Comments for Kevin Geoffrey has Messianic Jewish Issues Blog http://www.kevingeoffrey.org Kevin Geoffrey--the firstborn son of a first-generation, American, non-religious, secular Jewish family--is today a Jewish believer in the Messiah Yeshua. He is a strong advocate for the restoration of Jewish people to God through Yeshua, and for all Jewish believers in Messiah to their distinct calling and identity as the remnant of Israel. Kevin is the founder of Perfect Word Ministries, a Messianic Jewish equipping ministry, and is the author of the Messianic Devotional and The Messianic Life series of books. Kevin is licensed as a Messianic Jewish Teacher by the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues (IAMCS) and ordained by Jewish Voice Ministries International. Kevin resides in Phoenix, AZ with his wife Esther and their three beautiful sons, Isaac, Josiah and Hosea. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:36:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 Comment on The Real Story of Chanukah by Dana Olson http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2009/12/01/the-real-story-of-chanukah/#comment-204 Dana Olson Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:31:56 +0000 http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2009/12/01/the-real-story-of-chanukah/#comment-204 Fantastic! What a beautiful written article. Thank you for helping to begin to clear the fog.... Fantastic! What a beautiful written article. Thank you for helping to begin to clear the fog….

]]> Comment on Deviants Wanted, Messianics Need Not Apply by Ronnie http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2009/03/16/deviants-wanted-messianics-need-not-apply/#comment-188 Ronnie Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:30:55 +0000 http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2009/03/16/deviants-wanted-messianics-need-not-apply/#comment-188 I am amazed and appalled by the Orthodox Jewish community at their ability to forget G-d's word and so easily take humanistic and the abominations listed as being okay and the Messianic Jew who is more like them are left out. All we can do is pray for Israel. I am amazed and appalled by the Orthodox Jewish community at their ability to forget G-d’s word and so easily take humanistic and the abominations listed as being okay and the Messianic Jew who is more like them are left out. All we can do is pray for Israel.

]]> Comment on Jewish-flavored Church by Ronnie http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2009/09/20/jewish-flavored-church/#comment-187 Ronnie Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:39:12 +0000 http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2009/09/20/jewish-flavored-church/#comment-187 My first encounter with a Messianic congregation was similar to yours Pat. But I did not have a preconceived idea as to what it was suppose to be like. It had the Jewish external but the theology was Baptist and the pastor is a Jew that does not keep kosher. But I found his teachings great. The Messianic Jew should not have to try and explain themselves in my opinion. They are Jews and they live like Jews and they believe in Yeshua. That is hard for Judaism to believe but that is who they are. They are not Gentiles nor do they celebrate Christmas. After reading this I find that both sides have a hard time explaining themselves to others. My parents do not understand why I as a Gentile believer follow the little bit of Torah that I do. But I feel that following G-d's word is what we as believers Jew and Gentile are suppose to do. One is more obliged to do so than the other, at least Shaul/Paul said so. My first encounter with a Messianic congregation was similar to yours Pat. But I did not have a preconceived idea as to what it was suppose to be like. It had the Jewish external but the theology was Baptist and the pastor is a Jew that does not keep kosher. But I found his teachings great. The Messianic Jew should not have to try and explain themselves in my opinion. They are Jews and they live like Jews and they believe in Yeshua. That is hard for Judaism to believe but that is who they are. They are not Gentiles nor do they celebrate Christmas. After reading this I find that both sides have a hard time explaining themselves to others. My parents do not understand why I as a Gentile believer follow the little bit of Torah that I do. But I feel that following G-d’s word is what we as believers Jew and Gentile are suppose to do. One is more obliged to do so than the other, at least Shaul/Paul said so.

]]> Comment on “Re-Judaizing Jesus” by Kevin Geoffrey http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2008/05/01/re-judaizing-jesus/#comment-175 Kevin Geoffrey Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:43:06 +0000 http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2008/05/01/re-judaizing-jesus/#comment-175 <P>Shalom Pat,</P> <P>Thank you very much for your thoughtful comments. I agree with what you are saying with the following exceptions:</P> <P>There <I>is</I> inherent value in culture and tradition apart from Yeshua. We can't -- and shouldn't attempt to -- separate these things from our history and heritage as a people. That said, your point is well taken -- culture and tradition shouldn't "replace the agenda of Yeshua". The place of culture and tradition must not supercede or supplant the Jews' calling as Israel. (Some would argue that we can't fulfull our calling as Jews without heavy emphasis on culture and tradition, but I beg to differ. Scripture is sufficient.)</P> <P>I also take exception with your comment that "the true intent of the Torah... was to bring salvation by faith and obedience to His commandments." The Torah was given to distinguish Israel from the nations. It was not given to "save" Israel, nor anyone else. Salvation does indeed come by faith, not obedience to Torah. Torah was also not given just so that Israel would have a set of commandments to obey. Israel's obedience to Torah is a means to an end, and that end is her learning to love Adonai, love her neighbors, and her distinction among the nations in order to be the Messianic, priestly nation Adonai set her apart to be -- to serve the nations in restoring them to Adonai through Yeshua.</P> <P>Thanks again for your comments!</P> Shalom Pat,

Thank you very much for your thoughtful comments. I agree with what you are saying with the following exceptions:

There is inherent value in culture and tradition apart from Yeshua. We can’t — and shouldn’t attempt to — separate these things from our history and heritage as a people. That said, your point is well taken — culture and tradition shouldn’t “replace the agenda of Yeshua”. The place of culture and tradition must not supercede or supplant the Jews’ calling as Israel. (Some would argue that we can’t fulfull our calling as Jews without heavy emphasis on culture and tradition, but I beg to differ. Scripture is sufficient.)

I also take exception with your comment that “the true intent of the Torah… was to bring salvation by faith and obedience to His commandments.” The Torah was given to distinguish Israel from the nations. It was not given to “save” Israel, nor anyone else. Salvation does indeed come by faith, not obedience to Torah. Torah was also not given just so that Israel would have a set of commandments to obey. Israel’s obedience to Torah is a means to an end, and that end is her learning to love Adonai, love her neighbors, and her distinction among the nations in order to be the Messianic, priestly nation Adonai set her apart to be — to serve the nations in restoring them to Adonai through Yeshua.

Thanks again for your comments!

]]> Comment on “Re-Judaizing Jesus” by Pat Dillon http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2008/05/01/re-judaizing-jesus/#comment-174 Pat Dillon Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:06:01 +0000 http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2008/05/01/re-judaizing-jesus/#comment-174 Dear Kevin, Thank you for your refreshing remarks that distinguish Jewishness from Judaism. Being raised a Gentile and attending Church all of my life, I can attest that there is no redeeming value in culture and tradition apart from the Hebraic Yeshua. Jewish Culture, customs and tradition are interesting in learning the background of Hebraic culture, but shouldn't replace the agenda of Yeshua, who taught from the perspective of restoring the Jews back to the true intent of the Torah, while exposing the detrimental effect that oral tradition had on them. I am perplexed with certain aspects of the messianic movement having more of a desire to identify with Judaism than with Yehsuaism. I left the Gentile church because I wanted to hear about Jesus more than Gentile culture. It seems to me that Yeshua made a distinction between tradition and the true intent of the Torah, which was to bring salvation by faith and obedience to His commandments. I'm not contending that this nullifies the Jewishness of Jews, but it restores and establishes it back to its origional position under Moshe. Dear Kevin, Thank you for your refreshing remarks that distinguish Jewishness from Judaism. Being raised a Gentile and attending Church all of my life, I can attest that there is no redeeming value in culture and tradition apart from the Hebraic Yeshua. Jewish Culture, customs and tradition are interesting in learning the background of Hebraic culture, but shouldn’t replace the agenda of Yeshua, who taught from the perspective of restoring the Jews back to the true intent of the Torah, while exposing the detrimental effect that oral tradition had on them. I am perplexed with certain aspects of the messianic movement having more of a desire to identify with Judaism than with Yehsuaism. I left the Gentile church because I wanted to hear about Jesus more than Gentile culture. It seems to me that Yeshua made a distinction between tradition and the true intent of the Torah, which was to bring salvation by faith and obedience to His commandments. I’m not contending that this nullifies the Jewishness of Jews, but it restores and establishes it back to its origional position under Moshe.

]]> Comment on Jewish-flavored Church by Pat Dillon http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2009/09/20/jewish-flavored-church/#comment-173 Pat Dillon Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:05:44 +0000 http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2009/09/20/jewish-flavored-church/#comment-173 Only recently I attended a Messianic synagogue, expecting to get Hebraic-minded messages, but only got a church with a shofar, kippot and Tallit. I thought maybe this is all there is to the messianic movement. My expectations were dashed until I read this article. thank you for restoring my hope in the messianic movement. Only recently I attended a Messianic synagogue, expecting to get Hebraic-minded messages, but only got a church with a shofar, kippot and Tallit. I thought maybe this is all there is to the messianic movement. My expectations were dashed until I read this article. thank you for restoring my hope in the messianic movement.

]]> Comment on Deviants Wanted, Messianics Need Not Apply by Mrs. West http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2009/03/16/deviants-wanted-messianics-need-not-apply/#comment-162 Mrs. West Wed, 29 Apr 2009 03:29:44 +0000 http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2009/03/16/deviants-wanted-messianics-need-not-apply/#comment-162 This is a wonderful expression of a thought I have had quite often. Here in San Diego we have the San Diego Jewish 411 (a sort of yellow pages of Jewish businesses and events) it also lists all congregations, with the exception of the two Messianic congregations in town. It breaks my heart that our Jewish family would accept the Humanists but shun those of us who believe that Yeshua is the Messiah. All we can do is continue to pray. Shalom This is a wonderful expression of a thought I have had quite often. Here in San Diego we have the San Diego Jewish 411 (a sort of yellow pages of Jewish businesses and events) it also lists all congregations, with the exception of the two Messianic congregations in town. It breaks my heart that our Jewish family would accept the Humanists but shun those of us who believe that Yeshua is the Messiah. All we can do is continue to pray.

Shalom

]]> Comment on Why Kevin Geoffrey has issues by M http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/10/18/why-kevin-geoffrey-has-issues/#comment-161 M Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:36:19 +0000 http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/10/18/why-kevin-geoffrey-has-issues/#comment-161 PLEASE PUT ANOTHER PICTURE THERE, I DON'T THINK YOU PRAYED ABOUT THE PICUTRE YOU WERE GOING TO USE OR PRAYED LONG ENOUGH, HA HA ANYWAY TRY AND FIND ANOTHER PICTURE I DON'T FEEL ADONAI WANTS HIS CHILDREN LOOKING LIKE THAT WHEN WE REPRESENT HIM I SAY THIS IN LOVE AS I KNOW YOU ARE GOOFING AROUND BUT I REALLY DO BELIEVE YOU NEED ANOTHER PICTURE FOR ADONAI'S SAKE. LOVE YA BRO! PLEASE PUT ANOTHER PICTURE THERE, I DON’T THINK YOU PRAYED ABOUT THE PICUTRE YOU WERE GOING TO USE OR PRAYED LONG ENOUGH, HA HA ANYWAY TRY AND FIND ANOTHER PICTURE I DON’T FEEL ADONAI WANTS HIS CHILDREN LOOKING LIKE THAT WHEN WE REPRESENT HIM I SAY THIS IN LOVE AS I KNOW YOU ARE GOOFING AROUND BUT I REALLY DO BELIEVE YOU NEED ANOTHER PICTURE FOR ADONAI’S SAKE. LOVE YA BRO!

]]> Comment on Deviants Wanted, Messianics Need Not Apply by Elizabeth http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2009/03/16/deviants-wanted-messianics-need-not-apply/#comment-159 Elizabeth Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:02:25 +0000 http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2009/03/16/deviants-wanted-messianics-need-not-apply/#comment-159 Our hearts break for the Jewish people and these abominations in the midst of them. We will continue to pray for your witness in this dark hour and for the people we call our brothers and sisters who have given us the Torah of Truth. Be encouraged! Tehillim 42:6-7 Our hearts break for the Jewish people and these abominations in the midst of them. We will continue to pray for your witness in this dark hour and for the people we call our brothers and sisters who have given us the Torah of Truth. Be encouraged!
Tehillim 42:6-7

]]> Comment on “Re-Judaizing Jesus” by Tina http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2008/05/01/re-judaizing-jesus/#comment-155 Tina Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:54:23 +0000 http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2008/05/01/re-judaizing-jesus/#comment-155 Hello, Kevin! I praise my GOD for you and those who are like-spirited! I am a non-Jewish committed believer in Yeshua, and know GOD has called me out to invest in acquiring a more complete understanding of my Jewish faith. Even though I have just recently begun this next phase of spiritual growth, I have experienced a refreshening and renewal within my spirit! I have always had an affinity and compassion for the Jewish people, and have privately referred to Jesus as Yeshua for a number of years. Like most Western believers, I have been conditioned with a Western-Greek philosophical & religious mind-set; we simply do not realize how detrimental such conditioning has been to not only Western believers, but also to those discipled by them over the last 1600+yrs. I am excited to see the move of the Ruach in our time, and I pray continually for the biblical reconciliation of Jewish-nonJewish believers in Yeshua, as well as for repentant, believing faith for the Jewish people & Arabic peoples, and also for the peace of Jerusalem. All of this being said, it can be quite disconcerting to wade through some of the muddied waters of Messianic teachings. I do believe YHVH is raising up believers, such as yourself, to bring clarity and focus for ensuring truly biblical teachings which will provoke and encourage lasting reconciliation, spiritual refinement of the body, and a world-wide harvest such as has never been seen before in the Church's history. I am so thankful to be alive for such a time as this! I pray YHVH's will be done, His Kingdom come, on Earth, as it is in Heaven! Thank you again, Kevin, and may God indwell you richly! In Yeshua, Tina Hello, Kevin!
I praise my GOD for you and those who are like-spirited! I am a non-Jewish committed believer in Yeshua, and know GOD has called me out to invest in acquiring a more complete understanding of my Jewish faith. Even though I have just recently begun this next phase of spiritual growth, I have experienced a refreshening and renewal within my spirit! I have always had an affinity and compassion for the Jewish people, and have privately referred to Jesus as Yeshua for a number of years.
Like most Western believers, I have been conditioned with a Western-Greek philosophical & religious mind-set; we simply do not realize how detrimental such conditioning has been to not only Western believers, but also to those discipled by them over the last 1600+yrs. I am excited to see the move of the Ruach in our time, and I pray continually for the biblical reconciliation of Jewish-nonJewish believers in Yeshua, as well as for repentant, believing faith for the Jewish people & Arabic peoples, and also for the peace of Jerusalem.
All of this being said, it can be quite disconcerting to wade through some of the muddied waters of Messianic teachings. I do believe YHVH is raising up believers, such as yourself, to bring clarity and focus for ensuring truly biblical teachings which will provoke and encourage lasting reconciliation, spiritual refinement of the body, and a world-wide harvest such as has never been seen before in the Church’s history. I am so thankful to be alive for such a time as this! I pray YHVH’s will be done, His Kingdom come, on Earth, as it is in Heaven!
Thank you again, Kevin, and may God indwell you richly!
In Yeshua,
Tina

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