The Learning of the Jews:
Introduction
by Lynn Ridenhour
Let’s learn together the Jewishness of the Gospel
I do not see many LDS or RLDS saints taking to heart
the Lord’s admonition regarding the learning of the Jews (I Nephi 1:2LDS,
I Nephi1:1RLDS). Yet the Book of Mormon is clear—we’re to be taught
after the manner of the things of the Jews if we’re to understand our own
faith, especially the gospel as revealed to our Beloved Prophet Joseph (2
Nephi 25:5LDS, 2 Nephi 11:8RLDS).
The restoration gospel proclaims that we’re latter-day Israelites, yet we
know not the ways of Israel. That will not do. It’s time to understand and
proclaim the Jewishness of the gospel. It’s time to reaffirm—Christianity
is Jewish. The gospel was completely Jewish in the first place. Christianity’s
roots are Jewish. Our Savior is Jewish.
Sadly, over the centuries issues have flip-flopped. In the first century,
the most heated, controversial, doctrinal issue the Church faced was, "…How
do the Gentiles fit into all this?" Today, the most heated,
controversial, doctrinal issue the Church faces is, "…How do the Jews
fit into all this?"
You and I together will dig into this monumental question, for I’m
convinced the question weighs heavily on our Heavenly Father’s heart. It’s
my prayer—during our study time together God’s heart will become ours.
My feelings are those of inadequacy. I’m not Jewish. I’m not a
Messianic Jew. I’m an upper-middle income class white suburban male who grew
up Baptist. Conservative Baptist at that. To make things worse, I was taught
Replacement & Dispensational Theology regarding the Jewish role in
history. The Church is "Spiritual" Israel or the "New
Israel" having replaced the "Old" Israel (the Jews) as God’s
people. I have come to conclude—the separation between the Church and the
Jewish people, as it has developed over the last 2,000 years, is completely
out of God’s will, a terrible mistake, the worst schism in the history of
this planet—to use David Stern’s own words, a Messianic Jew.
With sadness and contrition, I now realize that such views oversimplify the
plan of God and are manifestly antisemitic. God, forgive me and the Church. I
intend to repent and to do something about it.
With admittedly humble beginnings and with much to learn (but eager to
learn) and with a novice approach—my invitation is open-ended. Let’s learn
together the Jewishness of the Gospel.
I will share my findings as I go. Consider this an open-ended classroom.
You’re truly welcome to sit in.
And may Yeshua the Messiah guide us,
Lynn Ridenhour
