Hebrew Roots - History

History

Hebrew Roots Movement

Since the early 20th century, different religious organizations have been teaching a belief in Jesus Christ as mankind's redeemer and saviour from man's own sinful nature and a lifestyle in keeping the Torah, the Sabbath and the annual Feasts (or, "moedim", Holy Days). These include Messianic Judaism (to a very limited degree) in 1916, the Sacred Name Movement (SCM) in 1937, and the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) in the 1930s, and, later, the Hebrew Roots Movement. Thus far, the WCG has had the greatest impact among all organizations in teaching these beliefs, including obedience to much of the Old Testament law, both nationally and internationally until about 1994-95 when the organization imploded after abandoning its core beliefs. Consequently, the WCG spawned numerous splinters, with most of these new churches adopting names bearing the term “Church of God” (COG) and retaining the similar structural belief system developed by WCG founder Herbert W. Armstrong. In contrast, Hebrew Roots (or sometimes, Hebraic Roots) is a grassroots movement without an ecclesiastical superstructure and does not adhere to the COG belief system, nor to Messianic Judaism, or SCM, although, as in most faiths, there are commonalities.

An investigation of Hebrew Roots groups listed below reveals that a number of their founders began teaching about the need to keep the 7th Day Sabbath, annual Feasts, and obeying Old Testament commandments years before these topics were taught and accepted by some in the Christian churches. These early teachers include William Dankenbring (1964) and Dean Wheelock (1981) (both whom had prior associations with different Churches of God), Joe Good (1978), and Brad Scott (1983)

The term “Hebrew Roots” resulted from the journey to investigate and discover the first century faith, but also to distinguish and differentiate itself from other religious organizations that may have common beliefs, which could cause identity confusion in the public eye.

In 1994, Dean and Susan Wheelock received their Federal Trademark for the term Hebrew Roots®, after which they began publishing the Hebrew Roots® magazine in April/May 1998, and later a website: http://www.hebrewroots.net/. The goal of this group is “Exploring the Hebrew Roots of the Faith,” “roots” which go back to not only Jesus Christ and the Apostles, but to the Nazarene_(sect) of the first century and, ultimately, the original Hebrews ("Ivrit"), Abraham and his offspring, who were the first to “cross over” (which is what "Hebrew" means in the Hebrew language). Those who continue in this Hebraic walk seek out the history, culture, and faith of the first century believers who, like Abraham and Moses obeyed God’s voice, charge, commandments, statutes, and laws (Gen 26:5); the 41,000, denominations of Christianity commonly (and Hebrew Roots followers say "mistakenly") believe that such obedience is no longer required.

The Hebrew Roots movement began emerging as a distinct phenomenon in the mid-1990s (1993–96). Some claim this awakening was a sovereign act of Yahweh through His Spirit. Some claim God is restoring His followers to the true path or ancient paths, and that people are independently catching the inspiration to return to forgotten truths by various means. In 1997, Dean Cozzens of Open Church Ministries (Colorado Springs, CO) published a prophecy titled "The Hebrew Movement", which revealed that God had foreordained four major moves for the 20th century, viz. 1. Pentecostalism, 2. Faith-healing, 3. the Charismatic Movement, and finally 4. The "Hebrew Roots Movement". In this prophecy, the Hebrew Roots Movement is the "final stage of empowerment" before Christ returns.

The movement has accelerated in the last few years, mainly (some say) because of a shift within the Messianic Judaism community. The Hebrew Roots movement and Messianic Judaism diverge on the issue of One Law theology (one law for the native born and the sojourner, c.f. Numbers 15:16) which Hebrew Roots subscribes to, but which Messianic Judaism denies. One Hebrew Roots teacher, Tim Hegg, responded to this issue by defending what he believes to be the biblical teaching of "One Law" theology and its implications concerning the obligations of Torah obedience for new Messianic believers from the nations.

However, significant growth in the Hebrew Roots movement derives from those abandoning mainstream Christianity who are in search of deeper understanding of what it means to be "grafted in" to Israel, as well as a desire to follow the teaching of the Torah (or, the Pentateuch) as the Messiah did.