Hebrew Roots - Theology

Theology

It has been noted that Hebrew Roots theology includes at least seven distinct core differences from Protestantism, Seventh-day Adventism, Rabbinic Judaism, and Messianic Judaism

1. Both the Old and New Testaments are held as holy books, but the Old testament takes precedent over the New. The Torah serves as the foundation to all subsequent understanding and interpretation of Scripture. A foundational distinction of the Hebrew Roots movement is the manner in which Scripture is translated and interpreted so that later testimony (particularly the New Testament, or "Brit Chadashah") does not conflict with Torah commandments. It is believed by those in the Hebrew Roots movement that Jesus Christ did not come to establish a new religion or to “do away” with the law.

2. Salvation derives from the belief in Jesus Christ as personal savior, not from commandment/Torah keeping; however, believers are rewarded according to their fruits, works, and obedience. Hebrew Roots followers believe that sin is breaking the written Torah (cf. 1 John 3:4), all of the purity laws such as dietary restrictions and sabbath keeping are in the written Torah, thus it is sin to not keep sabbath and to eat forbidden food, among other social and religious observance laws. It is also true, according to Hebrew Roots followers, that those who are truly born of God will not continue in sin (cf. 1John 3:9), therefore, if you are not moved to keep sabbath or keep dietary restrictions, you must not truly be born of God.

3. The Jewish Oral Law (the Talmud) does not represent Scriptural requirements to be obeyed, but can provide deeper understanding as to how some have applied the Scriptures to practical life. Pagan traditions adopted by Judaism and Christianity are to be avoided.

4. Old Testament/Torah Laws and the teachings of the New Testament are to be obeyed by both Jews and Gentiles(proselytes).

5. The Hebrew language is generally studied because it amplifies an understanding of the Scriptural text.

6. Unlike traditional Americans, followers of the Hebrew Roots movement actively study the Scriptures as well as the history, faith, and culture of the first and second century, to understand how traditional Christianity diverged from its Hebrew roots. Generally speaking, however, they do not recognise the work of modern first century historians outside of their own viewpoint, such as Craig Evans, George Nickelsburg, Jacob Neusner, James D. G. Dunn, E. P. Sanders et. al.

7. The "moedim" or appointed times listed in Leviticus 23, including the 7th day Sabbath and the Feast days, foreshadow the 1st and 2nd comings of the Messiah and the Creator's plan of salvation for the world.

Other Beliefs

Hebrew Roots teachers emphasize the adoption of all Christians into the faith of Abraham, often called in the Bible the unified "House of Israel" (Leviticus 10:6), (Jeremiah 37:11), (Ezekiel 39:25), (Romans 11:13-26), (Ephesians 2:10-14). This unified "House of Israel" consists of Jews and Non-Jews who maintain faith in the Messiah and a Spirit-led adherence to the Torah, God's teaching and instruction, as a lifestyle of faith and love. Hebrew Roots followers believe that Christians have the "testimony of Jesus," but are often found innocently to be living lawlessly (1John 1:9) according to the erroneous idea that Jesus died to do away with the Torah, thus abolishing it and any requirements to "guard" or "keep" it, which is contrary to Scripture.

Sheila Crawford of Shofar Ministries defines the aim of the Hebrew Roots movement as: "We seek to inspire believers in Yeshua (Jesus) to study the Word of God, the Holy Scriptures, and thus make God number one in their lives and to be fully equipped with the whole armor of God, to increase in the knowledge of God through an understanding of our previously lost, Hebraic Roots." She believes that Hebraic Roots is not a movement, but a move of God on the hearts of believers, drawing them deeper into an understanding of the culture and times the scriptures were written, in order that followers of the Messiah may know him more deeply by more clearly understanding how he upheld and affirmed obedience to the Torah, the Law of God.

The Hebrew Roots movement emphasizes the completion of the unified "House of Israel" in Jesus, which includes both Jews and non-Jews. Its followers believe they are co-heirs and equal members of the chosen people of the god of Israel through the blood of Jesus, and that returning to a 1st-century mindset provides deeper and more authentic insights into the Hebrew idioms of the New Testament (which are often garbled after their translation to Greek), which provides deeper cultural understanding of Scripture. Also of importance is a greater understanding of the dispersion of tribes of Israel, and the future regathering of those tribes according to prophecies of Scripture.

Some Hebraic Roots congregations encourage the use of Hebrew-based forms of the sacred names, but this is generally a minor emphasis.