Hello my adorable Thinkers!
As I am writing about religious topics I feel it is important to make a clear statement about what I believe, and my position on the Bible. People often ask what the name of my faith is, but that question is far more complicated than the quick answer they want.
From a young age my parents impressed on me and my siblings that everything we do needs to be in line with the Bible. That means that every holiday I celebrate, and everything I do in my everyday life needs to be done how the Bible says. From a very young age I believed that the whole Bible, from cover to cover, is for my instruction and every law that can apply to my life, is for me to follow. When putting those things together you get a bit of confusing concoction.
You could say that I am a Christian since I believe that the Messiah has come and that his name when translated to Greek is Jesus. But there are many parts I do not believe of Christian theology, such as their holidays, views on the Old Testament, and their view of the afterlife. Some may also say that I am a Jew. But I am not ethnically Jewish (for sure) nor do I agree with large parts of their theology. For example I believe that the Messiah has already come once, that everyone should seek out the meaning of the Bible for themselves, and that even though I am not ethically a part of the group (Jews) that were given the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) I should obey what is written there. This means that I fit into neither of these generalized religions.
Many people have tried to put a name or a label of some kind to people who think in a similar way to me, but I don’t feel like any of them really explain what it is that I believe. One such label is “Messianic” which strictly means inspired by hope or belief in a messiah. Which I agree with, but as I encounter Messianics I realize that most of them do not agree with my core beliefs, such as the laws of the Torah are free for everyone to follow.
The other label that people try to stick to me is “Hebrew Roots”. But this label is also an imperfect fit since I have never met two groups ascribing to this label, who agreed on everything. Because of this everyone has a different idea on what it means to be from the Hebrew Roots Movement. Some might say that those who are Hebrew Roots are charismatic. Because there are some who are, but that does not apply to me. There are also some who say they are Hebrew Roots and are very opposed to being charismatic. Others say that those who are Hebrew Roots believe that we should use God’s name often in common conversation. This statement is just as true as the last assumption. So saying someone is Hebrew Roots gives no better explanation as to what they believe beyond the fact that they generally follow Torah, and it only acts as a name.
Because of this mess of labels and their confusing properties, I ascribe to no labels. My religion is to follow God where He leads me to go. As aforementioned I believe in following what the Old and New Testament say. I also believe that there is wisdom to be found from those who have studied the Torah for centuries. But those of yor who have studied are also human and can make mistakes which means the only reliable truth is the Bible. Anything I believe must be backed up by at least two Bible verses as it says in Deuteronomy 17:6 and in Matthew 18:16. (Even that belief) If those who have come before me can justify what they say with scripture then I might follow what they say, otherwise, I listen to the Bible.
To all those who have asked or wondered about my religious affiliation, I am sorry to be as hard to pin down as jello to a wall. But I am not ashamed of what I believe, instead I am happy to share what and why I believe things to anyone who is interested. This blog is my way of hopefully being a voice to those who seek answers and an outpouring of what God has put inside of me. So in the future weeks and months where I share things I have studied or religious topics in general, hopefully this will explain my perspective.
Until next time my adorable Thinkers! ~The Pondering Panda
Panda's Ponderings 