Recently I read an article by Andrew Strom called, "Return of the Judaizers?" In this article Strom points out some of the hidden dangers and extremes of what has become known as the "Hebrew" or "Jewish Roots Movement".
Now I don't believe it is wrong for Christians to understand and appreciate the Bible from an historical perspective, neither does Andrew Strom. Understanding the Hebrew and Jewish roots of those the Bible was written to or about is definitely important for correct interpretation or Biblical exegesis, especially of the New Testament. That is not the issue at heart. ----
According to Andrew Strom, the real issue at heart is the danger of adding to the finished work of Christ; At least with a certain segment of this movement. In this article he shares a story about a woman who was subtly caught up in following and depending on practicing the Torah as opposed to Jesus Christ because of the overemphasis of these Jewish roots. She didn’t stop believing in Jesus but she became “Judaized” by depending on her own efforts to obey the Torah, as opposed to the finished work of Christ alone.
As I read this article I began to think about how there is always a danger of being “Judaized”, not just through the “Jewish Roots Movement” but any movement, doctrine, or teaching that adds to the “gospel” message. Don’t get me wrong here. Doctrine and teaching is important and essential but there is always a danger of making a particular doctrine, even sound doctrine an end in itself, rather than a means to the ultimate end which is to know Christ in a personal and intimate way, and growing in His grace.
Take for example the imminent return of Christ and the rapture of the Church. Recently I had a discussion with somebody over this very topic and of course, we didn’t completely agree with our eschatology. At that point it would be easy for me to make my interpretation an “essential” truth to the Christian faith and become “legalistic” about it. But if I did that, would I not be adding to the “gospel” message. And if so, would I not be a “Judaizer” by requiring others to hold to this same doctrine?
Recently I read an article about learning to distinguish between “convictions” and “absolutes”. In this article the writer explains how important it is for Christians not to judge others regarding their own personal convictions. Saint Augustine stated, and I’m sure this is just a paraphrase, “In essentials unity, in non-essentials diversity, and in all things charity”.
It is my belief that as Christians, knowing what and why we believe is not only important and even essential, but in this endeavor we must always keep our faith centered in the finished work of Christ. If we do not we may also fall into the trap of being a “Judaizer”. Even John warned the Ephesian Church, which was doctrinally sound, not to forsake their first love (Rev 2:2-6). What was their first love? Was it the Church? Was it their “sound doctrine”? No, it was Christ and his finished work. Their faith had been solid in God’s grace as revealed in Jesus Christ and His cross (Eph 2:8-10). So how did they lose their first love? Most scholars believe that the Ephesian Church became haughty and prideful and turned away from depending on Christ alone.
Newsboys in their song called “In Christ Alone”, brings this message home.
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.
To conclude, I would like to challenge us to be on guard against becoming “Judaized” by adding to or overemphasizing our doctrine above our relationship with Christ.
Now I don't believe it is wrong for Christians to understand and appreciate the Bible from an historical perspective, neither does Andrew Strom. Understanding the Hebrew and Jewish roots of those the Bible was written to or about is definitely important for correct interpretation or Biblical exegesis, especially of the New Testament. That is not the issue at heart. ----
According to Andrew Strom, the real issue at heart is the danger of adding to the finished work of Christ; At least with a certain segment of this movement. In this article he shares a story about a woman who was subtly caught up in following and depending on practicing the Torah as opposed to Jesus Christ because of the overemphasis of these Jewish roots. She didn’t stop believing in Jesus but she became “Judaized” by depending on her own efforts to obey the Torah, as opposed to the finished work of Christ alone.
As I read this article I began to think about how there is always a danger of being “Judaized”, not just through the “Jewish Roots Movement” but any movement, doctrine, or teaching that adds to the “gospel” message. Don’t get me wrong here. Doctrine and teaching is important and essential but there is always a danger of making a particular doctrine, even sound doctrine an end in itself, rather than a means to the ultimate end which is to know Christ in a personal and intimate way, and growing in His grace.
Take for example the imminent return of Christ and the rapture of the Church. Recently I had a discussion with somebody over this very topic and of course, we didn’t completely agree with our eschatology. At that point it would be easy for me to make my interpretation an “essential” truth to the Christian faith and become “legalistic” about it. But if I did that, would I not be adding to the “gospel” message. And if so, would I not be a “Judaizer” by requiring others to hold to this same doctrine?
Recently I read an article about learning to distinguish between “convictions” and “absolutes”. In this article the writer explains how important it is for Christians not to judge others regarding their own personal convictions. Saint Augustine stated, and I’m sure this is just a paraphrase, “In essentials unity, in non-essentials diversity, and in all things charity”.
It is my belief that as Christians, knowing what and why we believe is not only important and even essential, but in this endeavor we must always keep our faith centered in the finished work of Christ. If we do not we may also fall into the trap of being a “Judaizer”. Even John warned the Ephesian Church, which was doctrinally sound, not to forsake their first love (Rev 2:2-6). What was their first love? Was it the Church? Was it their “sound doctrine”? No, it was Christ and his finished work. Their faith had been solid in God’s grace as revealed in Jesus Christ and His cross (Eph 2:8-10). So how did they lose their first love? Most scholars believe that the Ephesian Church became haughty and prideful and turned away from depending on Christ alone.
Newsboys in their song called “In Christ Alone”, brings this message home.
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.
To conclude, I would like to challenge us to be on guard against becoming “Judaized” by adding to or overemphasizing our doctrine above our relationship with Christ.
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