Issues, Etc. Paths to Lutheranism: From Judaism – Blake Skolnic, 10/30/25 (3034)
Oct 30, 2025
Blake Skolnic, raised in an Orthodox Jewish home in Brooklyn and now a Grace Lutheran Church member, shares his fascinating journey from Judaism to confessional Lutheranism. He reflects on his upbringing, discussing the struggles of faith and cultural practices after his bar mitzvah. Blake highlights the clarity of Lutheran teachings on original sin and the significance of biblical prophecies about Christ. He candidly addresses his family's reaction and the pride that initially hindered his faith transition, ultimately finding Christianity far more fulfilling than ritualistic Judaism.
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Raised In A Mixed Orthodox-Secular Home
- Blake grew up in a mixed household where his grandmother kept Orthodox practices while his father drifted to atheism, making Judaism largely cultural.
- He experienced a transition from ritual observance toward secularism during his teenage years.
Original Sin Shapes Religious Responses
- Lack of an original sin framework in Judaism made suffering feel like divine rejection to some, nudging them toward disbelief.
- Blake says this theological gap contributed to his father's and peers' drift into atheism.
Faith Eroded After Bar Mitzvah
- After his bar mitzvah Blake gradually lost certainty about the Torah and became agnostic while still keeping some traditions.
- He was pulled between his atheist father and Orthodox relatives, siding increasingly with his father.
