Roots and Culture Part 5 was published in the April 2012 issue of HM Magazine. I'll be reposting each column here around the time the following issue is released. As always, comments, suggestions and flame mail are always... entertained...
Welcome to Chameleon Church...
Roots & Culture
Allan Aguirre
of Olive Trees & Wild Branches
(Part 5)
We have established that the Punk Rock and Alternative genres established by bands like The Sex Pistols and Bauhaus have, through time, been replaced with mainstream hybrids and counterfeits like Avril Lavigne and Dave Matthews, and that the essence of these genres have been buried deep below the sands of conjecture and opinion.
I’ve shared my conviction that an understanding and application of the biblical roots of our faith would breathe new sound scriptural Life into the Covenant relationship bought for us with the shed Blood of the Lamb.
I shared how Paul, in Acts 24:14, defined Christianity as being a sect of Judaism and defended his faith by confessing that he believed “all things which are written in the Torah (‘law’) of Moses and in the Prophets” whereas for nearly 1900 years a Greek and Roman linear thought process of a Jewish cyclical concept has buried the biblical roots and essence of our faith deep below the sands of conjecture and opinion.
Paul’s teaching in Romans 11 should correct our modern perspective to the Jewish Roots of our faith, the Olive Tree of the House of Israel: “But if some of the branches were broken off [Israel], and you - a wild olive [a gentile believer] - were grafted in among them [Jews] and have become equal sharers in the rich root of the olive tree, then don't boast as if you were better than the branches [Jews]! However, if you do boast, remember that you are not supporting the root, the root is supporting you.” Romans 11:17-18 (emphasis mine)
We discussed Ephesians 2 and how gentiles had no Messiah, were estranged from the national life of Israel and foreigners to the covenants embodying God's promise (Torah) - but now have been brought near through the shedding of the Messiah's blood (verses 12-13). We saw how Jesus has made both Jew and gentile one and broke down the wall of separation by destroying the Law of Atonement Sacrifice in his own body (the cross) (verses 14-15a).
We learned that scripturally, the law is separated into sections; the oral traditions, the Covenant and the Sacrificial Law. Ephesians 2:12 speaks of Covenant while verses 14-15a obviously speaks of Atonement Sacrifice as being “destroyed” by the cross. This did not, however, “destroy” the Covenant Law and it’s observance (verse 10) with the goal being “One New Man” (verse 16).
“So then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers. On the contrary, you are fellow-citizens with God's people (Israel) and members of God's family.” Ephesians 2:19 (emphasis mine)
Our root and culture as believers are found in Torah and Israel.
Christianity remains a foreigner to the Mosaic Torah covenant embodying Messiah and has rejected the scriptural foundational root of her faith, believing that she is “better then the branches”, and that she “supports the root” - thus estranging herself from the national and spiritual life of Israel.
What does Jesus say about this?
Popular Christian teaching has stated for centuries that Jesus “did away with” the Torah (law) of Moses – “the covenants embodying God’s promise” (Ephesians 2:12) - upon His resurrection.
Actually, immediately following His resurrection, we find Jesus expounding to His disciples all the things in the Scriptures (Old Testament), starting with Moses, concerning Him. He then reminds them that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets concerning Him and then opened their understanding, that they might comprehend these Scriptures. (Luke 24:27, 44- 45 NKJV)
Now, why would He default to the authority of the Law of Moses in regards to Himself - post resurrection – if He had just “done away with” it?
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Roots and Culture Series
Roots and Culture Part 4 was published in the March 2012 issue of HM Magazine. I'll be reposting each column here around the time the following issue is released. As always, comments, suggestions and flame mail are always... entertained...
Welcome to Chameleon Church...
Roots & Culture
Allan Aguirre
of Olive Trees & Wild Branches
(Part 4)
We have established that the Punk Rock and Alternative genres established by bands like The Sex Pistols and Bauhaus have, through time, been replaced with mainstream hybrids and counterfeits like Avril Lavigne and Dave Matthews, and that the essence of these genres have been buried deep below the sands of conjecture and opinion.
I’ve shared my conviction that an understanding and application of the biblical roots of our faith would breathe new sound scriptural Life into the Covenant relationship bought for us with the shed Blood of the Lamb.
I shared how Paul, in Acts 24:14, defined Christianity as being a sect of Judaism and defended his faith by confessing that he believed “all things which are written in the Torah (‘law’) of Moses and in the Prophets” whereas for nearly 1900 years a Greek and Roman linear thought process of a Jewish cyclical concept has buried the biblical roots and essence of our faith deep below the sands of conjecture and opinion.
Paul’s teaching in Romans 11 should correct our modern perspective to the Jewish Roots of our faith, the Olive Tree of the House of Israel: “But if some of the branches were broken off [Israel], and you - a wild olive [a gentile believer] - were grafted in among them [Jews] and have become equal sharers in the rich root of the olive tree, then don't boast as if you were better than the branches [Jews]! However, if you do boast, remember that you are not supporting the root, the root is supporting you.” Romans 11:17-18 (emphasis mine)
Paul continues, “… you (gentiles) had no Messiah. You were estranged from the national life of Israel. You were foreigners to the covenants embodying God's promise (Torah). You were in this world without hope and without God. But now, you who were once far off have been brought near through the shedding of the Messiah's blood. For he himself is our shalom - he has made us both one and has broken down the middle wall of separation which divided us by destroying in his own body the enmity occasioned by the Torah, with its commands set forth in the form of ordinances.” Ephesians 2:12-15a (emphasis mine).
Did Paul just say that Jesus destroyed Torah with its commands and ordinances? It would seem so but didn’t he also say that prior to Jesus gentiles were foreigners to this same Torah but have now been “brought near”? So which one is it; foreigners or destroyed?
The “simple” answer is both.
Scripturally, the law is separated into sections, a fact well known by Paul the Rabbi. We have the oral traditions, the Covenant and the Sacrificial Law. Verse 12 speaks of Covenant while verses 14-15a obviously speaks of atonement Sacrifice as being “destroyed” by the cross and the removing of the “middle wall of separation” (a temple reference). This does not, however, “destroy” the Covenant Law and it’s observance (verse 10) with the goal being “One New Man” found in verse 16, the very foundation of this idea being within the Torah itself.
“So then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers. On the contrary, you are fellow-citizens with God's people and members of God's family.” Ephesians 2:19 (emphasis mine). Our root and culture as believers is found in Torah and Israel.
Christianity today remains a foreigner to this Mosaic Torah covenant embodying Messiah; a foreigner that has rejected the scriptural foundational root of its faith, believing that it’s “better then the branches”, and that it “supports the root” - thus estranging us ever the more from the national and spiritual life of Israel.
What does Jesus say about this?
Welcome to Chameleon Church...
Roots & Culture
Allan Aguirre
of Olive Trees & Wild Branches
(Part 4)
We have established that the Punk Rock and Alternative genres established by bands like The Sex Pistols and Bauhaus have, through time, been replaced with mainstream hybrids and counterfeits like Avril Lavigne and Dave Matthews, and that the essence of these genres have been buried deep below the sands of conjecture and opinion.
I’ve shared my conviction that an understanding and application of the biblical roots of our faith would breathe new sound scriptural Life into the Covenant relationship bought for us with the shed Blood of the Lamb.
I shared how Paul, in Acts 24:14, defined Christianity as being a sect of Judaism and defended his faith by confessing that he believed “all things which are written in the Torah (‘law’) of Moses and in the Prophets” whereas for nearly 1900 years a Greek and Roman linear thought process of a Jewish cyclical concept has buried the biblical roots and essence of our faith deep below the sands of conjecture and opinion.
Paul’s teaching in Romans 11 should correct our modern perspective to the Jewish Roots of our faith, the Olive Tree of the House of Israel: “But if some of the branches were broken off [Israel], and you - a wild olive [a gentile believer] - were grafted in among them [Jews] and have become equal sharers in the rich root of the olive tree, then don't boast as if you were better than the branches [Jews]! However, if you do boast, remember that you are not supporting the root, the root is supporting you.” Romans 11:17-18 (emphasis mine)
Paul continues, “… you (gentiles) had no Messiah. You were estranged from the national life of Israel. You were foreigners to the covenants embodying God's promise (Torah). You were in this world without hope and without God. But now, you who were once far off have been brought near through the shedding of the Messiah's blood. For he himself is our shalom - he has made us both one and has broken down the middle wall of separation which divided us by destroying in his own body the enmity occasioned by the Torah, with its commands set forth in the form of ordinances.” Ephesians 2:12-15a (emphasis mine).
Did Paul just say that Jesus destroyed Torah with its commands and ordinances? It would seem so but didn’t he also say that prior to Jesus gentiles were foreigners to this same Torah but have now been “brought near”? So which one is it; foreigners or destroyed?
The “simple” answer is both.
Scripturally, the law is separated into sections, a fact well known by Paul the Rabbi. We have the oral traditions, the Covenant and the Sacrificial Law. Verse 12 speaks of Covenant while verses 14-15a obviously speaks of atonement Sacrifice as being “destroyed” by the cross and the removing of the “middle wall of separation” (a temple reference). This does not, however, “destroy” the Covenant Law and it’s observance (verse 10) with the goal being “One New Man” found in verse 16, the very foundation of this idea being within the Torah itself.
“So then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers. On the contrary, you are fellow-citizens with God's people and members of God's family.” Ephesians 2:19 (emphasis mine). Our root and culture as believers is found in Torah and Israel.
Christianity today remains a foreigner to this Mosaic Torah covenant embodying Messiah; a foreigner that has rejected the scriptural foundational root of its faith, believing that it’s “better then the branches”, and that it “supports the root” - thus estranging us ever the more from the national and spiritual life of Israel.
What does Jesus say about this?
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Roots and Culture Series
Roots and Culture Part 3 was published in the February 2012 issue of HM Magazine. I'll be reposting each column here around the time the following issue is released. As always, comments, suggestions and flame mail are always... entertained...
Welcome to Chameleon Church...
Roots & Culture
Allan Aguirre
of Olive Trees & Wild Branches
(Part 3)
We have established in Parts 1 & 2 that the Punk Rock and Alternative genres established by bands such as The Sex Pistols and Bauhaus have, through time, been replaced with mainstream hybrids and counterfeits like Avril Lavigne and Dave Matthews, and that the essence of these genres have been buried deep below the sands of conjecture and opinion.
I’ve stated that this same “disregard” for authenticity can be applied to our faith and how centuries’ worth of theological and doctrinal hybrids and counterfeits characterize our faith today. A faith, once synonymous with a specific Root and Culture, has given way to roots and culture seeped in hybrid manifestations.
I’m convinced that an understanding and application of the biblical roots of our faith would breathe new sound scriptural Life into the Covenant relationship bought for us with the shed Blood of the Lamb.
Paul, in Acts 24:14, defined Christianity as being a sect of Judaism and defended his faith by confessing that he believed “all things which are written in the Torah (‘law’) of Moses and in the Prophets.” A far cry from today where 1900 years of Greek and Roman linear thought processes of a Jewish cyclical concept have buried the biblical roots and essence of our faith deep below the sands of conjecture and opinion. A hybrid.
Scripturally, Paul’s faith was embodied, modeled and taught by Jesus, the Jewish Messiah. Scripturally, salvation is by and given to the Jew first - then the gentile. Scripturally, it is intended to be practiced and rooted in ‘all things which are written in the Torah of Moses and in the Prophets’.
Paul establishes this in Romans 11 in regards to gentiles being grafted into the cultivated Olive Tree of the House of Israel: “But if some of the branches were broken off [Israel], and you - a wild olive [a gentile believer] - were grafted in among them [Jews] and have become equal sharers in the rich root of the olive tree, then don't boast as if you were better than the branches [Jews]! However, if you do boast, remember that you are not supporting the root, the root is supporting you.” Romans 11:17-18 (emphasis mine)
Paul continues, “… you had no Messiah. You were estranged from the national life of Israel. You were foreigners to the covenants embodying God's promise. You were in this world without hope and without God. But now, you who were once far off have been brought near through the shedding of the Messiah's blood.” Ephesians 2:12-13 (emphasis mine).
Christianity today remains a foreigner to the Mosaic Torah covenant embodying Messiah; a foreigner that has rejected the scriptural foundational root of its faith. Not only does it believe that it’s “better then the branches”, it also believes that it supports the root - ripping this “root” entirely out of the equation, centuries ago - thus estranging us ever the more from the national and spiritual life of Israel. And all heaven just weeps…
Paul continues, “For he himself is our shalom - he has made us both one and has broken down the middle wall of separation which divided us by destroying in his own body the enmity occasioned by the Torah, with its commands set forth in the form of ordinances.” Ephesians 2:14-15a. Did Paul just say that Jesus destroyed Torah with its commands and ordinances? Doesn’t that contradict what he said in Acts 24:14? Doesn’t this kill my argument?
And herein lies our 1900-year-old dilemma.
What to do… what to do…
Welcome to Chameleon Church...
Roots & Culture
Allan Aguirre
of Olive Trees & Wild Branches
(Part 3)
We have established in Parts 1 & 2 that the Punk Rock and Alternative genres established by bands such as The Sex Pistols and Bauhaus have, through time, been replaced with mainstream hybrids and counterfeits like Avril Lavigne and Dave Matthews, and that the essence of these genres have been buried deep below the sands of conjecture and opinion.
I’ve stated that this same “disregard” for authenticity can be applied to our faith and how centuries’ worth of theological and doctrinal hybrids and counterfeits characterize our faith today. A faith, once synonymous with a specific Root and Culture, has given way to roots and culture seeped in hybrid manifestations.
I’m convinced that an understanding and application of the biblical roots of our faith would breathe new sound scriptural Life into the Covenant relationship bought for us with the shed Blood of the Lamb.
Paul, in Acts 24:14, defined Christianity as being a sect of Judaism and defended his faith by confessing that he believed “all things which are written in the Torah (‘law’) of Moses and in the Prophets.” A far cry from today where 1900 years of Greek and Roman linear thought processes of a Jewish cyclical concept have buried the biblical roots and essence of our faith deep below the sands of conjecture and opinion. A hybrid.
Scripturally, Paul’s faith was embodied, modeled and taught by Jesus, the Jewish Messiah. Scripturally, salvation is by and given to the Jew first - then the gentile. Scripturally, it is intended to be practiced and rooted in ‘all things which are written in the Torah of Moses and in the Prophets’.
Paul establishes this in Romans 11 in regards to gentiles being grafted into the cultivated Olive Tree of the House of Israel: “But if some of the branches were broken off [Israel], and you - a wild olive [a gentile believer] - were grafted in among them [Jews] and have become equal sharers in the rich root of the olive tree, then don't boast as if you were better than the branches [Jews]! However, if you do boast, remember that you are not supporting the root, the root is supporting you.” Romans 11:17-18 (emphasis mine)
Paul continues, “… you had no Messiah. You were estranged from the national life of Israel. You were foreigners to the covenants embodying God's promise. You were in this world without hope and without God. But now, you who were once far off have been brought near through the shedding of the Messiah's blood.” Ephesians 2:12-13 (emphasis mine).
Christianity today remains a foreigner to the Mosaic Torah covenant embodying Messiah; a foreigner that has rejected the scriptural foundational root of its faith. Not only does it believe that it’s “better then the branches”, it also believes that it supports the root - ripping this “root” entirely out of the equation, centuries ago - thus estranging us ever the more from the national and spiritual life of Israel. And all heaven just weeps…
Paul continues, “For he himself is our shalom - he has made us both one and has broken down the middle wall of separation which divided us by destroying in his own body the enmity occasioned by the Torah, with its commands set forth in the form of ordinances.” Ephesians 2:14-15a. Did Paul just say that Jesus destroyed Torah with its commands and ordinances? Doesn’t that contradict what he said in Acts 24:14? Doesn’t this kill my argument?
And herein lies our 1900-year-old dilemma.
What to do… what to do…
Thursday, February 09, 2012
Roots and Culture Series
Roots and Culture Part 2 was published in the January 2012 issue of HM Magazine. I'll be reposting each column here around the time the following issue is released. As always, comments, suggestions and flame mail are always... entertained...
Welcome to Chameleon Church...
Roots & Culture
Allan Aguirre
of Olive Trees & Wild Branches
(Part 2)
In Part 1 I shared my Punk Rock history, (which also includes Alternative, a category once used to delineate music outside the mainstream), my frustration with genre hybrids and musical counterfeits, and how time has buried the essence of both Punk and Alternative deep below the sands of conjecture and opinion.
I stated that this same “disregard” for authenticity can be applied to our faith and how centuries’ worth of theological and doctrinal hybrids and counterfeits characterize our faith today. I suggested that time and culture have buried the essence of our faith deep below the sands of conjecture and opinion. A faith, once synonymous with a specific Root and Culture (much like the Ramones or the Sex Pistols defined Punk Rock), has given way to roots and culture seeped in hybrid manifestations much like Dave Matthews’ “Alternative” genre categorization - a far cry from Bauhaus or Siouxsie and the Banshees, artists that birthed the genre.
The same must be said of our faith.
In Acts 24:14, Paul, in defense of his faith, states: “But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.” (NKJV) Christianity, the Way, was considered a sect of Judaism that included the belief of “all things which are written in the Torah (‘law’) of Moses”. It is on this original definition of Christianity that I propose that:
Our understanding and application of the biblical roots of our faith would breathe new sound scriptural Life into the Covenant relationship bought for us with the shed Blood of the Lamb.
Romans 11 establishes this root system, our role as wild olive branches, and our responsibilities as branches grafted into the cultivated Olive Tree of the House of Israel.
“…don't boast as if you were better than the branches (Jews)! However, if you do boast, remember that you are not supporting the root (Israel), the root is supporting you. So you (gentiles) will say, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ True, but so what? They were broken off because of their lack of trust (Jesus). However, you keep your place only because of your trust. So don't be arrogant; on the contrary, be terrified! For if God did not spare the natural branches, he certainly won't spare you! So take a good look at God's kindness and his severity: on the one hand, severity toward those who fell off; but, on the other hand, God's kindness toward you - provided you maintain yourself in that kindness! Otherwise, you too will be cut off!” Romans 11:18-22
Paul continues, “… you had no Messiah. You were estranged from the national life of Israel. You were foreigners to the covenants embodying God's promise. You were in this world without hope and without God. But now, you who were once far off have been brought near through the shedding of the Messiah's blood.” Ephesians 2:12-13 (emphasis mine)
Welcome to Chameleon Church...
Roots & Culture
Allan Aguirre
of Olive Trees & Wild Branches
(Part 2)
In Part 1 I shared my Punk Rock history, (which also includes Alternative, a category once used to delineate music outside the mainstream), my frustration with genre hybrids and musical counterfeits, and how time has buried the essence of both Punk and Alternative deep below the sands of conjecture and opinion.
I stated that this same “disregard” for authenticity can be applied to our faith and how centuries’ worth of theological and doctrinal hybrids and counterfeits characterize our faith today. I suggested that time and culture have buried the essence of our faith deep below the sands of conjecture and opinion. A faith, once synonymous with a specific Root and Culture (much like the Ramones or the Sex Pistols defined Punk Rock), has given way to roots and culture seeped in hybrid manifestations much like Dave Matthews’ “Alternative” genre categorization - a far cry from Bauhaus or Siouxsie and the Banshees, artists that birthed the genre.
The same must be said of our faith.
In Acts 24:14, Paul, in defense of his faith, states: “But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.” (NKJV) Christianity, the Way, was considered a sect of Judaism that included the belief of “all things which are written in the Torah (‘law’) of Moses”. It is on this original definition of Christianity that I propose that:
- Scripturally, this “Way”
- was to the Jew first and then the gentile
- was taught, modeled and embodied by Jesus, the Jewish Messiah
- was followed by Paul and the original disciples
- is intended to be practiced and rooted in ‘all things which are written in the Torah of Moses and in the Prophets’, and that
- 1900 years of Greek and Roman linear thought processes of a Jewish cyclical concept have buried the biblical roots and essence of our faith deep below the sands of conjecture and opinion
Our understanding and application of the biblical roots of our faith would breathe new sound scriptural Life into the Covenant relationship bought for us with the shed Blood of the Lamb.
Romans 11 establishes this root system, our role as wild olive branches, and our responsibilities as branches grafted into the cultivated Olive Tree of the House of Israel.
“…don't boast as if you were better than the branches (Jews)! However, if you do boast, remember that you are not supporting the root (Israel), the root is supporting you. So you (gentiles) will say, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ True, but so what? They were broken off because of their lack of trust (Jesus). However, you keep your place only because of your trust. So don't be arrogant; on the contrary, be terrified! For if God did not spare the natural branches, he certainly won't spare you! So take a good look at God's kindness and his severity: on the one hand, severity toward those who fell off; but, on the other hand, God's kindness toward you - provided you maintain yourself in that kindness! Otherwise, you too will be cut off!” Romans 11:18-22
Paul continues, “… you had no Messiah. You were estranged from the national life of Israel. You were foreigners to the covenants embodying God's promise. You were in this world without hope and without God. But now, you who were once far off have been brought near through the shedding of the Messiah's blood.” Ephesians 2:12-13 (emphasis mine)
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Roots and Culture Series
Doug Van Pelt (editor and founder of HM Magazine) and I had discussed my doing a monthly column for the mag for over a year. A lack of subject matter on my behalf kept it from happening. A couple of months ago, Doug made the suggestion, "Why don't you write about the Jewish/biblical roots of our Christian faith?". My immediate response was "Are you kidding? You trying to get me in even more trouble? Christians strain at the gnat of 'Christ and Him crucified' let alone the Jewish roots of our faith". How was I going to present a scriptural truth - a truth virtually lost, ignored and rejected by the vast majority of Christendom for almost 1900 years - in a column of 600 words or less? It was an insane task.
I took it.
Roots and Culture Part 1 was published in the December 2011 issue of HM Magazine. I'll be reposting each column here around the time the following issue goes to press. As always, comments, suggestions and flame mail are always... entertained...
Welcome to Chameleon Church...
Roots & Culture
Allan Aguirre
of Olive Trees & Wild Branches
(Part 1)
My involvement with Punk Rock between 1978-85 has become a “badge of honor” and has garnered me the label of “authenticity.” This experience also carries the frustration of decades worth of genre hybrids and musical counterfeits that has branded everything “alternative,” warranted or not. Time, and time alone, has buried the essence of an era deep below the sands of conjecture and opinion.
The same can be said of our faith.
Centuries’ worth of hybrids and counterfeits that have branded everything “Christian,” warranted or not, defines us today. Time and culture have buried the essence of an ideal deep below the sands of conjecture and opinion. An ideal, once synonymous with a specific Root and Culture that defined it (much like the Ramones or the Sex Pistols defined Punk Rock), gives way today to roots and culture seeped in hybrid manifestations much like Avril Lavigne defining “punk rock” to a generation — a far cry from the original ideals represented by the X-Ray Spex.
The same can be said of our faith.
In Acts 24:14, Paul, while on trial in Jerusalem before the Roman governor Felix and the Sanhedrin, had this to say in his defense of his faith: “But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.” (NKJV) Christianity, (aka the Way), was considered a sect of Judaism and involved the belief of “all things which are written in the Torah (‘law’) of Moses and in the Prophets.” Quite a different “religion” than the one we practice today. It would behoove us to learn about this Way.
I propose we go back to our biblical Roots and Culture.
Paul, in Romans 11, establishes this root and culture as well as our roles as the wild olive branches that have been grafted into the cultivated Olive Tree of the House of Israel. This is a hybrid I can support and, because of the blood of Jesus, it’s not a counterfeit. It’s because of Jesus we are able to be grafted in. “But if some of the branches were broken off [Israel], and you - a wild olive [a gentile believer] - were grafted in among them [Jews] and have become equal sharers in the rich root of the olive tree, then don't boast as if you were better than the branches [Jews]! However, if you do boast, remember that you are not supporting the root, the root is supporting you.” Romans 11:17-18 (emphasis mine)
Welcome to Roots and Culture…
[fb/twitter: allanAguirre]
HM Mag
I took it.
Roots and Culture Part 1 was published in the December 2011 issue of HM Magazine. I'll be reposting each column here around the time the following issue goes to press. As always, comments, suggestions and flame mail are always... entertained...
Welcome to Chameleon Church...
Roots & Culture
Allan Aguirre
of Olive Trees & Wild Branches
(Part 1)
My involvement with Punk Rock between 1978-85 has become a “badge of honor” and has garnered me the label of “authenticity.” This experience also carries the frustration of decades worth of genre hybrids and musical counterfeits that has branded everything “alternative,” warranted or not. Time, and time alone, has buried the essence of an era deep below the sands of conjecture and opinion.
The same can be said of our faith.
Centuries’ worth of hybrids and counterfeits that have branded everything “Christian,” warranted or not, defines us today. Time and culture have buried the essence of an ideal deep below the sands of conjecture and opinion. An ideal, once synonymous with a specific Root and Culture that defined it (much like the Ramones or the Sex Pistols defined Punk Rock), gives way today to roots and culture seeped in hybrid manifestations much like Avril Lavigne defining “punk rock” to a generation — a far cry from the original ideals represented by the X-Ray Spex.
The same can be said of our faith.
In Acts 24:14, Paul, while on trial in Jerusalem before the Roman governor Felix and the Sanhedrin, had this to say in his defense of his faith: “But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.” (NKJV) Christianity, (aka the Way), was considered a sect of Judaism and involved the belief of “all things which are written in the Torah (‘law’) of Moses and in the Prophets.” Quite a different “religion” than the one we practice today. It would behoove us to learn about this Way.
- I propose that 1900 years of Greek and Roman linear thought processes of a Jewish cyclical concept have buried the essence of an ideal deep below the sands of conjecture and opinion.
- I propose that we have fallen victim to the ripple effect of ramrodding a square peg into a round hole - disguised as doctrine - and have fallen short of the documented biblical responsibilities and results that this Way requires and produces.
- I propose that a life sold out to the biblical instruction of this Way, a Way
- followed by Paul and the original 11 disciples
- taught and modeled by the Jewish Messiah Himself
- established and founded on ‘all things which are written in the Torah of Moses and in the Prophets’
would not only reestablish us on the intended foundational path instituted by our God, but it would also breathe sound scriptural Life into the New Creation that was bought with the shed Blood of the Lamb.
I propose we go back to our biblical Roots and Culture.
Paul, in Romans 11, establishes this root and culture as well as our roles as the wild olive branches that have been grafted into the cultivated Olive Tree of the House of Israel. This is a hybrid I can support and, because of the blood of Jesus, it’s not a counterfeit. It’s because of Jesus we are able to be grafted in. “But if some of the branches were broken off [Israel], and you - a wild olive [a gentile believer] - were grafted in among them [Jews] and have become equal sharers in the rich root of the olive tree, then don't boast as if you were better than the branches [Jews]! However, if you do boast, remember that you are not supporting the root, the root is supporting you.” Romans 11:17-18 (emphasis mine)
Welcome to Roots and Culture…
[fb/twitter: allanAguirre]
HM Mag
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