Earlier this week, we read the psalmist’s answer to the question, “How can a man keep his way pure?” In what became the longest chapter in the whole of Scripture, the psalmist gives a clear, repeated answer: God’s Law! The Law: the first 5 books of the Jewish and Christian Bibles. We are told that keeping God’s Law gives understanding, is sweeter than honey, is more valuable than riches. The psalmist tells us: keep the Law, weep when it’s disobeyed, call on God to act when it’s broken, learn the commandments from your youth, and your way will remain pure.
In spite of this, some in Christianity today consider keeping the Law to be a dangerous idea and practice, one that cancels Christ’s work on the cross. The validity of the Law is perhaps the single-most dividing point between Messianics like myself and our Christian brothers. While Messianics see God’s Law as His perpetual instructions to His people for living a holy life, Christians view the Law as old superfluous rules that passed away with the coming of Christ.
To address this discord, Messianic organization First Fruits of Zion comes to the rescue with a book that is, in truth, a must-have book for Christians: Boundary Stones, authored by Aaron Eby.
Oh, if only every Christian could get his hand on this book! As I finished reading it myself, my only thoughts were, “How can we get this message out? Christians need to read this!”
Boundary Stones is written for Christians:
- It uses Church language to discuss Jesus and why disciples of Jesus would consider the Law, avoiding rabbinical material and Hebrew terms that may be foreign to gentile Christians.
- It’s non-condemning in nature. It doesn’t delegitimize or belittle Christians or Christianity in any way.
- It uses Jesus’ style of teaching through questioning that challenges the Christian reader, reaching out to Christians graciously without condemnation.
- It’s basic and to-the-point. It’s short (~100 pages), uses simple plain language, it’s easy to read. Through this simple manner, Aaron Eby presents to Christians the case for keeping God’s Law.
The title “Boundary Stones”, aptly enough, comes from the Law itself:
Do not move your neighbor's boundary stone set up by your ancestors in the inheritance you receive in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess.
-Deuteronomy 19:14
In the coming weeks, fine blog readers, we’ll take an in-depth look at Boundary Stones as Aaron Eby addresses the modern Christian objections to the Law.
Shalom to you fine blog readers on this shabbat.
Thanks for this blog. I look forward to hearing your comments on this book and I hope to get a copy of it myself soon. As a Christian myself I have always found ffoz material to be very good and while it sticks regidly to what they believe (which is a good thing) they do so in a non-judgemental or condemnatory (if that is a word) manner. Thank-you Judah also for say "our christian brothers" some within the messianic movement would not consider us brothers.
ReplyDeletePeter
Nice.
ReplyDeleteJudah, I'm reading a book myself called "Meet the Rabbis (Rabbinic Thought and the Teachings of Jesus)" by Brad H. Young.
Its a Christian-friendly book, written by a Christian, portraying Yeshua's teachings in the correct context, the context of Judaism.
Its been an awesome book so far, I recommend it to everyone.
You can't follow 90% of the Torah today. The new covenant call for a higher standard in Jesus Christ. He gives us a new life and the Holy Spirit.
ReplyDeleteThis Torah worship has taken the place of Christ. Even Israel didn't follow the Torah.
I have asked many messianics if you follow the Torah what is the jealousy potion used for a jealous husband. No one can tell me.
The Boundary Stones sounds good but it is false teaching.
The Law of Moses was for Israel at a specific time and culture.
You can't follow 90% of the Torah today.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who's practiced Torah for the last 15 years or so, I say with certainty that's a false and irrelevant statement.
The new covenant call for a higher standard in Jesus Christ.
Yes. That standard goes above and beyond the Torah. It doesn't destroy or abolish it. Matthew 5:17-21.
The Law of Moses was for Israel at a specific time and culture.
Wrong again. "This is to be an everlasting covenant between me and children of Israel forever." <-- That's Torah.
"God didn't forsake Israel, his chosen people, did he? Far from it!" <--- That's New Testament.
Try again, and show some Scriptures next time instead of babbling nonsense you heard from the pulpit.
We have been studying your book in our congregation for the last few weeks. It's excellent, and dead on. I recommend to people constantly. You wrote down all the things I try to say when people ask me those questions. Now I have a clear way to explain it. Frankly, I've seen by experience, the ones most opposed to Torah applying to them are deep in sin themselves.
ReplyDeleteJudah,
ReplyDeleteWhat part of the Torah do you follow? You want some scripture read Galatians. You can't follow 90% of the Torah because it was for Israel during a specific time. Is all of the Torah from God?
Jesus didn't follow the Torah.
The Messianic Movement is of Satan period.
You are under bondage and blind. The Torah and the OT are not the foundation of the new covenant they were only a shadow of Christ. Christ is the foundation. Take off you blinders and read our Bible. There is more to the Torah than
Observing the Sabbath, eating kosher, wearing tzitits, and celebrating festivals but this is all that is emphasized.
Is the torah above man's laws?
If so why don't you stone your children for being disobedient.
I challenge you to a public debate as Paul debated those who were lost on Mars Hill. Are you up for it?
Shabbat Shalom Aaron Eby,
ReplyDeleteThank you for extremely interesting website.
Look here as to what some christians say about JEWELRY ofcourse not understanding the Toral correctly concerning generalisation about the Bible:
PIERCED EARS AND OTHER BODY PARTS
TATTOOS
Leviticus 19:28: You shall not make any cutting in your flesh for the dead, NOR print (tattoo) any marks upon you: I am the Lord.
Piercing your ears or other body parts could bring on sickness, diseases, and other problems (by the demons). Bell's Palsy and sexual problems are two known problems, as reported from other Deliverance ministries and this email - "Regarding your article on pierced earrings, I am living proof that this opens you up to bells palsy. I just recovered from bells palsy. I got BP because of wearing pierced earrings. Needless to say, I destroyed all of my pierced earrings. Please continue to warn others."
This also pertains to tattoos, needles, knives, razor blades, and anything that pierces the skin. According to Bible History, the only people who had pierced ears/nose were sorcerers, prostitutes, and slaves. Because of this origin, you should not pierce your skin. Hosea 2:13 And I will visit [punishment] upon her for the feast days of the Baals, when she burned incense to them and decked herself with her earrings and nose rings and her jewelry and went after her lovers and forgot Me, says the Lord.
Exodus 21:5-6 But if the servant [slave] shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go free, then his master shall bring him to God [the judges as His agents]; he shall bring him to the door or doorpost and shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him for life. Deuteronomy 15:17 Then thou shalt take an awl, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. Too late now? Just ask the Lord to forgive you, and break any curses you placed on yourself. Now throw those pierced earrings or whatever away, and in the name of Jesus, cast out any demons that may have entered you because of the breaking of the skin.
A book by William Sudduth, WHAT'S BEHIND THE INK is highly recommended. "Tattooing, body piercing and other fads thoroughly and convincingly exposed."
Available from THE CHILDREN'S BREAD MINISTRY, PO BOX 789, PLAINVIEW, TX 79073-0789 www.thechildrensbread.net for $9.00.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Email me at karoo7@mail.com
Shalom
Graeme