Christian Challenge International

"Ask the Pastor"

We frequently receive questions in email from people about doctrine, practice, etc. From time to time we will post the questions and the answers here on the web page. If you'd like to submit a question, simply email our pastor at Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org or use the form below.

September 10, 2000

Dear Friend,

Yes, it seems you do have a problem. Perhaps I can help.

> I have a problem and it may complex you that I would ask a pastor about
> this. I was Christian, as is my family and most of my friends, but I am
> converting to Judaism. It is were I am drawn and It is the way that I
> can get closer to G-d. I am, however, afraid that it may strain my
> family relations and friendships. Can you give me any advice on how to
> approach this problem and hopefully retain my friendships and family
> relations.

You are voicing a problem that is more common that you may
think. But the problem lies in a misunderstanding of religion.
There is no religion that can bring us closer to God. All religion
can do is make us feel religious. But we should not mistake that
for closeness to God.

I notice you said that you were a Christian. This suggests to me
that you were likely a cultural Christian. It would be good if I
knew more about your background, including your age, and
anything else you would feel comfortable sharing with me. It
would help me to counsel you better.

However, I need to point out that a true Biblical Christian is
someone whose heart has been filled with the Spirit of Christ.
The Bible calls this being 'born from above,' or, being 'born
again.' When this happens, there is no longer a search for
meaning, or for finding a religion that makes me feel closer to
God. I can only surmise that you have never experienced Jesus
Christ Himself.

I really do want to help you if I can. The best way to do this
would be to help you understand what it means to be close to
God. First of all, religion is merely man's attempt to draw close
to God. Before Christ came into the world, the most perfect form
of religion was Biblical Judaism. It had been ordained of God.
But its primary purpose was to prepare the Jewish people for the
coming of Messiah, and, they, in turn, would carry the message
of God's redemption to all the other nations.

This actually happened - All the early Christians were Jewish
people. Jesus was a Jew. All the apostles were Jews. The
Christian faith began as a form of Judaism. This is likely one
reason you feel yourself drawn to Judaism.

But there is a key issue to understand. God put an end to religion
itself, and set forth a new way of drawing close to Him. Jesus
explained this to the lady at the well. (You will find this in John
chapter 4.)

It goes like this - During the time of Christ there were two
distinct and separate religious groups in the holy land. You had
the religion of the Jews. Its temple was in Jerusalem. But you
also had the religion of the Samaritans. Their temple was on
Mount Gerizim. Both groups had reasons for their temple
setting.

And so the Samaritan lady who brings up the religion issue. She
said to Jesus, "Our fathers worshipped in this mountain, and you
people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to
worship." Jesus responds by sharing something that strikes are
the heart of all religion, including that of the Jews.

He said, "Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in
this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father." He
goes on to say, "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must
worship in spirit and truth."

The truth Jesus spoke of was not an issue of religion, it was an
issue of relationship. Jesus was the Messiah of Israel. He came to
bring redemption to the whole human race, beginning with the
Jews.

But His point was that the face of religion would forever change.
No longer would God accept worship from Jerusalem, nor from
Gerazim, or any other place, if that worship did not have in it the
redemption of the cross.

I guess one way to explain this is to share with you my
experience. I was in Israel some time back and went to the
western (wailing) wall. I placed my hand on the wall, and prayed,
but there was nothing there. It only reflected deadness. The
reason was because the Spirit of Christ is not in the wall, it was
in me. Only people who are born again carry in them the very
presence of the Eternal God.

You asked me how you could approach this problem and
hopefully retain your friendships and family relations. The best
way for me to help you would be if we shared more together. I
would really like to know why you are disappointed in your
Christian background, and why you feel this attraction to
Judaism.

If you wish to carry this further please feel free to write me. You
can use my personal email address given below.

Pastor Buddy

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Back to the Christian Challenge International home page!

What would you like to "Ask the Pastor?"

Your full name:
Your email address: (e.g.: you@aol.com)
PLEASE include your email address or we won't be able to send the answer to you.

Your question

(Note: Please include your full name and email address. Answers will be sent by return email. Christian Challenge reserves the right to reprint your question and edit it for clarity and content on our "Ask the Pastor" web page. Please note that we will not divulge your full name nor your email address. Typically we'll use your first name only. Not all questions are posted on this page - many more are responded to privately. Please let us know if you do NOT want your question listed or if you'd prefer it to be listed anonymously. We respect your privacy and will NOT sell/give/loan your name and email address to any other organization/business/entity.)

Back to the Christian Challenge International home page!