Leaning Towers and Unshakable Kingdoms

Over the past few weeks I have been digging deeper into a more Jewish understanding of our faith. What I mean is that since Christianity was born out of Judaism, I believe it is important to think and understand the faith in these terms. While I can cite many examples, today I would like to think about at least one area where Western Christianity has strayed from our Jewish roots: What we think and believe about humanity.

The Tower of Pisa is well known. Not for its design, but for its flaws. It leans. Badly. In fact, most people call it "The Leaning Tower of Pisa." A term that I'm sure that the architect did not see coming. The tower was flawed from the beginning. The foundation was only three meters deep (less than 10 feet) and the ground was unstable in nature. Even though the tower was off center, the construction continued until it was completed. A sight to see, no doubt, but I often wonder if people would still visit if the tower was straight?

We all know that a foundation is crucial to the building process. Although much of this tower is impeccable, the foundation was all wrong. And even though they tried to correct it, the tower still leans. Hebrews says that we have inherited an unshakable kingdom: "Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." So why do we lean one way or the other? Why is it that there is so much disagreement among the believers? The problem is not with the Kingdom of God (can I get an Amen?). The problem is with what we have built our beliefs upon. If the foundation is flawed...well...you know the rest.

Most of us have grown up with the teaching of "Original Sin." The belief that man is born sinful because of Adam's fall being passed down to us. A belief that has its origin with Augustine. A man who was considered a Great Teacher within the Catholic Church. Unfortunately, although he wrote many wonderful things, the doctrine of original sin does not have its roots in Christianity but Gnosticism (something that is easily determined when you read about Augustine's history). I say all of that because I don't want you to think that you have to throw out everything that Augustine taught or believed. That seems to be the dogma of our day. Instead, I would much rather you understand the Jewish roots. What did the Jews believe about humanity? How does it differ from that of Western Christianity? Why does it matter?

Jews believe that humanity is made in the image and likeness of God. So far so good right?
They believe that in this image and likeness is the ability for logic and reason.
They believe that since everything God creates is good, man is good. And that man is created with the ability to choose good or evil. And that man is held accountable for those choices.
The Jews never believed that Adam's sin was passed from generation to generation. They believed that humanity always belonged to the Father. That man was created upright. This type of thinking is found all throughout the Old Testament.

This is a striking contrast to what many of us were brought up believing. That we are sinners by nature rather than choice. The we are born separated by God and under His wrath. A view of humanity that doesn't take into account Jewish thinking, and totally neglects the finished work of Christ. Why do we have such a problem believing that humans are born innocent? I mean Jesus told us to become like children. If children are sinful in nature then what's the point? They would be no different than an adult.

Why does any of this matter? It matters because it is a poor foundation. It causes us to speak out of both sides of our mouth. It leads us to place much more emphasis on the Fall of Adam over the Death, Burial, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ. It keeps us blind to a greater reality. And brings much confusion to our children. How many times have we told a child how much God loves them, that they were created in His image and likeness, and that they should love Him in return; only to tell them something drastically different once they reach a certain age. After that age (whatever age that is) we begin to tell them that they are totally depraved rather than innocent. That they were born in sin rather than made in His image and likeness. That they are separated from God through no fault of their own and that God holds them accountable for that? My friends, this type of thinking is not found in Jewish thought and it does not have it's roots in the Scriptures either.

This discovery in my life has caused me to go back over some of those proof texts that I used to keep people bound in the original sin type thinking. What I found was liberating and life changing. Nowhere is sin found to be inherent. Sin is a product of unbelief. One of the passages we have used to keep people bound to the iniquity of Adam's Fall can also be used to keep us bound to the righteousness of Jesus' finished work. A belief that most people reject outright. However, if you are going to use a particular passage as a proof text then you better be sure of what the text is proving.

Are we presenting an unshakable kingdom? Or are we conveying a message that is build upon an inadequate foundation?
It is my belief that if we teach our children properly, raise them with the awareness of the image and likeness they bear, and point them to the Risen Savior that they will follow Him. That their faith will be a natural progression of life. A stability that is greatly needed in the church today. That they will learn to fully appreciate the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. And that they will begin to see the need to reach out to their lost brothers and sisters. Not in a way that is condemning, but in a way that is truly redemptive.

I realize that what I have said here today will be difficult for many people to grasp. We have become so entrenched in the teaching of original sin. But I honestly believe that if we can recapture the Jewish roots, and if we will look much deeper into church history, that we will rediscover the beauty of humanity. Who we were created to become and what we were created to enjoy. That we will embrace our relationship with our Creator and enjoy His Divine grace for life. And that we will learn to build upon this incredible foundation. Yes, we are receiving an unshakable kingdom. The borders of which need to spread all over this world.