Post by AnaZetountes on May 14, 2019 12:22:27 GMT -8
Thank you for the welcome and for allowing me to be here!
I was raised in a christian church and, at nearly 60 yrs old, have gone to christian churches all of my life. I began studying the Bible on my own when I went away to college. I was confused to find that what I read in the Bible didn't mesh with what was taught or practiced in the church I was raised in. While getting my feet wet in several denominations, I was further confused by the differing beliefs not only between denominations, but also between churches within a denomination, and within individual congregations.
During my college years and beyond, there was much emphasis by churches and christian friends on the New Testament. Some people admitted they didn't understand the OT writings and/or didn't feel they applied, so brushed most of the OT aside. I didn't understand much of the OT myself, but was deeply troubled by that because I felt the OT writings were key to understanding the NT. I remember at one point -- I think I was still in high school -- telling my mother I wanted to study Greek and Hebrew so I could translate the Bible myself. She responded, "You don't need to do that! It's already been translated for you."
Years later, I took a college class in the history of Jewish civilization, taught by an orthodox Jew. It really changed my understanding of Yeshua's conflict with the scribes and Pharisees of his day. The last two churches I belonged to were non-denominational, but the same problems -- or worse -- existed in them as in the denominational churches. In the first one, I was amazed at people's understanding of the OT scriptures, and found as I read them they became easier for me to read and understand.
Before deciding on the last church I belonged to, I had looked into some Sabbath-keeping congregations but not everything they taught seemed in agreement with scripture. About two years ago, I began in-depth topical studies of the scriptures, looking at the original Greek meanings. I also looked into the history of the christian church and various doctrines, comparing each to the scriptures. It led me to Messianic Judaism, so here I am, ready to learn more.
I was raised in a christian church and, at nearly 60 yrs old, have gone to christian churches all of my life. I began studying the Bible on my own when I went away to college. I was confused to find that what I read in the Bible didn't mesh with what was taught or practiced in the church I was raised in. While getting my feet wet in several denominations, I was further confused by the differing beliefs not only between denominations, but also between churches within a denomination, and within individual congregations.
During my college years and beyond, there was much emphasis by churches and christian friends on the New Testament. Some people admitted they didn't understand the OT writings and/or didn't feel they applied, so brushed most of the OT aside. I didn't understand much of the OT myself, but was deeply troubled by that because I felt the OT writings were key to understanding the NT. I remember at one point -- I think I was still in high school -- telling my mother I wanted to study Greek and Hebrew so I could translate the Bible myself. She responded, "You don't need to do that! It's already been translated for you."
Years later, I took a college class in the history of Jewish civilization, taught by an orthodox Jew. It really changed my understanding of Yeshua's conflict with the scribes and Pharisees of his day. The last two churches I belonged to were non-denominational, but the same problems -- or worse -- existed in them as in the denominational churches. In the first one, I was amazed at people's understanding of the OT scriptures, and found as I read them they became easier for me to read and understand.
Before deciding on the last church I belonged to, I had looked into some Sabbath-keeping congregations but not everything they taught seemed in agreement with scripture. About two years ago, I began in-depth topical studies of the scriptures, looking at the original Greek meanings. I also looked into the history of the christian church and various doctrines, comparing each to the scriptures. It led me to Messianic Judaism, so here I am, ready to learn more.