Whenever we discuss moral or spiritual values, we must be careful not to despise the person who disagrees with us. We should hate all evil activity (Proverbs 8:13), yet love the people involved (John 3:16). No one rebuked sin more than Yeshua; yet no one befriended sinners more than He (Luke 7:34).
We love Arab people, yet we disagree with those who have been influenced by Islamic Jihad to hate, kill, and terrorize.
We love people involved in homosexuality, but we oppose their activities, just as we oppose adultery or prostitution. All types of sexual sin destroy healthy relationships between men and women.
Should anyone raise an objection to homosexuality today in Western society, he is immediately denounced as a bigot. However, as it has been said, “This is about biology, not bigotry.” We do not despise anyone, but we do want to discuss the moral and social issues involved.
We as Messianic Jews often have to deal with theological disagreements in both traditional Christianity and Judaism. With ultra-Orthodox Jews (Haredim), in addition to the clash over our faith in Yeshua (Jesus), there are several other areas of objective disagreement:
- Oral Law – A tenet of ultra-Orthodoxy is that the oral law was given directly from God at Sinai. This error is somewhat parallel to the belief in the authority of church traditions over Biblical truth in some Christian denominations.
- Attitude toward Gentiles – There is a fundamental rejection of non-Jews in much of ultra-Orthodox Judaism, which borders on plain racism. We take issue with this, just as we challenge anti-Semitism in many parts of European Christianity.
- Religious Monopoly – In Israel, religious institutions are controlled by the Orthodox, including marriage and conversion. Even conservative rabbis have no real authority.
- Anti-Zionism – Much of the Haredi world opposes the legitimacy of Israel as a secular state. (Ironically, this is somewhat similar to radical Muslims who only recognize a state with Sharia law.) Many reject court authority and oppose military service.
- Tax corruption – While demanding large government grants in the budget, they remove people from the work force, thus not contributing to the tax and economic base.
Let us remember to love and respect those with whom we have disagreements; yet constantly seek the right to discuss issues on an objective basis.
Asher serves as president of Tikkun Global family of ministries and congregations, dedicated to the dual restoration of Israel and the Church. He is founder of the Revive Israel five-fold ministry team, and oversees both Ahavat Yeshua and Tiferet Yeshua congregations in Israel.
He and his wife Betty share a passion for personal prayer and devotion, local evangelism and discipleship in Hebrew, and unity of the Body of believers worldwide.
Asher was raised in a conservative Jewish home and holds degrees from Harvard University, Baltimore Hebrew College and Messiah Biblical Institute. He has authored numerous books, tracts and articles.