From: James Trimm <jstrimm@h...>
Date: Sun Sep 3, 2000 5:13pm
Subject: Being Righteous
(NOTE: In the post below it is important to know that the words JUST and
RIGHTEOUS
(JUSIFY AND MAKE RIGHTEOUS) are the same in Hebrew).
Another Messianic leader recently criticized SANJ saying:
... some of the fundamental differences I see
between SANJ and between <his Messianic ministry>.
If its ok I'd like to address those at this time.
I'd like to show you the philosophy we have developed
over the years in teaching Torah...
There is a fundamental principle upon which this--
all of this stands upon. The fundamental principle
all of this stands upon is number one: our identity.
How do we see ourselves before Messiash?
Do we see ourselves as righteous individuals?
Righteous before him through the blood of Messiah?
Do we?-- Thats a question.
Yes-- No-- Do I have any answers?
We do?
Then is there anything we can do to be more righteous in his sight?
Is there any amount of Torah Observance that we can aply to our life
that can make us be more righteous in the eyes of Abba? Is there?
No. So we are fundamnentally, constitutionally righteous before
God. Amen?
So that means one thing. That there is nothing that we can do
to change our presence, our stand before him.
RESPONSE:
The above logic looks real good on the surface. However it contains a
fundamental logic error which makes all of the difference in the world.
This is the error of EQUIVICATION mentioned on page 23 of my book
"Hereneutics, How to Undertstand the SCriptures".
The error of EQUIVICATION occurs when an ambiguous word is used to mean one
thing in the premis, but something else in the conclusion. Two examples
taken from my book:
A record is an album of music.
The criminal had a record.
Therefore the criminal had an album of music.
All stars are energized by fusion.
Tom Cruise is a big star.
Therefore Tom Cruise is energized by fusion.
Now the concept behind the word "righteous" in the Scriptures is the Hebrew
word TZADIK.
There is a common misunderstanding that pits James 2:18 against Rom. 4:1-5;
Gal. 3:6-9
The problem here is misunderstanding the Semitic text. The Hebrew and
Aramaic word TZADAKA (Just/Righteous) is an ambiguous word with many
meanings. This word can mean "to display righteousness" and it can mean
be
a synanumn for "salvation."
For example Jn. 7:29 "the people... and the publicans justified God, being
immersed with the immersion of Yochanan."
Here it is clear that TZADAKA refers to a "display of righteousness" and NOT
salvation, since the people clearly were not bring salvation to God.
Amother example of this usage is in Isaiah 32:17 "work of righteousness
When Paul says Abraham was justified by faith (Rom. 4:1-5; Gal. 3:6-9) he
speaks in the context of "salvation" and refers to Gen. 15:6. This is
the
same usage as in Psalm 71:15 where TZADAKA is used in poetic paralleism
as a synonymn for "Salvation" (YESHUA).
When Ya'akov (James) says that Abraham was justified by works he speaks in
context of a display of righteousness (James 2:18) and refers to an event
in Gen. 22 which took place many years AFTER Abraham had ALREADY been
justified by faith (in Gen. 15:6).
In the Hebrew/Aramaic there is absolutely NO conflict between Paul and
Ya'akov here.
Ok now that we understand the two ambiguous words here and properly understand
what Ya'akov and Paul are saying we can also see the clear error in the
statement
I quoted above.
In the premiss the speaker uses "Righteous" as a synonymn for Salvation:
Do we see ourselves as righteous individuals?
Righteous before him through the blood of Messiah?
But in the conclusion the speaker uses the word Righteousness to refer to a
display of righteousness or righteous deeds:
Then is there anything we can do to be more righteous in his sight?
Is there any amount of Torah Observance that we can aply to our life
that can make us be more righteous in the eyes of Abba? Is there?
No. So we are fundamnentally, constitutionally righteous before
God. Amen?
So that means one thing. That there is nothing that we can do
to change our presence, our stand before him.
Now the truth is this. We do see ourselves as righteous (saved) individuals.
Hoiwever we can also be more righteous (display of good deeds) than we are
right now if we become more Torah Observant. This is CLEARLY taught in
the
Scriptures:
And it will be righteousness for us if we are
careful to observe all this commandment
before YHHW our Elohim, just as he commanded us.
(Deut. 6:25)
...if he walks in My statutes and My ordinances
so as to deal faithfully-- he is righteous...
(Ezek. 18:9)
...it is those who obey the Torah
who will be declared righteous.
(Rom. 2:13-- WOW! You mean Paul said THAT?!?!)
Now I ask you again:
...is there anything we can do to be more righteous in his sight?
Is there any amount of Torah Observance that we can aply to our life
that can make us be more righteous in the eyes of Abba? Is there?
YES! The "fundamental principle" of the "philosophy" of many in the
Messianic movement is based on a totaly false idea.
...sin is the transgression of the Torah...
...let no man decieve you.
he that does righteousness is righteous,
even as he is righteous.
He that commits sin [transgression of the Torah]
is of the devil...
(1Yochanan 3:4, 7-8)
Let no man decieve you.
James Trimm
Study Torah with SANJ Mitvah Club
http://www.nazarene.net/MitzvahClub.htm
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