What exactly is the kingdom of God? And is it the same as the kingdom of heaven? Have I made an official statement concerning the potential discovery of Noah’s Ark? And have we been adopted by God or born of God?
Dr. Brown’s Bottom Line: While there is breath, there is hope. I know you may be surrounded by difficult circumstances, but put your hope in the Living God. Who knows what He will do in you and through you?
Resources:
The Lord of the Pilgrimage
VOR Article by Bryan Purtle
“For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, ‘They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.’ But now, O God, strengthen my hands.” -Neh. 6.9 If we would have anything to do with the enlargement of God’s purposes in the earth, we must be anchored in the understanding […]
The “Every Morning” Summons
VOR Article by Bryan Purtle
“Every morning I will silence all the wicked of the land, so as to cut off from the city of the Lord all those who do iniquity.” -Ps. 101.8 There is a remarkable call within this word from King David. He is singing from the authority of a Kingly Throne in Jerusalem, and His governmental […]
High Praise from the Ground of Inward Affliction
VOR Article by Bryan Purtle
“O Yahweh, all your creatures shall praise you, and your godly people shall pay homage to you! About the glory of your kingdom they shall speak and talk about your heroic strength! So that your strength may become known to the children of men, the glorious splendor of your kingdom!” -Ps. 145.10-12 (Kraus’ tr.) The […]
A Queer Thing Happened To America AND Can You Be Gay and Christian? (Brown/Knox Debate)
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The Great Debate [DVD]: Dr. Michael Brown tackles the perennial issue of suffering and the problem of pain with leading New Testament scholar and agnostic Dr. Bart Ehrman at Ohio State University.
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60 Questions Christians Ask About Jewish Beliefs and Practices: Dr. Michael Brown answers sixty common questions about Jewish people and Jewish culture. He also addresses questions Christians have about their own relationship to the Old Testament Law.
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Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus vol. 4 by Dr. Brown: In this volume of the Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus series, Dr. Brown counters the arguments that the New Testament mistranslates, misuses, and misunderstands the Hebrew Scriptures, also addressing the objections that Jesus or Paul abolished the Law.
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Our Hands Are Stained with Blood by Dr. Brown: This shocking and painful book tells the tragic story of the “Church” and the Jewish people. It is a story every Christian must hear.
This may not be important to you, but the culture is going to total greed in this way. When laws requiring businesses to be closed on Sundays were repealed, the holidaysbecame fair game too. I think it is unconcioonable that non emergency people are required to work on Sunday’s, Thanksgiving, and Chbristmas. What do you think?
@Dr. Brown,
regarding the Sabbath. Since pagan identity dies at Baptism and we find our identity in Messiah. If He is Lord of the Sabbath and will be during ‘the day of the Lord’, that day of which is a thousand years – the millennium. If you love the Lord and look forward to His kingdom, His reign, His rule, why wouldn’t you want to escape the six days of man’s kingdom to spend time with the Lord? Is it stated explicitly in the New Testament for Gentiles, no, but lots of other things aren’t either. The New Testament is mostly letters on basic issues, and not a constitution like the Torah is, and so it is not exhaustive in its explanation of how Gentiles fit into the picture. If there was a constitution in the NT, well that would change things, but there isn’t. So I go by the principle that the New Covenant is made with Israel and Judah, which converts assimilate into over time by the power of the Holy Spirit, not by man’s commandments or legalism though, but by the change of heart which only God can do.
One of my favourite things about the Sabbath is this. The weekly reminded to be ready for the Lord at his coming! I see the virgins with oil and those without, playing right into the Sabbath imagery. Once he comes, if we are not ready, it will be too late to light our Sabbath light (i.e. the repentance of choosing to walk in the light as he is),then our fate will be sealed, but until then we can light our Sabbath lights by leaving the kingdom of darkness into his glorious kingdom of light, but grace as its limit. A deadline will come, like those movies where the door lowers down and people try to roll underneath to get inside. Once the Sabbath millennium is here, it will be too late to change our place in the kingdom. That’s why I love lighting the Sabbath lights. It reminds me of all the above!
@Dr. Brown,
I too felt that adrenaline of the fear of God when I saw that Noah’s ark video. I hope they can confirm it for the world soon!
You know how Yeshua talked about the generation of Noah, and so will it be at the coming of the son of man. And all the passage about how people are willingly ignorant of the flood. Wouldn’t it be poetic justice for God to reveal it for the last generation before the return of the Lord? For the last generation like the generation in the days of Noah, as a testament to the judgement of God which was and is still to come!
David, as I posted on the AskDrBrown Facebook page, you are free to hold to your views, of course, but I will repeat that nowhere in the NT are Gentiles commanded to set aside the seventh day Sabbath nor is there any evidence from early Church history that this was the case.
1 Corinthians 6:19
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
The Lord’s Spirit abides inside of His children. He is with us 24/7. Why get excited about spending time with the Lord only 1 day per week, when all along you have Him all the time.
Don’t focus on Religion. Focus on a relationship with the Lord. A Friendship. Where you do not need to make an appointment to spend time with Jesus.
On a TOTALLY separate note:
Lord you give us eyes to see for a reason. With what you have given me to see I pray…
Lord-
Forgive the Body of Christ for mocking you and not respecting you enough.
I know a day will come Lord, when you will separate the sheep from the goats. Give the body eyes to see what you see Lord. Let them truly know you instead of having a “GOD TO ME” syndrome.
Guide us and lead us into Holiness and Purity. Thank you Lord for hearing my prayer. Let us all grow in you Lord.
The reason why I pray pubically is because I want others to see what is in my heart. Seeing that we are the body of Christ we should share each others burdens. Care and love each other.
Dr. Brown, you are absolutely correct that the early church received no commandment to observe the Sabbath; all of the Apostolic Fathers (most of whom studied under the Apostles themselves) who wrote on this subject agreed that we are free from the requirements of the Sabbath. However, there is confirmation that many early Christians chose to observe BOTH the Sabbath (in a non-legalistic, purely contemplative way) AND the Lord’s Day (which is plainly stated to be Sunday). Ignatius of Antioch, a student of the Apostle John, was a supporter of this approach. But to repeat so I am clear, among the Apostolic Fathers there was a unanimous consensus: they were taught by the Apostles that we are free from that legalistic requirement, since Yeshua’s finished work is the fulfillment of the Sabbath.
Dr. Brown,
Do you think that the writings that we call the “New Testament” contain everything that we need to know about how to live life? Does it give us the definitions of terms that it so freely uses? Or do you think that the writings that we call the “New Testament” are reliant on the original scriptures to come to a full understanding of what they are relating? Do you think that Paul relied upon the original scriptures? Do you think that he would want us to have a copy of what he called the “holy scriptures” to use in our instruction in righteousness?
2 Timothy 3
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Shalom
Bo,
Ideally, we should have the entire Bible, not just a part of it, and we should interpret the entire Bible in light of the Messiah’s coming into the world and in light of the further revelation that He brought. Also, the NT authors explicitly pointed to our relationship with God by His Spirit as being of great importance as well.
That being said, there are believers around the world who only have a portion of the Scriptures available in their native language, and it makes perfect sense to be sure they hear the message of Jesus first and foremost.
Dr Mike Brown…
Is this true? Did Paul receive the teachings from the Lord on Mt Sinai the same place Moses received the teachings of the Law? In Arabia?
@Dr. Brown,
Amen! The Hakka Bible (an old Chinese dialect) is only has the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs, but next year the whole thing will be published for the first time. I’m excited, my wife is a Hakka. 🙂
@Debbie Fraser,
Check this out:
http://www.exodusconspiracy.com/
There’s lots of pictures of Mount Sinai. It’s really quite amazing.
Debbie, there’s no evidence for Paul receiving revelation from the Lord at Mt. Sinai. As Craig Keener explains, the reference to Arabia in Gal 1:17 “refers to Nabataea, the area around Damascus in Syria.”
The IVP Bible background commentary : New Testament
Dr. Brown,
I’m not sure you directly answered all my questions.
Do you think that Paul would want us to have the so called “Old Testament” for our instruction in righteousness…as He told Timothy? Do you think that he would think that the thing that we call the “New Testament” would accomplish the same thing?
Shalom
@Debbie Fraser,
That would indeed in a tragedy if people only spent time with Him once a week. And you’re right, His spirit is with us always. But it’s difficult for some in their jobs, at the supermarkets or while teaching in schools to be praying and studying the word. In the Hebrew mind there is this idea of the 6 days and the 1 day. 6 days of man’s kingdom, man’s way, rushing, busy, managing – 1 day of God’s kingdom, God’s way, stillness, peace and joy. 6000 years of man’s kingdom and 1000 years of God’s kingdom. The Sabbath is a moment in time, when we can leave the chaos of the world, to think about the coming kingdom of God, and also a time to rest, not just because we need to rest, which we do, but because we want to imitate God who also Himself rested, though he had no need to rest.
@Debbie Fraser,
A time to work and a time to rest.
I don’t say this to dump it on you, or change you, but to help you understand why some of us think and act the way we do.
Bo,
I did answer your questions, clearly and directly, and there’s no either-or to be had here. Of course he would want believers to have the OT Scriptures, and of course he would want them to have the NT Scriptures. Since this does not touch directly on any points I made on the broadcast, let’s leave things here.
Dave, as Paul wrote: “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master they stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. Some consider one day more sacred than another; others consider every day alike. Everyone should be fully convinced in their own mind.” (Rom 14:4-5)
Dr Brown-
Thanks for clearing that up for me. Was taught that in church today from a guest speaker about how both Paul and Moses received teaching from the Lord at Mt Sinai.
Just wanted to double check the truth of it. If it was true…Wow, it would of been really amazing.
David-
My Brother in Christ. 🙂 I like the way you are explaining things to me. I don’t feel its “Religiosity” either.
Thanks for the web site of pics. of Mount Sinai. Moses was sure blessed to experience what he did.
Dr. Brown,
As Abraham said to YHWH, “Let me speak just one more time to you about this.” I will not address this on this thread again.
Do you think that Paul would want us to use the older scriptures as a guide to our instruction in righteous living as he told Timothy?
Shalom
Just for the record, I have a general rule of not talking to Christians about the Torah unless they first either:
a) say it’s invalid/wrong/unspiritual/demonic to keep it, or
b) personally attack me for it.
Unless the topic is brought up, I believe in leaving it well along, for I trust the Holy Spirit to work in people’s lives, and it’s not my place to interfere with that, but if people are going to interfere with what the Holy Spirit is doing in my life and the lives of others I know, then I will not hold my peace.
@Debbie Fraser, I’m glad you enjoyed the website. There’s some stunning photos there and great video clips.
I apologise for all my typos. I make too many.
Bo,
For the third time, yes he would, along with the NT Scriptures, and the NT Scriptures also give us guidance as to how to use the OT Scriptures.
David,
You wrote, “if people are going to interfere with what the Holy Spirit is doing in my life and the lives of others I know, then I will not hold my peace.” Be careful not to interpret loving instruction and warning to others as “interfering” in their lives.
Speaking of calling things Demonic.
My old Hebrew teacher, one day he was in, what I think was, a Pentecostal Church, and some lady told him it was demonic to read the Bible in Hebrew.
He hit the roof.
@Dr. Brown,
Perhaps I’ve over sensitive due to my previous experience with certain Christians who’ve abused me for obedience of certain aspects of the Torah, but when I hear you say,
I hear an implication that the Holy Spirit will NOT guide any Gentiles unto it, because the Holy Spirit will only guide us into things outlined in the NT, and therefore the faith and walk of those who do keep the Sabbath is invalid, false, and not acceptable before God.
If my previous experiences with Christians has coloured my ability to hear what you mean, I ask your forgiveness.
David-
That lady is so wrong.
David, since I’ve been totally clear in saying to you that you are obviously free to do what you feel before the Lord, I’d have to say, yes, you’re being oversensitive in your responses, which points to other issues you should focus on rather than argue these points here. I’ll also be dropping out of this discussion myself at this point due to my standard time and priority constraints.
@Debbie Fraser,
There’s a parallel thread going on facebook. I thought I’d share with you some of the things I wrote there, but I’ve changed them a bit.
I don’t believe the New Covenant is about man running around laying these things on others. If man does it, it can be a real burden and quite destructive, but when God through the Holy Spirit, lays something on our hearts, at the very right moment, at the right time, it can bear great fruit in our lives.
I believe God is the best doctor, and knows the best route to recovery, wholeness and health, so when he puts his finger on something, he’s never wrong, but that’s completely different to when religious men become angry at others because they don’t act like he wants them to.
It’s just unfortunate that the modern Church often isn’t receptive to Believers being convicted by the Holy Spirit about these things, and is in often quite hostile.
I know a grey haired couple that got convicted about the value of clean foods, but they got many arrows shot at them for it, and these stories ar endless.
I’m sad to hear about those people you knew who are no longer even followers of Jesus because of this, but I’ve found the primary reason they’re leave Christianity is because of all the emotional abuse and personal attacks they’ve received from the Church, because their hearts are convicted about living out God’s Torah in their lives.
But even if those that lost faith were not Messianic, but your average Christian, but lost their faith because some Messianics bashed them about Torah, I would be totally against that too.
God heals, builds up, but man often wounds and hurts.
“You cross the line when you try to lay on others something that Scripture does not.”
I just don’t believe the Holy Spirit is limited to writing the New Testament on our hearts, according to Jeremiah 31:31–34, it’s actually the Torah which the Holy Spirit writes on our hearts.
So just because something isn’t outlined in the NT, doesn’t mean my faith is invalid because the Holy Spirit has convicted me by writing the Torah on my heart.
The Scripture may not lay out All commandments as being binding for All Believers at all times, but we should be obedient and willingly, full of alacrity when the Holy Spirit puts her finger on something.
The New Covenant is not about the letter of Scripture (including the NT) changing us, but God himself, by writing His Torah on our hearts.
When I was a teenager, I wanted to get some Aramaic tattoos on my face (rolls eyes) to show my loyalty to God. I felt the Holy Spirit say to me, you want to express your love to me your way according to what your flesh thinks is cool, but shouldn’t it be you expressing your love to me according to my way, according to directions in the Scriptures? It is better to grow in the word than to mark your body which is the temple of God. Thanks to the Lord, I never got tattooed!
But there are Christians out there who would call me legalistic because the Spirit of God stopped me getting tattoos, I just think that kind of behaviour needs to stop.
But just to repeat again, I don’t believe people should be guilted into keeping specific commandments by the direction of man, but should walk out the commandments which God lays on their hearts as fruit of obedience to the Lord.
@Dr Brown,
“you are obviously free to”
“You cross the line when you try to lay on others something that Scripture does not”
I don’t want to lay anything on people.
All I want to achieve is protect Christians from feeling like they’re crazy, off, invalid, when the Holy Spirit eventually speaks to them about things like the Sabbath.
I’m not instructing people to do these things now, but I want to lay the framework, the foundations, so that when the Holy Spirit moves, people can listen, instead of ignoring the Spirit because of what their peers are telling them – you’re demonic, religious, etc.
David, as I said, I need to drop out of the discussion here, but I want to caution that in the last paragraph of your last post (#30), you are moving in the wrong direction by thinking that you can lay a certain framework and foundations that will point Gentile believers toward Torah observance when the Holy Spirit (allegedly) moves them to obey Torah, and any resistance they will receive will be demonic or religious. Perhaps it’s the opposite? Perhaps it’s the Holy Spirit warning them NOT to go in that direction and you are setting them up to become “religious” and legalistic? Either way, I’ve cautioned you here as well as affirmed your full rights in the Lord to live as you feel He is leading you (within the confines of the Word), so once more, I say that we’re done. Can you simply say, “OK” without adding another lengthy post to try to justify your position?
I won’t add another lengthy post, but just for the record, I never said “any resistance they will receive will be demonic or religious”, but that “their (Christian) peers are telling them – you’re demonic, religious, etc.” for keeping the Torah.
And in some cases those peers might be right. It all depends on the motivation and mindset behind the individual’s reasons for Torah observance.
“And in some cases those peers might be right.”
I agree 100%. Sometimes people have deep sin they need to repent of, but they use Kosher and the Sabbath as a shield of justification, while having hate in their hearts for their fellow brothers in the Church and that is something we should all pray and work against. I’m fully against the hate some Messianics have against the Church and Christians.
But if the motivation and mindset is sound, it hurts to be called names by fellow Believers you love. Not saying you’re doing that to me, but others have.
David,
Are you really unable to drop this and move on?
I thought you wanted me to stop arguing with you, so I thought agreeing with you would be a good thing to do, I won’t say anything more. And I’ll try to limit what I say on your forum from now on.
David, you’re always welcome to weigh in on any forum wherever relevant or to continue your interaction here with Debbie, and I apologize for misunderstanding the intent of your last post, since I had thought we were sufficiently clear on one another’s positions and there was no point in further debate about the points where we differ. So, with that, we move on.
Dr Brown & David-
Your posts have been a blessings to me.
One quick note to David-
The Lord showed me that you have a good heart and that you mean well.
Your like me David in this way… When we say things, we don’t mean to say it to stir up trouble, just to express where we are coming from.
Thanks Debbie.
Regarding the Sabbath, the “Old” Testament tells us there is one Law for the native born and the alien, or gentile. Also in the “New” Testament we are told there is neither Jew nor Gentile.
First century historians all agree, Protestant, Roman Catholic and secular, that the original “Church” kept the Sabbath, the food laws and the High Holy days. This was true for over 100 years solidly. It was true for hundreds of years for many, in spite of intense persecution. See Paul in Chapter 15 telling NON Jewish converts to keep the food laws regarding no blood. Paul kept the Law. As the Bible and history show, all the believers did.
Dr. Brown has some great teachings. But I feel, with all his scholarship, that he should absolutely know better about the Sabbath. I no longer consider him to be a really valid teacher.