Where Religion Went Wrong - 4 - Severed From Our Roots

 Scripture often uses agricultural examples to explain spiritual principles. In the days in which scripture was written, society itself was agricultural, making these explanations easily understood by everyone. Even today, though our society is decidedly less agricultural in its nature, we can easily relate to and understand what is being spoken.

“For...If the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakes of the root and fatness of the olive tree: boast not against the branches…Thou bearest not the root, but the root thee…Be not high minded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.”

 – Romans 11: 16-21 (shortened) 

I have condensed the above scriptures to make the point clearer. However, you should read Romans 11 in its entirety for complete context.

Scripture often speaks of Israel as an olive tree. Here, Paul is sticking with that same imagery. He is speaking to Gentiles, those who are out of covenant with and not worshipping the true God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He explains that some of Israel is (temporarily) cut off because of their unbelief in Messiah, and that those who are Gentiles can be grafted in precisely because of their belief in Messiah.

While this is a crucial point to understand and should be studied thoroughly, it is not my intention here to explore the how’s and why’s of this.

I simply want you to consider, if we are grafted into the olive tree of Israel, what root system are we drawing from? What are our roots? From where do we draw our nourishment and life?

It is clear that our roots are intended to be the same roots of Israel! Our sap should flow from the same source that has always fed Israel! We did not become an entirely new tree, but we were grafted in to an already existing and well-established one – Israel, the covenant people of YHWH!

Yeshua said the same…

 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring more fruit…Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me…for without me ye can do nothing…As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.”

 – John 15:1-10 (shortened)

 Again, this passage has been condensed.

 We are warned, here, that we are fruitless and powerless apart from our Messiah. But, notice – Yeshua is the VINE, not the root. Our life flows THROUGH Him but not FROM Him. The Vine carries the sap from the root to the branch, which produces fruit. If we are not producing fruit, the flow is blocked somewhere, and we are cut away.

If He is the Vine, what is the root? Yeshua tells us that the Father is the husbandman (or gardener in today’s language). The gardener plants the seed that grows the root and plant. So, the root would be that which the Father has already planted and produced in this world…. Sound familiar???

At the end of the parable, Yeshua even spells it out for us – twice! He tells us that the Father loved Him, and He passed that love on to us. Then, He says we get that love by keeping the commandments, the same way He got it from the Father!

Nowhere in scripture is there ever a “new root”. Those who worshipped other gods were “uprooted” or their roots were said to be rotten. The only proper, healthy root has always been the proper worship of YHWH, and he chose Israel to carry that worship to the world. Our Messiah Himself came from that root and drew life from it. He passes that life onto us, grafting us back in to a tree we had either abandoned out of disobedience or altogether rejected from the beginning.

What He does not do is plant a new seed, a new root. He restores; He doesn’t re-create.

Modern-day Christianity no longer draws from the proper root. We have many high-minded theological reasons why the root no longer feeds us, but scripture does not bear those out. We have, in essence, planted a whole new tree, while borrowing roots from trees other than Israel.

We claim to be connected to our Vine, the Messiah; but if we are not drawing from His root, we are fruitless!

It’s time we began to examine our roots. Many of our teachings, customs, practices, and even holidays do not flow from Israel’s root but from the roots of other, pagan religions and deities. Simple internet research will prove this is true.

If we are to bear fruit and not be cut away by the Husbandman, we need to search out the root of all we do and reject all roots but His. Only when we are fed by His roots, will we bear His fruit and remain attached to His Vine.

Where Religion Went Wrong - 3 - A Downstream Understanding & Interpretation of Scripture!

 I am borrowing the term “downstream” as well as its concept and explanation from Brad Scott of Wild Branch Ministries. I believe this terminology clearly describes the problem I will be discussing. I am including this first, as I believe this to be foundational. If we, the Body of Messiah/Christ as a whole, would rectify ourselves in this one aspect, we would inevitably fall much more in-line with Him in all aspects. This, along with the issue I will discuss next, forms the root of our issues and failings today.

Think of a mountain stream. At the top of the mountain, it has a source from which the water flows. At the source, it is pure, and clean.

As the stream flows downward, it comes into contact with more and more sources of impurity. Maybe animals use it as fishing grounds or a watering hole. Eventually, maybe it runs through a town and collects waste and pollution. Regardless of how it occurs, the further the stream flows away from its source, the more changed it becomes. Someone tasting the water in the town would have a much different experience than if they had traveled up the mountain. The more towns the stream flows through, the more changed it will become.

Scripture is the Word of YHWH. He is its source. Originally, it was written in Hebrew as well as Aramaic and Greek. (Though, there is good reason to believe that the Greek New Testament was translated from Hebrew originals.) In its original, scripture is its purest – the closest to its Source.

Today, we read in English and many other languages into which scripture has been translated. What’s more is that many of these translations are translations of translations, not of the original language. As we translate, we lose some things. We lose nuance, plays on words, meter and rhyme, and even intended meaning. Anyone who speaks more than one language knows that language is not linear. Thoughts and statements do not translate from one language to another seamlessly. Many times translators are forced to do the best they can because they are unable to fully convey the original idea in the new language.

This is natural and to be expected. However, an issue arises when we only know and understand the 3rd and 4th generation translations. I may read my Bible in English because I do not understand Hebrew, but if I don’t take into account that I’m reading a translation, I can get myself into trouble.

Let’s say for example that I want clarity on something I am reading. I read that I am supposed to love my enemies. How do I do that, exactly? So, I look up the word love in the dictionary. I find, naturally, an English definition for an English word. What I don’t find is that Hebrew has several words with different nuances of meaning that all translate into “love” in English. They use terms that are more specific as to the types of love to which they are referring. In English, we have one word for all of it. We say both, “I love my mom,” and “I love pizza,” although we mean slightly different things.

Because I tried to find understanding in the translation and not in the original words of the author, I have missed something. I do not have proper understanding of what was written – only what I can make out of the downstream product.

Sometimes this may lead to partial understanding, but sometimes, this could cause us to be in error. It’s much like playing the children’s game “Telephone” - the one where a message is passed through a circle of people to see how it is received on the other end. Most times, the last person is saying something completely different than the original message. Now image if each person had to speak the message in a different language. How much more difficult would it be to get the original idea across?

Reading translations isn’t wrong. In fact, men and women of God lost their lives over this issue – translating and reading the Bible in English. We owe a great debt of gratitude for those who fought that battle because without them, we would likely have no knowledge or understanding of scripture at all!

However, we MUST treat the English Bible as it is – a translation. We must recognize our need to travel upstream, closer to the source, in order to derive pure unadulterated understanding. We have all the resources we need, and many of them are free online. We only need to recognize the situation and put in a little effort to overcome the translation challenges.

Ideally, though it would take time and effort, we should learn to speak the language of our Father – Hebrew. Then, we could read His Words as He spoke them and understand Him as He intended Himself to be understood. I feel this is self-evident and a reasonable act of devotion toward a God Who is so good to us. After all, Hebrew is also the language of our Bridegroom, is it not? It seems quite obvious that anyone engaged to be married to someone from another country than themselves would put forth an effort to understand that person’s language. After all, they will spend the rest of their lives together, relate with each other’s families, etc! Why do we, as a whole today, not make this effort toward our God and our King???

Drinking only from downstream sources has led us also into the trap of interpretation. The Bible clearly tells us that scripture is not open for interpretation! (See 2 Peter 1:20) Our effort should not be placed in interpreting what it means “to us,” but, rather, we should seek to understand the Father’s heart – what it means to Him. This is part of seeking Him!

How many divisions and disagreements among us today would cease to exist if we would seek to understand scripture through His eyes instead of our own?

In the next section, I will discuss another foundational problem that ties closely in with this one. Together, these two problems alone, when solved, would radically change Christianity as we know it and bring us much, much closer to our King…

Where Religion Went Wrong - 2 - A Note About Names

Throughout this book, you will see me use the names YHWH and Yeshua.

Some have expressed concern that those who use these names are intending to “preach another Jesus” or another gospel. This isn’t true.

 YHWH (or YHVH) is known as the Tetragrammaton. It is the Name of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It consists of 4 Hebrew letters – י) Yod), ה) Hey), ו) Vav), ה) Hey). There is quite a bit of debate on its proper pronunciation. Some say Yah-Wey, some Ye-Ho-Vah, and some Ye-Hu-Ah. I am not an expert and cannot attest as to who is right. However, I’m sure YHWH will straighten it all out eventually. As for now, however, many of us (including myself) view using His Name as a simple way to honor Him. If you are concerned about proper pronunciation, you may choose to say Yah, which is the poetic form of His Name, and (so far as I know) isn’t debated. In fact, you already use it every time you say, “Hallelu-Yah!”

Likewise Yeshua is Jesus’ Hebrew name. We should know that His mother did not call Him by the Je-sus pronunciation of today. They were Jews living 2000 years ago. They spoke Hebrew, and His given Name was Yeshua. In fact, I believe the movie The Passion of the Christ probably shows us this best. It is recorded in Aramaic (a sister language to Hebrew), and that pronunciation (Yay-Shwa) of His Name is likely most accurate. However, it is usually pronounced Ye-Shoo-Ah today. Again, we use this Name as a way to Honor Him.

 Both of these Names are consistent with scripture in its original form before translation.

ישוע Yeshua

יהוה YHWH / YHVH 

Where Religion Went Wrong - 1: LETTER TO THE READER

      In writing this book, it is my desire to cause Christians everywhere to take a much-needed look in the mirror of scripture – especially as it pertains to the practicing of our faith.

     It is our mandate to preach the gospel to the entire world and to be the body of Messiah on this earth. The same ministry He did on earth is now in our hands, and if we are to do it well, we must operate in accordance with His Truth – the Word of YHWH (God). Only then will we be powerful and authoritative in this life.

     The further we stray from scripture, the more damage we do – not only to our own selves, but also in the world we are trying to reach. We cannot fulfill the great commission apart from the truth and direction of YHWH’s Word; and even unwitting, gradual, or seemingly-slight departure from the Word muddies the waters and undermines our intent.

      Some believe it is wrong – heresy, even – to question our religion or our church in this manner, as if this were somehow tantamount to questioning YHWH Himself or the veracity and infallibility of scripture. However, it is not YHWH or scripture which I intend to put on trial. Rather, I intend to cast the light of Truth (of scripture) onto our own works. Mankind has taken scripture and faith and attempted to “tame” those into religion. Our church, our denominations, our doctrines are often our own doing, and we will, in the end be held accountable to our Creator for those. It is wise that we should (while there is yet time) examine our own organizations, our own traditions, and ultimately our own hearts. Should we, indeed, find that any of those are contrary to or out-of-line with scripture, there is still room to repent and set it right. In doing so and returning to YHWH’s ways, we may again find ourselves powerful and effective in His redemptive mission.

     Such scrutiny is never easy. Inevitably, we will all find that we have missed one mark or another. It is then that we find ourselves in a position where we must choose. Will we rectify ourselves, our teachings, our traditions to please the Father? Or, will we stay the course as we have set it?

     What if we are willing to change and the rest of our group isn’t? What if our family isn’t? How many people are we willing to disappoint, if necessary, to please YHWH and do His work? What are we willing to lose for Him? For His cause?

     Many believers world-wide are currently facing such dilemmas. I believe that YHWH is calling us back to a pure faith, and we are made to choose whether we will follow or not.

     As you read this book, it will challenge you and everything you’ve ever known about your faith. Please understand, I am not the one shaking foundations. YHWH Himself is purifying His church for the end time. He has a purpose for us to fulfill, and we must be a set-apart people in order to do it. He is calling us to set ourselves apart from man’s ways and to set ourselves to His.

     As such, His Word is Truth. His Word will be the only standard which this book uses to distinguish true from false or right from wrong. Man’s opinion of that Truth or man’s own doctrines and organizations must be made subordinate. If any are found to be false in the light of scripture, then they should be disqualified in our hearts, our minds, and especially our churches.

     The Father wants His people to worship Him in Spirit AND Truth (John 4:23). Either one without the other is only half as effective as it is intended to be.

     This book is an attempt to spark the level of self-examination needed to ensure that we are that people. YHWH willing, that spark may eventually fan the flames of revival as His church on earth purifies herself and steps, unified and unstoppable, into her true calling.

     May YHWH bless you as you read this book, and may you have the courage to follow Him in all things.

Where Religion Went Wrong - Book

Hello, everyone!

     I've been out of sync here lately, and haven't written much.  I'm trying to get back on track, however, so I thought I'd start with this.

     Not too long ago, I wrote a book entitled, Where Religion Went Wrong.  It is available here in pdf format for free!  I will also be posting each section here on the blog for your enjoyment, and, hopefully, your edification!

     This book is a VERY short read.  The entire thing can be finished in one lunch break, or it can be broken into each section and finished in a week.  Either way, I hope this proves to be a clear and easily-understood presentation of the main, fundamental reasons why many of us have left our churches.  If you have had difficulty putting your thoughts into words or if you would like a short and easy resource to share with friends and loved ones, check this out!  It may be what you're looking for.

     At the link, the pdf can be downloaded and distributed free of charge, so long as it is shared in its entirety and without changes.  Feel free to share via print, email, Facebook, etc if you find that this book helps you.

     Many times, others haven't understood our position.  Maybe this will help!

     Enjoy! :)