Winter 2009 Vol. 33 No. 3 From the President The Gospel and the Jewish People
n our last issue of Kindred Spirit we considered God’s heart for the Arab people and promised to follow that Dallas Theological Seminary’s mission discussion with a look at God’s heart for Jewish people. is to glorify God by equipping godly I servant-leaders for the proclamation The issue you hold in your hands explores that very topic. A boy inserts a prayer of His Word and the building up Several months ago I joined a number of other of the body of Christ worldwide. request into the Wailing Wall evangelical leaders in considering what Scripture reveals in Jerusalem. KINDRED SPIRIT as God’s heart for the Jewish people and how evangelicals Winter 2009 Vol. 33, No. 3 should view Jewish-Christian relations. In the end I joined an esteemed group ISSN 1092–7492 of leaders in signing a public statement prepared by the World Evangelical © 2009. All rights reserved. Alliance. Here’s what we affirmed: Published three times a year by Dallas Theological Seminary As evangelical Christians, we want to express our genuine friendship 3909 Swiss Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75204 and love for the Jewish people. We sadly acknowledge that church Dr. Mark L. Bailey, President history has been marred with anti-Semitic words and deeds; and that at Dr. Mark M. Yarbrough, Vice President of Communications times when the Jewish people were in great peril, the church did far less Sandra L. Glahn, Editor-in-Chief than it should have. Keith D. Yates, Director of Creative Services • We pledge our commitment to be loving friends and to stand against and Publications Dr. Roy B. Zuck, Copy and such injustice in our generation. At the same time, we want to be Theological Editor transparent in affirming that we believe the most loving and scriptural Debbie J. Stevenson, Production Manager expression of our friendship toward Jewish people, and to anyone we Kelley M. Mathews, Copy Editing Service Israel photos from iStock call friend, is to forthrightly share the love of God in the person of Jesus Christ. SUBSCRIBE Subscriptions are free of charge • We believe that it is only through Jesus that all people can receive to addresses in the United States. eternal life. If Jesus is not the Messiah of the Jewish people, He cannot Call 800-DTS-WORD or 214-824-3094 and ask for the Kindred Spirit subscription be the Savior of the world (Acts 4:12). office, sign up online at www.dts.edu/ks, We recognize that it is good and right for those with specialized or write to the address below. knowledge, history, and skills to use these gifts to introduce individuals EMAIL to the Messiah, and that includes those ministries specifically directed For information about Dallas Seminary’s to the Jewish people (1 Corinthians 9:20–22). graduate degree programs: [email protected] To correspond by email: [email protected] • We deplore the use of deception or coercion in evangelism; however, To submit articles, request reprints, or we reject the notion that it is deceptive for followers of Jesus Christ who make comments: [email protected] were born Jewish to continue to identify as Jews (Romans 11:1). DONATIONS • We want to make it clear that, as evangelical Christians, we do not For information on how you can wish to offend our Jewish friends by the above statements; but we are support the ministry of Dallas Seminary call 214-841-3720. compelled by our faith and commitment to the Scriptures to stand by these principles. It is out of our profound respect for Jewish people KS ONLINE/SUBMISSIONS To download writers’ guidelines or to view that we seek to share the good news of Jesus Christ with them, and Kindred Spirit online visit www.dts.edu/ks. encourage others to do the same, for we believe that salvation is found POSTMASTER only in Jesus, the Messiah of Israel and Savior of the world. Email address changes to This is just one of many examples of the church reaffirming her [email protected], or send to: commitment to her own roots. Dallas Theological Seminary Kindred Spirit 3909 Swiss Avenue Dallas, Texas 75204. As my friend, the late Dr. Harold Hoehner, said, “The gospel is for all—Jew or Gentile. We want Jews to see the Messiah has Unless noted otherwise, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, come to save them from eternal separation from Him and to New International Version, © 1973, 1978, enjoy Him forever.” God’s heart for Israel is the same as His heart 1984 by International Bible Society. for all people: that they might know Jesus Christ and make Him Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. known. n —Dr. Mark L. Bailey
2 Dallas Seminary C o n t e n t s Winter 2009 VOL. 33, NO. 3
God’s Heart for Israel God’s 4 Listen in as DTS president Dr. Mark Bailey, Heart for the late Dr. Harold Hoehner, and Jewish Christian Dr. Darrell Bock discuss Jewish the Jewish evangelism and a biblical perspective on People the nation of Israel. “God has not Embracing the Jewishness in rejected His 10 people, has He? your Congregation Jewish Christian Steven Ger talks about May it never be!” ways the church can celebrate the contin- —Romans 11:1 ued existence of the “remnant of Israel” as a wonderful example of God’s grace and faithfulness.
An Uncommon Friendship 14 A Jewish teen and a middle-aged Gen- tile living in Israel describe their journey together as friends and ultimately as brothers.
Kindred Spirit Online www.dts.edu/ks Coming in December: Also Coming in December: “My Advice This Christmas” Link: by Dr. Charles R. Swindoll To the DTS Dialogue on Jewish Evangelism Today Article: “Coping with Grief,” by Dr. Roy B. Zuck
Coming in January: Book Excerpts: “To the Jew First in the New Millennium,” from To the Jew First, by Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum
“Coming to Terms with Faith and Values,” from Your Intercultural Marriage: A Guide to a Healthy, Happy Relationship, by Marla Alupoaicei
Coming in February: Article: “Israel: Encounter God as Storyteller II,” by Sandra Glahn
Kindred Spirit 3 Last year before Dr. Harold Hoehner’s untimely death, DTS president Dr. Mark Bailey sat down God’swith him and Dr. Darrell BockHeart to talk about God’s Israel heart for Jewish people. The conversation included a discussion about Jewish evangelism as well as having a biblical perspective on the nation of Israel. Dr. Hoehner served on the board of Jews for Jesus. Dr. Bock, who is of Jewish descent, served—as he continues to do—on the board of Chosen People Ministries. Both organizations focus on reaching Jewish people. The complete conversation is available in audio on the DTS website. Here are some highlights of that discussion.
4 Dallas Seminary for
Dr. Bailey: Some people believe the Jews do not The attempt is to keep these separate. This is a need to be evangelized. Why is that? popular view in a lot of European theology. Also when it comes to Jewish matters, a shadow of Dr. Hoehner: Part of it goes back to the the Holocaust hovers. There is a large collective God’s HeartHolocaust. People wonder,Israel “What right do you guilt—and, I might say, a justified guilt—over how have to try to tell us about Jesus when you did a largely “Christian” Europe handled the Jewish such a terrible thing to us as a Jewish people?” people. There’s a desire to avoid repeating the same The second factor is the era of pluralism. mistakes, so out of respect, people have backed off proselytizing in Jewish communities. Dr. Bailey: So from the Jewish perspective, they don’t think they should be, or need to be, Dr. Hoehner: Dr. Ottfried Hofius at Tübingen evangelized by Christians. In a Christianity Today University doesn’t like the dual covenant because article Rabbi Yeheil Poupko is quoted as saying, it looks like a “special way.” But he says, “What we “The basis of interfaith conversation must be have to realize is that all Israel will be saved in the mutual, sacred rejection—a clear understanding future,” based on Romans 11:26. “Therefore, we of the irreconcilable differences between the faith don’t need to witness to them today.” I call his view communities.” Yet in terms of pluralism some not the “special way” but the “special day” view. recent movements are saying we don’t need to It’s the idea that we’re not responsible to witness to evangelize the Jews. the Jews. Yet I would argue that it’s not that we’re singling them out. Every person, of whatever nation, Dr. Bock: Some try to give a theological needs to be evangelized. explanation, saying God made a dual-covenant commitment with His people. First, God made Dr. Bock: Right. No single group is being “targeted.” the original covenant with the Jews, put in place We all need what Jesus has to offer. The gospel goes permanently as reflected in the Mosaic Covenant, to all nations, Jew and Gentile included. What’s odd and feeding back into the Abrahamic Covenant of about the dual-covenant view is that if it were really Genesis 12. Second, there is the outreach to the held by the early church, why did Paul enter cities Gentiles through Jesus Christ. continued
Kindred Spirit 5 and go straight to the synagogues? He could’ve just God has revealed through Jesus Christ a way for headed to the agora and evangelized all the non- all people. Jesus is nondiscriminatory. He reaches Jews. out to all nations and all people. As a result the gospel goes to anyone and everyone who will Dr. Bailey: One of the ironies of history is that at respond. There are no special recipients of the one time the question was whether one could be gospel. a Gentile and be a Christian. Now the question is whether one can be a Jew and be a Christian— Dr. Bailey: Both of you work with organizations even asked by some who hold to dispensational that focus on Jewish evangelism. Is there a theology. One preacher in Texas out of love for the place for Jewish culture in a believing Jewish land of Israel believes that friendship with Israel community, or do Jewish converts to Christianity politically is more important: “We don’t want to need to abandon that culture to act more like offend them by witnessing to them, because we other Christians? want to be their friend.” Dr. Bock: This is where the Book of Acts helps Dr. Bock: If we eliminated all the books of the New us. The earliest church was a deeply Jewishly Testament that refer to Christ being preached to oriented community in Jerusalem. James led the Jews, I’m not sure we’d have much of the New there. And even in a decision like that of the Testament left. The view we’re describing stems Jerusalem Council, instructions were sent out from the fact that we have a historical disconnect to all the churches to be sensitive in contexts from the real roots of Christianity, which came out where predominately Jewish populations could of Judaism and said Christ is Israel’s Messiah. be affected by the way evangelism was done. The New Testament allowed for more freedom in Dr. Hoehner: Acts 1:8 says, “Jerusalem and Judea form; we tend to want to homogenize everyone. first.” If the Jews didn’t need the message, why go to Also, if a Jewish person wants to reach Jewish Jerusalem, Judea, and then Samaria and then to the people by living in a way that honors his or her uttermost part of the earth? You’d think they’d say, Jewish roots while sharing Christ, I don’t think the “No, go first to the Gentile nations. They need Bible suggests there’s a problem. In other areas we Christ; we don’t.” have African-American congregations and Korean congregations—minorities at a sociological level Dr. Bailey: Jesus thought Nicodemus needed to be seeking to retain their own ethic identities. These born again; as a Jew he needed regeneration. congregations, of course, should not become excessively separate or fail to identify with the rest Dr. Bock: In one sense you could say witnessing of the body of Christ. to a Jewish person is an act of intolerance if you believe it’s inappropriate for anyone to say one Dr. Hoehner: First Corinthians 10:30 religious expression is more beneficial than admonishes us not to offend the Jew, the another. And that is generally the way our society Gentile, or the church. This verse refers to Jews tends to view intolerance. But the flipside is that and Gentiles who don’t know Messiah, and the
Golan Heights at Hachula Valley
6 Dallas Seminary church is composed of believing Jews and Gentiles. It’s not that a cat becomes a dog or a dog becomes a cat, but that a cat and a dog each becomes a horse. It’s a whole new person. That’s not to say, as Dr. Bock has mentioned, that they’re homogenized—that there are no distinctions. We should honor these as long as people don’t try to foist practices on other Christians, saying they have to follow that group’s practices.
Dr. Bock: There’s an important principle about the church here that dispensationalism offers: In this new “One mistake is to equate community that Christ has formed, Jew and Gentile are reconciled. Anyone who knows the history of Jews and the modern secular state Gentiles in the Second Temple period knows hostility existed between the two groups. That a societal structure of Israel with Israel, the could exist in which enemies function alongside one another under God made a terrific public statement people of God. For those about the reconciliation God creates. Some of the most enjoyable events on our DTS campus happen with this point of view, no when international communities plan chapel services matter what Israel does, in which minority groups worship in their own styles. It’s informative and refreshing to see different styles of it’s considered OK. Yet on engagement with God. this we all agree: If the Dr. Bailey: If someone wants to keep a kosher kitchen and traditions, when does that violate doctrine—or present nation of Israel does it? isn’t the nation to come, Dr. Bock: The question is why? Scripture allows two standards. One comes out of a missionary concern, and it’s the foundation for it. the other is the principle of the individual conscience, The account of the valley when a person says, “I’m a Jewish Christian, but if I exercise freedom, my conscience doesn’t feel I’m of dry bones in Ezekiel 37 honoring God.” Paul talks about this, and he doesn’t tell the weak person to be strong. He says if you can’t do that describes Jews who are in good conscience, then don’t do it. alive physically but not continued spiritually. The text says they will come to life as a miraculous act of God. We’ve got the bones—we just need the Spirit.” —Dr. Eugene Merrill, Distinguished Professor of Old Testament Studies at DTS
Kindred Spirit 7 Dr. Hoehner: Often this is more difficult Jesus is the Messiah.” He said there has always for a Jewish person than for a Gentile. God been a godly remnant, which includes himself. If commanded the Jews to be circumcised, to God is finished with Israel, what of the prophecy keep the Sabbath, and abstain from eating that Israel will be saved? pork—and all of a sudden in the new era He says, “No, don’t call eating pork unclean.” This is Dr. Bock: The view you mention is sometimes something Gentiles may not have to face. Yet Acts called replacement theology—the idea that the 15:3–5 records that some Pharisees who became church has replaced Israel because Israel forfeited Christians said it was necessary for the Gentiles to her place by rejecting Messiah. Replacement be circumcised. theology has a variety of expressions. But I think all would say everyone should be evangelized. Dr. Bailey: So we would say it’s fine for a Yet many who hold this view tend to step back Jewish Christian to keep one’s Jewishness for from Jewish evangelism. They think, “They’re a testimony, for cultural identification, and for like everyone else, so we won’t be particularly cultural heritage and appreciation? concerned about them, but we also know they had their chance and blew it.” Interestingly Dr. Bock: And even for a sense of one’s identity. If some advocates of replacement theology read a person says, “I’m a Jewish Christian”—and both Romans 9–11 just as Dr. Hoehner did. There is this of those words count—“and that’s how I express expectation that God will someday finally draw my faithfulness to God,” if they do it in good masses of Jewish people to respond, and Paul’s conscience, recognizing there’s nothing “saving” hope of that is expressed clearly in Romans 11. about it, it’s perfectly appropriate. Dr. Hoehner: Replacement theology has been Dr. Bailey: How would you speak to those who carried out by the Nazis. They said to the Jews, believe Israel’s opportunity has passed? “You are the Christ-haters. God is through with you.” Jewish people sometimes say, “Look at Dr. Hoehner: You see it already in Romans. what you Christians did with the Holocaust.” Yet I Paul said in Romans 9:3, in essence, “I’d rather certainly think the Nazi party could not be called have one Jew”—himself—“in hell than all my “Christian”! Also in the present day a prominent kinsmen in hell.” What a pastoral concern Paul church here in Dallas had a seminar on Romans has for these people! He knows they’re being that covered Romans 1–8 and 12–16. But they disobedient, thinking “just like I was disobedient. completely left out Romans 9–11. Not until the Damascus Road did I finally realize
8 Dallas Seminary Dr. Bock: Of course there is a history to some Dr. Bailey: How do we as theologians challenge of this. There has been a tendency as the church other Christians? Just because we believe God moved away from its Jewish roots after the later has a purpose for the Jews, that doesn’t mean second century and even in the Reformation we support everything the modern state of Israel period to ostracize the Jewish community, which does. How do we keep the biblical and theological led to the rise of anti-Semitism. The church is discussion on track without it getting hijacked by guilty; it’s something we need to face up to. You the contemporary political conflicts in the Middle can read it in some of the most prominent of the East? Reformers. I was in the birthplace of Martin Luther in a German museum dedicated to his life when I Dr. Hoehner: Israel’s government as a whole is came to a section dedicated to his writings against secular. When Israel does something wrong, when Jews. I read some of what he wrote, and I thought, there’s an injustice, it is wrong. If a person in Gaza “If he said that on the radio today, we’d have does an injustice, that’s wrong. If an American action by the Anti-Defamation League and a few does an injustice, it’s wrong too. The Jews are others.” That kind of thinking is the poison that led God’s chosen people. Yet God does not say, “Since to the Holocaust. you’re My people, you can do anything you want.” Historically when they sinned, God sent them into Dr. Hoehner: I could not agree more. Christians captivity in Babylon. Wrong is wrong, no matter have not had a good record on their treatment of who does it. So while we may be loyal to Israel as a Jews. I think of the medieval times, the Inquisition, nation, that doesn’t mean everything Israel does is the Crusades. We’ve had a bad record in that way. right.
Dr. Bailey: It’s important in our conversations to Dr. Bock: The Bible says God is no respecter of admit that, and in essence to voice repentance on persons. When we look at the Middle East, the behalf of previous generations of Christians. ethical standards God desires are applied equally to everyone. Our standard should be to pursue Dr. Bock: Another way to get at it is this: When justice and righteousness, which God expects of you share Christ and a Jewish person asks, “Why everyone. are you sharing with me, knowing what my faith is,” our response would be, “I’m not sharing with Dr. Bailey: God didn’t call us to support all the you anything different from what I’d share with political agendas. He did call us to be a blessing to any other person. It’s what changed my life, and I all nations. And one of the best ways to bless the share it because my love for you is so great.” descendants of Abraham is to share the gospel. n
Sea of Galilee
Kindred Spirit 9 EmbracingBy Steven C. Ger in Your Congregationthe Jewishness
Jewish person’s Jewishness is, by definition, conferred by circumstance of birth. For most Jewish believers, to ignore this God-given distinction is to disparage the rich heritage God has bestowed on us to share with the world. While the church consists of believing Jews and Gentiles together in a new creation (Gal. 6:15; Eph. 3:6), most Christians think of today’s church as existing of only Gentiles. ASo when friends in the church speak of Jewish believers assimilating into the larger “Christian” culture, they usually mean a “Gentile” culture. Rather than downplaying the Jewishness of fellow believers, the church should celebrate the continued existence of the “remnant of Israel” as a wonderful example of God’s grace and faithfulness. We should revel in our distinctions because our unity is that much more captivating to the observing world. How interesting is a monochromatic tapestry? So, what can our churches do to embrace Jewishness? Here are some suggestions.
• Pray for the salvation of the Jewish people. • Celebrate the messianic fulfillment of a Jewish festival such as Passover or Tabernacles. Host • Activate programs and creative ideas for a Passover seder. Jewish evangelism. The Jewish community in America and abroad is still a largely • Encourage the Jewish believers in your unreached people group, despite their congregation. These believers often feel “out historic and cultural nearness to the of sync” with their Gentile siblings. They are gospel. often a tiny minority of one or only a few and perceive themselves as living between two • Support Jewish missions and teaching worlds. ministries. • Create and implement a bar mitzvah/bat • Go to Israel and invite fellow church mitzvah celebration within the church members to join you. Experiencing the for Jewish believing thirteen-year-olds. land promised to the chosen people can Confirmation catechisms and the like need greatly enhance a believer’s love and not substitute for following the biblical concern for the Jewish people. customs of our ancestors.
10 Dallas Seminary Embracingin Your Congregationthe Jewishness Among the he liturgy of most church traditions, of “high” or T“low” orientation, is replete with substitutions, equivalents, and y grandparents were copies of traditional Hebrew Remnant orthodox Jews from customs and ceremonies. If Russia and Hungary, the ancient Jewish customs are emigrating to America around 1900. shadows of things to come and I was born in Los Angeles,M and as a boy I went with my they all have their essence in grandmother to synagogue on Yom Kippur. Christ Himself (Col. 2:16–17), their It was a conservative synagogue, and I was taught enactment can only be of benefit we were waiting for Messiah. Like most Jewish boys and to the church (Eph. 4:12–13). girls, I went through three years of training for my bar A great example of God’s mitzvah at age thirteen. historic and ongoing faithfulness As I grew, I continued to excell in athletics, is to be found in the preservation eventually co-captaining the 1966 UCLA Rose Bowl of a believing remnant. From the championship team. But as a young boy my mom said I could stop studying at the synagogue with the rabbis, times of the patriarchs through and she would bring books for me to study at home. She the coming future tribulation, did, but I didn’t get into those books till ten years later. God has sovereignly preserved a In college I received a Bible and learned of Isaiah 53 remnant of Jews who trust in Him and how Jesus had to die for sin. Two things solidified to keep His promises and bring the decision for me. First, Jesus said He died and offered His program to completion (Rom. forgiveness as a free gift. In everything I’d ever wanted— 9–11). The enduring, organic, and sports, future grad school, marriage, family, promotions growing remnant of Israel, the very —I had to be good enough. If I was not good enough, Israel of God, shines as a luminous I would not get it. But this was different. This was free. beacon of God’s faithfulness Second, I had the offer of everlasting life. Jesus said He throughout history, past, present, would never leave me or forsake me. and future. n I went home and found the material a Jewish evangelist had given me eight years earlier. I read it and Steven Ger (ThM, 1994), a got down on my knees. I said, “OK, Jesus. I believe you Jewish Christ-follower, is director are the Jewish Messiah. You died for me. And I accept of Sojourner Ministries, whose you as my Lord and Savior.” I knew it was true. vision is to explore the Jewish That was forty-three years ago, and I still know. heart of Christianity. —Dr. Barry Leventhal (ThM 1972; PhD, 1982), former professor at Dallas Seminary and current dean of Southern Evangelical Seminary.
Kindred Spirit 11
Among the Dr. Merrill Digs Israel After nine years of being unable to excavate Khirbet el-Maqatir because of its location near Palestinian cities Remnantwas born in 1943 in Siberia, in Israel, the Associates of Biblical Russia, after my Jewish Research has resumed work on the father—falsely accused site under the direction of Bryant Wood. Wood believes that the site may of being a Nazi spy when he fled Poland from Hitler—wasI released from a be the city of Ai destroyed by Joshua in the Israelite conquest of the land Communist prison. With the help of the Israeli (Josh. 7–8). Efforts this past summer underground in 1947, our family escaped from focused on the west, south, and east behind the Iron Curtain to Germany, where we walls, and several structures inside were confined to British Displaced Persons camps. the fortress. On the east, our own Dr. There I received Orthodox Jewish training from Eugene Merrill discovered a pavement my father before the family emigrated to New that may be a section of a ring road York in 1951. Before our release, however, we were that circled the site inside the fortress befriended by a Lutheran minister. This contact wall. One of the guest volunteers eventually led me and my mother to the New York working in Dr. Wood’s square found headquarters of the American Board of Missions a large section of a pithos (a large to the Jews (ABMJ). Five years later at age thirteen, storage jar) rim and neck, which I placed my faith in Jesus the Messiah. can be accurately dated to the 15th century B.C., the time of the Conquest. —Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum (ThM, 1971), Coping with Grief directs Ariel Ministries, “a worldwide ministry proclaiming the gospel to the Jew first and also The death of a loved one is a the Gentile.” horrendous jolt. No one welcomes the demise of a wife, husband, child, parent, or sibling. The absence of a person with whom you have shared many years of life is excruciatingly painful; it is difficult to describe and hard for others to understand. And yet Dr. Ronald B. Allen recommends these death is inevitable. “Man is destined to books for people visiting Israel: die” (Heb. 9:27). And as Moses wrote • 1 and 2 Samuel and the Gospel of poetically, our years “quickly pass and Matthew • The Source, by James Michener we fly away” (Ps. 90:10). • The Haj, by Leon Uris My wife, Dottie, died fourteen • My Country, by Abba Eban months ago. Trying to adjust to life • O Jerusalem, Collins and LaPierre without her, after fifty-four years of married life, has been exceedingly Dr. Eugene Merrill’s favorite Israel difficult. If you have lost a close loved guidebook: The Holy Land: An Oxford one, you know how that person’s Archeological Guide. absence has created an indescribably lonely void. In my tract, Coping with Numerous faculty members recommend: Grief, I suggest nine steps I encourage DTS PhD student Todd Bolen’s ten-CD you to follow as you seek to live with set of Holy Land pictures, available through bibleplaces.com. your grief. You can find it at www.dts. edu/ks. —Dr. Roy B. Zuck, editor, Bibliotheca Sacra, and Senior Professor of Bible Exposition Emeritus at DTS
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Campus NEWS visit www.dts.edu/tours JOIN DTS FOR THESE EVENTS Travel with Dallas Theological Seminary • English Reformation and Early Church History Tour May 18–June 1, 2010 • Holy Land Tour March 4–19, 2011
Conferences from the Howard G. Hendricks Center for Christian Leadership The Electronic Gospel: How Technology Shapes Our Faith Learn to engage technology with discernment, creativity, and purpose as you articulate the gospel in a digital age. Keynote speaker Shane Hipps is pastor of Trinity Mennonite Church, a missional, urban, Anabaptist congregation in Phoenix. Shane is the author of Flickering Pixels: How Technology Shapes Your Faith. Three breakout sessions will feature John Dyer, Director of DTS Web Development; Scott McClellan, Editor of Collide Among the Magazine; and Bill Buchanan, Communications Director at Irving (Texas) Bible Church. The conference will be held February 8, 2010, at DTS. The $85 can’t be anything other than cost includes lunch. Remnant a Jew. I am part of a people, even if many of my people Connections and choose to disassociate with Conversations: Exploring Life me. My grandparentsI were from the same shtetls in Together as Ministry Wives Europe as other Jews. My parents were as observant The 2010 Wives of Men in Ministry or nonobservant as other New York Jewish families. Retreat will feature Susie Hawkins, who has served as Director of It’s true that I was raised to believe that Jesus Women’s Ministry at Prestonwood was not part of the “Jewish experience.” But Jesus Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, became part of my experience. As a result I find and has taught Bible studies for it possible to be both Jewish and Christian. I still business women. Susie is the don’t have a Christmas tree in my home and I don’t author of From One Ministry Wife hunt for Easter eggs. But my Jewish celebrations to Another. have been expanded to include the New Testament This conference will be held teachings. When I have a seder, I incorporate the April 11–13, 2010, at the Pine Cove belief that Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away Conference Center in Tyler, Texas. the sin of the world. When I fast on Yom Kippur, I do The $160 price includes lodging, so knowing that my name is already written in the meals, and an optional counseling Book of Life—the Lamb’s book of life. or mentoring session. After March 22, the fee increases to $185. —Susan Perlman, DTS board member and Associate Executive Director of Jews for Jesus. Visit www.dts.edu/ccl for more The Lusanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism information and to register for provides an index of 2009 papers, including a these conferences. media summary by Susan Perlman. You can read it at www.lcje.net/papers/2009.html
Kindred Spirit 13 An UncommonIn the past ten years New Age festivals Friendship have sprung up in Israel offering a variety of religious expressions from Hare Krishna to Shanti to Jesus. The festivals have provided the National Evangelism Committee (NEC)—the evangelistic arm of messianic congregations in Israel— opportunities to set up a shop in which to offer the New Testament and other books. At one such festival David* received a New Testament. Later he met “Noam” Hendren (ThM, 1980), a friend of his teen-aged daughter. Here David and Noam tell the story of the uncommon friendship that developed.
David*: I was called over to a stand by a gospel. I took David through the Old Testament, bearded fellow with a heavy accent, whom I showing how it presents the Messiah as God heard calling, “Friend! Come over and have a coming in human flesh. free book!” When he handed me a copy of the We met for about two months. As we worked New Testament, I tried to resist. He insisted on through these topics, it became clear that David giving it to me for free, and by the time I heard really understood the gospel. He was no longer him read me John 1:1–14, I was thinking, “How raising common objections. He was satisfied that many guys have ever read the New Testament we were talking about the truth. in Hebrew?” I took it out of interest in religion, philosophy, and the desire to do or touch David: Noam and I sat mostly at the same spot something new. in a small city park. Our meeting grew longer from one sitting to another, and we found many Noam: A regular visitor to our home, David books, movies, stories, and ideas in our common occasionally asked me questions about the interests. We would spend two or three hours New Testament. Within a couple of months his going through the Old Testament, and then questions turned more serious, and four years another couple hours talking about other things. ago we began to meet weekly for several hours. Apart from being a teacher or mentor, Noam We started by focusing on the plan of became a friend as well. God using the Old Testament only, but David Three things attracted me to Noam as a mentor. also had other, more philosophical questions. First, he answered my questions. Second, he It quickly became clear that he was serious, seemed to know a lot—I mean a lot—and I asking the kinds of questions that get to the core appreciate that. That sort of knowledge attracts objections that concern Jews. One of David’s me, especially when it is dispensed in the way first questions was, “I don’t know what to do Noam does it. He does not presume to know so with this business of Jesus being God. I don’t much. Third, the friendship that grew between us see how that fits in with being a Jewish person.” was also a factor for me. Noam invited me into his That is probably the fundamental stumbling home, and with his family he has shown me true block for any Jewish person considering the care, welcome, and love. *Not his real name.
14 Dallas Seminary An UncommonNoam: IFriendship could see that David was leaning toward my real interest, which is Bible and theology. faith in Yeshua, so I knew I needed to warn him. I’m grateful for Noam being my mentor “David, before you make any decisions, you and for God’s work in intentionally putting us need to know that, here in the Land, putting together. From early on I too desired to become your faith in Yeshua is not going to score you a teacher and help others understand more, any points. It could bring a lot of problems with and see their hunger and thirst for truth grow. family, rejection from friends, and people will I’ve had a huge privilege (which I realized think you’ve joined a cult. You really need to only later, when people expressed their envy) count the cost, because there could be negative of spending three years as Noam’s “private ramifications.” student.” I’ve learned a lot from him, and not He looked at me and said, “I’m sorry, it’s too just from what he said verbally. n late. I already believe that Yeshua is the Messiah!” Ken “Noam” Hendren David: After every sitting with Noam, I would (ThM, 1980) end up sitting with a friend over a game of chess discussing what I’d just learned. We spent the s a junior high student, time trying together to batter down the ideas Ken Hendren came to and notions Noam introduced. I played both faithA in Jesus. The unbelief of “batterer” and defender, and we found it harder his mostly Jewish classmates to batter down those ideas—whether ideas spurred his desire to share the concerning God or ideas concerning science and Lord with Jewish people. He thought. eventually pursued ancient Near Noam’s family also had an influence on my Eastern civilization studies at UCLA, which included decision. In spite of what they believed, they a year at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He seemed “sane.” And they were much more than returned home, met Joan—a Jewish believer—and that—they really had a light in them that was married the following year. They moved to Dallas shining in my face. In them there was the kind of to complete Ken’s education at DTS, and upon testimony that people often teach about—that graduation nearly thirty years ago, they moved to someone will look on a believer and say, “There’s Israel and began their ministry there. The Hendrens something different about you. I want to have became Israeli citizens in 1982, and their two what you have.” daughters were born in the Land. Ken, now known as Noam, serves as co- Noam: After serving in the army like all Israeli chairman of the National Evangelism Committee. high school graduates, David now helps lead the He teaches at Israel College of the Bible and is youth group at our messianic congregation. We involved in discipleship and evangelistic leadership. continue to meet to discuss questions and issues. He pastored a congregation for fourteen years, He’s a natural student, so he pursues knowledge during which time many Israelis—native-born and on his own. He’s like an adopted son. immigrants—came to saving faith in Yeshua as Messiah. He is the author of HaIsh HaHu (“That Man”) David: After finishing my three-year service to the on the life of Yeshua in its Jewish context. Published country, I’ve signed up this year for studies at the in both Russian and Hebrew, it is used widely in Israel College of the Bible [where Noam teaches] evangelistic follow-up and discipleship. You may for the one-year program, with the intention of contact Noam at [email protected]. moving on to one of the country’s universities next year. I hope to study history, Hebrew, or perhaps even archaeology, and then go back to
Kindred Spirit 15 New Resources from the Seminary Family • The Facts on the Bible • The Facts on the Masonic Lodge Some intercultural and interracial marriages in the • The Facts on the Mormon Church Bible: • The Facts on Roman Catholicism Joseph and Asenath • The Facts on World Religions Moses and Zipporah Dr. John Ankerberg, Dr. John Weldon, Samson and Delilah and Dillon Burroughs (ThM, 2002) Boaz and Ruth David and Bathsheba • Your Intercultural Marriage: A Guide Solomon and the Shulamite woman to a Healthy, Happy Relationship Ahasuerus and Esther Marla Alupoaicei (ThM, 2002) —Marla Alupoaicei, Your Intercultural Marriage
• A Workbook for Intermediate Greek People are most comfortable with others who look Dr. Herbert Bateman (ThM, 1987; PhD, like them, act like them, and think like them. That’s 1993) all well and good if you are surrounded by people • The Historical Jesus: Five Views who are just like you, but what if you’re not? What Dr. Darrell Bock** (ThM, 1979), contrib- about those times and places where you’re dif- ferent from the others? Do you ever feel like your uting author community or culture is constantly playing a game of “one of these things is not like the others,” and the “one” they • Three Views on the New Testament Use always pick out is you? of the Old Testament —Anita Carman with Dana Wilkerson, Transforming for a Dr. Walter Kaiser, Dr. Darrell L. Bock** Purpose (ThM, 1979), and Dr. Peter Enns
• Transforming for a Purpose One young leader in Israel’s West Bank says, “If Anita Carman (MA[BS], 2002) with Dana you work in the Middle East and you want to bring Jesus to Muslims, fear cannot be a part of your vo- Wilkerson cabulary. If you live in fear, you cannot serve Christ • From Anger to Intimacy: How Forgive- there.” I believe that to be true. That’s why I am ness Can Transform Your Marriage thrilled and hopeful about the church in the Middle Dr. Gary Smalley and Ted Cunningham East. The “no fear” attitude is everywhere. (MA/CE 2001) —Tom Doyle, Breakthrough: The Return of Hope in the Middle East
• Breakthrough: The Return of Hope While it is essential to understand as much as we to the Middle East can about Bible prophecy, we must never get so Tom Doyle (MA[BS], 1983) focused on the future and end-time events that we lose sight of today’s Christless society. Every person • 2012: The Bible and the End of the who is a Christian needs to pray for open doors of World opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with • Cashless: Bible Prophecy, Economic others and the boldness to seize those opportuni- Crisis, and the Future Financial Order ties. In difficult times many people who otherwise might be Dr. Mark Hitchcock (ThM, 1991; PhD, closed to the truth about Jesus might suddenly display a surpris- 2005) ing openness to spiritual issues. May the Holy Spirit energize us and awaken us to be sensitive to the open doors all around us. • Living with Confidence in a Chaotic —Mark Hitchcock, Cashless: Bible Prophecy, Economic Chaos, World and the Future Financial Order Dr. David Jeremiah (ThM, 1967) In a recent book evangelical pastor Dr. David • A Dad-Sized Challenge: Building a Jeremiah looked at ten biblical evidences related Life-Changing Relationship with Your to Christ’s second coming. His new book, Living Son with Confidence in a Chaotic World, was released Jeff Kinley (ThM, 1986) in October bolstered by live rallies and a pres- • Introduction to the Old Testament ence on social networking sites. When asked by Historical Books Publishers Weekly, “What’s changed in the world Dr. Israel Loken** (ThM, 1996; PhD, 2001) since your last book?” Dr. Jeremiah answered, “I think what’s happened more than anything else is that the average person has totally lost confidence in the things they used to hold themselves together. There’s an awful lot of angst, anxiety, concern, and ** Denotes DTS faculty member some fear. There’s an awful lot of anger, too. This is the most un- usual experience I’ve had, and I’ve never seen anything like this.”
16 Dallas Seminary • Archaeology and the Bible In virtually every recorded encounter of Jesus and a • Middle East Conflict: What You woman, He broke tradition and violated the customs Need to Know and laws of His day. How radical Jesus must have been! • Reasoning from the Scriptures As far as we know, He told only two people that they with the Jehovah’s Witnesses had great faith—and one of them was a non-Jewish Dr. Ron Rhodes (ThM, 1983; ThD, woman (see Matt. 15:21–28). Did you know that it 1986) was women who financially underwrote the ministry of Jesus, making it possible for the disciples to travel, eat, and lodge • Teach Us to Number Our Days (see Luke 8:3)? And some of these loyal female followers of Christ were there at the cross, following Him all the way to the end. Risking David Roper (ThM, 1961) ridicule, imprisonment, and even death, they were not ashamed to be • Jesus Nation publicly identified with Him…. Some of these women were the first to Dr. Joseph Stowell (ThM, 1970) see Jesus risen from the dead (see John 19:25; 20:11–17). Do you see a message here? A pattern? This clearly demonstrates how Jesus viewed • Creative Crossings: Navigating women in the context of an oppressive culture. 21st Century Contextualization —Jeff Kinley, A Dad-Sized Challenge: Building a Life-Changing Dr. Florence Tan (MA[BS], 1986; ThM, Relationship with Your Son 1990; DMin, 1992)
Based on Genesis 40, where Joseph interprets two • Praying from Exodus and prisoners’ dreams: Leviticus Lord, may I act graciously to all people, even if they • Praying from Numbers and are not grateful to me. Deuteronomy Lord, I believe the predictions (prophecy) You have • Praying Genesis given concerning the coming of Christ and the destruc- • Praying for Your Second Chance • tion of the earth. Help me to live righteously • Praying Your Way Out of Bondage because Jesus is coming back again. Dr. Elmer Towns (ThM, 1958) Lord, remind me to be grateful to all those who do kind deeds for me. • Nuggets for the Golden Years Lord, I thank you for the example of Joseph who did right even Dr. Gordon Van Rooy (ThM, 1949; when people around him lied and were ungrateful. PhD, 1964) —Elmer Towns, Praying Genesis • This Strange Jesus Dr. Daniel B. Wallace** (ThM, 1979; “Therefore he is able to save completely those who PhD, 1995) and Ed Komoszewski come to God through him, because he always lives to (ThM, 2000) intercede for them” (Heb 7:25, NIV)…. Would you like to have a faithful prayer warrior pray you through your • Connected: You and God trials? Here is one who knows all your struggles, sor- in the Psalms rows, sufferings, and frustrations. Even your thoughts. Peter Wallace (ThM, 1984) Christ lives to intercede for us, His brothers and sisters. Because of His complete work on the cross, we are saved. Because of • The Contribution of the Speeches His continuous intercession for us, that finished work is always up to of Elihu to the Argument about date. Our connection to Him is doubly ensured and assured. Suffering in the Book of Job —Gordon Van Rooy, Nuggets for the Golden Years Dr. Larry Waters ** (Ph.D., 1998)
Elihu encouraged Job to respond in faith and accept • The Cambridge Introduction the fact that God knew what was going on in his life. to Biblical Hebrew, with CD-ROM Job’s suffering was his opportunity to glorify God. Elihu Dr. Brian L. Webster ** also affirmed that God will deal justly with the wicked, • You Were Born for This but He often delays punishment because He desires the Dr. Bruce Wilkinson (ThM, 1974) redemption of all people. It is not Job’s prerogative to question God’s use of prosperity or adversity in the lives • The Speaker’s Quote Book, Revised of human beings. Elihu had brought Job to a place where the ques- and Expanded tions he thought were so important became insignificant in the light Dr. Roy B. Zuck** (ThM, 1957; ThD, of the presence of God. 1961) —Larry Waters, The Contribution of the Speeches of Elihu NEW TRACTS • Coping with Grief • Is the World Coming to an End? Dr. Roy B. Zuck** (ThM, 1957; ThD,
Kindred Spirit 17 Follow the FACULTY Members of Dallas Theological Seminary’s full-time faculty Taking the Word around the World will minister at these locations in the months ahead. For a complete listing of faculty travel go to www.dts.edu/ks.
Midwest Church, Charlotte, North Theological Seminary, West Dr. Daniel Wallace Carolina Dallas, Texas Dr. Ronald B. Allen Nov Dec 18–19 The Gospel Dr. Stanley Toussaint Dr. Hall Harris Dec 2 26–29 Thanksgiving according to Snoopy Feb 13–19 Word of Life First United Methodist Conference, Cannon Text-Criticism Seminar, Conference, Hudson, Church, Garland, Texas Beach Conference Full-Proof Ministries, Florida Dr. Robert Lightner Center, Cannon Beach, Joliet, Illinois; Feb 27 Dr. Daniel Wallace Feb 15–19 Piedmont Oregon Eden Prairie Assembly Jan 6–9 Central Baptist Baptist College and Dr. Daniel Wallace of God Church, Eden Seminary of Virginia Graduate School, Jan15–17 Apologetics Prairie, Minnesota Beach, Virginia Beach, Winston-Salem, North Conference, Virginia Carolina University of Oregon, Southeast Dr. Ramesh Richard Eugene, Oregon; Feb Dr. Mark Bailey Dec 20 Southwest Jan 31 Missions 19–22 Apologetics Fellowship Bible Church Dr. Ronald B. Allen Jan Conference, Dallas Bible Conference, Bend, of Northwest Arkansas, 24 Cornerstone Bible Church, Dallas, Texas; Oregon Rogers, Arkansas; Jan Church, Lubbock, Texas Mar 1 Senior Leadership 10 First Baptist Church Dr. Mark Bailey Dec Symposium, Dallas International of Marco, Marco Island, 6 Irving Bible Church, Baptist University, Dr. Ronald B. Allen Florida Irving, Texas; Dec 12 Dallas, Texas Mar 8–21 Bible Dr. Stephen Bramer David Dean Fellowship Dr. Stanley Toussaint Teacher, Israel Study Jan 10 Bayside Dinner, Dallas, Texas; Mar 7–12 Bibleville Bible Tour, Cannon Beach Community Church, Jan 17 Faith Bible Conference, Alamo, Conference Center Tampa, Florida Church, DeSoto, Texas Texas Israel Study Tour, ISRAEL Dr. Steve Strauss Feb Dr. Reg Grant Jan Dr. Daniel Wallace Dr. Stephen Bramer 28 World Missions 19–22 Spiritual Life Jan 29–30 The Gospel Mar 7–21 Tour of Israel, Conference, Calvary Conference, Dallas According to Snoopy Insight for Living, Text-Criticism ISRAEL Seminar, The Dr. Tom Constable Church at Dec 1–4 Word of Life Lake Mead, Bible School, Toalmas, Henderson, HUNGARY Nevada Dr. Reg Grant Mar 7–21 Dr. Timothy Dramatic Presentations, Warren Fridays, Tour of Israel, Insight for 7 a.m., Men’s Living, ISRAEL Bible Study, Dr. Ramesh Richard Activities Center Mar 7 Grace Church, Conference Tirana, ALBANIA; Room, Cooper Mar 10–14 Pastors Aerobics Center, Conference and Dallas, Texas; evangelistic events, Fridays, 12 Tirana, ALBANIA Give thanks to the p.m., Sparkman Dr. Daniel Wallace Library, Baylor Mar 7–21 Tour of Israel, LORD, for he is good; University Insight for Living, Medical Center, ISRAEL his love endures forever. Dallas, Texas 1 Chronicles 16:34
18 Dallas Seminary F r o m t h e C H A N C E LL o r Thinking on Things to Come
ong-time Dallas Seminary professor Dr. J. Dwight Pentecost accepted an invitation to speak at a rather small church. They Lasked him to speak on prophecy. He said he would. But along with five sermons on prophecy, he planned specifically in the middle of the series to give a message that he titled, “The Loveliness of Christ.” It was to focus on the historical events that led up to the death of Christ. The five nights “Dr. P” spoke on prophecy, the place was packed. The event planners even arranged for loud speakers outside so people could sit in the cool of the evening and at least hear. Yet the night he spoke on the loveliness of Christ, the church was only about half full. All meetings received equal publicity and encouragement to attend, but the people were more interested in the future happenings than in the One the events are meant to point to. Later in his book Prophecy for Today he wrote this: “We have “A short time ago, I took occasion to go through the New Testament to mark each reference to the coming of the Lord missed Jesus Christ and to observe the use made of that teaching about His coming. I was struck anew with the fact that al- the purpose most without exception, when the coming of Christ is men- of prophecy tioned in the New Testament, it is followed by an exhortation to godliness and holy living. if it does not “While the study of prophecy will give us proof of the authority of the Word of God, it will also reveal the purpose conform us of God and the power of God, and will give us the peace and to the Lord assurance of God. We have missed the whole purpose of the study of prophecy if it does not conform us to the Lord Jesus Jesus Christ.” Christ in our daily living.” “Part of what prophecy tells us is that God still has a future in mind for Israel. Yet an exploration of God’s heart for Israel is incomplete if we fail to ponder the apostle Paul’s conclusion when addressing the same subject: “God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowl- edge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! ‘Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?’ ‘Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?’ For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen” (Rom 11:32–36). Our merciful, wise, all-knowing, just, perfect, glorious God holds the future of Jews and Gentiles in His hands. Do you believe He’s good? Does your life demonstrate that you trust Him? Does your knowledge of “things to come” drive you to your knees in worship? You know how the story ends. Is that knowledge changing your life? n
Kindred Spirit 19 DALLAS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Nonprofit Organization 3909 Swiss Avenue U.S. POSTAGE PAID Dallas, Texas 75204 Dallas, TX PERMIT NO. 1037
Olive tree, Garden of Gethsemane
How much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree! Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. —Romans 11:24, 33–36