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“A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God” (Rom 2:28-29).

Paul is NOT teaching here that a Gentile who has a heart for God is a Jew!—Nor is he teaching that a Jew who doesn’t have a heart for God is not really Jewish. This statement is connected to a broader teaching about passing judgment—and the tendency on the part of many people to judge others without taking into consideration their own behavior.

Paul is saying that we should be careful not to criticize others for behavior that we engage in ourselves. For Yeshua, the Rabbis and for Paul, this was hypocrisy! And, it involves the “disconnect” between who we are on the “inside” and what we pretend to be on the “outside.” This pretense can take many forms and is often the result of a sense that we are superior to others because of the religious activities that we engage in—especially if others do not.

Paul’s point? That true spirituality is about the “inside” and the “outside” together. As when the former reflects the latter, and vice-versa. It is the connection between “form” and “substance,” “shadow” and “light”—the circumcision of both flesh and heart—NEVER the one without the other.

“Dispensationalism takes its name from the idea that biblical history is best understood in light of a series of dispensations in the Bible.” Various “models” of Dispensational theology identify between three and seven dispensations. They are variously identified as “periods,” “administrations,” or “epochs” of time during which God works in the lives of people in a particular way, especially in terms of what is required for “salvation.” …

DispensationalismRead More »

What is the nature of God? Does He have a form? If He does, what does He look like? Does He speak to us in an audible voice? If He does, what does His voice sound like? Why does God … (fill in the blank)? Questions without answers. But, is that a bad thing? In Jewish thought, it is actually a very good thing!  And in fact, it is not the answer that is important at all, but the question. Some questions will not be answered on this side of eternity and we need to appreciate it rather than allow it to be disconcerting. The secrets of the Torah are not to be found only in the answers but in the questions!  Why? Well that is a question our Sages have many answers for.  …

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace’” (Zech 8:19).

Zechariah was a “post-Exilic” prophet, i.e., he prophesied after Israel’s return from Captivity in Babylon. In his day, the people of Israel were seriously disheartened—their once beautiful city of Jerusalem lay in ruins and Solomon’s magnificent Temple has been destroyed. It must have seemed to many of the Returnees that God was still upset with them—for the task of rebuilding the Temple and the city and its walls was overwhelming.

Of course, part of Zechariah’s purpose was to encourage the people to rebuild, and that God was still very much with them—in spite of their sin and the calamity they experienced as a result of it. But, God was interested in much more than the rebuilding of a city—He wanted His people to re-commit themselves to His Ways as well. …

Tisha b’Av (the 9th of Av)Read More »

We like to think of “faith” as something strong—“trust” as something unwavering.  But, on occasion, we doubt … we have uncertainty.  We don’t like to admit it, but we are sometimes plagued with doubt. And, then we begin to worry, and wonder if we have any faith at all. It might surprise you to know that doubt and uncertainty can result in an even stronger “faith.” …

The Lesson of Doubt—Learning to Ask the Right QuestionsRead More »