Musing – How well are we following the five Solas of the Reformation?

 Hebraic Musing – How well are we following the five Solas of the Reformation?

The Reformation was a series of reform movements “to criticize certain aspects of Roman Catholic doctrine and practice.  It culminating in the sixteenth century with the establishment of Protestant Churches.”  The Reformers were not trying to branch off from Catholicism but rather to bring the Catholic Church in line with Scripture.

This return to the original sources of the Christian faith empowered Luther to challenge the pope on the doctrine of salvation, interpretation of Scripture, and the significance of Church tradition.

Thus, these Five Solas (Alones) of the Protestant Reformation were birthed:

1.      Sola Scriptura (“Scripture alone”): The Bible alone is our highest authority.
2 Tim. 3:16–17  “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  NKJV
2 Peter 1:21 “For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

2.      Sola Fide (“faith alone”): We are saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:9  “…not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.”
Galatians 2:16  “knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”

3.      Sola Gratia (“grace alone”): We are saved by the grace of God alone.
Ephesian 2:8-9  “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Romans 9:16  “So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.”

4.      Solus Christus (“Christ alone”): Jesus Christ alone is our Lord, Savior, and King.
John 1:1  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:14  “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Romans 3:21-24  “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,”

5.      Soli Deo Gloria (“glory to God alone”): All glory belongs to God alone. 
1 Corinthians 10:31  “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Philippians 2:9-11  “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Points to ponder

Are each of these “Alones” being recognized in today’s Church world?

Only if our salvation is by grace alone, will God alone receive all the glory.
If there is something of our own we can claim, then we no longer boast in Christ alone.

♫  In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song. ….
       My comforter, my all in all. Here in the love of Christ I stand.  ♫  

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                           November 26, 2024
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Musing – Do Christians and Jews think alike?

 Hebraic Musing – Do Christians and Jews think alike?

The bottom-line answer is “NO”; and the list of differences is long, but very interesting! This is a strange musing coming from the author of a book “Hebraic Insights, a series of messages explaining the Hebrew roots of Christian faith.”   Christians who are frustrated trying to explain their faith to Jewish friends might find this one to be either a “musing” or “amusing” (pun intended).  Let’s explore four areas:

1.      Scripture interpretation.

2.      Salvation and Evangelism.

3.      Commandments and Laws.

4.      Customs and Traditions.

After stating the traditional Christian (C) view, consider the common but contrasting Jewish (J) or Hebraic view or thought process.  Each topic could trigger a whole discussion, so for the sake of brevity we will state simple one-liners, recognizing that a simple statement of tendencies does not describe the entire population.  And I confess that I am not always sure which view is the correct one!  What can we learn from each other?  Could some of these differing views make good discussion topics?

1.   Scripture interpretations:    We have a Common bond – We share a Book and a Hope; however, the book that unites us, also divides us, because we interpret its meanings and terms in different ways.

·      (C) Christianity believes its interpretation of the Written Word is correct.
(J)  Jews are willing to acknowledge there are different interpretations of the Written Word.

·      (C) Bible or written word contains all we need. Oral tradition emphasis is seen as nullifying the Written Torah.  And Christians have the Holy Spirit providing guidance.
(J)  Oral tradition is necessary since written word does not interpret ‘how to’ honor God’s commandments.  Oral tradition explains unclear things in the Written Torah, like how to keep the Sabbath Holy.  And since the temple is gone and the era of the prophets has passed, the Rabbinic laws provide guidance.

·      (C) Jerusalem/Israel belongs to the Jews, so it needs to be claimed & defended for Christ’s return.
(J)  Israel is homeland to Palestinian and others, so we need to provide for our moral responsibility to Arab peoples.

·      (C) Christ’s return requires restoration of the Land to Israel.  We must reclaim the Temple Mount in order for Yeshua to have a place to return to.
(J)  The Messiah does not need the land in order to return. The Messiah will come where-ever and when-ever and how-ever God wants him to come.

·      (C) Jews believe we need to rebuild the temple and resume the sacrificial atonement rituals.
(J)  The exact location of the original temple is uncertain, so rebuilding it to God’s specification is impossible and the ‘third temple’ will appear supernaturally in a pillar of fire from heaven.

·      (C) Replacement or ‘fulfillment’ theology puts the ‘Christian church’ as the ‘apple of God’s eye.
(J)  The Jews, Sons of Israel, have not been replaced by the Christian Church.  God has not changed His mind!

·      (C) Belief in the Trinity – triune nature of God.
(J)  Cannot conceive of God incarnate in a human being.

·      (C) Isaiah 53 is about a man, Yeshua’s coming. The Suffering Servant in Isaiah 52-53 is Yeshua.
(J)  Isaiah 53 is about persecution of a Nation “All that is hostile to the godly and the goodly will be hostile to you.”

·      (C) After the destruction of the temple, Jews no longer have opportunity for atonement for their sins.
(J)  He sacrificial rites had been replaced by a higher form of divine worship, prayer and repentance.

·      (C) Jesus is the Redeemer; thus, He started the Messianic Age.  Jesus, as Son of God, is the hoped for Messiah.
(J)  The definition of Messiah is a person appointed, and thus anointed for a specific task – a man! God is the Redeemer, the Messianic Age will mean the end of foreign oppression, bringing universal peace.  The issue being raised is about the definition and/or function of the Messiah?

 

2.   Salvation: This word has a variety of definitional interpretations.

·      (C) Christians are duty bound to evangelize Jews.
(J) Jews are not evangelizing, they are already chosen!

·      (C) Saved by Yeshua's sacrificial death on the cross. Salvation comes only by accepting Yeshua as the incarnate Son of God.
(J) Salvation comes through genuine repentance and returning to Adonai.  There is no atonement without meaningful repentance.  The sacrificial system was temporal and secondary to ‘repentance.’

·      (C) You are condemned if you do not share my faith.
(J) You are not condemned for not sharing mine.

·      (C) There is one path to salvation.
(J) There are parallel paths to God and salvation – united by common origins, but profoundly divided by their development.

·      (C) Faith in Jesus determines the future state of my soul.
(J) God wants me to live my life here & now.

·      (C) Personal Salvation is permanent – Eternal Security without regard to the life one lives.
(J) Salvation is a corporate or community issue (for Sons of Israel and Jerusalem); not a ‘selfish’ individual issue.

·      (C) Christians are saved individually, with focus on the individual relationship.
(J) A Jew is saved because he/she leads a way of life in keeping with God’s commandments.

·      (C) Christians often say they want Jews to “Convert.”
(J) Jews interpret that, justifiably, as being asked to give up their Jewish heritage and traditions.

·      (C) All who do not accept Jesus are condemned to Hell.
(J) God’s nature will not punish someone for incapacity due to lack of knowledge.

·      (C) Man is inherently ‘bad’; because of ‘original sin’ man is born a sinner.
(J) Man is ‘good’; but has capability to sin via freedom of choice and is inclined to make mistakes.

 

3.   Commandments/obedience/good deeds:  Are we looking at good deeds or mandated ‘Laws’?

·      (C) Keeping commandments is a chore.
(J) Keeping commandments is not a chore, but a source of joy and beauty ennobling our lives.

·      (C) Faith in God is more important than our deeds.
(J) Halakah (‘way of walking’) is more important than belief in God.

·      (C) Sunday is the Lord’s Day, our Sabbath.
(J) Sabbath was given by God in His Word as the seventh day of the week, starting at sunset of the sixth day (not at midnight at the end of the seventh day).

 

4.   Traditions:

·      (C) Jews who believe in Jesus, Yeshua, as the Messiah are still Jews or “Messianic Jews” or “Completed Jews.”
(J) If a Jew accepts Christian concepts of Incarnation, Salvific Sacrifice of Crucifixion and the Trinity then they cannot be Jews – these ideas are incompatible with normative Jewish teaching.  Therefore they become and should be called ‘Christians’.

·      (C) Pharisees are the ‘bad guys’ of the bible.
(J) Yeshua was aligned with the Pharisees, and was respected by many Pharisees.

·      (C) Strive for Prosperity and Health.
(J) Strive for Holiness.

·      (C) Holidays are to be celebrated as time-honored traditions.
(J) We need to celebrate the Feasts as God commanded.

·      (C) Separate views - God of O.T.  and God of N.T.
(J) Same God.

·      (C) Taught to ‘love our enemies.’
(J) Taught not to have enemies.

·      (C) Man is inherently evil – heart is evil thus we require cleansing to go to heaven.
(J) Man is good, thus repentance is needed to return to holiness; no need to deal with ‘original sin.’

 

Points to ponder

Would some of these differing views make good discussion topics?

Interesting -- both Christians and Jews have so much Love and Respect for one another!

Similarly, Churchill said “The British and the Americans represent
 two great nations separated by a common language”.

♫  Jew and Gentile, one in Messiah, One in Yeshua, one in the olive tree. …  One in Yeshua's love.
Help us Father, to love one another, With humble hearts, Forgiving each other, Heal our wounds, bind us together, So the world might believe.…  ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                       November 19, 2024
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Notes – Reprint of a July 2011 Hebraic Musing. 
This list was first assembled in 2007 and has grown with inputs from multiple sources.

Musing – Might God Use Drastic Measures to Get Our Attention?

 Hebraic Musing – Might God Use Drastic Measures to Get Our Attention?

When I published the musing “Are ‘acts of god’ really acts of GOD?” in 2011, many thought it can’t apply because we serve a loving God who would not do those things to His people.  If a parent does not apply discipline, sometimes drastic, to get a child’s attention, is the parent really showing love to the child?

Let us explore what scripture tells us about the disciplining actions His children required. (from NIV)

·      Exod. 11:5-7 – “Every firstborn son in Egypt will die from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the slave girl …”.   Pharaoh did not listen so in v.9 the wonders multiplied!

·      Gen. 18:14 – “Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.”  And Sarah laughed but God promised a ‘wonder’.

·      Jonah – Spent three days and nights in the whale’s belly until God had his attention.

·      Exod. 4:1-7 – Moses’ staff becomes a snake and his hand becomes leprous.  God had Moses’s attention!

·      Num. 20:8 – “Take the staff… Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. … Moses … struck the rock twice with … Water gushed out, and the community … drank.  But the LORD said to Moses … “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”  Is being deprived of the that ‘goal’ a drastic measure?!?!

·      Lev. 10:1-7 – “Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, …  So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. … Aaron remained silent.”   Interesting that Aaron remained silent when his two sons died.  God had made His point!

·      Num. 16&17 – “…they moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram…Moses said, ‘This is how you will know that the LORD has sent me to do all these things and that it was not my idea’ … the ground under them split apart and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them …”  The people learned a lesson!

·      Num. 25 – Zimri was killed for worshipping Baal, and 24,000 were killed by plague.

·      2 Sam. 12:18 – David lost his son, conceived in sin.  I know that personally the loss of a child will get one’s attention.  I lost a 10-month-old daughter and have experienced the impact on our family.

·      After the Jews returned from Babylonian exile, they no longer worshipped idols!  They learned their lesson!

·      400 silent years – from Malachi to Matthew.  Do you think God enjoyed cutting off communication with his wayward children?

·      John 3:16 – “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,” to us.  And in Matt. 27:45-50  GOD DID THE MOST DRASTIC ACT POSSIBLE, permitting the crucifixion of His own Son.  God did the most drastic act of all to get our attention.   Did He get yours?

(Drafted before Election results were in.)  How bad might it get for America, and why?    Are we relying on Trump to be our savior; or are we to recognize Jesus as our LORD?

Many have been saying that America is ripe for judgement.  God brings judgement on His people two ways -  (1) using foreign enemies to take over; and (2) allowing internal corruption and ungodly behavior to destroy the heart and soul of a nation from within.  We lost our moral compass a long time ago.  Prophetic dystopian novels written years ago warned us – “1984”, “Animal Farm”, “Fahrenheit 451”, “Brave New World”, etc. 

We look for a Godly leader, but isn’t a Godly Church more important?  Our government is designed to be representative of the people; how can we expect God-fearing leaders if they are elected by lost non-believers.  Those in power reflect the people who voted for them.  Which is the most important – Our American citizenship or our Kingdom citizenship?

Could our problem be lack of persecution?  In a “Persecuted” country, a Pastor corrected someone praying for relief from persecution.  He reminded them “It is because of persecution that the church in our country is growing.”  As we reflect on the comfortable nature of churches in America, have we pursued “nickels & noses” so that our churches are attended by a blend of sheep and goats, believers and non-believing pretenders?  Matt. 25:32-33 “All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.”  Do the sheep need to be separated from the goats today?

So, is it time for a “Reset” in America’s Church (capital “C”)?  Do we need an “Awakening” like the first, second and third ones that caused people to commit their lives to the Lord and forsake their ungodly lifestyles?

Points to ponder

What have we done to preach, share and stand for the Gospel?

Do we now find more people ready to talk about “End Times” possibilities?

Are we Christians willing to openly question the ungodly behaviors around us?
Are we willing to pay the price, tolerate persecution, if necessary?
Have we done enough yet to warrant or bring on persecution?

Is it easier to tell if a flashlight is “on” in a lighted room or a dark room?  Is yours on?

♫  This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine, Let it shine, all the time, let it shine, All around the neighborhood, I'm going to let it shine! … Hide it under a bushel? No! I'm going to let it shine …  ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                           November 12, 2024
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Reprint of 2/2/21 & 12/20/11 Musings - “Would God Use Drastic Means to get Our Attention?

Musing – Why are some “Professing” Christians possibly not “Saved”?

 Hebraic Musing – Why are some “Professing” Christians possibly not “Saved”?

This is also a reminder to consider what it takes to witness thoroughly.  Have you encountered folks who claim to have responded to an altar call in earlier years, but there doesn’t seem to be fruit in their lives!  We wonder if they are really “Saved” if there doesn’t seem to be evidence.  Was there an adequate foundation and/or understanding to support the “Confession of Faith”?  The Salvation prayer often consists of response to a simple message.  “You need to be ‘Saved’; Jesus died for my sins; Thank you Jesus my Savior; Hallelujah, now I’m saved!”  Is that an adequate understanding?  Was the Holy Spirit involved in their “experience”?  What are some foundations of our Faith that might be missing?

Creation:  Do we really understand who God is?  My personal testimony was founded on three questions learned at age 5.   Q. – Who made me?  A. – God made me.   Q. – Who is God?  A. – God is the Supreme Being who created all things.   Q. – Why did God make me?  A. – God made me to worship Him; and to praise Him forever.  That’s pretty basic!  

Sinfulness of Mankind:  In order to “repent” of our sins, we need to recognize our own need “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23 NIV   Is the candidate truly recognizing their sinfulness and are they repentant?  Going to church, praying, stopping some sins, being baptized, etc. does not save us!  One needs to recognize the Gospel message thoroughly; evidenced by meaningful repentance.

Death:  Our inevitable and the default destination is HELL!  Only a blood sacrifice can save us, thus we need to recognize of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross was for our sins.   We need to realize “and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7b NIV

Resurrection:  Jesus Christ told us in advance of His Resurrection.  “… Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 NIV And His resurrection was eye-witnessed!  Thus, we have the Hope of Glory!
Everyone dies, including Buddha, Mohammed, Joseph Smith, etc. but we know that not all will be resurrected. 

Baptism:   Jesus called for Christians to be baptized as a public sign of their acceptance of Christ’s blood sacrifice.  “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19 NIV   The act of Baptism is a public event for the new believer to publicly declare his/her acceptance of Jesus Christ as their Lord.

Moment of Change:  The central words in a Christian’s testimony are typically the tearful description of the moment the person knew their life had changed.  “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14 NKJV   Many Christians can remember the exact moment when they were saved: the date, the time of day, the exact location, the people involved, the circumstances leading up to the moment of decision, etc.  They recognize they were changed in that memorable moment; at which time the Holy Spirit became their guiding light and their LORD.

Points to ponder

Can the “Professing” Christian describe what happened at their moment of salvation?

Is it worth our time to assure that a Salvation candidate understands thoroughly?

How important is immediate discipleship?    or
What was your level of understanding when you accepted Jesus as your Lord?

Today is “Election Day!”  BTW - Who did you elect as your Lord?

♫  What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought Since Jesus came into my heart;
     I have light in my soul for which long I have sought, Since Jesus came into my heart. ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                November 5, 2024  “Election Day!”
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

*  Inspired by a message from our Youth pastor, Chris Cooper, at Immanuel Baptist Church on 10/13/24