Dark Priest
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The Jewish Rabbi Yahushua Ha Mashiach (now commonly referred to as "Jesus") was a devout adherent to Torah (Jewish Religious Law) as were his direct disciples and followers. Pauline-Roman Christianity, which represents the majority of modern Christendom, originated and has developed as heretical sects which do not follow the original teachings or practices of Rabbi Yahushua.
Rabbi Yahushua explicitly taught and upheld the Torah through his words and deeds. Pauline-Roman Christians today (which include all three major branches--Orthodox, Roman Rite and Protestant) argue that "Jesus" implicitly taught Torah nullification implicitly and base their argument on one specific word while ignoring specific, explicit teachings and behaviors of not only the Rabbi, but his followers both before and after his death.
Some initial points of consideration to begin this discussion are:
1. The Torah was written as an eternal contract. The teachings in The Law and The Prophets very clearly indicate that G-d's Laws and Commitments are everlasting. (Deuteronomy 4:2, 4:40, 5:29, 11:1, 12:32 etc.). In fact, the explicit instructions, examples and implicit teachings of the eternal natural of G-d's covenant are too numerous to include in one thread.
The 613 laws contained within Torah were explicit. Repeal or nullification of explicit laws requires a specific process where explicit nullification language is presented through an accepted repeal process recognized as valid by the society bound by such law.
And a promise is a promise right? Pauline-Roman Christians use the example of G-d's promise after the flood to teach about the nature of G-d's everlasting, permanent and unbreakable promise; however, they find that is somehow doesn't apply to Torah observance. This inconsistency is illogical and irrational.
2. Yahushua explicitly taught Torah observance:
Rabbi Yahushua explicitly taught and upheld the Torah through his words and deeds. Pauline-Roman Christians today (which include all three major branches--Orthodox, Roman Rite and Protestant) argue that "Jesus" implicitly taught Torah nullification implicitly and base their argument on one specific word while ignoring specific, explicit teachings and behaviors of not only the Rabbi, but his followers both before and after his death.
Some initial points of consideration to begin this discussion are:
1. The Torah was written as an eternal contract. The teachings in The Law and The Prophets very clearly indicate that G-d's Laws and Commitments are everlasting. (Deuteronomy 4:2, 4:40, 5:29, 11:1, 12:32 etc.). In fact, the explicit instructions, examples and implicit teachings of the eternal natural of G-d's covenant are too numerous to include in one thread.
The 613 laws contained within Torah were explicit. Repeal or nullification of explicit laws requires a specific process where explicit nullification language is presented through an accepted repeal process recognized as valid by the society bound by such law.
And a promise is a promise right? Pauline-Roman Christians use the example of G-d's promise after the flood to teach about the nature of G-d's everlasting, permanent and unbreakable promise; however, they find that is somehow doesn't apply to Torah observance. This inconsistency is illogical and irrational.
2. Yahushua explicitly taught Torah observance:
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:17-20 (NRSV)
"Then someone came to him and said, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 19:16-19 (NRSV)
(Obviously I expect the typical Pauline-Roman argument of the word "fulfill" as used in Matthew 5:17 to be presented. This will be addressed in a follow up post as I am just making initial points in this first post. A complete etymological and exegetical review of 'πληρόω" will be presented. Additionally, I expect and am prepared to answer the question of non-Peshat (simple-direct) interpretations of the text following Matthew 19:16-19. Multiple layers of interpretation is common to the study of scripture. Interestingly enough, Pauline Christians will simultaneously apply Peshat and Remez (hinted-deep) interpretations within the same passage so as to support their heretical doctrine.
3. The lack of a mob reaction to Matthew 5:17 indicates that the original listeners never understood that Rabbi Yahushuah was teaching or even insinuating an annulment of The Torah. This is an important point, because there are other stories in the NT where the crowd turns against the Rabbi and even attempt stoning him.
4. The disciples, followers and original church body were Torah observant. The people who actually knew the Rabbi and spent three years with him were all faithful to the Torah.
5. When asked which were the greatest commandments, Rabbi Yahushuah quoted The Torah:
" 'Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?' He said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.' " Matthew 22:36-40 (NRSV)
Pauline-Roman Christians will use this verse to attempt to support their heresy that G-d's law was nullified or replaced, but here, Rabbi Yahushuah was directly quoting Torah and His audience would have recognized these scriptures. (Deuteronomy 6:5, 10:12, [love G-d], Leviticus 19:18 & 34 [love neighbor]).
***The Paul argument***
I recognize that Pauline-Roman Christians will attempt to debate against what Rabbi actually said and did by quoting a man (Paul) who never once met the actual Rabbi nor ever spent any time with him. I would like to ask that for the sake of keeping this thread less than a hundred pages, we stick to what the Rabbi himself actually said and practiced as can be found in the gospels.
For this reason (brevity), I have not quoted other (non-Pauline) NT scripture which also support Torah observance.
"Then someone came to him and said, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 19:16-19 (NRSV)
(Obviously I expect the typical Pauline-Roman argument of the word "fulfill" as used in Matthew 5:17 to be presented. This will be addressed in a follow up post as I am just making initial points in this first post. A complete etymological and exegetical review of 'πληρόω" will be presented. Additionally, I expect and am prepared to answer the question of non-Peshat (simple-direct) interpretations of the text following Matthew 19:16-19. Multiple layers of interpretation is common to the study of scripture. Interestingly enough, Pauline Christians will simultaneously apply Peshat and Remez (hinted-deep) interpretations within the same passage so as to support their heretical doctrine.
3. The lack of a mob reaction to Matthew 5:17 indicates that the original listeners never understood that Rabbi Yahushuah was teaching or even insinuating an annulment of The Torah. This is an important point, because there are other stories in the NT where the crowd turns against the Rabbi and even attempt stoning him.
4. The disciples, followers and original church body were Torah observant. The people who actually knew the Rabbi and spent three years with him were all faithful to the Torah.
5. When asked which were the greatest commandments, Rabbi Yahushuah quoted The Torah:
" 'Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?' He said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.' " Matthew 22:36-40 (NRSV)
Pauline-Roman Christians will use this verse to attempt to support their heresy that G-d's law was nullified or replaced, but here, Rabbi Yahushuah was directly quoting Torah and His audience would have recognized these scriptures. (Deuteronomy 6:5, 10:12, [love G-d], Leviticus 19:18 & 34 [love neighbor]).
***The Paul argument***
I recognize that Pauline-Roman Christians will attempt to debate against what Rabbi actually said and did by quoting a man (Paul) who never once met the actual Rabbi nor ever spent any time with him. I would like to ask that for the sake of keeping this thread less than a hundred pages, we stick to what the Rabbi himself actually said and practiced as can be found in the gospels.
For this reason (brevity), I have not quoted other (non-Pauline) NT scripture which also support Torah observance.
