Today's video blog is from Mount St Helens where the devastation that comes from volcanic eruptions has been dramatically illustrated. Allow me to introduce you to our latest book hot off the press entitled: "Grafted In - Jews, Gentiles and the Mystery of the Gospel".

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.

The Messianic/Torah movement, as we know it today, is still very young and trying to find its way. Even younger still, is the Messianic/Torah movement here in prison.
To observe Torah, or any sort of rules for that matter, is contrary to those living in the prison environment. There have been however, an increasing number of inmates leaving traditional church-minded programs and services to join our little mishpochah ("family"). We are just a handful of believers in Yeshua, who, to the best of our understanding (which grows daily)and our ability, keep Torah.

We all have different paths that brought us to the Torah movement. Some have had a spiritual tugging at their heart to be observant, and some have even had serious revelations from HaShem, as I did eight years ago. Others have found odd Messianic teachings that got them to re-think their misunderstanding about Torah. Still others came to understand after trying to dissuade those in the movement, eventually seeing the futility of their argument. Regardless of how they came to understand, it was done through spiritual nudging. Such a Nudnick (1) the Ruach HaKodesh is.

While a few may have joined us with ulterior motives or were misguided as to what the Torah movement is, most are sincere and want to find the truth.

We often struggle to learn, and we do so from whatever sources we can find. We share the various materials with each other, and some materials even have been worn out. Some Messianic materials we find are kind of "out there" and require us to tune up our discernment. My Messianic rabbi said once to "Eat the meat and spit out the bones." The only caveat I give to that is to make sure the meat is not spoiled.

That is the blessing of having First Fruits of Zion's teaching available to us. Their teaching is like a boat in the raging sea of Messianic thought, as they make an effort to demonstrate how Messianic halachah should look. They help sift out funny, Messianic teachings, show the viability of Jewish tradition within the movement, and dispel the belief that Torah is not for all nations.

The movement here, as well as at other prison units, is not only growing in numbers, but is a growing flame. Many, like me, are on fire and desire to consume knowledge of Torah, tradition, and do so within Moshiach's teaching and in His love. We teach other church believers as we learn about the wonderful Torah, which gives freedom, and has never been done away with.

These dedicated inmates are a wonderful asset here, as well as to the world to which most are returning. Not only are they trying to train themselves, they are training others the best they know how. It is wonderful how HaShem is using us, who the world considers despised, to help bring the Torah to the world. Some have already had the opportunity to challenge family members, and others outside, to re-evaluate their understanding of Torah as a believer in the Moshiach. How much more will these men do upon their release, to spread the truth about Torah observance to the world!

By William J. Crary
From the Arizona Department of Corrections

Notes:
(1) Nudnick is a Yiddish word that means pest. Obviously I don't mean to say that the Ruach Hakodesh is annoying, only persistent.

We are heading North to Canada today. Your prayers for an easy boarding crossing are much appreciated.

The book of Proverbs is primarily dedicated to instructing us in the wisdom and knowledge of a Torah lifestyle. It is from the perspective of a father who is instructing his son and imploring him to walk in righteousness. But not only does the writer of Proverbs tell us what to do but He also reveals to us some of the rewards of living a Godly life. These blessings come to those who live upright in obedience to the Father.

Combining his vast knowledge of concepts found in chassidic Judaism with his ardent passion for Yeshua of Nazareth, Dr. Paul Philip Levertoff penned the book Love and the Messianic Age. His objective? To expound on the highest aim of mankind which is experiencing and knowing God to the fullest extent possible. Explore these concepts further in this latest edition of Levertoff: A Messianic Sage.