A Whole New Way of Thinking
Friday, January 05, 2007
I came across a rather interesting lesson-set on the difference between the Greek and Hebrew mindset. Titled Hebrew Mind versus Greek Mind, it has been published by The Wild Branch Ministry, led by Pastor Brad Scott, has this as their goal:
The WildBranch focus is to restore the ways of our Creator to His people by teaching the Old and New Testaments from the language and culture of the people who penned them. The New Testament is crammed full of idioms, phrases, and concepts known to the observant Jew (Yehudim) living in the time of Y'shua's ministry, but unfamiliar to modern readers. The scriptures MUST be read through the eyes and minds of the culture in which it was written.The introduction to the "Hebrew Mind vs. Greek Mind" study reads:
This section is devoted to the study of the differences in western thinking (Greek, Hellenistic) and Eastern thinking (Hebrew, scriptural). The Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are penned by Hebrew authors from an Hebrew culture. They cannot be properly understood outside of this perspective. It is our contention that modern Christian teaching filters Scripture through Greek or Hellenistic glasses. This section was originally taught as a college level entry course. There are tests placed at the end of every few lessons. We hope you find the vast difference in these two thought processes as provocative as we do.It isn't a very extensive read, but the themes and ideas discussed deserve ample time for contemplation and comprehension.
As someone raised in a very Hebraic mindset, it is an education into how utterly different the Christian mind is from my own. Although we both believe in the same Messiah, we differ on practically everything else. Therefore, I would encourage even those believers raised in a Jewish context to read this study, along with those still learning about their Jewishness.
One of the overwhelming themes present throughout the study is "unity." Consider one of the integral prayers of the Siddur, the V'ahavta, a portion of the Shema, the most important prayer in Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4-9):
V-ahavta et Adonai Elohecha b-chol l'vavcha u-v-chol naf'sh'cha u-v-chol m'odecha.Worship, to the Hebrew mind, is not merely physical, as in the lifting of hands or singing of songs, nor is it merely spiritual, as in prayerful meditation. Worship involves emotion (heart), spirit (soul), and body (strength). Loving Adonai, worshipping Him, involves an echad of self: the whole person, body, mind, and spirit, must act as one. This is why Judaism is a faith of halacha, of walking; it isn't something that can be easily set aside or separated from other activities in daily life.
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
This is also why the Hebrew word for worship, avodah, implies service and possesses no time constraints. To the Hebrew mind, worshipping HaShem is to be done with body, mind, and spirit, as a service for life. Consider that we know life to be eternal through trust in Messiah Yeshua. The understanding of avodah translates into the understanding that the physical and spiritual realms are continuously intertwined. The Greek/Western/Church mindset may consider life on earth as preparation for life eternal. However, the Jewish mind understands that life eternal has already arrived and, therefore, acts accordingly.
Pastor Scott writes, "When everything you set out to do is understood to be worshipping YHVH your perspective changes dramatically." Consider this and be blessed in the knowing of it!
Shabbat Shalom
Messianic Judaism
Judaism
Hebrew
Christianity
posted by Shoshana @ 11:14 AM
