Jerusalem, Jesus, Jewish Roots, and More
by John D. Garr, Ph. D.

The word Jerusalem brings a rush of excitement and awe to those who believe in Yahweh, the eternal God, whether they be Torah-observant Jews or Bible-believing Christians. It is appropriate then that Christians around the world who are reclaiming the Jewish roots of their faith join with Jews and the nation of Israel in celebrating Jerusalem's tri-millennium -- Jerusalem 3000.

Our cover for this issue presents an unusual photograph taken from within the ancient Holy City. This same photo was featured in newspapers throughout the United States, along with an excellent article on Jerusalem 3000, so thousands, perhaps millions, of people shared the sights and concepts of the city of Jerusalem and its importance to millions of people of faith the world over.

Restoration Foundation stands solidly in support of the international Jewish community and of the millions of Jews who have made aliyah to the land of their forefathers. Our international team of scholars and church leaders is deeply touched by the pain and anguish of the Jewish people in Jerusalem when some among them are attacked, maimed, and murdered by terrorists. At the same time, we applaud the unbridled vision of the Israeli people to triumph over tragedies of externally inflicted suffering in hope of peace and brotherhood.

This issue is very eclectic in nature, with a diversity of materials and subject matter. Much of our readership has asked us to keep our issues thematic; however, a significant number has also requested that we produce issues that offer a smorgasbord of food for thought.

In "Jerusalem -- World Capital of the Messianic Age" I have undertaken to discuss the importance of Jerusalem both in its three millennia of history and in its future as the capital of the world during the coming Messianic age. Rev. Isaac Rottenberg has contributed an excellent article that helps those who are interested in Jewish/Christian dialogue to understand the various Jewish contributions to the process of interaction in his "Jewish Voices in Contemporary Christian-Jewish Dialogue." With scriptural depth and insight, Dr. Karl Coke analyzes the issue of "How God Sees Tithing." Dr. William Cheshire offers a testimony and analysis of the Jewish roots message and its more far-reaching implications in "Returning to the Judaic Roots of the Christian Faith." A very challenging and provocative article that examines supersessionism and offers a clearly Biblical alternative is Dr. Howard Morgan's "'Re-placement' or 'In-placement' Theology." In "God Causes Us to Cross Over," Dr. E. William Bean offers an interesting analysis from Biblical Hebrew that helps us to understand how Christians are included in the ranks of the Ivri, those who have crossed over into God's kingdom. "Benching and the Early Christian Meal" is Dr. Doug Wheeler's excellent analysis of the historical Judaic practice of Bircath Hamazon, a practice from which Christians can learn much as they seek to make their homes centers for spiritual growth. Rabbi Chaim Richman offers a profound view from the inside of Israel in "Spiritual Turmoil in Israel," a poignant article on recent tragic events that have brought pain and suffering to the fore in the time of Jerusalem 3000. "We Are Family, We Are One!" is Dr. Leon Mohammed's analysis of Biblical and scientific evidence that affirms the oneness of the human race and confirms the mutual heritage of both Jew and Gentile in the faith of Abraham. In "Uniting the Kingdom of God," Dr. Terril Littrell helps us with insights into how we can be a force to bring unity to a historically divided Christian church.

Our vision is to provide our readers with quality materials that analyze the important issues of our time and provide solid, Biblically-based answers to the question: "What shall we then do?" Something we believe is important, however, it is not nearly as important as what we do, for faith without works is dead. Despite Jesus' words in Matthew 5:l6, Christianity has too often been strong on belief and short on action.

Historically many Christians have been inactive because they have been woefully ignorant. This generation, however, must become like the men of Issachar who "had understanding of the time, to know what Israel ought to do," (I Chronicles 12:32). Wisdom and knowledge must become the stability of our times and the "strength of salvation" as the prophet Isaiah declared (33:6). We must search to understand, practice to learn wisdom, and become doers of the Word of God. We cannot, however, fulfill this quest unless we first come to the clear and inalterable understanding that our Christian faith is rooted in Judaism. Without an understanding of the language, people, geography, culture, and history of the Older Testament, we can never fully appreciate the New Testament and rightly divide or apply its words to our lives. We must once and for all embrace the fact that our God is the God of the Jews, that our Bible is a Jewish book, that our Savior is a Jew, and that our salvation by grace through faith is from the Jews (John 4:22).
Now, enjoy this issue of Restore!