One Law, Two Sticks Position Paper
Brad's response
For some years now this ministry has focused its attention on two important issues to us in our Father's kingdom, the next generation and unity in the body of Messiah. These two issues have been a major part of every lecture, conference or seminar I have participated in for the last five years. A number of issues over the years have come up that I vehemently oppose but chose to ignore for the sake of that unity and to be an example for our young people as they carry on what our Father is doing in these last days. But there comes a time when something comes along that is so self serving and so incredibly repugnant that I have to speak my mind. I am speaking of the publication of another missionary postion paper on how wrong and unbiblical everyone but the authors of the paper are. I am speaking of the recent long article put out by the Internationl Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues or IAMCS. It is an article entitled: "One Law, Two Sticks: A Critical Look at the Hebrew Roots Movement." The whole world has been waiting on pins and needles for these guys to finally solve the problem with this heretical bunch of Jewish wannabes. It is a very long article because it takes some time to impugn and slander a dozen or so brothers without coming to them personally. I am only going to address the first two paragraphs of this unsubstantiated diatribe.
I wish to begin with a disclaimer. These are only a few frustrated men that do not represent the whole of Messianic Judaism. Most leaders and members of Messianic Jewish synagogues and congregations that I have fellowshipped with are warm, loving people who just want to worship and please the God of Israel just as we do. But my friends, every time I hear this kind of rhetoric and sandbox baby talk I cannot help but think of the proverbial race card. Every word in this paper is pure racism, disguised as "Oh those poor Gentiles they want to be like us, oh God bless em." It appears that it is okay to work on the plantation, boys, but ya gotta use the commode out yonder! Although the commandments of God are designed to bless us when we keep them, 'you boys' are on the wrong side of the tracks, the blessing are for us. Now and then these men attempt to feign brotherhood, but it is all condescending.
With that in mind, I have chosen to place the actual first two paragraphs from the paper first. Below that I have rendered my satirical translation that came easy to me as I struggled to read this thing. The words Jews and Jewish are replaced with white men. The Gentiles or non-Jews are replaced with negroes and the law is the public bathrooms.
We, as Messianic Jewish leaders, have become increasingly concerned that there are agrowing number of individuals and groups today promoting the idea that all the world’sbelievers in the Messiah - Jewish and Gentile alike - ought to be keeping the Torah,particularly the Shabbat, the feasts, and kosher diet. The doctrine which is the subject ofthis paper has been around since the day of the Apostles, in different forms, but today ithas come to be known as “One Law One People” or just “One Law,” for short. It insistsupon Gentile Torah observance universally. Most of those who teach it, also promotefalse theories about Israel identity as well. Recently, some of the more prominent OneLaw teachers have banded together and begun using the label “Hebrew Roots” todescribe themselves as a movement. This nomenclature is regrettable from our point ofview, since it causes confusion.
Obviously, the roots of the biblical faith are Jewish. Thankfully, many non-Jewishbelievers worldwide recognize the fact that their faith is rooted in a Jewish Messiah,Jewish Apostles, and a Jewish gospel. We note that many precious, well-meaning Gentilebelievers are drawn to Messianic Judaism because they wish to connect with Israel; theywant to understand the Bible in historical context, or they simply have a desire to enrichtheir faith by acquiring a more Jewish understanding of the Lord.
Here is what I believe is really happening.
We, as leaders of the superior race, have become increasingly concerned that there are a growing number of individuals and groups today actually promoting the idea that all the world's believers in the white Messiah - white and negro alike - ought to be using the same public bathrooms, particularly the sinks, the toilet stools and the soap dispenser. This kind of teaching, which is the subject of this paper, has been around since the days of the early klansmen, in different forms, but today it has come to be known as 'One People, One Bathroom' or just plain 'One Bathroom' theology. These here people insist on negro public bathroom usage with the white man, universally. Did ya ever imagine such a thing? Most of the people who stand up for this abominable practice also promote false theories about white identity as well. Recently, some of the more prominent 'One Bathroom' teachers have banded together to sing the ole negro spiritual, 'We shall overcome', and they describe themselves as abolitionists. What in the world is that? This nonmanclatur, nomnanclayture, uh, numanclatetre, this word is regrettable from our point of view, since it suggests that the white man and the negro are one. Can ya imagine that?Obviously, the roots of public bathroom usage are white and belong to the white man. Thankfully however, there are many negroes in the world that recognize the fact that their beliefs are rooted in a white Messiah, white apostles, and a white man's gospel. We note that there are many precious, well-meaning negroes out there that are drawn to the white man's lifestyle because they wish to connect to the superior race of the white man and they want to understand the white man in his historical context, or they simply have a desire to enrich their lower class lives by acquiring a more white man's understanding of God. Isn't that precious, God bless 'em.
I speak to the men who felt the need to attempt to divide us all again by putting out this racist dribble: our behavior and desire to please our Father based on our ethnicity. I see it as nothing more than that. I suggest you publically apologize, particularly to the men you spent a considerable amount of time trashing, and put your efforts into mercy and reconciliation. I suggest you focus more on the fruit of the Spirit. If there was ever a time in the history of mankind that brothers, who all love the Messiah and the God of Israel, should cling to each other it is NOW, it is this generation. Stop it, stop it, stop it.
Shalom Alecheim! ◊