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Recent Theological Shifts at FFOZ

We have received several inquiries regarding alleged recent changes in First Fruits of Zion theology. We are deeply concerned with Mr. Hegg's characterization of First Fruits of Zion. Mr. Hegg of Torah Resources International voluntarily served as our theological review chair for several years. In 2006, we added several more members to the theological review team. The review team critiques and offers input on our materials before publication. We wanted to add advisors--respected educators and thinkers that better represented the diversity of thought and opinion within the Messianic Jewish movement, including leaders from the MJAA, UMJC, and, even further afield, mainstream Christianity and MIA leaders. Our goal was to have input from godly men from all sectors of the Messianic/Hebrew Roots faith. We invited Mr. Hegg to continue on with the new team as a theological advisor; he declined the offer.

Three years later, Mr. Hegg raises several allegations about "recent doctrinal shifts within the teachings of FFOZ" and has dedicated an eleven-page paper to the subject. As with all of our advisors and friends among the leadership of the Messianic movement, we respect Mr. Hegg's scholarship and take his input and his concerns seriously. He has labored long and hard in the kingdom and deserves sober consideration. For that reason, we hope to offer some clarity regarding his allegations.

1. Jews, Gentiles, and Torah

Mr. Hegg is concerned about our teaching regarding the difference between Jewish and Gentile relationship to Torah. Our position on Gentiles and Torah is well expressed in our books Boundary Stones, Restoration, and the forthcoming book Grafted In. In addition, we have dedicated a significant portion of the Messiah Journal (Issue #101, Summer 2009) to clarify the question of Gentile obligation to Torah. Get an overview of our theological perspective from our paper "Message and Mission" and read the blog post on "Gentiles and Torah".

2. "Normative Judaism"

Mr. Hegg is concerned about our relationship with greater Judaism, our utilization of Jewish sources, and halachic (legal) interpretations. First Fruits of Zion recognizes that Messianic believers are part of the greater people of Israel, but we do not endorse the authority of traditional non-Messianic Judaism over or above that of our Master or the apostles. Our position remains unchanged. We affirm the Bible as our sole authority. Rabbinic literature and Bible commentaries are intended to help illumine the meaning of the text, but are not on a par with Scripture. We regard greater Judaism and Jewish literature as an essential point of reference in the practice of Messianic Judaism but not as a final authority over believers. This is an important subject to be further addressed in upcoming issues of Messiah Journal. To learn more about our use of extra-biblical sources, see our teaching, "Hey, That's Not in the Bible!"

3. "A Kabbalistic approach to spirituality"

Mr. Hegg is concerned that, by Vine of David's recent publication of Paul P. Levertoff's Love and the Messianic Age and our accompanying study guide, First Fruits of Zion is encouraging Messianics to appreciate and accept a Kabbalistic approach to spirituality. First Fruits of Zion does not recommend or sanction Kabbalistic literature. Instead, Dr. Levertoff's material is intended as a study comparing and contrasting the theology of Chasidic Judaism with the theology of the Apostolic Scriptures. You can read the introduction to the Love and the Messianic Age Study Guide here.

4. "A Mystical Hermeneutic"

Mr. Hegg is concerned about our use of what he calls a "mystical hermeneutic" in our commentary on Paul P. Levertoff's Love and the Messianic Age, and he considers this to be a theological shift for the ministry of First Fruits of Zion. Nothing can be further from the truth. On the contrary, we have always maintained that Scripture must be read and understood from a Jewish perspective, as the teachings of our Master and the apostles aptly demonstrate. For that reason, our commentaries have always included Jewish interpretation, midrash, and insight into Scripture. We have always taught the Peshat, Remez, D'rash, Sod concept, a completely Jewish hermeneutic which implies that beyond the literal meaning of a text, additional insights may be discovered. In this approach, however, we have never diminished the importance and priority of a literal, historical, grammatical, contextual reading of the Bible. When commenting on a book about Jewish mysticism, we have naturally sought to explain the concepts presented therein and highlight parallel concepts in the teachings of Yeshua and the apostles. That should not be construed as an abandonment of a literal, historical, grammatical, contextual reading of Scripture. We are aware of the historical anachronism of comparing later Jewish literature with the Gospels and Epistles, and take that into consideration in our studies. For further information, see the Vine of David blog post at www.vineofdavid.org.

To be absolutely clear, First Fruits of Zion is still teaching Gentiles about the role of Torah in the lives of believers, encouraging them to take on the whole yoke of God's commandments. Our position on the full authority and sufficiency of the Scripture has not changed. We have sacrificed our lives for the Scripture, and we are grieved by these accusations.

As a staff, we were saddened to see Mr. Hegg's paper, but we want our readers and constituents to know that Mr. Hegg has only the best interests of the Messianic movement in mind. We encourage you to continue to study Mr. Hegg's insightful work and to uphold his ministry in prayer. Beyond this short note, we will not be engaging in any further responses or unproductive debates, arguments, and online disputations. First Fruits of Zion is keeping our hand to the plow, moving forward with our exciting vision of taking Torah to the nations.

About the Author: Boaz Michael is the President and Founder of First Fruits of Zion.