Having Fun With Torah Observant Messianic Doctrine! (Satire from the Messianic Literary Corner)

Having Fun With Torah Observant Messianic Doctrine!


Rav Shaul	Apostle Paul	Heretic Paul

Subtitled: A Little Satire Is Good For The Soul

Introduction

In Messianic congregations in the USA and abroad, doctrinal error due to explicit Torah observance appears to be wide spread. One must ask; Is it that hard to determine error from correct doctrine? What initially appeared to be a clear-cut issue of historical inaccuracy and miss-interpretation of Scripture twenty years ago, today appears to be a mute point among most Messianic brethren. Why so? Some of this lack of interest in historical and biblical accuracy is due to the human tendency to accept only the interpretation of scripture that fits one's doctrinal stand, no matter how absurd it may be. The other tendency is to believe false doctrine simply because it has not been rejected yet by its constituency. In either case, the reasons for accepting such doctrine are weak indeed.

In the 1980s some Messianic Jewish teachers came up with the idea that they could reshape Messianic believers perception of the "Gospel of Grace" and "Torah Observance" by simply re-inventing the persona of the Apostle Paul into the "Torah Observant "Rabbi Shaul", all accepting of modern Messianic Jewish thought. In doing so, they had to develop an approach that would disregard the accurate history of Paul in his evolution from "Saul of Tarsus" persecutor of the Church in Israel and the Diaspora, to "the Apostle Paul", church founder, teacher and evangelist to both Jew and Gentile alike. They would have to sell to their flock the idea that Paul remained Torah observant, even while ministering to the Gentiles in the Greco/Roman provinces of Asia Minor. They also had to assert that the proselytes of Rabbi Shaul were Torah observant. The task of selling this "spin" was simple for most of the devoted believers within the Messianic Jewish movement, but much less so for those educated in Church history and New Covenant teachings. Most Messianic Jews and Messianic Gentiles have accepted Anti-Pauline doctrine without a fight by simply believing in a distorted historical portrait of Paul. Was this error one of confusion or design on the part of some Messianic leaders? The truth appears to be one of deceptive design, with many teachers believing the historical and doctrinal fabrication.

As previously mentioned, most Torah Observant Messianic believers today don't seem to be alarmed by the claim that their doctrine is filled with historic inaccuracies. Sometimes the best way to approach such a topic is thru levity. So, in a humorous way, I will attempt to shed some light on the absurdity of believing there ever was a "Torah Observant Rabbi Shaul". My sincerest apology to those who find no humor in this article. You can't win them all!

Part 1: To Tell The Truth!

There are erroneous motivations underlying Torah Observant Messianic Jewish believer's acceptance of either the "Rav Shaul" or "Heretic Paul" historical scenarios. If you read between the lines in some of their statements, you will find that Torah Observant Messianic believers who know their history only give "lip service" supporting "Rav Shaul", and are actually Anti-Paul and consider his teachings heretical. In the USA, most Anti-Pauline Messianic Jewish believers hide behind the "Rav Shaul' history nonsense. In Israel though, most Anti-Paul MJs do not hide their sentiments concerning their opposition to Pauline doctrine. Most Messianic Jews that support the Rav Shaul or Heretic Paul historical scenario, do so for the sake of what they perceive to be a necessity. They truly believe that only by holding to an erroneous viewpoint that supports obligatory Torah Observance will they successfully evangelize the Jewish people. This concept adopts a "Social Darwinist" form of self deception which comes right out of David Stern's book, "Messianic Jewish Manifesto". Social Darwinists justify promoting the "big lie" if it serves to promote the continuity of their social cause. It may have been a 'Freudian slip" when Stern used the term "manifesto" in his revolutionary book. Stern's use of Marx missed the Biblical mark!

Part 2: Comic Reliefs

"Comic Reliefs", if you did not already know, is a "play on words". Below are pictures of marble reliefs from the Vatican in Rome, Italy with comical anecdotes attached suggesting the absurdity of a "Torah observant" Rabbi Shaul ministering to Gentile believers in the Church. Just imagine the difficulties in remaining "Torah observant" while preaching and fellowshipping with Gentile brethren.

Comic Relief #1

Comic Relief #2

Part 3: Satiric Poetry

Satire in literature has long been applauded for bringing to light matters that may either be considered taboo or overlooked by society. Messianic or Christian satiric poetry seeks to expose the self deception that so easily besets us. In the case of exposing the absurdity of maintaining a Torah observant life as a Messianic believer or asserting the existence of a "Torah Observant Rabbi Shaul or Paul" several poems were penned by Marshall Beeber.

For Reasons Quite Kosher

by Marshall Beeber

(A satirical poem)

Sept. 26, 97

Messianic rabbis have made a decree.

(I use the term rabbis quite loosely!)

Of the census just taken they all do agree.

All Jews in Messiah are no longer free.

Kashrut is the standard,

That's how it must be!

I cannot rebel and must surely see.

The doctrine of grace that once set me free,

Though noble indeed,

Was not meant for me.

Twas meant for the Gentile,

But not for the Jew.

Such freedom of diet,

Though lofty a view,

Cannot be partaken or given a thought.

Once given this freedom,

Rebellion is wrought.

But despite their opinion,

I still hold to mine.

The life of true freedom,

I'll never decline.

The Gospel defends it,

And gives us the choice.

All food is made Kosher.

To this I rejoice!

The Apostle Paul's Phylacteries

by Marshall Beeber

Feb. 23, 1998

This poem is a narrative,

designed to make you smile.

But if a verse gives you a frown,

then ponder for a while.

A Messianic rabbi emailed to me his thought,

about my recent poetry which made him so distraught.

He told me the Apostle Paul was never truly seen,

to eat a food unkosher or touch a thing unclean.

Immediately I discerned this point of incredulity

To be a statement of belief devoid of honesty.

How could this man ignore the facts just begging to be read,

It must be his theology has made him turn his head.

But I replied with gentleness, a story I construed.

Of a man whom I knew once, whose belief's I did reprove.

He said he had the utmost proof of Jesus' origin,

Of Ethiopian descent and with the blackest skin.

But tersely I proved otherwise, the matter to dispatch,

I showed my poor opponent that he was not my match.

My victory was stolen in this misconceived debate.

I should have kept my mouth shut,

but regrets were now too late.

The man's beliefs were fixed upon his fragile little yarn,

The victory that I had gained had not been worth the harm.

I emailed back this story to the rabbi to relate,

That all the truth that we behold,

May not be worth debate.

If we can just appreciate the soul that we approach,

When loving wisdom we express,

The truth we will promote.

Click this link to read more poetry by Marshall Beeber

Marshall Beeber; poet, author, scientific consultant and director of the Messianic Literary Corner is available for a speaking engagement at your organization. (click to contact)

If you would like to respond to this commentary, feel free to email your comments to the Messianic Literary Corner.