From: ljmorly@polaris.utu.fi (Laura Johanna Manninen)
Newsgroups: alt.messianic
Subject: Experiencing Shabbos With an Anti-Missionary
Date: 6 Jan 93 14:16:35 GMT
Distribution: alt
Organization: University of Turku

Many of you have probably read this article already, but for those who
haven't:

EXPERIENCING SHABBOS WITH AN ANTI-MISSIONARY

by Michael Rydelnik, The Messianic Times, Fall 1992

 
    Let's be honest -- most Jewish believers in Yeshua are not from 
Orthodox Jewish backgrounds. In other words, our Jewish experience
is not too different from most Jewish people in North America, and
probably the world. And frankly, most of us, deep down, feel a little
inadequate about it. 
    Anti-missionaries know this and love to play upon this guilt. "I
don't want to discuss Isaiah 53," they will say, "tell me, have you 
ever experienced Shabbos ?" We stare at the ground feeling inadequate,
"Well, not really," and we are beat.
    They proceed to describe orthodox Sabbath observance in such 
glorious terms that one would think that man indeed was made for the
Sabbath. Now we feel compelled to accept the invitation to spend 
Shabbos with the anti-missionary or one of the approved "anti-missionary"
families. We rationalize, "I'll go there to witness!" only to discover 
that witnessing is not allowed. In fact discussing the Bible, Messianic
prophesy, and Yeshua is strictly forbidden. We are only to "experience"
Shabbos. 
    The mixture of our truly beautiful heritage, personal inadequacy,
subtle brainwashing, and mystical sparks are intended to kindle the 
'pintle havid' (the Jewish fire in our hearts) and make us renounce 
our faith in Yeshua. One anti-missionary told a Jewish Believer friend
of mine who refused to succumb to this brainwashing that he doupted
the authenticity of his Jewish birth. The logic was that if the "Shabbos
Magic" did not work on a given person, that person was not probably 
not really Jewish in the first place. 
    So how can we think more critically about this "Shabbos" tactic ?
To begin with, recognize it as the snare that it is. There is no mysticism
in the Sabbath. The true intent of the anti-missionaries is to use the
brainwashing techniques of the cults. Isolation, love-bombing, control
are all designed to change minds through manipulation. Don't subject 
yourself to mind control. If you want to celebrate Shabbat, share it 
with your brothers and sisters in the Lord.
    Secondly, remember the basis of truth is fact, not experience. There
is no argument that separating one day from the rest of the week for 
devotion to God can be meaningful, even uplifting. But this does not
change the facts that the Messianic prophesies have been fulfilled. It
does not alter the truth that the tomb is really empty.
    These are the very facts that we are not allowed to discuss at the
anti-missionary's shabbos-dinner, lunch or sleepover. Why ? Because facts
get in the way of emotional manipulation. The fact is, like the disciples,
we have nowhere else to turn but to Yeshua. He alone has the words of
eternal life; He alone is the Holy One of God (John 6:68-69).
    Finally, reject the guilt ! So you did not go to Yeshiva, you don't
read Hebrew fluently, and you have been known to drive on Saturday. Don't
think that if the opposite were true your faith in Yeshua would be 
accepted of even respected. My experience tells me it is not so. 
    Once an anti-missionary challenged me about my Jewish upbringing.
He wondered if I had ever experienced Shabbos. I happily told him that I
had; that I came from an observant home and experienced Shabbos every 
week while growing up. 
    Although I enjoyed it immensely, it did not change my conviction that
Yeshua is indeed our Messiah and Lord.
    His responce was that I believed in Yeshua only because Judaism had
been forced on me and what I needed was to experience a more liberal form 
of Judaism. We can't win regardless of our experience, so we must refuse
to feel guilty.
    Now that we have come to the Lord of the Sabbath we need not feel 
defensive or inadequate. No observance, no ritual, no day, can match the
peace and rest He alone gives.

[Michael Rydelnik is the Northern Regional Director of Chosen People 
Ministries and the Congregational Leader of Olive Tree Congregation,
Long Island, NY.]


- Laura
--
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government 
will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Councellor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  - Yeshaya 9:5 (9:6)
 
"To the Jews who had believed him, Yeshua said, "If you hold to my
teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth,
and the truth will set you free.""   - Yochanan 8:32-33