Shalom all!
Thank you Yedidah for clarifying that new people are welcome, even when we don't quite "get" the forum thing. It must be unsettling to have so many "newbies" all at once, and I
was wondering about how the regulars might view this.
I see that there have been something like 7,000 + views of this thread, if I am reading that correctly, which is higher than most other threads. So do the regulars feel maybe a little "invaded" by it all? I haven't had any idea how many people Tsiyon has reached but I have seen evidence there has been very good marketing exemplified so I wonder if this following is any indication?
This isn't the first time there has been a teacher of Scripture come under question, whether Messianic or not, but sadly I have seen it, in my opinion, too often in the last few years, and sadly among Messianics, too. I'd originally
(naively I'm afraid) thought that most of these teachers seemed to demonstrate a solid and deep understanding of the Word. And although it does still seem true that there is depth of understanding in many places, it is also true that a good teacher is not always a good marketer while good marketers may not always be the most reputable teachers.
In fact, we have lived through a similar situation where I live; our first Torah teacher was quite gifted and for that I am grateful, but over a few years another agenda began to surface and it wasn't pretty. This teacher eventually went back to Judaism and denied Yeshua Messiah, taking others with them. It took years for people to work through all the fallout and grief and anger that happened. I know that this is not an isolated incident.
I remain very grateful that this CF venue has been here and available to help put the pieces of the puzzle together about the concern we've had with Tsiyon ministries. We didn't know that the reason we couldn't make them all fit is because there were pieces from more than one puzzle! We needed to know to look at another picture in order to see the whole
megillah. (or
enchilada, depending on your ethnic heritage or the neighborhood in which you grew up...
)
I, too have been concerned for those who may now be dealing with feelings of anger and betrayal, maybe akin to what many of us felt when we first stepped out of traditional Christianity toward our Hebraic Heritage?
(Or for that matter, out from Orthodox Judaism to receive Yeshua, too.) Which ever background, we all have adjustments to make. I have understood that E/Steve was specifically attempting to reach that group of people who have had unanswered questions within their christian church backgrounds so it would follow that many do not have much experience with "Hebrew Roots" perspectives.
As one person wrote earlier, Cherry Blossom, I think? they are now thinking about re-evaluating all that they had previously taken in of what has been taught on Tsiyon and for some, while still dealing with the re-evaluation of traditional church teachings as well. Discernment is so crucial...and the proverbial sticky wicket I found anyway, was that when I needed it most was when I was least able to articulate what I was trying to understand.
Not having been in this or any other forum, I can't really speak for the regulars here, but I
think most people here would be all over that! and very pleased to help people consider such things! Am I at all close to being correct in this?
I do not think or hope not anyway, that anyone wants to see this whole process of bringing darkness into light become a place to seek vengeance or participate in
lashon hara; the evil tongue, or plainly, gossip.
May I think out loud here? ( I think this question would also have to go to the moderators if it were to involve CF in any way, yes?)
Just last week, I was thinking and asking about the possibility of there being some kind of opportunity or place where a Scriptural critique of what Tsiyon is currently teaching or has taught in the past for those who are trying to discern Truth but don't yet have the Scriptural study skills to help them do that. Apologetics of a sort. That would be a time consuming process but if it would help people who are confused and hurt get a better opportunity to be able to parse out the Scriptures, I think it might be worth the trouble. Question is: who would do it, and where? How would anyone know if what is taught
there is sound? I would see that it would have to do with teaching the study skills as well as helping people apply them appropriately.
It absolutely could NOT become a contest of any kind but I suppose that risk would always be present.
It would need to be focused on the teaching, and examining the Scriptures as good Bereans. I have seen how important a good foundational teaching in Torah is to solid growth and good discernment and remain grateful for the direction we were given by reputable people when we were new.
Is this the kind of thing that could also be addressed if people were to take the time to go through the threads here in this CF Messianic forum? I do see how time consuming this is as I have tried to get acquainted and there is a lot of "wading through" discussion threads to find the meat at times. Or maybe you get better at that as you go along?
Another option: There are some teachers that we have found to be pretty dependable that offer good foundational studies from a Hebrew worldview, and some are even free online.
Enough thinking out loud. Does anyone have a good idea if it would be possible to or how to offer such support in this ongoing dilemma for some and aftermath for others?
watching and praying in Messiah
