01-23-2010, 07:15 PM
Shlama Achi,
Here's my understanding:
The Nazarene movement rejects the progression of traditions coming from Western & Greek philosophies that were prominent in the early all-Gentile church. A big date for us to note is the 4th century and the big name of the time is Constantine (not excluding the dissenters of whom Polycarp wrote). AFAIK, the Nazarene movement rejects a Good News which is devoid of Torah... so what fellowship does the true Good News have with corruptions therein? It's postured that there has been a remnant of Nazarenes through the centuries and the fullness of the restoration of the movement is a sign of the end times.
Personally, I don't believe that the Truth indeed necessitates a complete separation and withdrawal; what needs to happen is a humbling of factions to the Word of Truth and the Good News of a Torah of Freedom and Liberty imparted by the Spirit of Mashiyach. It's tough though, because things as they are now are much different than 2 millenia ago, and it takes a lot of discernment to understand how to respond to today's culture. Our main intention is to not compromise with the word of Elohim, but at the same time, we need to be careful as to not become zealous to the point of abuse (i.e. the religion of the Pharisees).
As far as Trinity goes, you should read Roth's position in this thread.
Regarding what to make of the Nazarene claims: One must understand the Scriptures sequentially: we first read and understand the TaNaKh, then the teachings of Mashiyach (not due to precedence, but because one doesn't study Calculus before learning Algebra). Once one properly understands that of which the Messiah's teachings actually consisted, one can move on to the Epistles and coordinate what they read with the words spoken by Y'shua: Y'shua and Torah go hand-in-hand.
Finally:
Mark 10:17-21; Was Y'shua oversimplifying the Good News, or are these the Kingdom values? (And upon this foundation does the Nazarene movement follow)
Here's my understanding:
The Nazarene movement rejects the progression of traditions coming from Western & Greek philosophies that were prominent in the early all-Gentile church. A big date for us to note is the 4th century and the big name of the time is Constantine (not excluding the dissenters of whom Polycarp wrote). AFAIK, the Nazarene movement rejects a Good News which is devoid of Torah... so what fellowship does the true Good News have with corruptions therein? It's postured that there has been a remnant of Nazarenes through the centuries and the fullness of the restoration of the movement is a sign of the end times.
Personally, I don't believe that the Truth indeed necessitates a complete separation and withdrawal; what needs to happen is a humbling of factions to the Word of Truth and the Good News of a Torah of Freedom and Liberty imparted by the Spirit of Mashiyach. It's tough though, because things as they are now are much different than 2 millenia ago, and it takes a lot of discernment to understand how to respond to today's culture. Our main intention is to not compromise with the word of Elohim, but at the same time, we need to be careful as to not become zealous to the point of abuse (i.e. the religion of the Pharisees).
As far as Trinity goes, you should read Roth's position in this thread.
Regarding what to make of the Nazarene claims: One must understand the Scriptures sequentially: we first read and understand the TaNaKh, then the teachings of Mashiyach (not due to precedence, but because one doesn't study Calculus before learning Algebra). Once one properly understands that of which the Messiah's teachings actually consisted, one can move on to the Epistles and coordinate what they read with the words spoken by Y'shua: Y'shua and Torah go hand-in-hand.
Finally:
Mark 10:17-21; Was Y'shua oversimplifying the Good News, or are these the Kingdom values? (And upon this foundation does the Nazarene movement follow)