Originally from: Linda Semler
Joe, I can speak to this hatred of Christianity as I was one of that group for many years. This the Lord has shown me was completely against His position and I have repented and gained wisdom.
What happens to many, as was my case, was that I came through some very brutal church situations. All this was part of the Lord's plan for my journey through the church realm. However the anger and resentment I carried from these terrible church experiences, coupled with the knowledge of the Constantine deception and history of the church about did me in. Then I also became super sensitive to the church's persecution of the Jewish people. I became very embittered about Christianity and the church. I think we have many Christians in this posture today. Disenfranchised and disenchanted.
Now however, after many years of working through all this garbage I have a better understanding of the church's role in history and it's role today. Unfortunately my antennae is too sensitive to the pious hirelings and religionists to be able to go back into the church world and be able to control my mouth. So I sit out here on the desert in peace awaiting the next move of the Shekinah. Uh, you guys seem to be it and I am completely enjoying seeing the Lord work through you all.
On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 19:50:21 -0800 (PST) Litkah ben Joseph <(Address removed)> writes:
Quote: "We do not believe that Jesus came to start another religion."
Brian,
That's better. I would suggest a little more tweaking, because I've heard that same worded statement by Messianics who want to argue for judaism+christ. (and I know that's not what you intend, but I'm looking out for future visitors to the website.) That's one of the Messianic's biggest mantras in their tirades against christians, and their defense of practicing some form of Judaism which they claim Jesus practiced (and thus so should we, so they reason).
How about "Jesus did not necessarily come to start a new "world religion" so much as to bring the old faith of Old Covenant Israel to it's fullest completion under and for New Covenant Israel."
I don't know how familiar you are with the Messianic expression of the two houses out there, but I've hung around with them alot on various forums over the past 2 years, and my experience with it has led me to the conclusion that we have to be very careful about imbibing any of their hatred of christians among so many other problem areas. (I feel weird even writing that, for the obvious fact that we all here are christians here! at least I hope :-) I would not want to project any of that spirit whatsoever on a website with my name on it. We've got to be different, very different. We are going to have to absolutely bend over backwards till it hurts to convince the naysayers out there that we are not like them. And we must have enough fear of God that we will not be stumbling blocks for all the searching souls out there who may be led into error because of something we taught.
One thing about Batya Wooten, which is one thing that I will not be found guilty of, was that she seemed to tolerate way too much, and let too much of the garbage in. She did not keep her ministry pure, despite her claims that it was the likes of Moshe K. who defiled the teaching. That may be so, but it was little compromises here and there that even allowed such a misguided fanatic like Moshe to find his launching pad with Messianic Israel to begin with.
Of course, that's all my opinion, for what it's worth.....
Shalom,
Joe
