Roots of Faith

A New Network of Bible Teachers is coming!

I continue to be amazed at all that we are capable of doing with the technology in our modern world. Joseph and Debbie Good of Hatikva Ministries and Dr. Walter Oakley have joined up to form a new network of Bible teachers. They have asked me to join them in this endeavor.

This weekend they drove to Saint Francisville to attend the Sabbath Service and to announce the new network. We recorded our conversation about this new network.

The network will reside on the worldwide web at www.Arba4.com, and will feature regular video programming from Joseph Good, Debbie Good, Dr. Walter Oakley and me (Ross Nichols). We will be sending out updates about this exciting new network. Currently we plan to launch the new site on January 1st, 2008.

Please keep us in your prayers and we would also appreciate your financial support as we seek to purchase the necessary equipment to record good quality programming.

Thanks and shalom.

 

 Announcing a New Network [38:55m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Sabbath Class 12/22

In today’s lesson we read Genesis 16 and 17 from the torah and Isaiah 54 from the prophets. This week, we did something slightly different than you may be used to. After the reading of the torah and the prophets, we had a panel type discussion about the torah reading. Joseph and Debbie Good, and Dr. Walter Oakley came in to participate.  The panel discussion went well and was a fun way to teach the weekly lesson.

I think that you will enjoy this teaching.  Among other things, we talked about the covenant of circumcision and the idea of a circumcision of heart. Many Gentile Christian think that the Torah and prophets teach of a circumcision of the foreskin while the Christian Scriptures speak of a circumcision of the heart. One other primary points brought out in this week’s teaching is that Moses taught about the circumcision of heart in the Torah! (see for instance Deuteronomy chapters 10 and 30). The prophets did as well.  One example is found in Jeremiah 4:4.

I pray that you are blessed by this lesson.

Shalom, Shalom

 

 Genesis 17 and 18 - Teaching [113:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This week, I again focus on the person of Abram. In this portion of the triennial torah cycle, the word that connects the Torah reading with the prophet reading is the word Vision. In Genesis 15 we read of the “machazeh” of Abram. In Isaiah 1 we read of the chazon of Isaiah and in the second chapter of Isaiah we find a form of the Hebrew word for vision - this time, the Hebrew word “chazah”. It is fitting then that this week’s class considers the Biblical vision. It involves a universal plan to teach the nations the torah.

I also teach on the Faith of Abram. Whatever that faith was, it led to Abram’s recognition as the father of all faithful. Was it his faith alone, or does it include his works? This argument has fueled a debate that has crossed the centuries. We discuss this topic as well.

You will not want to miss this class.

 

 Genesis 15 - The Vision [104:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Genesis 15 - The Dialogue [54:20m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Write up by Ross Nichols

This is a new song written and performed by John Carlson. It is quite powerful.

John wrote this song to point out the meaning behind the idea of being a servant of God. The Hebrew Bible talks of a servant and clearly identifies that servant as the nation of Israel, and yet within the servant nation there seems to be yet another servant.

Christian teachers have claimed that this suffering servant within the servant nation is Yeshua.

In the words of this song, John takes this even further and describes the ultimate purpose and identity of the Servant.

You should find these words and the music to be quite inspirational.

Shalom

 

 The Servant Song by John Carlson [5:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download