Motivator #5

Dr. Truesdale writes, “Each time Dr. Ron Benefiel and I conduct the Nazarene Theological Seminary Doctor of Ministry Seminar, ‘The Theological Development of the Minister,’ the seminar members, Dr. Benefiel, and I attend Sabbath (Shabbat) service at Beth Shalom Congregation, a conservative Jewish synagogue in Kansas City. Alan Cohen is the senior Rabbi. The ‘contemporary’ service begins with joyous singing, accompanied by guitars, tambourines, a violin, and drums. Talented musicians lead the music. As the service proceeds, the liturgy—heavy with Torah readings—repeatedly refers to the holiness of God and to God’s command that His people live righteously before him. Over and over one hears reference in the liturgy to the love and grace of God. As the Torah scroll is taken throughout the congregation, the congregants move to the aisles so they can touch the Torah either with their prayer shawls or their scriptures.”

The question: Soteriologically, what is going on there? Nothing? Something? If so, on what basis?

I think there is some genuine heart felt worship of God going on, but it is going on the basis of a covenant understanding that I as a Christian believe is no longer applicable. Its like the Jews are acting under the bylaws of an old contract, when a new contract has been put into place by the Passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They are certainly glorifying God, but they are missing part of the picture in the person of Jesus Christ.