43 thoughts on “The Dangers of the Hebrew Roots Movement /The Sacred Name movement”

1. Then how did William Tyndale derive the translated name of Jesus Christ may I enquire from the Greek language?

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   • (Admin Edited – We cannot post false belief systems or links to false teachings.)

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2. genesis

   I fail to see the relevance of your question. What does the translation of the Bible have to do with the errors of the HRM?

   I would assume that he used his linguistic ability to translate the text.

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3. I would like to say something in response to this very thoughtful expose against Messianic believers…”all of them” as you have stated. I am Jewish and I lead worship in a small Messianic congregation. I also spend more than 20 hours a week volunteering for a leading Christian Ministry in my town, and have never considered them “pagan”, or even wasted time on such meaningless thoughts. If I believe that the origin of Jesus’ name is pagan, and I search it out, and am convinced that this is the case, then why would I feel a need to accuse others of following a pagan worship?? My only need, is to live with all of my heart, a life that reflects a living, loving faith! This is the power of God living in and through us…His people! That would make your statement about ALL Messianic believers UNTRUE. Wouldn’t that make you a false prophet?? I hope you think about this! While I know that there is much error amongst those who say they are His…but when you use inflammatory statements such as “All of them”, and such…..you disqualify yourself by the Spirit of Truth….God’s Spirit, because clearly, I am ONE of them, and you are very wrong in judgement. I hope this really causes you to evaluate your own motivation and zeal…for your sake. May you be blessed in your hunger and thirst for His Righteousness!!

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4. ElainaJoye

   Thank you for your comment here. Firstly, I feel it imperative to state that I was not the author of these articles, therefore I do not speak on their behalf. I do, however, wish to make a few small, but very important points to assist in our understanding of the subject addressed by the article.

   Secondly, I will keep the points very brief for now, and relevant only to your immediate comment.

   1. There must be a very clear distinction made between our understanding of what constitutes two distinct groups: Messianic Jews (Jews who are Christians) and those in the Hebrew Roots Movement (which is Messianic Judaism). Messianic Jews believe as Christians do and are saved by grace through their faith in Jesus Christ alone. The HRM combines different beliefs and attempts to include historic Judaism and other influences into a false form of Christianity.

   2. Messianic believers in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour are by the nature of their saving faith not addressed or included in the criticism made by this article. True Messianic believers do not form a part of the HRM, they are Christians.

   3. If you are a Christian, and you are Jewish, and you do not adhere to the false inclusion of extra-biblical beliefs in your Christian faith, then your are clearly not ONE of those who are addressed by this article.

   4. The Apostle Paul addressed a very similar situation in his letter to the Galatians. (Galatians 1:6-7) ” I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel– not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. ”

   May the grace of our Lord be with you.

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5. Is it too late to respond to this subject as someone who is in the Hebrew Roots Awakening? I don’t want to waste time if no one is monitoring this subject. Thank you.

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   • Kim
     The comments on this posting are still open. You are welcome to comment here.

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6. Shalom Grant, first in response to the equating the Hebrew Roots Movement (HRM) with the Sacred Name movement is not any way near correct. The Sacred Name movement believes Satan is a female and God’s estranged wife, are not trinitarians and actually practice sacrifice at Passover. No HRM people that I know of believe or practice those things. However, I must say that we do have some similarities, just as we have similarities (many) to mainstream Christianity. Second, I was a fundamental Baptist for 25 years, teaching adult sunday school, leading music worship, and at the church anytime the doors were open. I do not judge other Christians–most all of us in this movement, have come out of Christianity; if we had not been part of Christianity, we would not be in the HRM. This is truly a miraculous awakening–the congregation I attend had previously been a thriving cowboy church in a rural community with over 100 members. The pastor was reading and, not even knowing anything about this movement, announced that God had revealed to him in scripture that they should be observing the Sabbath (the fourth commandment), and to ‘observe’ Yah’s feast and festivals to learn/remember the shadows pointing to the Messiah; as well as the prophetic implications of these feasts/festivals–Yahshua has fulfilled the spring feasts and getting ready to fulfill the fall feasts–how will you know the times and seasons if you do not at least know about the feasts–His feasts, not Judah’s feasts. As you might imagine, he was left with ten people.

   Third, I read your response to someone where you said you did not write the articles that you posted, but you did select them to ‘define’ the movement and the heresies you believe exist in this movement. There are obviously many accusations made backed up with the typical verses used to denegrate this movement. In order to understand what is taking place at this time in history–the Spirit of Elijah calling, one must check firmly held doctrines and apologetic verses at the door. Open your spiritual soul to receive what I would like to say without the immediate defensive scripture that I too used to hold on to.

   I will reply in stages as there is much to respond to, and as you can probably imagine, I have a family to take care of and a farm with animals as well.

   Your first paragraph: “false teachings…leads people into error and a false legalistic type religion.” (this is actually your direct quote). Legalism is defined as “those that REQUIRE you to keep sect rules and say you are not saved if you don’t.” I can unequivocally state that the true HRM in no way even comes close to that definition. Each person must work out their salvation obtained by faith in Yahshua only. Your verse at the top Ephesians 2:8-9 is absolutely correct. THere has never been anyone in Biblical history that has been saved by anything but by the shed blood of the lamb/Yahshua the Messiah by grace. However, having said that, John 14:15 Yahweh stated “if you love me, keep my commandments.” At the time of this writing there was no cannon of scriptures, but the scriptures that everyone knew–the Torah and the Tanakh (2 Timothy 3:16…ALL Scripture is given for instruction…there was no New Testament at this time). One of the main reasons that people come to this movement is because of their question about why we do not keep the 4th commandment about the Sabbath. THe standard explanatory verses to keep any day just does not corroborate worshiping the creator of the universe on any day, but His Sabbath instituted at the time of creation and is not a ‘Jewish’ ritual (remember, a Jew is from the tribe of Judah); there were 11 other tribes observing the Sabbath before they were punished for their idolatry/harlotry, divorced, and dispersed throughout the nations until the end of that punishment in approximately 2009.

   And yes, be Bereans, every teacher in this HRM always says that; not to just listen to what they say, but to study the scriptures and if anyone has a dispute, they welcome the criticism to midrash out the dispute.

   Closing for a bit…cooking supper (sweet corn and chicken).

   Have a great Yom Sheni

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   • Kim

     The HRM is simply not Biblical. Here is a short article why I remain in agreement with my article above.

     “What is the Hebrew Roots movement?”

     Answer: The premise of the Hebrew Roots movement is the belief that the Church has veered far from the true teachings and Hebrew concepts of the Bible. The movement maintains that Christianity has been indoctrinated with the culture and beliefs of Greek and Roman philosophy and that ultimately biblical Christianity, taught in churches today, has been corrupted with a pagan imitation of the New Testament gospels.

     Those of the Hebrew Roots belief hold to the teaching that Christ’s death on the cross did not end the Mosaic Covenant, but instead renewed it, expanded its message, and wrote it on the hearts of His true followers. They teach that the understanding of the New Testament can only come from a Hebrew perspective and that the teachings of the Apostle Paul are not understood clearly or taught correctly by Christian pastors today. Many affirm the existence of an original Hebrew-language New Testament and, in some cases, denigrate the existing New Testament text written in Greek. This becomes a subtle attack on the reliability of the text of our Bible. If the Greek text is unreliable and has been corrupted, as is charged by some, the Church no longer has a standard of truth.

     Although there are many different and diverse Hebrew Roots assemblies with variations in their teachings, they all adhere to a common emphasis on recovering the “original” Jewishness of Christianity. Their assumption is that the Church has lost its Jewish roots and is unaware that Jesus and His disciples were Jews living in obedience to the Torah. For the most part, those involved advocate the need for every believer to walk a Torah-observant life. This means that the ordinances of the Mosaic Covenant must be a central focus in the lifestyle of believers today as it was with the Old Testament Jews of Israel. Keeping the Torah includes keeping the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week (Saturday), celebrating the Jewish feasts and festivals, keeping the dietary laws, avoiding the “paganism” of Christianity (Christmas, Easter, etc.), and learning to understand the Scriptures from a Hebrew mindset. They teach that Gentile Christians have been grafted into Israel, and this is one reason every born-again believer in Jesus the Messiah is to participate in these observances. It is expressed that doing this is not required out of legalistic bondage, but out of a heart of love and obedience. However, they teach that to live a life that pleases God, this Torah-observant walk must be part of that life.

     The Hebrew Roots assemblies are often made up of a majority of Gentiles, including Gentile rabbis. Usually they prefer to be identified as “Messianic Christians.” Many have come to the conclusion that God has “called” them to be Jewish and have accepted the theological position that the Torah (Old Testament law) is equally binding on Gentiles and Jews alike. They often wear articles of traditional Jewish clothing, practice Davidic dancing, and incorporate Hebrew names and phrases into their writing and conversations. Most reject the use of the name “Jesus” in favor of Yeshua or YHWH, claiming that these are the “true” names that God desires for Himself. In most cases, they elevate the Torah as the foundational teaching for the Church, which brings about the demotion of the New Testament, causing it to become secondary in importance and only to be understood in light of the Old Testament. The idea that the New Testament is faulty and relevant only in light of the Old Testament has also brought the doctrine of the Trinity under attack by many advocates of the Hebrew Roots beliefs.

     As opposed to what the Hebrew Roots movement claims, the New Testament teachings of the Apostle Paul are perfectly clear and self-explanatory. Colossians 2:16; 17says, “Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day – things which are a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.” Romans 14:5 states, “One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.” Scripture clearly indicates that these issues are a matter of personal choice. These verses and many others give clear evidence that the Mosaic Covenant laws and ordinances have ended. Continuing to teach that the Old Covenant is still in effect in spite of what the New Testament teaches, or twisting the New Testament to agree with the Hebrew Roots beliefs, is false teaching.

     There are aspects of the Hebrew Roots teachings that certainly can be beneficial. Seeking to explore the Jewish culture and perspective, within which most of the Bible was written, opens and enriches our understanding of the Scriptures, adding insight and depth to many of the passages, parables and idioms. There is nothing wrong with Gentiles and Jews joining together in celebrating the feasts and enjoying a Messianic style of worship. Taking part in these events and learning the way in which the Jews understood the teachings of our Lord can be a tool, giving us greater effectiveness in reaching the unbelieving Jew with the gospel. It is good for Gentiles, in the body of the Messiah, to identify in our fellowship with Israel. However, to identify with Israel is different from identifying “as” Israel.

     Gentile believers are not grafted into the Judaism of the Mosaic Covenant; they are grafted into the seed and faith of Abraham, which preceded the Law and Jewish customs. They are fellow citizens with the saints (Ephesians 2:19), but they are not Jews. Paul explains this clearly when he tells those who were circumcised (the Jews) “not to seek to be uncircumcised” and those who were uncircumcised (the Gentiles) “not to become circumcised” (1 Corinthians 7:18). There is no need for either group to feel they must become what they are not. Instead, God has made Jews and Gentiles into “one new man” in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:15). This “new man” is referring to the Church, the body of Christ, which is made up of neither Jew nor Gentile (Galatians 3:27-29). It’s important for Jews and Gentiles to remain authentic in their own identity. In this way a clear picture of the unity of the body of Christ can be seen as Jews and Gentiles are united by one Lord, one faith, one baptism. If Gentiles are grafted into Israel, becoming Jews, the purpose and picture of both Jew and Gentile, coming together as one new man, is lost. God never intended Gentiles to become one in Israel, but one in Christ.

     The influence of this movement is working its way into our churches and seminaries. It’s dangerous in its implication that keeping the Old Covenant law is walking a “higher path” and is the only way to please God and receive His blessings. Nowhere in the Bible do we find Gentile believers being instructed to follow Levitical laws or Jewish customs; in fact, the opposite is taught. Romans 7:6 says, “But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” Christ, in keeping perfectly every ordinance of the Mosaic Law, completely fulfilled it. Just as making the final payment on a home fulfills that contract and ends one’s obligation to it, so also Christ has made the final payment and has fulfilled the law, bringing it to an end for us all.

     It is God Himself who has created a world of people with different cultures, languages and traditions. God is glorified when we accept one another in love and come together in unity as “one” in Christ Jesus. It’s important to understand that there is no superiority in being born Jewish or Gentile. We who are followers of Christ, comprised of many different cultures and lifestyles, are all of value and greatly loved because we’ve entered into the family of God.

     In His service

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     • Sorry, I see where I said ‘pagan Christianity,’ which may be a good Google too, but I meant ‘pagan Christmas–Christ Mass???’; also Mithraism.

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     • Kim

       Kim, ‘pagan Christianity,’ are referring to non believers. I have no need to know or goolge what it is because it is clear by the description , and your referral to ‘pagan Christmas–Christ Mass???” , refers to Roman Catholics as is the referral to Mithraism. This blog does not approve of Roman Catholicism it is just antoher form of non Christian beliefs systems just like Hebrew roots movemane/Sacred name movement.

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     • (Admin- Comment removed not Biblical )

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7. From the you tube clip :

   The “Sacred Name” Movement Exposed Teaching Overview: Have you found eternal salvation through the Holy name of our Lord Jesus Christ? Have you found true deliverance from your old sinful past, the world and it’s pleasures, in this most precious name? What about the reality of the peace of God, and the assurance nothing can separate us from the love of God? Have you seen lives changed, miracles wrought, families restored, and others responding towards God, at the preaching of this Name above every other name? What if someone came along and said this Name you have been saved and set free by is not the correct name at all but a misnomer? What if someone came along and said the wonderful name of your Saviour was a corrupt Greek name, derived from a false god called Zeus? How would you react? What would you response be? What if you were told the true name of God could not and should never even be uttered and the substitute for God’s name is the name Yahweh? Beware!!! This is exactly what is happening in some spheres of Christendom today, through sources of the Hebrew Roots/Messianic/Sacred Name Movement, as it infiltrates itself into the Body of Christ. Titus 1:14: “Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.”
   Refer to the video clip please :
   

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   • I saw the video clip, but it was only 3 minutes and the only thing discussed was the SAcred Name Movement (which is not the Hebraic Roots movement)…yes, we do use the name of “God”, which is just a title by the way, sort of like me calling you ‘man’ or ‘woman.’ WE call him Yah and Jesus, Yeshua, or other forms–we are all still working on that because we desire to call Him by His name. Wouldn’t you want to be called by your name? We do not judge people because they do not pronounce it right and we certainly don’t consider them eternally damned–how absolutely ridiculous is that?

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     • Kim, the article and links does not emphasize any judgement because the name of God is not pronounced correctly. The basis of the article and links are the Sacred Name movement aka Hebraic Roots movement are indeed a false belief system and NOT Biblical. That is the whole point of placing the article and links for the info of those seeking truth.

       There is nothing Biblical about your movement or your comments for that matter sadly.

       The discussion is not edifying for our Christian readers here, there would be no point to any further discussion.

       I strongly hold to , if it is unedifying to the body of Christ, no reason to discuss or argue on who is correct and who not. Tit 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
       Titus 3:10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,

       I echo the word of Mathew Henry here : Trifling, foolish questions must be avoided, and subtle distinctions and vain inquiries; nor should people be eager after novelties, but love sound doctrine which tends most to edifying. Though we may now think some sins light and little, if the Lord awaken the conscience, we shall feel even the smallest sin heavy upon our souls.

       2Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
       2Timothy 2:16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,
       2Timothy 2:17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

       Mathew Henry again has wise words for us in his commentary here : 2 Timothy 2:14-21

       Those disposed to strive, commonly strive about matters of small moment. But strifes of words destroy the things of God. The apostle mentions some who erred. They did not deny the resurrection, but they corrupted that true doctrine. Yet nothing can be so foolish or erroneous, but it will overturn the temporary faith of some professors. This foundation has two writings on it. One speaks our comfort. None can overthrow the faith of any whom God hath chosen. The other speaks our duty. Those who would have the comfort of the privilege, must make conscience of the duty Christ gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, Tit_2:14. The church of Christ is like a dwelling: some furniture is of great value; some of smaller value, and put to meaner uses. Some professors of religion are like vessels of wood and earth. When the vessels of dishonour are cast out to be destroyed, the others will be filled with all the fulness of God. We must see to it that we are holy vessels. Every one in the church whom God approves, will be devoted to his Master’s service, and thus fitted for his use.

       Act_28:27 For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’

       Rom_11:8 as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.”

       2Timothy 4:3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

       Peace and Blessings

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   • (Admin- Comment removed not Biblical )

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8. Kim

   I did a NEW post that you must read !! Follow this link : https://fortheloveofhistruth.com/2012/03/20/more-dangers-on-the-sacred-name-movementhebrew-roots-movement/

   Peace and Blessings

   In His service

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9. Kim

   Please watch this short video clip that says it all. We cannot be saved by works or man made doctrines. We must believe in Jesus Christ who was crucified for our iniquities. We are sinners saved by grace trough faith………..Ephesians 2:8-9
   Amplified Bible (AMP) 8For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved ([a]delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; 9Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]

   Jesus said : John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
   John 14:7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

   Here is a short clip that explains it clearly. http://youtu.be/SZuVt7qWO80 – What is the Heart of the Gospel? (2 Cor.5:21)

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10. Since my comments are being removed as non-biblical, which I believe that is what we have been talking about the whole time, I must presume this is a one-sided conversation. I think it is uncomfortable, and remember Yah knows you know. Brushing off sandals.

    Shalom and blessings…oh, and one last comment, the pre-trib rapture is heretical and when the you know what hits the fan in a year or so, you will be looking to grab onto our tzitzits. Prepare now.

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    • Kim

      Since my comments are being removed as non-biblical,…

      Please appreciate that it is the intention of this blog to provide a platform for biblical edification, not for the teachings of the falsely religious. The sole source of truth is in inspired Scripture, the Holy Bible. If your comments are not edifying and oppose that which is in Scripture; if what you write or advise is not in accordance with the Word of God, it cannot be published here indefinitely. Please see our “About us” page for further explanation.

      …, I must presume this is a one-sided conversation.

      We have placed much of your commentary on this blog, including some of that which is not in agreement with the Christian faith. We have responded to your comments, we have granted you a fair chance to air your views, including those which oppose biblical Truth. This has by no means been a one-sided conversation as you insinuate. Additionally, in response to your comments, we have provided you with a more than fair amount of relevant biblical information on the subject.

      …, the pre-trib rapture is heretical

      Heresy entails false teaching of that which opposes salvific Truth. Eschatological understanding does not constitute an essential to salvation.

      …when the you know what hits the fan in a year or so,…

      If you regard the second coming of Christ to be the “proverbial” hitting the fan, you should revisit your position in Christ. Test yourself to see whether you are in the faith, or whether you still need to come to know the Saviour before it is too late. This blog is not a place to play a theological game of doctrinal tit-for-tat. Eternity is an awefully long time to be wrong.

      …to grab onto our tzitzits

      Those who will be saved, will have grabbed onto the hand of the Saviour in faith; they are those who will have heard His voice and followed Him. He will lose none of them. To expect of those who are personally called by Christ, to grab onto pieces of rotten dead material attached to the robes of legalistic unbelievers, is simply ridiculous.

      You advise:

      Prepare now.

      Correct. We should all be looking to the second coming of our Lord and Saviour and an end to the grip of sin on the believer. However, how do you propose that those whom God has prepared through His Sovereign grace, improve on His preparative work by themselves? Are you honestly of the opinion that those whom God has chosen and prepared to His glory, wear a tzitzit to improve their chances of salvation?

      Grace to you.

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11. One more parting quote:
    Prof. C. A. L. Totten, of Yale University, says: “I can never be too thankful to the Almighty that in my youth he used the late Professor Wilson to show me the difference between the two houses. The very understanding of this difference is the KEY by which almost the entire Bible becomes intelligible, and I cannot state too strongly that the man who has not yet seen that Israel of the Scripture is totally distinct from the Jewish people, is yet in the very infancy, the mere alphabet, of Biblical study, and that to this day the meaning of seven-eighths of the Bible is shut to his understanding.”

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    • Kim
      You are being misled by a false belief system and doctrines of demons.
      Very interesting (but not a surprise) that you should mention Charles Adelle Lewis Totten (February 3, 1851 – April 12, 1908) was an American … tactics, a prolific writer, and an influential early advocate of British Israelism. AND British Israelism which had began In Mary Baker Eddy’s lifetime by a number of well known Christian Scientists. Julia Field King an American Christian Scientist from Iowa who was a friend and student of Mrs Eddy sailed to England under Mary Baker Eddys orders to study British Israelism in 1896. She had already read the works of the Anglo Israelite C. A. L. Totten and was impressed by the works of Totten. Totten engaged in a genealogical exercise, attempting to prove the Davidic ancestry of the British royal family. Julia field king put extensive research into trying to prove this; she went even further into trying to prove that Mary Baker Eddy herself was a descendant of King David. Mrs Eddy came to be a believer in British Israelism; Eddy was also attracted to this notion as she believed it may boost the Christian Science movement in England. In 1898 Mary Baker Eddy wrote a poem titled “The United States To Great Britain” In this poem Mrs. Eddy refers to the United States and Great Britain as “Anglo-Israel,” and our “brother,” Great Britain, as “Judah’s sceptred race”.[19]

      “What is British Israelism and is it biblical?”

      Answer: British Israelism, also known as Anglo-Israelism, is the belief that the “lost ten tribes” of Israel migrated to Europe and then to England and became the primary ancestors of the British people, and thereby, the United States. British Israelism was made popular by the Worldwide Church of God and Herbert Armstrong, but other groups have held the doctrine as well.

      Is British Israelism true and biblical? In order to determine this, we need to examine the two primary claims: (1) The ten tribes were lost, and (2) the ten tribes migrated to England.

      (1) 2 Kings 17:18 states that Israel was deported to Assyria in 722 B.C. After this time, mention of the ten northern tribes (Israel) is rare in Scripture. However, other Scriptures (and historical records) indicate that some of the people of the northern ten tribes remained in the land. Second Chronicles 35:18 records Israel celebrating the Passover with Judah approximately 90 years after the Assyrian deportation. It is likely that many people of the northern ten tribes fled to Judah to escape the Assyrians, and even more fled to the safety of Judah after the Assyrians had ransacked Israel. Second Chronicles 15:9 records people from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon settling in Judah long before the Assyrian invasion. In the New Testament, the prophetess Anna is said to be from the tribe of Asher (Luke 2:36), one of the supposed ten lost tribes. So, yes, many people from the northern ten tribes were deported to Assyria, never to be mentioned again. At the same time, there is sufficient evidence in Scripture to prove that the ten tribes were not lost, but rather in fact rejoined with Judah in the south. It is likely that when Judah was deported by the Babylonians, the people would have sought out the Israelites in Assyria (very near Babylon) and rejoined with them. In the returns to Israel recorded in Ezra and Nehemiah, the Scriptures nowhere limit the returnees as being entirely from the tribe of Judah.

      (2) Is it possible that some of the deported Israelites immigrated to Europe, even England? Yes. It is likely? No. A journey from Assyrian to England would have been exceedingly difficult in ancient times, especially for a large number of people. Geographically-speaking, Afghan-Israelism and even Japanese-Israelism have a greater possibility of truth. Further, why would Assyria, or later Babylon, or later Persia allow the Israelites to migrate outside of their territories? Further, if the Israelites had the ability to migrate, why would they travel to Europe / England instead of back to their ancestral homeland? So, while it is possible that some Israelites migrated to Europe / England, it is highly unlikely that this occurred to any significant degree.

      The primary goal behind British Israelism is to claim that England and the United States have inherited the covenant promises God made to Israel. While England and the United States have been blessed by God in many ways, it is not because God’s promises to Israel have been transferred to those two nations. God’s covenants with Israel always involved the specific land of Israel. Abraham’s descendants would inherit the land. The blessings of God to Israel were always in connection with the specific land that was promised. These promises, therefore, cannot apply to England or the United States, as those two nations do not possess the promised land. Further, while a significant number of Americans have English heritage, there are far more American immigrants from other nations combined than from England.

      British Israelism (and other forms of Israelism) should be rejected because it does not have a solid basis biblically or historically.

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12. Admin Edited ( Comment removed, we are very aware of the false teachings of the Hebrew Roots/ Sacred Name movement. We cannot place your comment as we do not endorse your movement)

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    • So this is not a forum for a discussion but a continuing article by one author with one viewpoint.

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      • Kim

        Correct this is not a forum but a Christian blog, that keeps to strict Biblical beliefs(Please read the about page) .The point of the article is to warn others against the FALSE belief system of the Hebraic Roots movement aka Sacred Name Movement.

        There is only One Truth and one view point, the road is narrow as we read in Scripture:

        Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. (14) For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (15) “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (16) You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? (17) So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. (18) A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. (19) Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (20) Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. (21) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (22) On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ (23) And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
        

        Jesus is the only way to heaven , again we read the Bible:

        John_6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

        John_7:38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'”

        John_11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

        John_11:26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

        John_12:44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me.

        John_12:46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.

        John_14:12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
        

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      • Kim

        In case you do not understand the article here is more IMPORTANT proof of the dangers involved with this Unbiblical movement.

        The Hebraic Roots/Sacred Name movement is very very dangerous.

        “What is the Hebrew Roots movement?”

        Answer: The premise of the Hebrew Roots movement is the belief that the Church has veered far from the true teachings and Hebrew concepts of the Bible. The movement maintains that Christianity has been indoctrinated with the culture and beliefs of Greek and Roman philosophy and that ultimately biblical Christianity, taught in churches today, has been corrupted with a pagan imitation of the New Testament gospels.

        Those of the Hebrew Roots belief hold to the teaching that Christ’s death on the cross did not end the Mosaic Covenant, but instead renewed it, expanded its message, and wrote it on the hearts of His true followers. They teach that the understanding of the New Testament can only come from a Hebrew perspective and that the teachings of the Apostle Paul are not understood clearly or taught correctly by Christian pastors today. Many affirm the existence of an original Hebrew-language New Testament and, in some cases, denigrate the existing New Testament text written in Greek. This becomes a subtle attack on the reliability of the text of our Bible. If the Greek text is unreliable and has been corrupted, as is charged by some, the Church no longer has a standard of truth.

        Although there are many different and diverse Hebrew Roots assemblies with variations in their teachings, they all adhere to a common emphasis on recovering the “original” Jewishness of Christianity. Their assumption is that the Church has lost its Jewish roots and is unaware that Jesus and His disciples were Jews living in obedience to the Torah. For the most part, those involved advocate the need for every believer to walk a Torah-observant life. This means that the ordinances of the Mosaic Covenant must be a central focus in the lifestyle of believers today as it was with the Old Testament Jews of Israel. Keeping the Torah includes keeping the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week (Saturday), celebrating the Jewish feasts and festivals, keeping the dietary laws, avoiding the “paganism” of Christianity (Christmas, Easter, etc.), and learning to understand the Scriptures from a Hebrew mindset. They teach that Gentile Christians have been grafted into Israel, and this is one reason every born-again believer in Jesus the Messiah is to participate in these observances. It is expressed that doing this is not required out of legalistic bondage, but out of a heart of love and obedience. However, they teach that to live a life that pleases God, this Torah-observant walk must be part of that life.

        The Hebrew Roots assemblies are often made up of a majority of Gentiles, including Gentile rabbis. Usually they prefer to be identified as “Messianic Christians.” Many have come to the conclusion that God has “called” them to be Jewish and have accepted the theological position that the Torah (Old Testament law) is equally binding on Gentiles and Jews alike. They often wear articles of traditional Jewish clothing, practice Davidic dancing, and incorporate Hebrew names and phrases into their writing and conversations. Most reject the use of the name “Jesus” in favor of Yeshua or YHWH, claiming that these are the “true” names that God desires for Himself. In most cases, they elevate the Torah as the foundational teaching for the Church, which brings about the demotion of the New Testament, causing it to become secondary in importance and only to be understood in light of the Old Testament. The idea that the New Testament is faulty and relevant only in light of the Old Testament has also brought the doctrine of the Trinity under attack by many advocates of the Hebrew Roots beliefs.

        As opposed to what the Hebrew Roots movement claims, the New Testament teachings of the Apostle Paul are perfectly clear and self-explanatory. Colossians 2:16, 17 says, “Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day – things which are a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.” Romans 14:5 states, “One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.” Scripture clearly indicates that these issues are a matter of personal choice. These verses and many others give clear evidence that the Mosaic Covenant laws and ordinances have ended. Continuing to teach that the Old Covenant is still in effect in spite of what the New Testament teaches, or twisting the New Testament to agree with the Hebrew Roots beliefs, is false teaching.

        There are aspects of the Hebrew Roots teachings that certainly can be beneficial. Seeking to explore the Jewish culture and perspective, within which most of the Bible was written, opens and enriches our understanding of the Scriptures, adding insight and depth to many of the passages, parables and idioms. There is nothing wrong with Gentiles and Jews joining together in celebrating the feasts and enjoying a Messianic style of worship. Taking part in these events and learning the way in which the Jews understood the teachings of our Lord can be a tool, giving us greater effectiveness in reaching the unbelieving Jew with the gospel. It is good for Gentiles, in the body of the Messiah, to identify in our fellowship with Israel. However, to identify with Israel is different from identifying “as” Israel.

        Gentile believers are not grafted into the Judaism of the Mosaic Covenant; they are grafted into the seed and faith of Abraham, which preceded the Law and Jewish customs. They are fellow citizens with the saints (Ephesians 2:19), but they are not Jews. Paul explains this clearly when he tells those who were circumcised (the Jews) “not to seek to be uncircumcised” and those who were uncircumcised (the Gentiles) “not to become circumcised” (1 Corinthians 7:18). There is no need for either group to feel they must become what they are not. Instead, God has made Jews and Gentiles into “one new man” in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:15). This “new man” is referring to the Church, the body of Christ, which is made up of neither Jew nor Gentile (Galatians 3:27-29). It’s important for Jews and Gentiles to remain authentic in their own identity. In this way a clear picture of the unity of the body of Christ can be seen as Jews and Gentiles are united by one Lord, one faith, one baptism. If Gentiles are grafted into Israel, becoming Jews, the purpose and picture of both Jew and Gentile, coming together as one new man, is lost. God never intended Gentiles to become one in Israel, but one in Christ.

        The influence of this movement is working its way into our churches and seminaries. It’s dangerous in its implication that keeping the Old Covenant law is walking a “higher path” and is the only way to please God and receive His blessings. Nowhere in the Bible do we find Gentile believers being instructed to follow Levitical laws or Jewish customs; in fact, the opposite is taught. Romans 7:6 says, “But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” Christ, in keeping perfectly every ordinance of the Mosaic Law, completely fulfilled it. Just as making the final payment on a home fulfills that contract and ends one’s obligation to it, so also Christ has made the final payment and has fulfilled the law, bringing it to an end for us all.

        It is God Himself who has created a world of people with different cultures, languages and traditions. God is glorified when we accept one another in love and come together in unity as “one” in Christ Jesus. It’s important to understand that there is no superiority in being born Jewish or Gentile. We who are followers of Christ, comprised of many different cultures and lifestyles, are all of value and greatly loved because we’ve entered into the family of God.

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13. Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I came to abolish the Torah or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18“For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away (hasn’t happened yet), not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Torah until all is accomplished. 19“Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

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    • Kim

      I do not know what Bible version you are using, but the word “Torah” certainly does not appear in any of the accepted translations. But, much more importantly, neither does it appear in the original languages.

      The word which appears in the original scripts is nomos which cannot be translated as meaning “Torah”. Below is the explanation of the original word which is correctly translated as “law”, certainly not “Torah”.

      nom’-os
      From a primary word νέμω nemō (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), generally (regulation), specifically (of Moses [including the volume]; also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle): – law.

      You can’t make the Word of God say what it doesn’t say, or what certain people would like it to say, in order to suite another truth.

      This is what Scripture says about adding or removing from the Word of God: (Rev 22:18)I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,
      (Rev 22:19) and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

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      • Hello

        I understand this may not be posted but I needed to write this. I also know you are not replying to this post anymore, but I just stumbled onto this site today and I am a little confused about the replies given by Elmarie and Grant. From my understanding the law was the Torah for the Hebrew people. Also the word law and Torah meant the same thing to them. Isn’t the definition of legalistic, one who practices the law. Honestly I would rather be called a legalist than an illegalist. Sorry, I do not mean to sound smart, this just makes sense to me. (“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact sin is lawlessness” 1 John 3:4) Also the entire law is no longer enforced, we no longer sacrifice animals for our sins because the lamb of YHWH paid the ultimate sacrifice. It is obvious that no one can keep all the laws all the time as our savior did. I believe that he wants us to walk as he walked and to practice the faith as he did to the best of our ability. I fall short everyday and I am undeserving of his love. He is aware that we are unable to be perfect and this is why he gave his life for us to cover our sins. I am never under the delusion that because I attempt to live according to the Torah, I am somehow saving myself. I know that I could never be clean in his eyes without Yahusha’s blood. Also I do not feel smug, or above anyone because I believe that it is important to follow the commandments and call on our creator and savior by their Hebrew names. Although I believe that this is what he would like us to do, I do not condemn anyone that holds opposing beliefs. I was raised in a Christian church and until three years ago I considered myself a born-again Christian. In my experience with Christian churches I saw many people that were very hypocritical and judged other people terribly. My parents spent 18 years attending a First Covenant church. They were not just there on Sunday morning, they led a praise band, were in the choir, led and attended bible studies and sunday school, and they gave many hours to the church. They ended up being forced out and I will not get into details but it was not right. Now I also saw so much good in the church, I saw many people who I know were very close to our savior. This church instilled in me that my creator loves me, died for me and wants me to serve him and others. For this I will always be grateful for my Christian upbringing and my parents who I believe have a close relationship with YHWH, even though they do not call him with this name. I do not believe anyone is condemned who calls on Jesus or says g*d or l**d, if they do not realize what they are doing. Much of the apostasy that catholics practice was carried into protestant churches and I do not think that it was done intentionally but many pagan ideas were woven into the faith so slowly and over time that many were unaware. I believe that satan started digging his fingers into the faith as soon as he could after our savior’s death. This is why no one should be blamed for celebrating easter or ignoring the Sabbath because these practices along with others have been enforced as pleasing to our savior for hundreds of years. This is why I hold no judgment towards the Christian faith because no one alive today is responsible for the things that have been taken away or added to the scriptures. I believe many Christians will come to some different understandings and be saved in the end of days. I know that YHWH knows our hearts and knows if we are earnest and love him even if we do not live exactly as he would like. Many miracles have happened using the name Jesus, again he knows when our hearts are true and want to serve him. I do hope you will post this and do not find it offensive because I never intend to come across in that way. There is no reason for me or anyone else to judge others as we will all be judged in the end. We are to be humble and live our lives to serve Him and our fellow man. His message is all about love not breaking others down because they do not believe exactly as we do.

        Thank you for reading my posting,
        Samantha

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14. PLEASE NOTE ;
    COMMENTS CLOSED FOR THIS ARTICLE.

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    • Personally I think it is good at times to continue to look at anothers beliefs for excample: HRM to search for the truth and expose any false hood which is a good way to learn, 1 Tim 4:16,2 Tim 3:16-17.

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16. So these people don’t believe in Jesus? Personally, I use the name Yeshua and YHVH often because, sadly, in today’s society, God and Jesus can mean so many things since the true God has been counterfeited. I want to specify what God and what Jesus I am referring to..the one and only true God. There are so many new age cults and false religions.

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17. I only just heard about the HRM this morning, and have no ties to it nor its beliefs.

    However, the author seems to be advocating the tautology that, since the Church is where it is today, and the Church is the Body of Christ, the Church must be right. Quote from the author:

    ““What is the Hebrew Roots movement?”

    Answer: The premise of the Hebrew Roots movement is the belief that the Church has veered
    far from the true teachings and Hebrew concepts of the Bible. The movement maintains that
    Christianity has been indoctrinated with the culture and beliefs of Greek and Roman
    philosophy and that ultimately biblical Christianity, taught in churches today, has been
    corrupted with a pagan imitation of the New Testament gospels.”

    As an evangelical believer who has what most mainline believers I know (including Presbyterians–PCA no less–Baptist and others) would consider traditional beliefs on essential biblical doctrine, I nevertheless keep open the idea that some all-too-human error could have crept in to our teachings and traditions over the years.

    Indeed, that’s why I’ve done extensive research into biblical archaeology and the writings of the ancient so-called “Church Fathers.” I wanted to discern if perhaps we have migrated away from the early teachings and practices of the Word and the Apostolic Church, and towards some interpretations that could have been corrupted by Greek and Roman thought.

    The idea that the true Church is right today simply because the true Church is the true Church has a huge problem. The true Church has been right in a whole lot of logically contradictory ways over the years; even waging literal wars (brother killing brother with physical weapons) between almost-identical Protestant reformation groups over subjects like whether the bread and wine of communion was just a symbolic representation or actually possessed the essence of the Savior (Zwingli versus Luther). Or physically torturing people for missing church meetings (Calvin). All of this is on the historical record.

    God doesn’t change. If we the Church changed over time–and history shows we have–at some point we were wrong about something. Hence we cannot be absolutely certain we are right about everything at present. Church history does not allow us this as an honest alternative.

    Being human, if we are taught an interpretation of the way things work, and accept that teaching as true, when we have new experiences our minds go to work to put those experiences into that framework of belief. Whether it’s our reading of the Bible or observing things happening in the Church, we will see in it what we have already been taught…and that will happen whether that teaching was truly biblical or not. It’s real, hard work to get past our “filters” and see things from first principles (e.g., what the Lord really meant by those words we point to all the time). Almost nobody does that work, no matter how “objective” they claim to be.

    The fact of the matter–historically verifiable–is that the early “Church Fathers” were almost all converted, university-trained Greek philosophers. By reading their works you can see a stream of Greek philosophy injected into the Church starting from around 100 A.D. Check out what Justin Martyr, Ignatius, Ireneaus, Origen and others taught…things that quickly became part of the “orthodox interpretation” that we teach in every traditional Christian church today. It is eye-opening, to say the least. Don’t take my word for it; read them for yourself. Where they make a strong Greek-based point, they are usually contradicting a prior early-Church interpretation or practice that came from the Apostles. Then compare their ideas to the doctrines and interpretations of scripture we have received from the founders of the major modern denominations, even the most “orthodox” ones. They–and we–often side with the Greeks.

    Even if you censor this post from others’ eyes, consider its points for yourself. I am not addressing HRM here directly (I’ve done no research on it at all), but I *am* addressing what comes across as your insistence that you have the one true biblical interpretation, and that no other interpretation is biblical nor will it be allowed into a conversation. This approach will no doubt head off the airing of some heresy. But you’ve drawn the boundaries so tightly around your understanding that it also prevents dialogue, learning, change, and growth. And perhaps more to the point, it is, well, rather antithetical to the reasons blogs were invented…and why most people I know read them.

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    • mygyro

      Thank you for posting what is quite obviously a considered and thoughtful comment. I agree on most of the points regarding the writings of the church fathers, frankly, human nature would not have had it happen in any other way. It is certainly a point of serious concern whether, that which we accept as correct interpretation, is true to what Scripture intended to say. A valid point, indeed.

      We must accept that God has protected His Word, the complete canon of 66 books, for the edification, instruction, refutation and training as in 2Ti 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. If it were not so, then the church would have no truth at its disposal.

      So, what is Biblical truth? Biblical truth is discovered or revealed to us, truth cannot be invented or formulated by us. Truth is that which can be proven through reality. Reality exists. Reality cannot be an illusion, for if it were, the statement “reality is an illusion” would be an illusion itself and therefore not true! Therefore, truth is what matches reality. Truth cannot contradict itself and truth also exists. Because truth exists and does not contradict itself, truth is absolute. So, absolute truth is equal to absolute reality.

      Is it reality that Jesus is God? That He rose from the dead? That He walked on water? That through His death and resurrection He saves us? That by His Grace alone we are saved? The answer to all of these is, Yes. Of course, there are those who will disagree, who would say that the above phrases are not real, that they are not true, that they are not Biblical. These are unbelievers who disagree.

      The Bible does not defend itself as the truth, it simply states that it is the truth. It confirms that it is the Word of God and that He is true and the Creator of reality. It is self-attesting and is the sole source of prophecy, fulfillment, and contains the complete history of Jesus. It has the eye-witness testimonies of the death and resurrection of Jesus. The fact is that truth corresponds to reality in the Bible. The Disciples preached and taught based upon that truth and reality. Their “truth” reflected the “reality” of Christ conquering death.

      It is clear that an acceptance of the fallacy that Biblical interpretation is open to varying opinions, equates to there being no truth at all. I also agree that it is sound practice to keep in the forefront of one’s mind the idea that some all-too-human error could have crept in to our teachings and traditions over the years. Point well stated. However, the Truth as held in Scripture, has not suffered the same fate. Again, as I said, if it has, then we as Christians have nothing to base our faith on, except the doctrines of men.

      For this reason, and none other, there exists tight boundaries around Scriptural hermeneutics, not such as those which I have imposed, rather that which the Word of God states itself. If one were to respect, cherish and not willfully overstep those boundaries, dialogue, learning and growth would be consistently forthcoming. You have included the word “change” in your statement, which poses a problem when used in the same instance as the others, as there is no change which will take place in the Truth. That would mean that truth is not absolute, and therefore would not be truth at all. Biblical truth does not adapt to a changing world. It is a changing world which needs to adhere to the Truth.

      And perhaps more to the point, it is, well, rather antithetical to the reasons blogs were invented…and why most people I know read them.

      On this point I must admit that you have got me, in part! While you may be right in stating that blogs were invented for reasons of open discussion, that was not the raison d’etre for this blog. There exist a myriad of applications for blogs, and while blogs can be used for open discussion and expressing varying opinions on a billion different secular subjects, the truth of God’s Word is not reliant on or our discussions for it to be effective. Additionally, I place very little value on blogs or any other form of internet based social media. The world would be a richer, safer and far happier place without it. The post-modern idea that truth is not absolute, is one of the greatest deceptions, most well exploited by the opponents of Jesus Christ.

      If we do not approve a specific comment, we always give our reasons for doing so. If any comment would make us look bad, because it was based on the truth, I would be the first to approve that comment, because in that way every reader would learn and we would be performing our Christian duty of contending for the truth. If, however, a comment makes the Truth look bad, we will trash it. It has no place in the church, it has no place on this blog, it has no right to be published.

      Thank you for a thought provoking and challenging comment.

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18. Grant, I like your comment “Biblical truth does not adapt to a changing world. It is a changing world which needs to adhere to the Truth”.

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    • Hello Dave!

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19. Admin Edited (We cannot place comments misleading others, the Hebrew Roots is a cult)

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    • Admin Edited (We cannot entertain people from the Hebrew Roots cult)

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