Amidah are the central themes of the New Testament. Enjoy!To support our work in strengthening the faith and identity of Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate______________________   You can also watch on our ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠    Follow us on Social Media:     ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠Music: ⁠⁠https://www.bensound.com

Joseph Culbertson is a PhD candidate in Hebrew Bible at Asbury Theological Seminary. He received his MDiv in Messianic Jewish studies from The King's University. He shares his journey from the Church to Hebrew Roots to Messianic Judaism and back to the Church. We discuss common arguments made by Hebrew Roots/One Law advocates and he explains the beauty of diversity and unity in the body of Messiah between Israel and the nations. Enjoy! To support our work in challenging the Hebrew Roots movement, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate

In this interview, we are joined by Michael Jones, founder of Inspiring Philosophy to respond to Rabbi Michael Skobac’s objections regarding the reliability of the Gospels.To support our work in responding to counter-missionaries, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateWe carefully examine several of Rabbi Skobac’s key claims, including:1:15 — The Gospels are religious propaganda, not history18:03 — Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John did not write the Gospels32:18 — Yeshua’s disciples did not speak Greek36:57 — The Gospels were written too late to be reliable48:40 — No ancient sources outside the Gospels corroborate the accountsMichael Jones addresses each objection with thoughtful analysis, drawing on biblical scholarship, Jewish and Greek history, and historical evidence from the Gospels.For a deeper dive, check out Michael’s full series on the reliability of the GospelsYou can also watch the full video from Jews for JudaismYou can also watch on our ⁠YouTube channel⁠Follow us on Social Media: ⁠Facebook⁠⁠Instagram⁠

We just participated in our first TikTok livestream with @hellomrsrachel She has us on to discuss FAQ’s for Messianic Jews after the amazing response to her video explaining that she is a Messianic Jew. That video now has over 246,000 views! Here is the recording! If you have TikTok, we encourage you to follow her channel! To support our work in strengthening the faith and identity of Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate0:00 Intro4:17 Are Messianic Jews Jewish or Christian or both (ethnically & religiously)? 11:15 Do we believe that Jesus is fully divine and fully human?22:43 Why do Messianic Jews still follow the Law?33:28 What pressures have you felt (if any) from Christians to assimilate and/or stop practicing Judaism? 40:09 How do you respond to the claim that Messianic Jews are only practicing Judaism as a strategy to convert other Jews?46:40 Should the Church assimilate to how Jesus lived as a Jew?Note: For clarification, our view and the view of the Messianic Jewish community is that you are Jewish if you have a mother or a father who is Jewish. We emphasized matrilineal descent in this video because each of our mothers are Jewish.

Just weeks after October 7, 2023—the worst moment in Jewish history since the Holocaust—Pastor Jeff Durbin of Apologia Studios released a video discussing the massacre. In it, he argued that Jewish people who do not believe in Jesus are not truly Jewish and are not God’s chosen people. Instead, he claimed that Christians are the true Jews—that Christians are Israel. Through this video, Pastor Jeff Durbin fuels and spreads antisemitism. The video you are about to watch is a Messianic Jewish response, correcting the gross errors Pastor Jeff makes and offering a careful exegesis of the biblical passages he misuses to support his claims.To support our work in combating antisemitism and replacement theology, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate0:00 – Responding to Pastor Jeff Durbin taking advantage of October 7th to promote replacement theology7:00 – Showing why Pastor Jeff Durbin’s interpretation of Romans 2.27–29 is incorrect and exegeting the text 26:53 – Responding to Pastor Jeff Durbin’s antisemitic comments29:43 – Showing why Pastor Jeff Durbin’s interpretation of Romans 9:6 is incorrect and exegeting the text46:24 – What God says about Israel in the Tanakh 47:31 – What Paul says about Israel Original clip You can also watch on our YouTube channelFollow us on Social Media: FacebookInstagramIf you are looking for a way to support us and gain early access to our content, you can become a monthly supporter on Subscribestar We also have: PayPal___________________________ Resources:David J. Rudolph, “Zionism in Pauline Literature: Does Paul Eliminate Particularity for Israel & the Land in His Portrayal of Salvation Available for All the World?” in New Christian Zionism Fresh Perspectives on Israel and the Land, ed. Gerald R. McDermott (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2016), 167–194. <a href="https://ejournals.bc.edu/index.php/scjr/article/view/9525/8485" target="_blank" rel="ugc noo

Link to buy the Budoff HaggadahYou can also watch on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Social Media:     ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To support our work in strengthening the faith and identity of Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate

Over 100 years ago, Philip Cohen published the first issue of "The Messianic Jew: Organ of the Jewish Messianic Movement." We read the introductory article to this Messianic Jewish publication to discover the beautiful heart Cohen had for Jewish followers of Yeshua to express their Jewish identities. He casts a vision and an aim for Jewish believers that ultimately results in Jesus being made known, reigniting the Jewish consciousness of Jewish believers, and partnering with the Gentile Church to help us fulfill this vision. You can access this issue of "The Messianic Jew" here.To support our work in strengthening the faith and identity of Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateYou can also watch on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Social Media:     ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What if I told you that many major Christian denominations have formally denounced replacement theology? What if I told you there is a brand new version of replacement theology that is taking over the internet? Find out more listening to this presentation about replacement theology and one law theology!To support our work in combating replacement theology, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate00:00 Introduction00:55 What is replacement theology?3:34 What is post-supersessionist theology?6:30 How to interpret the bible as a post-supersessionist9:49 Three Kinds of Replacement Theology10:45 What is punitive supersessionism?27:50 What is economic supersessionism?34:12 Neither Jew or gentile... Galatians 3:2835:35 Who is the 'Israel of God' in Galatians 6:16?41:45 Things Replacement Theologians Say43:35 One Law Theology/Hebrew Roots is Replacement Theology48:12 Things One Law/Hebrew Roots People Say50:00 Not all the Torah is for Everyone50:53 Erasure of Gentile Identity54:40 Christians are Correcting Replacement TheologyYou can also watch on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Social Media:     ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you are looking for a way to support us and gain early access to our content, you can become a monthly supporter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribestar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We dispel common myths about the Council of Nicaea and express gratitude for the Church successfully defending the deity of Yeshua in the face of a very influential heretic named Arian. We also talk about the decision to disconnect Easter and Passover (which I think is okay!). To support our work in strengthening the faith and identity of Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate00:00 - Introduction3:15 - What did NOT happen at the Council of Nicaea5:42 - Historical Context of the Council of Nicaea7:39 - Who was Emperor Constantine?12:43 - About the Council of Nicaea17:00 - The Council Disconnecting Passover and Easter31:22 - Who was Arius?34:12 - Arguing with Arius42:12 - The Nicene Creed46:50 - A Messianic Jewish take on the Nicene Creed49:20 - What is the Trinity?57:18 - The Beauty of the Nicene Creed and the Shema; The Church and Messianic Judaism1:04:25 - We should appreciate the ChurchYou can also watch on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Social Media:     ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you are looking for a way to support us and gain early access to our content, you can become a monthly supporter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribestar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Marcion was the "arch-heretic" who argued there is a good god and an evil god, the Tanakh (the Old Testament) is not scripture, and edited portions of the New Testament. He was the first influential heretic that the Church had to guard a biblical understand of God and the Tanakh as God's word. The Messianic Jewish community should appreciate the Church for successfully defending God and His scripture.To support our work in strengthening the faith and identity of Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateYou can also watch on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠Follow us on Social Media:     ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you are looking for a way to support us and gain early access to our content, you can become a monthly supporter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribestar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We walk through Romans to see why the Messianic Jewish community has come to exist and what our purpose is as a community. We focus on texts in Romans 1, 3, 9, 11, and 15. To support our work in strengthening the faith and identity of Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateWe have come to exist because:00:00 - Introduction00:38 - The Good News: Yeshua is the Jewish Messiah2:12 - The Good News is for Jewish People3:25 - Unity and Distinction Within the Body of Messiah10:30 - Unity and Distinction Within Israel17:55 - Messianic Jewish Community: A Double WitnessYou can also watch on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠Follow us on Social Media:     ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠______________________Music: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bensound.com

Isaiah draws from the story of Passover in Isaiah 52 and 53. The New Testament portrays Jesus as our Passover Lamb and the suffering servant of Isaiah 53. Gain a deeper understanding of the gospel message as told by the Tanakh and New Testament and find out an amazing connection to the shankbone of the Passover seder and the 'arm of the Lord'!To support our work in strengthening the faith and identity of Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate______________________   You can also watch on our ⁠⁠⁠YouTube ChannelFollow us on Social Media:     ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠______________________Music: ⁠⁠https://www.bensound.com

The Shema is central to the New Testament. Jesus says the Shema is the most important commandment and uses the Shema to make claims about his identity. He also wears ritual objects associated with the Shema, like tzitzit. The Shema is also central to Paul's theology about the community of Messiah and it was used in early liturgy of the Jesus-following community.To support our work in strengthening the faith and identity of Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateFor more on this topic:Lori Baron, The Shema in John's GospelErik Waaler, The Shema and the First Commandment in First CorinthiansRichard Bauckham, “The Shema and 1 Corinthians 8:6 Again,” in One God, One People, One Future: Essays in Honor of N.T. WrightBrury Eko Saputra, The Shema and John 10: The Importance of the Shema Framework in Understanding the Oneness Language in John 10Joel Marcus, “Authority to Forgive Sins Upon the Earth: The Shema in the Gospel of Mark,” in The Gospels and the Scriptures of Israel______________________   You can also watch on our ⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠    Follow us on Social Media:     ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠______________________Music: ⁠https://www.bensound.com

Michael Jones, from one of the largest Christian apologetics YouTube channels, Inspiring Philosophy, interviewed us on the topic: "Is the New Testament Antisemitic?" This message is particularly timely, given the increasing prevalence of Jew-hatred worldwide. Sadly, Christian antisemitism is also a reality, and in this interview, we address the challenging passages that antisemites cite to argue that the New Testament promotes Jew-hatred. We cover Matthew 27:24–26; John 8:44; Revelation 2:9; 3:9; Matthew 23:33; 1 Thessalonians 2:14–16; and Philippians 3:2. To support our work in combating antisemitism, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateMake sure to check out ⁠Inspiring Philosophy! It is an excellent channel that we have been watching for years. To watch the interview on YouTube, click ⁠here⁠.______________________   You can also watch our YouTube channel.  Follow us on Social Media:     ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠______________________Music: ⁠https://www.bensound.com

What similarities and differences can we notice when comparing the story of Jonah with Jesus calming the storm in Matthew 8? How does making this comparison show that Jesus was recognized as the Messiah? Join us for this Yom Kippur D'rash!To support our work in strengthening the faith and identity of Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateJonah 1:1-6(1) And the word of the Lord came to Jonah, the son of Amittai, saying, (2) “Get up and go[1] to the great city of Ninevah and cry out against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.” (3) But Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord and he went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish and he paid his fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish, [away][2] from the presence of the Lord. (4) And the Lord hurled a great wind on the sea and there was a great storm on the sea, and the ship was at risk[3] to break into pieces. (5) And the sailors were afraid, and each man cried out to his god and they threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten the load from upon them[4] and Jonah went down to the innermost parts[5] of the ship and he laid down and fell into a deep sleep. (6) And the captain came to him and said to him, “What are you doing sleeping? Get up! Call on your god! Perhaps your god will give a thought to us so that we do not perish.”1 NIV and NRSV translate קוּם לֵךְ as “Go at once” and this could be translated as ‘Arise’ (BDB, 877). But I chose ‘Get up and go’ to contrast the prophetic call more clearly with the ironic remarks of Jonah ‘going down’ to Tarshish (1:3), into the ship (1:3, 5) in his disobedience.2 I chose to insert “away” to draw out the movement of the ship going the opposite direction the Lord called Jonah to go.3 BDB recommends translating הָאֳנִיָה חִשְּׁבָה לְּׁהִשָבֵֵֽר as “the ship was about to (minded to) be broken up” (363). Considering חִשְּׁבָה is in the piel, and thus intensive, I said “at risk” because it communicates the high stakes of the moment more effectively. NET notes that this would be translated literally as “the ship considered breaking up” but considering it is an idiom, I translated it to communicate its meaning, rather than word for word.4 NIV translates לְּׁהָקֵל מֵֵֽעֲלֵיהֶם as “to lighten the ship.” I wanted to bring out more fully the sense of מֵֵֽעֲלֵיהֶם so I followed BDB which recommends, “make light from upon one” (886).5 NIV translates יָרַד אֶל־יַרְּׁכְּׁתֵי הַסְּׁפִינָה as “had gone below deck” and NRSV translates it as “had gone into the hold of the ship.” I chose the more literal “went down to the innermost parts” because, once again, it emphasizes the movement downwards/away from Jonah’s call to “get up and go” (1:2). I think reminding the reader of this theme is more crucial to the message of Jonah than accurately describing

Have you ever heard the claim that Saul's name was changed to Paul on the road to Damascus? Do Christians tell you that this name changed symbolized not only a dramatic personal transformation but also Paul's turn away from Judaism in favor of Christianity? I read through Acts 9 and Acts 13 to show that Paul's name was never changed from Saul and give an alternative explanation for why Luke shifts to use "Paul" after Acts 13:9. Thanks for joining and share it with your Christian friends!  Christian's who debunk this myth:  Got QuestionsGary Manning Jr.  Dr. Greg Lanier______________________   You can also watch on our YouTube channel    Follow us on Social Media:     FacebookInstagram______________________Music: https://www.bensound.com

At the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA) Messiah Conference 2023, Jonathan gave a presentation addressing the standard interpretation of Mark 7.15–19. He presents three reasons why it is implausible that Jesus abrogated Israel's dietary laws and then offers a reading of the text that makes better sense of Jesus's argument in its Jewish context. To support our work in strengthening the faith and identity of Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateSpecial thanks to Dr. Logan Williams for sharing his research with us on Mark 7.18–19 for this presentation! Dr. Williams won the 2022 Paul J. Achtemeier Award for New Testament scholarship for this paper and it will be published as an article in the peer-reviewed journal, New Testament Studies.___________________________ You can also listen on our podcast: https://anchor.fm/two-messianic-jews Follow us on Social Media: FacebookInstagram___________________________ Works cited:Daniel Boyarin, “Mark 7:1-23 – Finally,” in Taylor G. Petrey, et al., eds., Re-Making the World: Christianity and Categories – Essays in Honor of Karen L. King (Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2019), 19–34.David Rudolph, "Jesus and the Food Laws: A Reassessment of Mark 7:19b," Evangelical Quarterly, 74 (2002): 291–311.Jodi Magness, “What’s the Poop on Ancient Toilets and Toilet Habits?”, Near Eastern Archaeology 75 (2012): 80–87.Jonathan Klawans, Impurity and Sin in Ancient Judaism (New York: Oxford University Press, 2000).Logan Williams, "The Stomach Purifies All Foods: Jesus’ Anatomical Argument in Mark 7.18–19." Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting. Denver, CO. November 2022.Matthew Thiessen, Jesus and the Forces of Death: The Gospels' Portrayal of Ritual Impurity Within First-Century Judaism (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2020), 187–195.Shlomo Naeh, "Jesus, the Pharisees, and the Oral Torah", Te’udah 31 (2021): 229–248.Yair Furstenberg, “Defilement Penetrating the Body: A New Understanding of Contamination in Mark 7.15,” NTS 54 (2008): 176–200______________________ Music: https://www.bensound.com

At the MJAA Messiah Conference, Erik presented on a panel entitled, "Reaching Our People" with David Brickner, Janet Forman, and Chantel Winograd. Erik shared stories of how he has shared the gospel with young people who care about truth and those who don't. He finishes his speech by sharing an important way the Messianic Jewish community can not only reach our people, but keep our people. Enjoy!To support our work in strengthening the faith and identityof Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate______________________   You can watch more on our ⁠YouTube channel⁠    Follow us on Social Media:     ⁠Facebook⁠⁠Instagram⁠______________________Music: https://www.bensound.com

Did Jesus do away with the Jewish dietary laws? Many Christians point to Mark 7.15-19 to say that he did, which is understandable, considering the common translation of Mark 7.19, “Thus he [Jesus] declared all foods clean.” In this video, I present five reasons why it is implausible that Jesus eliminated the Jewish dietary laws and then offer a reading of Mark 7.15-19 that makes better sense of Jesus’s argument in its Jewish context.    To support our work in strengthening the faith and identityof Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateNote: Between 25:03 and 25:24, I mention that "pork is not in itself unclean" and that defilement comes through a Jew's disobedience to God's command not to eat pigs. In Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, pigs are not ontologically unclean; they are not unclean period. They are unclean for Israel, the Jewish people, because God declares them to be such. Jewish disobedience to the food laws, in particular, is a matter of intention. For more on this, along with the references to this perspective in Jewish literature, see Dr. David Rudolph's essay "Paul and the Food Laws: A Reassessment of Romans 14.14, 20" ___________________________   You can also watch on our YouTube channel  Follow us on Social Media:   FacebookInstagramVideo on Matthew 5:17 (Did Jesus End God’s Covenant with Israel? | Live at MJAA Messiah Conference 2022) Does Colossians Teach Against Jewish Practices? (Colossians 2.16-17) __________________________   Works cited:  Daniel Boyarin, The Jewish Gospels: The Story of the Jewish Christ (New York: The New Press, 2012), 102-128.David Rudolph, "Jesus and the Food Laws: A Reassessment of Mark 7:19b," Evangelical Quarterly, 74 (2002): 291-311. John MacArthur, “The Inside Story on Defilement (Mark 7.14-23),” June 12, 2012.  Jonathan Klawans, Impurity and Sin in Ancient Judaism (New York: Oxford Univers

Are non-Jews expected to become Torah-observant? Is this what the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 teaches? Many Hebrew Roots and One Law teachers read the Jerusalem Council as a decision to give non-Jewish Jesus-followers a Torah "starter pack" and expect them to become more and more observant as they learn the Torah in the synagogue each Shabbat. Is this the best way to read Acts 15? We don't think so.To support our work in challenging the Hebrew Rootsmovement, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateYou can also watch on our YouTube channel Follow us on Social Media:    Facebook Instagram

At the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA) Messiah Conference 2022, Jonathan gave a presentation responding to arguments for replacement theology put forth in Pastor Andy Stanley’s book, Irresistible: Reclaiming the New that Jesus Unleashed for the World.   To support our work in combating replacement theology, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateQuestions this presentation covers include:   - What does replacement theology mean for the Jewish people?- Did Yeshua teach that he came to end God’s covenant with Israel, to make the Torah obsolete in Matthew 5.17?- Did the destruction of the Temple signal the end of Judaism and God’s covenant with Israel?- Why did Yeshua have to die?  You can also watch on our YouTube channelFollow us on Social Media:  FacebookInstagram     _________________________________________   Works cited:  Anders Runesson, Divine Wrath and Salvation in Mathew: The Narrative World of the First Gospel (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2016).   Anders Runesson, “Saving the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel: Purity, Forgiveness, and Synagogues in the Gospel of Matthew,” Melilah 11 (2014): 8-24.  Craig S. Keener, The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009).  Daniel Boyarin, “Semantic Differences; or ‘Judaism’/‘Christianity’.” in The Ways that Never Parted: Jews and Christians in Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages, eds. Annette Yokisho Reed and Adam H. Becker, (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2007), 65-85.  David J. Rudolph, A Jew to the Jews: Jewish Contours of Pauline Flexibility in 1 Corinthians 9.19-23, WUNT 2/304 (Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2011).  David J. Rudolph, “One New Man, Hebrew Roots, Replacement Theology: How to restore the Jewish roots of the Christian faith without getting weird” (9-8-2021).Geza Vermes, “Redemption and Genesis XXII – the Binding of Isaac and the Sacrifice of Jesus,” in Scripture and Tradition in Judaism (Leiden: Brill, 1961).  Helen K. Bond, The Historical Jesus: A Guide for the Perplexed (London: T & T Clark, 2012).  Matthew Thiessen, "Abolishers of the Law in Early Judaism and Matthew 5,17-20," Biblica 93, no. 4 (2012): 543-56.   <a href="https:

This week is the Jewish holiday of Shavuot which is also known as Pentecost. In Jewish tradition, Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah. In Christian traditions, Pentecost commemorates the Holy Spirit descending after Jesus ascended to heaven. In Messianic Judaism, we commemorate both! Join us in exploring how Shavuot provides an occasion to see how Paul was both Torah-observant and Spirit-Led simultaneously.Did Paul Teach Against Torah in Acts 21? To support our work in strengthening the faith and identityof Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateMusic: bensound.com

In Deuteronomy 13, we learn that false prophets can perform miracles. From this point, counter-missionary, Rabbi Michael Skobac reasons: “miracles don’t prove anything.” If he is right, then Jesus’s resurrection does not prove he is the Messiah. But is Rabbi Skobac right? In this video, I argue that when we understand Deuteronomy 13 in light of Passover and with the help of Maimonides, we see that contrary to what Rabbi Skobac says about it, Deuteronomy 13 is actually the foundation for why Jesus’s resurrection would be evidence that he is the Messiah!   To support our work in responding to counter-missionaries,you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateFor a presentation of Orthodox Jewish scholar, Dr. Pinchas Lapide’s case for Jesus’s resurrection click here___________________________   You can also watch on our YouTube channelFollow us on Social Media:FacebookInstagram___________________________Other videos like this one:A Case for Messianic Judaism (Live at YMJA Virtual Messiah Does the Resurrection Prove Jesus is the Messiah? A Jewish Response to a Jewish Objection   "Why Messianic Judaism Is Fake" [REACTION]   ___________________________   Full videos where I get the clips of Rabbi Michael Skobac:THE MYTH OF RESURRECTIONCHRISTIANITY CHANGED MY LIFE: Can Miracles Prove Anything?___________________________   Music: bensound.com

What do Messianic Jews believe? How do Messianic Jews live and worship? Join us on Two Messianic Jews as we share with you the definition of a Messianic Jew, the core beliefs of the Messianic Jewish community, and the common ways Messianic Jews live and worship. In the end, I share how we view ourselves within the Jewish community and within the Body of Messiah.To support our work in strengthening the faith and identityof Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate00:00 - Definition of 'Messianic Jew'5:18 - What a Messianic Jew is NOT7:52 - What Messianic Jews believe12:12 - How Messianic Jews live and worshipAbout some key New Testament texts for Messianic Jews, Dr. David Rudolph says,  "Messianic Jews referred to their religious tradition as 'Messianic Judaism,' a term that implicitly called into question the traditional narrative of the first-century parting of the ways between Judaism and 'Christianity.'  It is important to recognize that Messianic Judaism challenged fundamental theological assumptions about the nature of the ecclesia and argued on the basis of New Testament texts - primarily Acts 15; 21.17-26; and 1 Corinthians 7.17-24 - that Yeshua-believing Jews had a continuing responsibility before God to live as Jews. Messianic Judaism took exception to eighteen hundred years of Gentile Christian theology and exegesis that precluded reading the New Testament in this way."  From Introduction to Messianic Judaism, 27 (emphasis his).You can also watch on our YouTube channelFollow us on Social Media:FacebookInstagram--------------Bibliography:  Adat Hatikvah Messianic Synagogue Statement of Faith  Baruch Hashem Messianic Synagogue Statement of Faith David Rudolph, "Messianic Judaism in Antiquity and in the Modern Era," in Introduction to Messianic Judaism: Its Ecclesial Context and Biblical Foundations, 21-36.  Jacob Rosenberg, "History and Practices in the Messianic Je

Recently, we were sent a Times of Israel blog by its author, Rabbi Joel Hoffman, entitled, "Why Messianic Judaism is Fake." We thought this was a good opportunity to try our hand at doing a live reaction as we read it for the first time! There is much more that could have been said, and much that we could have said more clearly. Hopefully, it is edifying and entertaining nonetheless!To support our work in responding to counter-missionaries,you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateIf you'd like to see more content like this let us know!   If you'd like to hear a more careful presentation of what we discussed here, check out our videos "Does the Resurrection Prove Jesus is the Messiah? A Jewish Response to a Jewish Objection" and "Did Jesus Replace Judaism? A Messianic Jewish Response to Andy Stanley"  Link to article: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/why-messianic-judaism-is-fake/ [Accessed Dec. 30, 2021]_________________  0:00 – Intro0:58 – Predicting what Rabbi Hoffman means by “Messianic Judaism is Fake”5:40 – Reacting to Rabbi Hoffman’s comments on a Messianic rabbi praying in Jesus’s name at Mike Pence’s prayer rally in tribute to the eleven Jews murdered in Pittsburgh  10:33 – Reacting to Rabbi Hoffman’s “refutation of Christianity and Messianic Judaism in just 30 seconds”13:11 – Was Jesus Torah observant?17:51 – How can Jesus be the Messiah even though he did not fulfill the major criteria/requirements of the Messiah?_________________You can also watch on our YouTube channelFollow us on Social Media:FacebookInstagram______________________  Music: https://www.bensound.com

While Christmas is not part of the Messianic Jewish calendar we affirm the Church's celebration of this tradition as a wonderful way to celebrate the birth and incarnation of the Messiah. There are many Hebrew Roots channels that argue Christmas is steeped in paganism and that the Church should not celebrate the holiday. For this episode, we are joined by Michael Jones of Inspiring Philosophy--a channel that has had a lot of influence on us--and he shares with us his research that Christmas does not have pagan roots and even if it did, it wouldn't matter. Enjoy!To support our work in challenging the Hebrew Rootsmovement, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate____________________0:00 – Introduction1:41 – What was your position before doing this research?3:14 – What primary and secondary sources are most relevant to this discussion?6:09 – How does the anti-Christmas crowd use the term “pagan”?6:52 – Does Jeremiah 10.2-4 condemn Christmas trees?9:52 – Does Isaiah 44.14-15 condemn Christmas trees?10:42 – Does Jeremiah 3.13 condemn gifts under the tree?12:10 – If the anti-Christmas logic holds, what other things should we give up because they are apparently pagan?14:35 – What if Christmas does have pagan roots? Is abandoning it the right response?15:50 – What do you think causes the anti-Christmas crowd to take such a dramatic leap in logic?16:53 – What is the origin of the myth that Christmas is pagan?18:10 – When did Protestants come to accept Christmas as their own and why was it deemed ok?19:26 – What are your thoughts on Protestant leader, Charles Spurgeon’s view of Christmas? 22:45 – Was Saturnalia celebrated on December 25?23:58 – Was Sol Invictus celebrated on December 25?25:44 – Did Jewish festivals take place on pagan holidays?<a href="" target=

Not many people understand or have even heard of, Messianic Gentiles. Who are they? Who are they not? In this video, I define Messianic Gentiles as are non-Jewish members of Messianic synagogues who affirm the teachings of Messianic Judaism and live according to the Jewish norms of their synagogue. I then distinguish them from many groups with which they might be easily confused, particularly Hebrew Roots/One Law adherents. I also offer tips for how non-Jews can determine if God is leading them to join a Messianic synagogue. Enjoy! To support our work in challenging the Hebrew Rootsmovement, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate_____________________________00:00 – Introduction1:56 – Definition of a Messianic Gentile5:04 – What a Messianic Gentile is NOT7:19 – Distinguishing from Hebrew Roots/One Law13:00 – Other Hebrew Roots Errors25:26 – Unhealthy and Healthy Messianic Gentile Attitudes33:09 – Are you led to join a Messianic synagogue as a non-Jew?___________________________You can also watch on our YouTube channelFollow us on Social Media:     FacebookInstagram     ______________________________ Works Cited:  Dan Juster, Jewish Roots: Understanding Your Jewish Faith  Dan Juster, “The Annual Vilification of Christmas,”  https://loveforhispeople.com/2019/12/17/the-annual-vilification-of-christmas-dan-juster/David Rudolph and Elliot Klayman, “Messianic Jewish Synagogues,” in Introduction to Messianic Judaism.David Rudolph, “One New Man, Hebrew Roots, Replacement Theology”https://collective.tku.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/One-New-Man-Hebrew-Roots-Replacement-Theology.pdfInternational Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues, “One Law, Two Sticks: A Critical Look at the Hebrew Roots Movement”Jeff Adler, “Gentiles Within The Messianic Jewish Community,” in The Borough Parks Papers: Symposium III.  Joel Liberman, “Grappling with Christmas as a Messianic (Jewish) Believer,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp-fZXX9_cMJoseph Culbertson, “Rediscovering My Gentile Roots,” in Kesher: A Journal For Messianic Judaism 36.  Rich Nichol, “The Unique Place o

Many Christians read Colossians 2.16-17 as validation that the Torah is obsolete, specifically the observance of Shabbat, Jewish festivals, and kosher laws. But is this Paul’s point? I don’t think so. In this video, I explain why through a careful analysis of the Greek text in its literary and historical context. I argue that Paul is exhorting the Colossians to not let ascetic critics who emphasize self-denial judge them for eating and drinking, celebrating Shabbat and Jewish festivals instead of fasting and afflicting themselves. He is telling the Colossians to not consider the judgment from the critics, but instead, they should consider the Messiah’s body, keeping their minds focused on Jesus and what he did for them. To translate the text, I rely on much of the arguments and translation decisions from Brian Allen’s article, “Removing an Arrow from the Supersessionist Quiver: A Post-Supersessionist Reading of Colossians 2.16-17,” Journal for the Study of Paul and His Letters 8 (2018) 127-146.   You can also watch on our YouTube channel Follow us on Social Media:    Facebook   Instagram    If you are looking for a way to support us and our work, you can become a monthly supporter on Subscribestar We also have: PayPal  Merch shop _________________________________________    References:    Brian Allen, “Removing an Arrow from the Supersessionist Quiver: A Post-Supersessionist Reading of Colossians 2.16-17,” Journal for the Study of Paul and His Letters 8 (2018) 127-146.   David Rudolph, “Was Paul Championing a New Freedom from — or End to — Jewish Law?” in Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity: Biblical, Theological, and Historical Essays on the Relationship between Christianity and Judaism, ed. Gerald R.McDermott (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2021),  33-50.    Troy Martin, By Philosophy and Empty Deceit: Colossians as Response to a Cynic Critique, JSNTSup 118 (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic, 1996). Troy Martin, “But Let Everyone Discern the Body of

How should Messianic Jews understand the role of Torah, rabbinic tradition, and the leading of the Holy Spirit in their lives and communities? There are multiple Messianic Jewish answers to this question and today we had on Messianic Jewish scholar, Dr. Jennifer Rosner and Messianic Jewish rabbi, Joshua Lessard to discuss their book "At the Foot of the Mountain: Two Views on the Torah and Spirit" where they explore these issues from different perspectives.To support our work in strengthening the faith and identityof Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateYou can also watch on our YouTube channel Follow us on Social Media:   Facebook Instagram _________________________________________      Get the book! Rabbi Josh's website Dr. Rosner's website_________________________________________ 00:00 - Introduction 1:53 - Rabbi Josh's opening Comments 6:10 - Dr. Rosner's opening Comments 11:02 - Is one of the purposes of the Torah to maintain the distinction between Israel and the nations? If so, does the New Testament affirm or overturn this purpose? 30:00 - What place does rabbinic tradition have in the life of a Messianic Jew? Is there an inherent tension between tradition and the Spirit? 45:58 - What might Messianic Judaism look like if it adopted your perspective? 1:03:27 - Can a Messianic Jew be called to church membership rather than the Messianic synagogue? 1:08:10 - How do you understand the New Testament passages that seem to speak harshly about the Torah? 1:17:53 - H

Hebrew Roots and One Law teachers like Lex Meyer of Unlearn the Lies and Tim Hegg of Torah Resource frequently argue that Christians should celebrate Sukkot and all other Jewish Festivals because of the prophecy found in Zechariah 14:16-19. This is contrary to the Messianic Jewish position. I argue that Christians do not have this responsibility and appeal to Messianic Jewish leaders like Dr. David Rudolph, Dr. Daniel Juster, and Rabbi Russ Resnik in support of this position. Christians are not deficient for not observing distinctly Jewish customs.   To support our work in challenging the Hebrew Rootsmovement, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateYou can also watch on our YouTube channel Follow us on Social Media:   Facebook Instagram _________________________________________   References:   Lex Meyer from Unlearn the Lies clip from his Sukkot video  Tim Hegg's articles: "Are the Festivals (Moedim) for Today" "One Law Movements: A Response to Russ Resnik & Daniel Juster" Dr. Daniel Juster and Rabbi Russ Resnik article: "One Law Movements: A Challenge to the Messianic Jewish Community" Dr. David Rudolph: Joshua Lessard and Jennifer Rosner, At the Foot of the Mountain: Two Views on Torah and Spirit, xxiv, n29.   "One New Man, Hebrew Roots, Replacement Theology" _________________________________________    Music: https://www.bensound.com

Did Jesus oppose Judaism and come to replace it with his brand-new religion of Christianity? Was ancient Judaism a legalistic religion of works-righteousness? Did Jesus make the Law obsolete? Many people assume the answer to all these questions is yes. But is that true? In this video, we tackle these questions, building the case that the way Jesus teaches, lives, and debates situates him within Second Temple Judaism. Pastor Andy Stanley precisely articulates the way many Christians answer the questions above. So, in this video, we interact with some of the points he makes in his book, Irresistible: Reclaiming the New that Jesus Unleashed for the World.   To support our work in combating replacement theology, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate0:00 - Intro 2:54 - What did "Judaism" mean during the time of Jesus? 4:33 - The fundamental problem with the idea that Jesus opposed Judaism 6:54 - Jesus teaches the heart of the Torah (Mark 12.30-31) 13:57 - Jesus wears tzitzit and tefillin (Matt 9.20; 23.5) 15:25 - Jesus observes Jewish traditions 16:13 - Jesus debates with Pharisees on what is lawful on the Sabbath (Matt 12.11-13) 28:11 - Was ancient Judaism a legalistic religion of works-righteousness?  35:38 - Did Jesus make the Law obsolete? (Response to Pastor Andy Stanley's reading of Matt 5.17) 46:06 - Summary 47:07 - Current scholarship on Jesus within Judaism 49:31 - Conclusion  ________________________________________  You can also watch on our YouTube channel Follow us on Social Media:  FacebookInstagram _________________________________________  "The Shema's Impact on the Gospel and Replacement Theology"  "Did Jesus Come to Destroy the Law? Responding to Rabbi Tovia Singer" Dr. Nicholas Schaser's interview on Matthew 5 _________________________________________  Noted works:  Boyarin, Daniel. “Semantic Differences; or ‘Judaism’/‘Christianity’.” In The Ways that Never Parted: Jews and Christians in Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages, edited by Annette Yokisho Reed and Adam H. Becker, 65-85. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2007.Flusser, David. Jesus. 3rd ed. Jerusalem: The Hebrew University Magnes Press, 2001.  Levine, Amy-Jill.

Many people believe that Jesus came to replace Judaism and its Torah with something brand new. His teachings then stand in stark conflict with his Jewish contemporaries. Rabbi Matt Rosenberg essentially says, “I beg to differ” in his newly released book, Jesus Never Said Anything New. In this interview, he tackles this important subject that affects how Jews and Christians understand Jesus and live out his teachings today. Enjoy! To support our work in strengthening the faith and identityof Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate  0:00 – Intro0:42 – What do you mean by “Jesus never said anything new”?11:38 – How do you respond to Pastor Andy Stanley’s claim that Jesus’s new command in John 13.34 replaces all of the Torah’s commandments? 20:35 – scholars, pastors, and Jesus-believing Jews discovering the Jewishness of Jesus  31:16 – Reframing our view of “the Pharisees” through Jesus’s parables in Luke 1537:57 – What is the relationship between loving God and keeping His commandments?40:55 – Are Gentiles also obligated to keep the commandments?  46:27 – A word from Rabbi Matt’s for the Messianic community  49:01 – Conclusion  You can purchase Rabbi Matt's book on Amazon_________________________________________   You can also listen on our YouTube channelFollow us on Social Media:FacebookInstagramMatt Rosenberg is the Rabbi at Restoration, a Messianic synagogue in Seattle, Washington. He is ordained by the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues (IAMCS) and serves as its Northwest director. He has a B.A. in Religion from Nyack College and completed course work towards an M.A. at Alliance Theological Seminary in Nyack, New York. For five years, before moving to Se

Thank you All-Stars for your support and your questions! If you want to become an All-Star and submit questions for the mailbag episodes, follow this link and subscribe at any tier for early access to content and the ability to ask questions for the mailbags! To support our work in strengthening the faith and identityof Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateFor these mailbag episodes, we want to feel the freedom to give experimental answers and test out ideas that may become future "lecture-style" videos. Because of this, we would especially like to hear your feedback! If you disagree, have anything to add, or want to pitch us to make a fuller treatment of a topic, please let us know! You can message us at [email protected].   00:00 - Introduction to the Mailbag2:27 - Why was the Temple destroyed? What about the sacrifices after Yeshua's crucifixion and resurrection?19:58 - Bad and Good Reasons to be a Messianic Gentile [Bonus Question!]30:13 - Should Jewish Believers follow Torah? What about Jewish Tradition?  Videos mentioned:The Shema's Impact on the Gospel and Replacement TheologyDid Jesus Come to Destroy the Law? (Jonathan's Treatment of Matthew 5)Did Paul Teach Against Torah in Acts 21?Christmas is Not Pagan - Inspiring PhilosophyEaster is Not Pagan - Inspiring PhilosophyArticles mentioned:Anders Runesson, “Saving the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel: Purity, Forgiveness, and Synagogues in the Gospel of Matthew,” Melilah 11 (2014), 8-24.Russ Resnik, "Messianic Je

Earlier this year, Reverend Brandan Robertson came out with a Tik Tok video claiming that Jesus was a racist. In a later YouTube video with Dr. Miguel De La Torre, he elaborates that Jesus inherited his racism from his Jewish community. De La Torre makes these same claims in this video and in his sermon, “Was Jesus a Racist?” Their teaching is not just historically and exegetically wrong; it fuels anti-Semitism, which is unfortunately on the rise today. This is my response.To support our work in combating antisemitism, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate0:00 – Introduction and Thesis Statement  4:22 – Gentiles as animals in Peter’s vision (Acts 10.11-16)8:07 – Jews and Gentiles as animals in the Tanakh (Jeremiah 50.6; Psalm 79.13; Isaiah 11.6)9:25 – Jesus calls Jewish people animals (Matthew 15.24)9:56 – Jews and Gentiles as animals in 1 Enoch 9012:46 – Gentiles as animals in Mark 7.27  13:34 – Why did Jesus prioritize ministering to Jews during his earthly ministry?  15:52 – Why did Jesus call the Gentile woman a dog?16:22 – Brandan Robertson’s and Dr. Miguel De La Torre’s claim that Jesus inherited his racism from his Jewish community18:00 – Dr. Miguel De La Torre’s sermon, “Was Jesus a Racist?”20:30 – Was Jesus white?  22:35 – Did Jesus exclude Gentiles from God’s plan of salvation?25:18 – Was Jesus’s Jewish community racist?  31:22 – Conclusion_________________________________________  You can also listen on our YouTube ChannelFollow us on Social Media:  FacebookInstagram____________________________Reverend Brandan Robertson's original Tik Tok video - "Was Jesus Racist?"Dr. Miguel De La Torre's sermon - "Was Jesus a Racist?"Brandan Robertson's and Dr. Miguel De La Torre's video defending their viewsSee other responses to Brandan Robertson:  Mike Winger: "When You Throw Jesus Under the Bus For Your Social Agenda"Whaddo

For centuries, scholars have argued that Paul thought the Church replaced Israel as God's chosen people and that Jewish identity is erased upon the acceptance of Jesus's Gospel message. Here, I argue that when you carefully read Paul's use of the Shema in Romans 3.27-31 and use the Tanakh, Josephus, and later rabbinic literature to expand your interpretative imagination, you find Paul understood God remained the God of Israel and that Jewish Jesus-followers were to maintain their Jewish identity.   To support our work in combating replacement theology, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate00:00 - Introduction and Thesis Statement3:10 - The Shema as a Pledge to the God of Israel in Deuteronomy 6.46:40 - The Shema abbreviated to 'God is One'  8:13 - The Shema in Zechariah 14.912:40 - The Shema in Josephus 16:12 - Josephus, Paul, and Gentile Conversion20:31 - Paul's Use of the Shema in Romans 3.29-3026:17 - The Shema in Rabbinic Tradition30:24 - The Shema and the Gospel_________________________________________  You can also listen on our YouTube ChannelFollow us on Social Media:FacebookInstagram_________________________________________  Key Citations:  Josephus was about 19 and active in the Jewish world around when Paul wrote Romans (~55 CE). See The Life of Josephus 10-11. And, F. B. A. Asiedu, Paul and His Letters: Thinking with Josephus (Lanham: Lexington Books/Fortress Academic, 2020), xxv.  Paul and Josephus Claimed to be Pharisees. See The Life of Josephus 10–11; Phil. 3:4-5. And, Asiedu, Paul and His Letters, xxiii.  Paul and Josephus are writing to Gentiles. For example, Against Apion 1.1–3, 314; 2.1, 65–67, 147, 296; cf. Rom. 1:6, 13; 1 Cor. 12:2; Gal. 5:1-2.  Josephus's comments on Gentile conversion. For neutral to positive reactions, see Antiquities of the Jews 18.81–84; 20.17–96. For a negative reaction, see The Life of Josephus 111–112.  Noted works:Mark Nanos, “Paul and the Jewish Tradi

Traditional Jewish scholar, Dr. Zev Garber and Messianic Jewish scholar, Dr. Mark Kinzer participate in a discussion on whether a divine Messiah fits within Judaism and how Messianic Judaism's view of Jesus's incarnation affects its relationship to the broader Jewish world. This discussion took place at the 2020 Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting to interact with the ideas presented in Dr. Kenneth Hanson’s and Dr. Zev Garber’s book, Judaism and Jesus, a book analyzing the historical Jesus and Messianic Judaism.To support our work in strengthening the faith and identityof Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate00:00 -  Introduction 1:43 - Dr. Mark Kinzer  22:26 - Dr. Zev Garber 50:04 - OutroYou can also listen on our YouTube ChannelFollow us on Social Media:FacebookInstagramJudaism and Jesus - https://www.amazon.com/Judaism-Jesus-Kenneth-Hanson-Garber/dp/1527555259Dr. Mark Kinzer is Senior Scholar and President Emeritus of Messianic Jewish Theological Institute, a graduate school preparing leaders for service in the Messianic Jewish movement. Dr. Kinzer received his PhD in Near Eastern Studies from the University of Michigan (1995), and his rabbinical ordination from the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (2001). He is author of Jerusalem Crucified, Jerusalem Risen: The Resurrected Messiah, the Jewish People, and the Land of Promise (Cascade, 2018), Postmissionary Messianic Judaism: Redefining Christian Engagement with the Jewish People (Brazos, 2005), Israel’s Messiah and the People of God: A Vision for Messianic Jewish Covenant Fidelity (Cascade, 2011), and Searching Her Own Mystery: Nostra Aetate, the Jewish People, and the Identity of the Church (Cascade, 2015). Dr. Kinzer has served on the Theology Committee of the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) since 1996, and was a member of the subcommittees which drafted the UMJC’s Defining Messianic Judaism document (2005) and the revised UMJC Statement of Faith (2012). From: https://www.markkinzer.com/bioZev Garber is Professor Emeritus a

Traditional Jewish scholar, Dr. Kenneth Hanson and Messianic Jewish scholar, Dr. David Rudolph participate in a discussion on whether Jesus claimed to be God and the impact these readings of the New Testament have on Messianic Judaism's relationship to the broader Jewish world. This discussion took place at the 2020 Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting to interact with the ideas presented in Dr. Kenneth Hanson’s and Dr. Zev Garber’s book, Judaism and Jesus, a book analyzing the historical Jesus and Messianic Judaism.    To support our work in strengthening the faith and identityof Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate00:00 - 1:54 - Introduction1:54 - 21:04 - Dr. Kenneth Hanson  21:04 - 41:25 - Dr. David Rudolph41:25 - 42:07 - Outro  You can also listen on our YouTube ChannelFollow us on Social Media:FacebookInstagramJudaism and Jesus - https://www.amazon.com/Judaism-Jesus-Kenneth-Hanson-Garber/dp/1527555259Dr. Hanson's YouTube channelDr. Rudolph's websiteMusic: https://www.bensound.com

One of the primary arguments a prominent Jewish counter-missionary gave us for why we should leave Messianic Judaism is that Jesus was a copy of pagan myths and never existed as a historical figure. In this final video of the three-part series, we show why this argument is historically implausible based on what our sources tell us about first-century Jewish views of paganism and the fact that the early Jesus movement was a sect within Judaism.  To support our work in responding to counter-missionaries,you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateYou can also listen on our YouTube ChannelFollow us on Social Media:FacebookInstagramTranslations:  The Wisdom of Solomon – NRSV 1 Maccabees – NRSV Tacitus, Histories – https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Tacitus/Histories/5A*.htmlJosephus, Antiquities of the Jews – William Whiston (1987)  Dr. Isaac Oliver's dissertation - Torah Praxis after 70 C.E.: Reading Matthew and Luke-Acts as Jewish Texts Recommended videos:Is Jesus a Copy of Pagan gods? Testing the Logic | Part 1 Jesus a Copy of Pagan gods? Testing the Sources | Part 2 Did Paul Teach Against Torah in Acts 21? Responding to Rabbi Michael Skobac  Dr. Mike Licona, “Did the Early Christians BORROW from Pagan Myths?” Inspiring Philosophy, “Was Jesus a copycat Savior?”Whaddo You Meme?? "Was Christianity Copied From Pagan Myth? (Mary Jo Sharp)" Mike Winger, “Jesus Wasn’t a Pagan God: Debunking Zeitgeist and Religulous”Podcast episode: <a href="https://soundcloud.com/capturingchristianity/cc009-was-jesus-copied-from-p

One of the primary arguments a prominent Jewish counter-missionary gave us for why we should leave Messianic Judaism is that Jesus was a copy of pagan myths and never existed as a historical figure. In this second video of the three-part series, we go directly to the primary sources. Long story short, this counter-missionary is wrong about the parallels between Jesus and Osiris and Dionysus.To support our work in responding to counter-missionaries,you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateYou can also listen on our YouTube ChannelFollow us on Social Media:FacebookInstagramTranslations:New Testament: ESV2 Maccabees: NRSVSibylline Oracles: George W. E. Nickelsburg, Jr., Resurrection, Immortality, and Eternal Life in Intertestamental Judaism, Harvard Theological Studies 26 (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1972), 94.Plutarch, Isis and Osiris: https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Moralia/Isis_and_Osiris*/A.html Recommended videos:Dr. Mike Licona, “Did the Early Christians BORROW from Pagan Myths?” Inspiring Philosophy, “Was Jesus a copycat Savior?”Whaddo You Meme?? "Was Christianity Copied From Pagan Myth? (Mary Jo Sharp)" Mike Winger, “Jesus Wasn’t a Pagan God: Debunking Zeitgeist and Religulous”Podcast episode: Capturing Christianity, Featuring Mary Jo Sharp _________________________________Music: https://www.bensound.com

One of the primary arguments a prominent Jewish counter-missionary gave us for why we should leave Messianic Judaism is that Jesus was a copy of pagan myths and never existed as a historical figure. In this episode, we show why his argument suffers from a logical fallacy, and even if this argument were true and sound, it would mean that one of Judaism’s greatest heroes never existed. It’s a weak argument, and we as Messianic Jews should not be bothered by it.   To support our work in responding to counter-missionaries,you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateYou can also listen on our YouTube Channel   Follow us on Social Media:   Facebook InstagramTranslations: Talmud: https://www.sefaria.org/texts/TalmudNew Testament: ESVRecommended videos:  Dr. Mike Licona, “Did the Early Christians BORROW from Pagan Myths?”     Inspiring Philosophy, “Was Jesus a copycat Savior?”    Whaddo You Meme?? "Was Christianity Copied From Pagan Myth? (Mary Jo Sharp)"   Mike Winger, “Jesus Wasn’t a Pagan God: Debunking Zeitgeist and Religulous”  Podcast episode: Capturing Christianity, Featuring Mary Jo Sharp _________________________________   Music: https://www.bensound.com

Listen in as we share our story of how we navigated conversations with atheist professors, atheist and agnostic classmates, and Jewish counter-missionaries while in college! We hope you find encouragement, entertainment, and empowerment as we give you a sneak peek into parts of the journey that has led to us launching Two Messianic Jews! Enjoy! To support our work in responding to counter-missionaries,you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateYou can listen to more content on our YouTube channel Follow us on Social Media:     Facebook Instagram  References mentioned in the podcast: *we don't endorse every view of each one of these thinkers, but they each have extremely valuable content in their libraries that have helped us tremendously* YouTube channel Recommendations: David Wood  Mike Winger  Inspiring Philosophy Whaddo You Meme?? Capturing Christianity Mike Licona William Lane Craig Frank Turek Book Recommendations: Introduction to Messianic Judaism David Stern - Jewish New Testament Commentary Case for the Resurrection

Does Acts 21 confirm that Paul taught against Torah-observance for Jews?  According to Rabbi Michael Skobac of Jews for Judaism, Acts 21 shows  Paul's "real position" was that Jews should stop obeying the Torah. I  walk through the whole account of Acts 21.17-26 to demonstrate that it  says the exact opposite! Acts 21 shows that Paul was a Torah-observant  Jew himself and taught other Jewish followers of Jesus to do the same.   To support our work in responding to counter-missionaries,you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate00:00 - Introduction 1:26 - Rabbi Michael Skobac's Objection in Acts 21 2:38 - Responding to Rabbi Michael Skobac's Objection in Acts 21 12:05 - Was Paul just 'becoming a Jew to the Jews'? (1 Corinthians 9) 16:54 - Deeper Analysis of Acts 21.17-26                          19:54 - What does 'zealous for the Law' mean?                           23:20 - What is a Nazirite vow?                           26:48 - How did the rumor about Paul in Acts 21 start? 32:10 - Summary and Conclusion    Covenantal responsibility is as Rabbi Russ Resnik says, “to live as  members of a people chosen by God and given in Scripture a unique set of instructions and obligations; to live in a way that contributes to the  survival and destiny of the Jewish people.”   You can also listen on our YouTube channelFollow us on Social Media:    FacebookInstagram________________________________   Full video where I get the clip of Rabbi Michael Skobac   Dr. David Rudolph's website and book on 1 Corinthians 9   Dr. Mark Nanos's website _________________________________ Music: https://www.bensound.com

Rabbi Tovia Singer argues that in Matthew 5:27-28, Jesus claims that if one is even tempted to commit adultery, then they have already committed the sin. Jesus's point, therefore, is that the Torah is impossible to follow. In this video, we respond to this argument and show why Rabbi Singer is misunderstanding Jesus.   To support our work in responding to counter-missionaries,you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donateNote: The argument made in this video is that the Torah is possible to keep, and Jesus expects his Jewish followers to observe it. There are other questions that are certainly worth addressing. Which commandments are exclusively for Jews? Which commandments are possible to observe today? If Gentiles are required to follow the commandments not to covet or commit adultery, why are they not obligated to keep the Sabbath? These and many more questions will be discussed in future videos!      0:00 – Intro 0:48 – Rabbi Tovia Singer’s Argument 3:08 – Reading in context – Matthew 5:17-20  4:06 – What does “abolish” mean? 5:05 – What does “fulfill” mean?  7:37 – What is the purpose of Matthew 5:17-20? 8:15 – Is Jesus contradicting the Torah? 11:04 – Presentation of Dr. Jason Staples’s reading of Matthew 5:27-28           11:15 – Jesus is pointing back to the tenth commandment.           12:54 – What did "lust" mean in the first century?           13:45 – A better translation of Matthew 5:28  16:12 – What is Jesus saying? 17:11 - Conclusion  You can also listen on our YouTube channelFollow us on Social Media:   FacebookInstagram<a href="https://youtu.be/_Oxp2iE6xww " target="_bl

Rabbi Michael Skobac claims Paul did not mention "literally anything whatsoever" about the life and teachings of Jesus. If true, this casts doubt on whether Paul knew anything about Jesus's life and teachings.  For some (not Rabbi Skobac), they make this claim to support an argument that Jesus did not exist! We explore Paul's letters to show that Paul does mention Jesus's life and frequently echoes, alludes to, and even quotes Jesus's teachings.  To support our work in responding to counter-missionaries,you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate00:00 - Introduction00:59 - Rabbi Skobac's Objection5:00 - Where Rabbi Skobac was right5:36 - Why doesn't Paul tell us more about Jesus?7:36 - What does Paul tell us about Jesus's life?12:54 - Why doesn't Paul quote Jesus more?17:02 - Does Paul mention the Sermon on the Mount?19:25 - Does Paul mention Jesus's parables?21:44 - Does Paul ever quote Jesus?   You can also listen on our YouTube channelFollow us on Social Media:   FacebookInstagramSome other echoes and allusions to Jesus's teachings in Paul:  1 Corinthians 7:10-11 cf. Mark 10:9-12; Matt. 5:321 Corinthians 9:14 cf. Luke 10:7; Matt. 10:101 Thessalonians 4:15-17 cf. Matt. 24:30-31  Some resources saying Paul talked about Jesus:  James Dunn, "Jesus Tradition in Paul," in Studying the Historical Jesus:  Evaluations of the State of Current Research, ed. Bruce Chilton and  Craig Evans.  Paul Eddy and Gregory Boyd, "The 'Silence' of Paul," in The Jesus  Legend.  Seyoon Kim, "Jesus, Sayings of," in Dictionary of Paul and His Letters.   Some resources saying Paul did not talk about Jesus:  E. Doherty, The Jesus Puzzle: Did Christianity Begin with a Mythical Christ?   G. A. Wells, The Historical Evidence for Jesus.   Music: https://www.bensound.com