Roots of Faith

Archive for the ‘Special Teachings’ Category

This class sets forth my beliefs. I hope that those who desire to follow Jesus, will take the time to listen.

You see, I began my journey towards truth from the rank and file of fundamental Christianity. As I read and studied my Bible I soon discovered a vast difference between the religion of Jesus and the religion about him (Christianity). Years ago I came up with three statements that helped me along the way. Since I came from a Christian background, I used my familiarity of the New Testament texts to find my way to the truth. I began to see that “Jesus” had been misrepresented by the “Church”, and felt that I had inherited lies, vanity and things wherein there was no profit – Jeremiah 16:19. I still maintain the highest regard for the historical Jesus of Nazareth who believed in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and in the eternal validity of the Hebrew Bible and taught the people of his day to return to the true faith. Below are the three statements that helped me find my way to the God of Jesus – a WAY that is clearly defined in the Bible that Jesus read. Jesus sought to bring about the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth – which is the goal and meaning of history. His followers would do well to take his yoke and learn from him.

I put my faith in the God of Jesus – commonly referred to as “the LORD”, but known by the designation YHVH in the Hebrew Bible, and referred to by Jesus of Nazareth in the New Testament by the Aramaic term Abba / father. This God is one, and beside him there is no other, neither in heaven nor on earth. He is the Ancient of Days, El Shaddai, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Matthew 19:16ff; John 17:3; 20:17; I Corinthians 15:24; II Corinthians 11:31; Ephesians 1:3, 17; Colossians 1:3; I Peter 1:3; Acts 2:22: 10:38). I do NOT believe that the historical Jesus is or was the God of Abraham, Isaac or Jacob. Furthermore, I do not believe that he ever claimed such.

I put my faith in the Bible that Jesus read – commonly referred to as the “Old Testament”, but strictly and properly referred to as the Hebrew Bible or TaNaKh, an acronym formed by the first letters of three Hebrew words used to designate the three main parts of the Hebrew Bible (Torah – Law, Neviim – the Prophets and Ketuvim – the Writings). (Matthew 5:17ff; Luke 16:16ff, 29; 24:25, 32, 44ff; John 1:45; 5:39, 46; Acts 13:15, 26ff; 15:21, 17:2, 24:14, 26:22; Romans 1:2; 7:12, 14, 22; 10:4; 15:4; 16:26; I Corinthians 15:3; Galatians 3:24; II Timothy 3:15)

I put my faith in the authentic teachings and mission of Jesus – to bring about the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth, to seek and save the lost sheep of the house of Israel (hitherto unaware of their true identity), and to do and teach the Torah of YHWH. (Matthew 5; 10:6; 15:24)

 Following Jesus: Play in Popup | Download

The Story of the Dead Sea Scrolls
Their Miraculous Discovery and
True Significance

A lecture by
Professor Geza Vermes
Tuesday, Sept. 29
5 p.m.
Hill Memorial Library Lecture Hall
Reception and book signing following the lecture

Geza Vermes is Professor Emeritus of Jewish Studies and Emeritus Fellow of Wolfson College, Oxford University. He has edited the Journal of Jewish Studies since 1971 and in 1991 was appointed director of the Oxford Forum for Qumran Research at the Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies. He is a Fellow of the British Academy (1985) and of the European Academy of Arts, Sciences and Humanities (2001). He is the author of more than a dozen books on the Dead Sea Scrolls, Judaism, Christianity, and the life and religion of Jesus.

Sponsored by the LSU Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies
and the LSU Libraries

The lecture is free and open to the public.

Illustration: Psalms (Tehillim) 11QPs. Copied ca. 30 – 50 C.E. Reproduced from http://www.ibiblio.org/expo/deadsea.scrolls.exhibit/Library/psalms.html

Today is a day called Holy to Yehovah your God. What is special about the first day of the seventh month. In this class, Ross draws inspiration from a sermon first taught nearly 2,500 years ago. This day is known as Yom Teruah in the Torah (Leviticus 23:23-25 and Numbers 29:1-6). Ross also explains the meaning of the Hebrew word Teruah. What is the biblical significance of this day. You will not want to miss this class. Make some noise people! This is the day to do it!

 Yom Teruah: Play in Popup | Download

In this podcast, you will be allowed to join the Roots of Faith Congregation for the first night of it’s annual Conference during the Festival of Succoth.  This is an informal session with some incredible music by Glenn and Rhonda Chatterton.

Ross does speak for a short period and then he opens the floor for people to talk about how they “got here” to keep this ancient festival.

Joseph Good and Walter Oakley speak as well.

 Succoth - Friday Night: Play in Popup | Download