Why I Am Not a Jew

Introduction. (Genesis 17:1-7) The covenant that God established between Himself and Abraham is one of the most important moments in Biblical history. It set apart one family of people from all others on earth for a very special relationship with God. Modern Jews look to this relationship as the basis for their own identity and their own view that Judaism is way that God is to be worshiped by those who are born into Judaism by birth as well as those who convert to the Jewish faith from other backgrounds.
     If this claim is correct then all people should aspire to this same type of relationship with God, and all should become Jews. If it is not, then we should consider what the true path is to a sound relationship with God. This morning I am going to offer to you why I am not a Jew.

I. What is a Jew?

  1. Ethnic Judaism. Some consider themselves to be Jews because of their ancestry. Their parents may have been Jewish, but they do not practice any Jewish faith. (Example: I have a friend who was a Soviet Jew. He doesn’t know anything about the Bible or Judaism, but he considers himself Jewish because of his ancestry).
    1. In this sense, one could consider themselves a Jew because of their background and yet hold any faith.
    2. It is now difficult if not impossible to determine any modern Jews who are actual descendents of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob because: 1. Jewish dispersion and 2. Ancient conversion (i.e. my ancestor may have been a Greek and yet in the 1st century he converted to Judaism. I consider myself a Jew but my physical heritage is Greek).
  2. Biblical Judaism.
    1. Covenant with Abraham. (Genesis 17:1-7).
    2. Law given to Moses. (Deuteronomy 5:1-3). These people were the descendents of Abraham through his son Isaac (Abraham had other sons), Isaac’s son Jacob (Isaac had another son also), Jacob (also called Israel) had 12 sons. The descendents of the 12 sons of Israel (or Jacob) were the people to whom the Law of Moses was given.
    3. National identity. God gave them the land of Canaan - modern day Palestine where they established a political identity, had kings and rulers. But they lost this land first in 587 BC. because of their rejection of God’s law. It was restored to them in part around 70 years later. It was lost again in 70 AD.
    4. In the Bible their were Ethnic Jews and converts (e.g. Ruth - Grandmother of David - Moabite).
    5. Key issues: 1. Authority (Word of God vs. Tradition = “oral law” i.e. teaching of the elders > after 70 A.D. written down = Talmud); 2. The Messiah (coming or not). (“Messiah” = “Anointed One” found in Daniel 9:24-27; other passages referring to the same figure - Deuteronomy 18:15; II Samuel 7:16; Jeremiah 23:5,6).
  3. Modern Religious Judaism. When a person accepts one of the various forms of the modern religion of Judaism, then they may consider themselves Jewish. (e.g. The Late Sammy Davis Jr. - African-American but religiously practiced Judaism). Three main groups:
    1. Orthodox Judaism.
      • Accepts OT & Talmud (Believes in Verbal inspiration - Torah complete and authoritative)
      • Israel was exiled for rejecting the Torah
      • Personal Messiah to come
      • Resurrection when the Messiah comes
      • Worship: No instrumental music, separation of the sexes, strict dietary & conversion requirements, immersion of converts.
    2. Reformed Judaism.
      • Accepts OT & Talmud (Rejects Verbal inspiration)
      • Sees task of Israel to teach “ethical monotheism” to the world
      • Messianic Age
      • Some believe in eternal soul but not resurrection
      • Worship: instrumental music, equal roles for men & women, no separation of the sexes, relaxed dietary & conversion requirements.
    3. Conservative Judaism. This is an American movement which bridges the gap between Orthodox and Reform Jews. Their beliefs will fall somewhere in between the first two groups.
    4. Messianic Judaism. This is a sub-group of Judaism which believes that Jesus is the Messiah but wants to maintain their Jewish background. The problem with this is not the appreciation of one’s Jewish roots but adherence to traditions which are not in the Old or New Testament.

II. Key Questions.

  1. Is tradition a valid source of authority? (Jeremiah 10:23; Psalm 119:105).
  2. Has the Messiah come? Christians believe that Jesus of Nazareth, a Jew born in Bethlehem in the 1st century was the promised Messiah of the OT. If He was all people (Jew, Gentile, black, white, European, Asian, Native American) are obligated to follow Him. If not then Israel has been left for 2000 years with no Messiah, no further revelation and no Temple! Is Jesus the Messiah? 61 prophesies in OT are fulfilled in Jesus. Let’s look at eight:
    1. Place of Birth (Micah 5:2).
    2. Time of Birth (Daniel 2:44).
    3. Preceded by a messenger (Malachi 3:1).
    4. Rejected by Israel (Isaiah 53:2,3).
    5. Killed with thieves.
    6. Buried with the rich (Isaiah 53:9).
    7. Beaten and bruised (Isaiah 53:4,5).
    8. Side pierced (Zechariah 12:10).
    Josh McDowell, in his book Evidence that Demands a Verdict cites a calculation that was done by a man named Peter Stoner taking the chance of the accidental fulfillment of 8 similar prophecies. He concluded it would be a chance of 1 to 1017 = laying Silver dollars on the entire state of Texas 2 ft. thick!
  3. Who are Abraham’s descendents? We have seen that even in Biblical times physical ancestry was not the sole basis upon which it was determined whether a person was considered a part of the covenant God had made with Abraham (e.g. Ruth). We have also see that now it is next to impossible to determine physical ancestry at all. What determines whether we are children of Abraham and heirs to the promises? (Romans 2:28, 28; 9:6; Galatians 3:7-9).

Conclusion. Why am I not a Jew? I am not a Jew because:

 
Ancient Road Publications™ - http://kmpope.home.att.net