What IF???What IF???There was a WAR, but the There was a WAR, but the people being attacked were people being attacked were completelycompletely unawareunaware that that there was an enemy there was an enemy actively at work making actively at work making WAR against THEM?WAR against THEM?

What would be the Result?What would be the Result?

The ENEMY could The ENEMY could work at liberty to do work at liberty to do whateverwhatever they they wanted!wanted!

We found that out on We found that out on September 11, 2001!September 11, 2001!

Such is the Case of the WAR…Such is the Case of the WAR…

……That we’re involved with now as That we’re involved with now as believers in Yeshua! believers in Yeshua!

Battle Battle NotNot against flesh & blood: against flesh & blood:

For our struggle is not against For our struggle is not against fleshflesh and and blood, but against the rulers, against the blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual {forces} of darkness, against the spiritual {forces} of wickedness in the heavenly {places.} wickedness in the heavenly {places.}

– Ephesians 6:12Ephesians 6:12

Though we often seem to be Though we often seem to be wrestling against our Fellow wrestling against our Fellow

Believers in the Body of Christ, Our Believers in the Body of Christ, Our Battle is NOT Battle is NOT AgainstAgainst them them

specifically!specifically!

We’re dealing with spiritual issues here We’re dealing with spiritual issues here and most believers are totally unaware and most believers are totally unaware that there is EVEN a battle going on!that there is EVEN a battle going on!

We’re FIGHTINGWe’re FIGHTING

TheThe

ChannukahChannukah

Though the Though the Maccabees won the Maccabees won the battle, they did not win battle, they did not win the war! This war still the war! This war still continues to this very continues to this very day in our seminaries, day in our seminaries, bible colleges and bible colleges and churches!churches!

ChannukahChannukahCommemorates Commemorates moremore than merely than merely the overthrow of an the overthrow of an Occupying Power Occupying Power – it represents the – it represents the attempt by faithful attempt by faithful men and women of men and women of God to overthrow a God to overthrow a world-view!world-view!

Israel Occupied Many TimesIsrael Occupied Many Times

BabylonBabylon

Media-PersiaMedia-Persia

GreeceGreece

RomeRome

Israel Allowed to Practice their Israel Allowed to Practice their ReligionReligion

Under these Occupiers Israel generally Under these Occupiers Israel generally was allowed to practice their faith.was allowed to practice their faith.

Alexander the Great:

When Alexander marched into Judaea, he found a culture completely foreign to Greek thought and practices. While the Greeks were generally tolerant of other cultures, particularly in terms of religion, nonetheless the Hellenistic period saw a globalization of Greek values, Platonic thought (because of Alexander’s teacher – Aristotle) and social systems.

Hellenistic JewsHellenistic Jews

In Judaea as elsewhere, the culture In Judaea as elsewhere, the culture quickly began to incorporate ideas from quickly began to incorporate ideas from the Greeks. In particular, Diaspora Jews the Greeks. In particular, Diaspora Jews living throughout the Hellenistic world living throughout the Hellenistic world became "Hellenistic Jews," that is, Jews became "Hellenistic Jews," that is, Jews that spoke Greek as a primary language. that spoke Greek as a primary language.

AssimilationAssimilation

Many assimilated into the Greek culture Many assimilated into the Greek culture and society. and society. 11stst Maccabees 1:11-15 Maccabees 1:11-15

Some Jewish men removed marks of Some Jewish men removed marks of circumcision in order to compete in the circumcision in order to compete in the gymnasiums. gymnasiums. 11stst Maccabees 1:14-15 Maccabees 1:14-15

Initially, individual Jews chose to Initially, individual Jews chose to assimilate voluntarily. assimilate voluntarily. 11stst Maccabees 1:11, 43 Maccabees 1:11, 43

This would not last for long. Soon, the This would not last for long. Soon, the entire nation would have the Greek entire nation would have the Greek perspective forced upon them with the perspective forced upon them with the intent of creating an unified kingdom…intent of creating an unified kingdom…

11stst Maccabees 1:41-42 Maccabees 1:41-42

Antiochus EphiphinesAntiochus Ephiphines

Forbade the observance of the faith of IsraelForbade the observance of the faith of Israel 11stst Maccabees 1:45-49 Maccabees 1:45-49::

Forbade Shabbat and Moedim observance Forbade Shabbat and Moedim observance 11stst Maccabees 1:45 Maccabees 1:45

Forbade circumcision Forbade circumcision 11stst Maccabees 1:48 Maccabees 1:48

Forbade Torah Forbade Torah 11stst Maccabees 1:49 Maccabees 1:49

Forced other Religious Forced other Religious Observances Upon IsraelObservances Upon Israel

Forced sacrifice to pagan IdolsForced sacrifice to pagan Idols 11stst Maccabees 1:47 Maccabees 1:47

Forced sacrifice of pigs and other unclean Forced sacrifice of pigs and other unclean things upon Altar in Temple. things upon Altar in Temple. 11stst Maccabees 1:46- Maccabees 1:46-4747

Forced Greek world-view upon his Forced Greek world-view upon his subjects. subjects. 11stst Maccabees 1:50-51 Maccabees 1:50-51

ChannukahChannukah

Commemorates the Overthrow of a Commemorates the Overthrow of a World-World-ViewView upon Israel: upon Israel:

The Ancient Greek World-View – The Ancient Greek World-View – empowered by spiritual forces.empowered by spiritual forces.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual {forces} of wickedness in the heavenly {places.}

Ephesians 6:2

Behind Earthly kingdoms and Behind Earthly kingdoms and philosophies lies a Spiritual onephilosophies lies a Spiritual one

11 The word of the LORD came again to The word of the LORD came again to me, saying, me, saying, 22 "Son of man, say to the "Son of man, say to the leader of Tyreleader of Tyre, `Thus says the Lord GOD, , `Thus says the Lord GOD, "Because your heart is lifted up And you "Because your heart is lifted up And you have said, `I am a god, I sit in the seat of have said, `I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods In the heart of the seas'; Yet you are gods In the heart of the seas'; Yet you are a man and not God… Ezekiel 28a man and not God… Ezekiel 28

King of TyreKing of Tyre1111 Again the word of the LORD came to me Again the word of the LORD came to me saying, saying, 1212 "Son of man, take up a lamentation "Son of man, take up a lamentation over the over the king of Tyreking of Tyre and say to him, `Thus says and say to him, `Thus says the Lord GOD, "You had the seal of perfection, the Lord GOD, "You had the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 1313 "You "You were in Eden, the garden of God;were in Eden, the garden of God; Every Every precious stone was your covering: The ruby, precious stone was your covering: The ruby, the topaz and the diamond; The beryl, the onyx the topaz and the diamond; The beryl, the onyx and the jasper; The lapis lazuli, the turquoise and the jasper; The lapis lazuli, the turquoise and the emerald; And the gold, the and the emerald; And the gold, the workmanship of your settings and sockets, workmanship of your settings and sockets, Was in you. On the day that you were created Was in you. On the day that you were created They were prepared. They were prepared.

Ezekiel 28Ezekiel 28

Ezekiel 28Ezekiel 28

1414 "You were the anointed cherub who "You were the anointed cherub who covers, And I placed you covers, And I placed you there. there. You You were on the holy mountain of Godwere on the holy mountain of God; You ; You walked in the midst of the stones of fire. walked in the midst of the stones of fire. 1515 "You were blameless in your ways. "You were blameless in your ways. From the day you were created From the day you were created Until Until unrighteousness was found in youunrighteousness was found in you..

Prince of the kingdom of Persia – Prince of the kingdom of Persia – Daniel 10Daniel 10

1010 Then behold, a hand touched me and set me Then behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. trembling on my hands and knees. 1111 He said to He said to me, "O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand me, "O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand the words that I am about to tell you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." And upright, for I have now been sent to you." And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. trembling. 1212 Then he said to me, "Do not be Then he said to me, "Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding your heart on understanding thisthis and on humbling and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. and I have come in response to your words.

Daniel 10Daniel 10

1313 "But the "But the prince of the kingdom of Persiaprince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the left there with the kings of Persiakings of Persia. . 1414 "Now I "Now I have come to give you an understanding have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet days yet future.future." "

Against the king of Babylon… Against the king of Babylon…

44 …take up this taunt against the king of …take up this taunt against the king of Babylon…Babylon… 1212 "How you have fallen from heaven, "How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who have have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations! weakened the nations! 1313 "But you said in your "But you said in your heart, `I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my heart, `I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north. north. 1414 `I will ascend above the heights of the `I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.' I will make myself like the Most High.'

Isaiah 14:4, 12-14Isaiah 14:4, 12-14

Become Like GodBecome Like God

Many ancient world leaders (pharaohs, Many ancient world leaders (pharaohs, kings, caesars, etc.) proclaimed kings, caesars, etc.) proclaimed themselves as gods.themselves as gods.

Same thing said to Chava (Eve) in the Same thing said to Chava (Eve) in the Garden of Eden, “…You shall become as Garden of Eden, “…You shall become as God!” Bereshith (Genesis) 3:5God!” Bereshith (Genesis) 3:5

Should this come as a surprise? Consider Should this come as a surprise? Consider that the spiritual force behind them (Satan) that the spiritual force behind them (Satan) considered himself one!considered himself one!

Antiochus Epiphanes Antiochus Epiphanes

Epiphanes - “The Manifest God” or “God Epiphanes - “The Manifest God” or “God Revealed”Revealed”

Ancient Greek world view exalts Ancient Greek world view exalts man.man.

What is a World-View?What is a World-View?

The system of beliefs of a person that determines how they approach and judge things that they encounter, whether in the form of beliefs, knowledge, and experiences.

It refers to the framework through which an individual interprets the world and interacts in it.

Whether or not we are conscious of it, all of us Whether or not we are conscious of it, all of us have a worldview. have a worldview. Most of us receive our Most of us receive our worldview from the community into which we are worldview from the community into which we are born and remain committed to it throughout our born and remain committed to it throughout our lives.lives. Some of us, however, encounter situations Some of us, however, encounter situations or have experiences which cannot be explained by or have experiences which cannot be explained by our inherited worldview. This usually precipitates a our inherited worldview. This usually precipitates a crisis of belief which can be resolved in one of two crisis of belief which can be resolved in one of two ways: Either we arrive at a deeper understanding ways: Either we arrive at a deeper understanding of our inherited worldview that shows how it can of our inherited worldview that shows how it can account for such anomalous situations or account for such anomalous situations or experiences; experiences; or we convert to another worldview, or we convert to another worldview, held by a different community, which already has held by a different community, which already has built-in explanations for the anomalies we have built-in explanations for the anomalies we have encountered. encountered.

Blue Glasses/Pink GlassesBlue Glasses/Pink Glasses

World views act somewhat like eye World views act somewhat like eye glasses or contact lenses.glasses or contact lenses.

We “see” (interpret/filter) the world though We “see” (interpret/filter) the world though our world-view.our world-view.

World-Views in ConflictWorld-Views in Conflict

There IS a There IS a different different and often conflicting and often conflicting Orientation between the world-view of the Orientation between the world-view of the Ancient Greeks and the Biblical world view Ancient Greeks and the Biblical world view of the Hebrews: Tertullian of Carthage, an of the Hebrews: Tertullian of Carthage, an early Christian theologian, wrestled with early Christian theologian, wrestled with the conflict in his day between Greek and the conflict in his day between Greek and Hebrew thought. He asked: "What has Hebrew thought. He asked: "What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?" Athens to do with Jerusalem?"

(Tertullian, (Tertullian, HereticsHeretics, 7 (Stevenson, p.166-167), 7 (Stevenson, p.166-167)

What is so different?What is so different?

Basically, Basically, the sources are differentthe sources are different. The . The Hebrews depended primarily on revelation, Hebrews depended primarily on revelation, inspired directly by God. The Greeks, who didn't inspired directly by God. The Greeks, who didn't acknowledge the one true God, depended on acknowledge the one true God, depended on humanly inspired reason.humanly inspired reason.

Because the sources are different, the results Because the sources are different, the results are differentare different. Different views of deity, of origins, . Different views of deity, of origins, of absolutes, of truth resulted in of absolutes, of truth resulted in different different worldviewsworldviews..

Reflective in the differences in culture, art, Reflective in the differences in culture, art, government and philosophy of their government and philosophy of their respective holders.respective holders.

These Different Worldviews are…These Different Worldviews are…

Ancient Greek World-ViewAncient Greek World-View

““I” OrientedI” Oriented

Exaltation of the human – Exaltation of the human – as reflected in their artas reflected in their art

The Ancient Greeks were obsessed with the personal cultivation of the individual. "Know thyself," repeated Socrates.

Greek ReligionGreek Religion

The Ancient Greek The Ancient Greek tradition was secular: it tradition was secular: it proposed no one God proposed no one God (polytheistic) and formal (polytheistic) and formal religion as we know it religion as we know it today, did not exist. today, did not exist.

Their gods looked like Their gods looked like (and acted like) (and acted like) humans. Limited in humans. Limited in power.power.

In Short:In Short:

Ancient Greeks Ancient Greeks exalt their menexalt their men so as to so as to become gods. Focus on “I” and human become gods. Focus on “I” and human development.development.

Ancient Greeks Ancient Greeks debase their godsdebase their gods so as so as to act like men.to act like men.

Greek PhilosophyGreek Philosophy

The Greeks asked questions: Who am I? The Greeks asked questions: Who am I? What is knowledge? What is the state? What is knowledge? What is the state? What is beauty? What is virtue? What is What is beauty? What is virtue? What is justice? What is the best form of justice? What is the best form of government? government?

“Man is the measure of all things of what is and what is not,” said the Greek philosopher Protagoras (481-411 BC).

Contrast to the Hebrew World-ViewContrast to the Hebrew World-View

Not “I” orientated. Community Oriented.Not “I” orientated. Community Oriented.

Art-forms do not glorify the human figure. Art-forms do not glorify the human figure.

Philosophy does not glorify the human Philosophy does not glorify the human intellect.intellect.

Hebrew World-View and GodHebrew World-View and God

Exalts and glorifies God. Only ONE God.Exalts and glorifies God. Only ONE God.

God is not a man. No human form.God is not a man. No human form.

God does not think or act like a man.God does not think or act like a man.

God God is transcendent: unlimited in scope or powers . .

God God knows everything, past, present, and future, and can do everything..

ChannukahChannukah

The Maccabees won the battle, but as we The Maccabees won the battle, but as we shall see – they did not win the War!shall see – they did not win the War!

There is still a war being fought between There is still a war being fought between these two world-views today: Greek these two world-views today: Greek world-view vs. Hebrew world-view.world-view vs. Hebrew world-view.

Battle is for the MindBattle is for the Mind

War is won or lost War is won or lost in the mindin the mind before a single before a single shot is fired.shot is fired.

Battle of World-viewsBattle of World-views

Battle for the mind…Battle for the mind…

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual {forces} of wickedness in the heavenly {places.}

Ephesians 6:12

Against principalities and powers, not Against principalities and powers, not flesh and blood…flesh and blood…

Difference in World-Views Difference in World-Views Reflective in Education ModelsReflective in Education Models

Greek Model of EducationGreek Model of Education

The Greek model of the relationship between a The Greek model of the relationship between a teacher and his disciple requires no examination teacher and his disciple requires no examination of the life of either the teacher or the disciple, for of the life of either the teacher or the disciple, for the method of learning is entirely mentalthe method of learning is entirely mental. Greek . Greek teachers are teaching their students how to think teachers are teaching their students how to think and manipulate abstract ideas. and manipulate abstract ideas. The Greek The Greek teacher or disciple-maker is teacher or disciple-maker is not teaching the not teaching the student how to livestudent how to live.. Therefore, the place of Therefore, the place of learning is within the four walls of the academy. learning is within the four walls of the academy.

In contrast, In contrast, the central method of Hebrew the central method of Hebrew discipleship is the discipleship is the examination of the life of the examination of the life of the teacher.teacher. The subject of study is the The subject of study is the life of the life of the teacher.teacher. The lesson to be learned by the student is The lesson to be learned by the student is how to how to live like the teacherlive like the teacher. Therefore, while the . Therefore, while the Greeks learn indoors, seated in chairs and talking Greeks learn indoors, seated in chairs and talking about ideasabout ideas, , the Hebrews live life together and the Hebrews live life together and examine each others behaviorsexamine each others behaviors. . To pass an To pass an examination in the Greek educational system is to examination in the Greek educational system is to articulate a certain system of ideas or to prove that articulate a certain system of ideas or to prove that one can manipulate ideas like the teacher.one can manipulate ideas like the teacher. To pass To pass an examination in Hebrew discipleship, the student an examination in Hebrew discipleship, the student must show he can must show he can dodo what the teacher what the teacher doesdoes.. Yeshua examined the disciples by sending them out Yeshua examined the disciples by sending them out to to do as He doesdo as He does. .

Contrasting World-ViewsContrasting World-Views

Greeks = correct Greeks = correct thoughtthought

Hebrews = correct Hebrews = correct livingliving

The Greeks, in the last analysis, were thinkers rather than doers. In time, the Greek world view came to be based on the intellect more than it was on action.

Contrast the Hebrew : Contrast the Hebrew : Doers, Not Doers, Not Merely HearersMerely Hearers

But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. James 1:22

Hebrew: Hebrew: Follow/Imitate the Follow/Imitate the TeacherTeacher

Yeshua said: “Yeshua said: “Follow MeFollow Me””

Matthew 4:19, 9:9, 16:24, 19:21; John 10:4, 12:26Matthew 4:19, 9:9, 16:24, 19:21; John 10:4, 12:26

Shaul/Paul said: “Shaul/Paul said: “Imitate meImitate me” “as I ” “as I imitate imitate MessiahMessiah””

1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:11 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1

““Church” HistoryChurch” History

Started out as a strictly Jewish faith with Started out as a strictly Jewish faith with Hebraic world-view: Acts 2Hebraic world-view: Acts 2

Since the first Christians were Jews, they used the Since the first Christians were Jews, they used the synagogues, both inside and outside Judea, as ready-synagogues, both inside and outside Judea, as ready-made centres for evangelism…In fact, in spite of the made centres for evangelism…In fact, in spite of the growing divergence between the church and the growing divergence between the church and the synagogue, the Christian communities worshipped and synagogue, the Christian communities worshipped and operated essentially as Jewish synagogues for more than operated essentially as Jewish synagogues for more than a generation. a generation. Eerdman’s Handbook to the History of ChristianityEerdman’s Handbook to the History of Christianity, Wm. B. , Wm. B. Eerdman’s Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, copyright 1977, Eerdman’s Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, copyright 1977, page 68page 68

Acts 10 - Acts 10 - 10 Years to Cornelius10 Years to Cornelius

According to church history, it was According to church history, it was approximately 10 years that elapsed approximately 10 years that elapsed before the first non-Jewish non-proselyte before the first non-Jewish non-proselyte Cornelius came into the “church.”Cornelius came into the “church.”

Myriads of Jewish believersMyriads of Jewish believers

According to Acts 21, by 57 CE there were According to Acts 21, by 57 CE there were tens of thousands of Jewish believers tens of thousands of Jewish believers “zealous for the Torah” (i.e. “doers”)“zealous for the Torah” (i.e. “doers”)

““Church” was led by Jewish Church” was led by Jewish LeadersLeaders

During the life of the Disciples, the During the life of the Disciples, the “church” was led by Jewish leaders.“church” was led by Jewish leaders.

““Church” still operated with Hebraic Church” still operated with Hebraic mindset. However, by their writings, it is mindset. However, by their writings, it is evident the Disciples were evident the Disciples were alreadyalready fighting fighting against Greek thinking in their time.against Greek thinking in their time.

Early Church FathersEarly Church Fathers

After the death of the Jewish Apostles, After the death of the Jewish Apostles, non-Jewish Early Church Fathers took non-Jewish Early Church Fathers took over the leadership of the Church.over the leadership of the Church.

The term “Early Church Fathers” refers to The term “Early Church Fathers” refers to “Christian” writers and theologians of the “Christian” writers and theologians of the first eight centuries of the “Christian” first eight centuries of the “Christian” Church, especially the period of Church, especially the period of development up to 451 C.E.development up to 451 C.E.

Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Clement, Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Clement, Origen, Augustine, Eusebius, Athanasius, Origen, Augustine, Eusebius, Athanasius, John Chrysostom – and many others.John Chrysostom – and many others.

Brought Greek World-view with them Brought Greek World-view with them

They came in from the Gentile pagan They came in from the Gentile pagan Greek world-view. Carried with them the Greek world-view. Carried with them the thinking and attitudes of that world-view.thinking and attitudes of that world-view.

““The church fathers are of great importance to The church fathers are of great importance to Christianity because they formulated nearly all of Christianity because they formulated nearly all of the Christian doctrine that is accepted by the Christian doctrine that is accepted by Christians today. Christians today. They interpreted the Bible in They interpreted the Bible in the light of challenges from Greek thought,the light of challenges from Greek thought, determined Christianity’s relationship to Judaism, determined Christianity’s relationship to Judaism, elaborated on theological concepts such as the elaborated on theological concepts such as the Trinity and salvation, and established the Trinity and salvation, and established the structure and organization of the Church.”structure and organization of the Church.”

copyright 2004,2005 Religionfacts.comcopyright 2004,2005 Religionfacts.com

““Philo Judaeos, of the first century A.D., and the Philo Judaeos, of the first century A.D., and the early Church Fathers Clement of Alexandria early Church Fathers Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 150?-220-?) and Origen (A.D. 185?-254?) (A.D. 150?-220-?) and Origen (A.D. 185?-254?) argued that the religion of the Bible was argued that the religion of the Bible was compatible with Platonic philosophycompatible with Platonic philosophy. They . They contended that philosophical reasons could be contended that philosophical reasons could be given for accepting certain religious views, and given for accepting certain religious views, and that various religious contentions could be that various religious contentions could be interpreted as ways of stating philosophical interpreted as ways of stating philosophical theses. theses. Over the next several centuries, many Over the next several centuries, many theories from the writing of the Greek theories from the writing of the Greek philosophers were employed by theologians to philosophers were employed by theologians to clarify or justify their religious convictionsclarify or justify their religious convictions.” .”

Avrum Stroll and Richard H. Popkin, Avrum Stroll and Richard H. Popkin, Introduction to PhilosophyIntroduction to Philosophy, , third edition. (Published by Holt, Rinehart and Winston, ©1979). , third edition. (Published by Holt, Rinehart and Winston, ©1979). , p.342.p.342.

The Second Century Church: The Second Century Church: World-Views in TransitionWorld-Views in Transition

Because of them, in Christian theology the Because of them, in Christian theology the Greek world view supplanted the Hebrew–Greek world view supplanted the Hebrew–Jewish world view and has remained Jewish world view and has remained dominant to our day. dominant to our day.

Yet, even up to the Third Century there Yet, even up to the Third Century there were still Jewish believers in Yeshua who were still Jewish believers in Yeshua who were faithful to the Torah (as noted by non-were faithful to the Torah (as noted by non-Jewish historians)!Jewish historians)!

Concerning Jewish Followers of Yeshua in 2nd Century C.E.

IrIrenaeus,enaeus, a student of one of the Apostle’s a student of one of the Apostle’s students, wrote in the 2nd century C.E. the students, wrote in the 2nd century C.E. the following words: “They themselves (the following words: “They themselves (the Apostles) continued in the ancient Apostles) continued in the ancient observances: the Apostles acted observances: the Apostles acted scrupulously in accord with the scrupulously in accord with the dispensation of the Law of Moses.”dispensation of the Law of Moses.”

Writings of The Ante-Nicene Church Fathers; Writings of The Ante-Nicene Church Fathers; Against Heresies III:23:15Against Heresies III:23:15

Epiphaneus, Epiphaneus, 33rdrd Century Church Century Church Historian regarding Jewish believers in Historian regarding Jewish believers in

his timehis time

““They are mainly Jews and nothing else. They are mainly Jews and nothing else. They They make use not only of the New Testament, but of make use not only of the New Testament, but of the Old Testament of the Jewsthe Old Testament of the Jews; they do not ; they do not forbid the books of the Torah, the Writings, or forbid the books of the Torah, the Writings, or the Prophets. So they are approved by the Jews, the Prophets. So they are approved by the Jews, from whom the Nazarenes differ in nothing, from whom the Nazarenes differ in nothing, except they believe (Yeshua of Nazareth is the) except they believe (Yeshua of Nazareth is the) Messiah.” Messiah.”

Writings of The Post-Nicene Church Fathers; Panarion Writings of The Post-Nicene Church Fathers; Panarion XXX:10, XXXIV:7 XXX:10, XXXIV:7

TodayToday

The Church is dominated by the Greek The Church is dominated by the Greek World-view.World-view.

Next Series will be looking more into this Next Series will be looking more into this war and how deeply it impacts us…war and how deeply it impacts us…