I'll be honest, it hasn't been easy to be the primary online voice discussing the First Fruits of Zion these past almost three years. I've put a lot more effort and passion into the effort to warn the Church about FFOZ than I ever imagined I would when I first heard about Torah Clubs in the Fall of 2022. From the beginning the entire Franklin Christian Ministerium has supported me, that has been invaluable. My whole church, including my board, have supported me, that has been crucial. But until now, I had only been able to have private conversations with people in leadership at various groups affected by this movement, the public element was missing. Today that changed. The reach of Professor Solberg's platform is roughly 1,000 times that of my own, this dialogue about FFOZ has needed to be moved into the mainstream conversation within the Church, that reality moved much closer with the release of this interview.
If you're new to my blog, or my YouTube channel, note that all of my research has been primary source. I don't write about what people say about what FFOZ says, I write about what FFOZ teaches in their own publications, the things they choose to publish and profit from. You may not agree with all of my conclusions, that's ok, they come from an Evangelical Baptist perspective, I wouldn't expect them to be universally understood and embraced. If my thoughts get in the way, look at the direct quotes, I flood my posts and videos with them. I believe in the priesthood of all believers, and I believe that the Holy Spirit is more than capable of guiding each follower of Jesus Christ into Truth. Weigh what FFOZ is saying against the Word of God for that is the ultimate judge, not me. I am doing my best to apply God's Word to these weighty matters, if I fall short God's Word will not.
I really enjoyed the video. My beloved niece has been drawn into the Hebrew roots movement and I had never heard anything about it. We used to have hours long conversations about Jesus and the Bible, but not any more.
ReplyDeleteIt has caused me to dig deeper and learn more intimately the Word of God. But I am not as good at expressing God’s truth as she is at ‘defending’ the Torah and all the teachings she is getting from the HRM. I wish I was a better communicator.
I appreciate all the study and work you are putting in to this. I can feel your frustration.
God bless.
Lori, is your niece involved with FFOZ or another HRM group? Feel free to reach out to me if you have questions or just want to talk about the situation.
DeletePastor Randy,
DeleteI don’t know if she considers herself affiliated with any group. She has shared videos in our family group from a YouTube channel called Torah class.
I guess my main question to you would be, should I watch the videos she shares with me to try to learn how to talk with her about Torahism? What would you recommend to one of your parishioners who had a beloved family member steeping themselves in these teachings?
I want to engage with her, but she is younger and quicker thinking than I am.
I want to say too, that she is one of the most God/ Christ loving people I know. I have been amazed over the years at her spiritual growth and strength. Looking back I can see that she started getting disillusioned by sin in the church. I think that is where the opening came to be drawn into what gives the appearance of a more ‘holy’ way.
I’m glad I found you from the video. I am looking for as many sources as I can find to learn how to contend for the truth. Thank you for everything you are doing to bring the light of truth to this movement. Lori
It is difficult to say what approach will work with trying to help someone who has gone down a difficult path, even if you know that person well. Not knowing your niece, in general I would say that offering her love and grace is a good place to start (as you no doubt already do). Talking WITH her is more likely to work than talking AT her (that's true of with anyone). Is there a pastor or other lay leader whom she trusts?...Being disillusioned with sin in the Church is a tough pain to work through, know that many people share that sorrow with her. In the end prayer is your foundation moving forward, God will not abandon his own, though we wander the Good Shepherd will search for us...I don't think that it would do much good for you yourself to go down the rabbit hole of the teaching that she is consuming. Better to talk with her, listen to her, and remind her with your actions that her group doesn't have some sort of monopoly on holiness.
DeleteThank you!
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