FAQs
What do you mean by the "Hebraic Roots" of Christianity?
Christianity didn’t emerge in a theological vacuum, it grew directly from the soil of first-century Judaism. Yeshua (Jesus), His disciples, and the earliest believers were thoroughly Jewish. They lived within the rhythms of Torah, celebrated the biblical feasts, and understood Scripture through Jewish eyes. The concepts that fill the New Testament; Messiah, kingdom, covenant, righteousness, even “grace”, weren’t new inventions but terms already defined and anticipated within Israel’s story.
What is Torah, exactly? Is it just the Ten Commandments?
Torah is much richer than most people realise, and the common equation “Torah = Ten Commandments” reveals how deeply we’ve been shaped by Western culture and thinking rather than Hebrew thought.
The Hebrew word torah literally means “instruction” or “teaching”, it is God’s guidance for living, not a legal code; as the term law suggests. This is crucial: Torah isn’t primarily about rules; it’s about revelation. It’s how God discloses Himself, His character, His wisdom, and His design for creation.
Aren't "Law" and "Grace" opposites?
Only if we fundamentally misunderstand what Torah is and ignore the depths of grace revealed in the Tanakh.
The idea that the Old Testament = ‘law’ and the New Testament = ‘grace’ crumbles when you read the Hebrew Scriptures themselves. Grace (חֵן – chen) is found throughout the Tanakh. Long before Sinai, “Noah found chen in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:8). Consider the Aaronic blessing; that became a daily proclamation as part of the daily Temple service, “The LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you” (Numbers 6:25).
If we are saved by grace, why study the Torah?
This question assumes Torah is about earning salvation, but that completely misses its purpose. Even in ancient Israel, God rescued His people from Egypt before giving them Torah at Sinai. The pattern is clear: grace first, then instruction. Salvation has always been by grace through faith. So what’s Torah for?
Think of Torah as God’s wisdom for living in covenant relationship with Him. It’s not a ladder to climb toward God but a love letter revealing who He is and how life works best according to His design. When Paul calls it “holy, righteous, and good,” he’s not describing a salvation mechanism, he’s describing divine wisdom for human flourishing. The Psalms overflow with delight: “Oh how I love your law!” (Psalm 119:97). That’s not legalistic drudgery, that’s joy in knowing God’s heart.
If Yeshua (Jesus) fulfilled the Law, doesn't that mean it's finished?
Before we can understand what “fulfilll” means, we need to clarify what Yeshua (Jesus) is even talking about. When He says “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfilll them.” (Matthew 5:17, ESV), many Christians hear “the Law” and immediately think “Mosaic Law” or “Ten Commandments.” But that’s not what the phrase means.
Is this the Hebrew Roots Movement or Messianic Judaism?
This is an important question because there’s often confusion about terminology and approach. Let me distinguish carefully, though I want to be respectful, there are wonderful believers in both movements.
Messianic Judaism typically refers to Jews who recognise Yeshua (Jesus) as Messiah while maintaining their Jewish identity and practices. They’re ethnically and culturally Jewish, often worship in synagogue-style settings, and live Torah-observant lives as Jewish believers. This is beautiful and biblical, Paul himself remained a practicing Jew after encountering Yeshua (Jesus). Messianic Judaism isn’t trying to “become” something, they already are Jewish, following their Jewish Messiah.
What is the "Hebraic Mindset," and why does it matter?
The Bible wasn’t written in English by Western theologians, it emerged from an ancient Hebrew culture with its own ways of thinking and communicating truth. The Hebraic mindset is concrete rather than abstract, relational rather than systematic, story-driven rather than propositional. Where Greek philosophy asks “What is the essence of truth?”, Hebrew thought asks “How does truth work in real life? How do you walk it out?”
How did the early church fathers understand Torah?
The first generation of believers; the apostles and their immediate disciples, remained Torah-observant Jews who saw Jesus as the fulfilment, not the abolition, of their Scriptures. The book of Acts shows a community that honoured God’s commandments while recognising that ‘the nations’ didn’t need to become Jews to follow Israel’s Messiah. This wasn’t a contradiction; it was the prophesied restoration: Israel’s light reaching the nations.
Didn't Paul say those led by the Spirit are "not under the law"?
Yes, Paul wrote exactly that in Galatians 5:18, and it’s one of the most frequently misunderstood verses in the New Testament. The common reading goes: “The Spirit leads me, therefore I don’t need to follow God’s commandments.” But that’s not what Paul means, and the context makes this clear.
First, notice what Paul is contrasting: Spirit versus flesh, not Spirit versus Torah. The entire passage (Galatians 5:16-26) is about the battle between our sinful nature and the Spirit’s power. Paul says, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (v. 16). The conflict is internal; flesh pulling toward sin, Spirit empowering righteousness, not a conflict between the Spirit and God’s instruction.
Where do I start? This all feels overwhelming.
That’s a completely normal response and honestly, it’s a good sign. It means you’re taking this seriously rather than looking for quick fixes or easy answers. Here’s the encouraging truth: you don’t need to master Hebrew, memorize rabbinic sources, or dramatically change your life overnight. This isn’t about performance or proving anything. Start with simple curiosity.
Begin by reading one Gospel slowly; Matthew is excellent for this, noticing every time Yeshua (Jesus) quotes or references the Old Testament. You’ll be surprised how much is there once you start looking. See how deeply His teaching is rooted in Torah and the Prophets. When you encounter a puzzling verse, especially in Paul’s letters, pause and ask: “What might this have meant to a first-century Jewish audience familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures?”