What now? Marriage. That's right, June 25, 2005! What was she thinking? Just kidding. But one thing we did talk about was the spiritual journey I was on. But she was on one too. Growing up in a Church of God family, going to a Pentecostal church, and about to marry a Baptist minister. That's quite a journey in itself! But she was game. And neither of us knew what was around the corner.
Prior to 2004, I only have a few memories of Eric Herschberg. One was the guy who was seemingly always late to English class. Another was the guy who always fell asleep in English class. But the memory that mattered most was of the guy who updated us Christians on what was happening in Jerusalem and the Temple Mount as it related to the end times. To me, this was always fascinating! I always pondered the idea of the end happening in my lifetime. How amazing would it be? One thing was for sure. I was going to be ready. So anytime Eric had an update, I was all ears.
Given the events in my life at that time, I began to wonder what God was doing with my life. I was nearing graduation with no job and no clue as to what would be next. I had taken a basketball coaching job at a Christian school. Coincidentally, it just so happened to be the school that I met my wife at. I was offered a permanent teaching job there for the 11th and 12th grade Bible class. But I had gone to school to do youth ministry. So decisions were looming. One thing I did know was I was consumed with Israel and the Jewish people. I constantly found myself sitting in class thinking about Israel and trying to write things in Hebrew. I was attempting to teach myself this difficult language and it was going very slow. But I thought practice would make perfect. One thing I also remember doing is reading the Old Testament. Even in my New Testament classes. I had never spent much time in the Old Covenant. It just wasn't for us New Testament Christians. All we really needed from the former was the major stories. Headlines. The key people and stories that showed us why Jesus had to do what he came to do. It was really to shed light on how those stubborn Jews just didn't get it. This guy parting the Red Sea. That guy being swallowed by a whale. Someone else who was a dreamer of dreams. And of course, Adam and Eve. You know, the basics.
One class in particular always comes to mind when I think about my journey. Eschatology. This is just a fancy church word for "End Times." I don't remember tons of information from this class I will admit. But one discussion between the professor and myself is, even to this day, a monumental moment in my life. See, he was convinced that Israel and the Church were 2 separate entities. I was convinced they were the same. Why? I have no idea. It was not something I had ever studied, nor ever really heard of. But I knew, and fought to the death, that the Church and Israel were supposed to be the same. (OK, not to death...) The Church just couldn't be a "new creation" by God. This would signify a change from God that I knew wasn't supported in Scripture. But as I look back on the class, I fought with that guy! I fought and really didn't know what I was doing. But I also knew, he didn't have an answer.
This led me to Eric. I knew him well enough to ask him to help me with some things I was studying. He agreed to meet me at Barnes and Nobles one night so we could seriously approach Scripture from its origins. I didn't know what he meant, but eagerly wanted his help. So we met. Let me just say, he held nothing back that night. Nothing. Heretic is not a word I would lightly throw around, but after our discussion that night I was convinced that Eric was one! He hammered me with 3 things. First, Torah should be observed by everyone who loves God (including Christians). Second, Christians should be keeping the Sabbath. And third, Christians should be eating kosher. Whew, I at least had a simple understanding of #3. Even if I disagreed with his reasoning. But the other 2, well this was grounds for excommunication!
To say our meeting was a shock is quite an understatement. But in the spirit of Christian brotherhood I told him I would consider what he said. I also told him we should meet again in a week so I can show him all the many reasons why he is wrong! And so I left, determined to show my brother why he was in error and what the Scriptures really said about his ideas. It was the last time I approached Scripture from a Greek/Western mindset. A week or two later we met again. And I was totally humbled. I had searched and searched, read and reread, prayed and begged God to show me the truth. And in reality, He had. Through Eric. I could not argue any point that he gave me. Not one, unless I decided to twist the Scriptures and form my own translations. I was floored. I was concerned. I was scared! Everything I had been taught about God and Christianity seemed to be wrong.
The only thing left to do at this point? Pray and study!
No comments:
Post a Comment