Restitutio

Pastor Daniel Calcagno lays out a his case for what he calls a positive view of Torah. He believes that the cleavage with Judaism in early church history is something the apostles never envisioned. Sadly, this parting of the ways led to confusion, doctrinal drifting, and persecution. Although Calcagno does not believe Gentiles need to keep the Law, he sees no reason for Jews to stop observing Torah. Here are his notes: TOWARDS A POSITIVE VIEW OF THE TORAH by Daniel Calcagno Restoring the Jewish Identity Markers to the Church The Hebrew word “torah” means “instruction” and refers primarily to the first five books of the Bible but more specifically can refer to the commandments of God in those books. In this podcast, Daniel attempted to show that it is biblical and proper for a disciple of Jesus to have a positive view of the Torah, specifically those elements of the Torah that are usually associated with Jewish identity (i.e. the Sabbath, the festivals, keeping kosher, etc.). The Torah’s own presentation of the enduring nature of the commandments associated with Jewish identity: The Sabbath: Exodus 31:13 Passover: Exodus 12:14 The Day of Atonement: Leviticus 16:29 The Aaronic priesthood: Exodus 29:9 Sign of a False Prophet: Deuteronomy 13:1-5 Positive Statements about the Torah in the rests of the Hebrew Scriptures: Psalm 19; Psalm 119; Joshua 1:7-8; Jeremiah 9:12-13; Malachi 4:4; Ecclesiastes 12:13. Jesus and the Apostles were Torah-observant: The Sabbath: Luke 4:16-17; Mark 1:21; Luke 23:56 Passover: Luke 22:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 Pentecost: Acts 2:1; Acts 20:16, 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 The Day of Atonement: Acts 27:9 The Feast of Booths: John 7:2, 10, 14, 37 Hanukkah (extra-biblical Jewish holiday): John 10:22-23 Daily Jewish Prayer: Acts 2:42, 3:1, 6:4 Liturgical Blessings: Matthew 14:19-20, 26:27; Acts 27:35 Tzitzit: Matthew 9:20-21 Keeping Kosher: Acts 10:14 Circumcision: Luke 1:59-60, 2:21, Philippians 3:5, Acts 16:3 Offering Sacrifices: Acts 24:17 Baptism/Ritual Immersion: Acts 2:41, 9:18 They Torah will be observed in the kingdom: Isaiah 2:3; Isaiah 66:23; Ezekiel 45:17; Zechariah 14:16-17; Isaiah 56:6-8 Positive Statements about the Torah by Jesus: Matthew 5:17-19; Matthew 23:23 Paul was a Torah-observant Jew: Paul was born to Jewish parents: Philippians 3:5 His name was both Saul and Paul: Acts 13:9 Paul was educated under Rabbi Gamaliel: Acts 22:3 Paul attended synagogue on the Sabbath: Acts 17:2-3, 18:3-5 He said that served God “…believing everything that is in accordance with the Torah…” (Acts 24:14). He testified that he had “…committed no offense either against the Law of the Jews” (Acts 25:8). He was NOT teaching the Jewish people to forsake Moses, to not circumcise their children, nor keep Jewish tradition. James said about Paul: “…there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Torah.” (Acts 21:24). Positive Statements about the Torah by Paul: Paul said “…it is not the hearers of the Torah who are just before God, but the doers of the Torah will be justified.” (Romans 2:13). He said “Do we then nullify the Torah through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Torah.” (Romans 3:31). He said “the Torah is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.” (Romans 7:12). He said “…I joyfully concur with the Torah of God in the inner man” (Romans 7:22). He said “…the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the Torah of Go

Born to Italian immigrants, Daniel Calcagno grew up in Canada, near Niagara Falls and attended a Pentecostal church.  After he began taking his faith seriously, he started researching the Jewish people–especially those who believe in Jesus.  Over time he founded Messianic Niagara, a local home group with a website that promoted audio teachings.   However, it was in listening to Michael Brown’s show that Calcagno came across the biblical unitarian theology of Anthony Buzzard.  For some time he had felt uneasy about the Trinity, and now he had an alternative that fit much better with the bible’s Hebrew context.  Now he serves as the pastor of Glad Tidings Church of God in Fonthill, ON. —— Links —— Follow Daniel Calcagno on Twitter, YouTube, or at MessianicNiagara.com Visit him at Glad Tidings Church of God in Fonthill, Ontario, Canada Listen to Michael Brown’s discussion with Anthony Buzzard on his show Line of Fire Listen to more Restitutio interviews here Intro music: Jazzy Frenchy by bensound.com. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Having believed in the permanence of salvation for 46 years, Dan Gallagher recently changed his mind to believe in what he calls continuance in faith–the idea that those who fail to continue in faith can be lost. The whole process took about fourteen years from when a book introduced him to a number of verses that are difficult to interpret from a once-saved-always-saved perspective. Here is his account of how he came to a new understanding on this issue and why he thinks it’s so important. —— Links —— Email Dan Gallagher at djgallagher777@gmail.com His ministry is called Lean on Jesus and you can follow him on his podcast, YouTube, facebook, or at leanonjesus.com Listen to more Restitutio interviews here Intro music: Jazzy Frenchy by bensound.com. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Are you longing for fellowship with other like-minded believers?  In this interview, John Truitt of Kentucky shares how he uses video conferencing to have interactive and encouraging virtual fellowships.  Whether you want to join in with what he does or you want to start your own, this conversation is loaded with helpful guidance on how to succeed.   —— Links —— Get in touch with Truitt at jtruitt@kalleo.net Here’s a link to Truitt’s facebook See the Christian Virtual Fellowship YouTube channel More information about the 20s and 30s Apologetics Conference (June 8-10) Listen to more Restitutio interviews here Intro music: Jazzy Frenchy by bensound.com. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Bill Schlegel, professor and cofounder of The Master’s University extension program in Israel (IBEX), was studying the phrase “Son of God” and came to understand the term did not correlate with the traditional “God the Son” teaching, but instead meant God’s heir, the king he has designated to rule the world.  Although he had taught the bible faithfully in Israel for more than two decades, he knew that this discovery would cost him dearly.  In the end he lost his job at the institution he founded as well as any opportunity to preach and lead the church he helped to start.  He’s been maligned by many who used to regard him as a brother and blackballed in the evangelical world.  Why would Professor Schlegel go through all of this?  Why wouldn’t he just sign the statement of faith for another year and carry on in his work?  He had discovered a truth so profound and so irrefutable, that he could not hide it under a basket–he had to let it shine, even if it cost him everything.  Here is his story. —— Links —— Follow Bill Schlegel on his blog or on YouTube Purchase The Satellite Bible Atlas on Amazon Master’s official statements about the termination of Schlegel Israel Bible Extension (IBEX) John MacArthur’s The Master’s University Listen to more Restitutio interviews here Intro music: Jazzy Frenchy by bensound.com. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Join Professor N. T. Wright as he shows how well Paul’s epistles fit with the Hebrew prophets and the Gospels.  Rather than seeing Paul as the purveyor of a heavenly hope wherein saints may enjoy disembodied bliss, Wright highlights a number of key passages that unlock Paul’s kingdom-centered hope. —— Links —— Take a look at Wright’s big book on Paul or his recent shorter one Delve deeper into Wright’s courses at ntwrightonline.org Access free audios/videos at the ntwrightpage.com Check out my youtube talk on Pauline Eschatology Listen to more Restitutio podcasts on the kingdom of God, including “Heaven Is Not My Home“ Intro music: Jazzy Frenchy by bensound.com. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

This is part six in our series on responding to your questions and comments.  In light of our killing series, we considered whether Christians should kill the old, the young, enemies, or criminals, however we never addressed the morality of God killing. Brian asked: Can I expect a subsequent episode where you discuss a sort of ‘divine inflicted’ death, for example, the event with Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10; also the deaths of Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, in Acts 5? If yes, wonderful, if no, then perhaps you could consider it. Hopefully in the future we can delve more deeply into this subject, but for now, here is a brief response to this important question. —— Links —— Check out the episodes in our killing seres See other episodes responding to your questions and comments Intro music: “Protofunk” by Kevin MacLeod.  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

This is part five in our series on responding to your questions and comments.  In this Q & A episode, we address two commenters who responded to Off Script 34: Killing the Unborn (A Christian View of Abortion). Dan Fitzsimmons responds to Candace who inquired why Dan would vote against capital punishment but not against abortion even though he opposes it on moral grounds. Rose Rider responds to John’s lengthy comments in which he called into question the legitimacy of using the bible to arrive at a position on abortion. —— Links —— Listen to the episode that this comment came from: Off Script 34: Killing the Unborn (A Christian View of Abortion) See other episodes responding to your questions and comments Intro music: “Protofunk” by Kevin MacLeod.  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

This is part four in our series on responding to your questions and comments.  In this episode, we respond to a comment made on Off Script 37: Killing Criminals, in which we took the position that capital punishment is a biblically justifiable practice, but in America today it is fraught with problems, including the outrageous cost of death row and the possibility of executing the innocent.  We respond to the comment of someone named Sean who challenges us on our view of the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus is challenging the old way of living and laying out a new way.  He also makes a couple of secular arguments in favor of capital punishment.  Here is Sean’s comment in full: I think this discussion has to take a lot more into account, but clearly this would take hours and hours to encompass it all… This is a huge subject really. But for example, such as Abraham saving Lot by killing people to rescue him. This was obviously when there were less governmental type controls but the point remains the most righteous man on earth, the father of the faith killed to save someone. There’s also laws about the requirements of helping someone being attacked, which could clearly result in the death of an attacker. I don’t think vengeance is the same as self-defense, and many equate these two… I used to. And I still have the same objection that seems to arise about Matthew 5 and Jesus’ “…but I say unto you…” statements having to do with contradicting the Torah. I don’t see this as logical, nor a possible understanding if you believe the Messiah was a sinless man. To have any man come into Israel and start teaching contrary to God’s law(even if just in THAT time period) by definition would have been sin and the man should have been ignored/killed. (Isaiah 8:20, Matthew 5:19, Deut 4:2) No one could convict the Messiah of sin, that one would have been obvious if that’s what he was doing. He *had* to keep the Torah, right? Or do you believe he didn’t keep it? That might have to be clarified. The secular arguments are based on the risk of human error. By those types of standards no one should drive automobiles either because thousands of people die each year innocently due to the error of other operators. As sad as the situation is—there’s always a risk of human error/corruption, and God -still- gave the death penalty in his Torah. The young man seems to be arguing against God’s own commands. And one also must address the many assumptions that are built into his objections against capital punishment. To say “it costs more” to prosecute for the death penalty versus lifetime of prison is not the point—even if it were, it’s still proper justice according to God’s laws. God never said to hold anyone in confinement for the entire life. It also likely WOULDN’T cost more if there were so many other regulations in place that make it that much more expensive. It’s morally reprehensible to pay for convicted murderers to continue to live on our own backs for their lifetime. Take note also, that even with Paul as a former murderer and what he taught later–he said if he did anything worthy of death, he’d submit to it. Acts 25:11 Overarching all of this is clearly the most poignant thing of all—without the death penalty you would have no death of the Messiah and a risen savior. Again, I know this is a huge topic and I just thought I’d weigh in a few things on my mind that I don’t think really got full weight in this discussion. I think I also have more to say on the subject from Scripture because I used to hold the same view as many of you until I re-examined it. —— Links —— Listen to the episode that this comment

This is part three in our series on responding to your questions and comments.  In Off Script 28: Seeking a Christian View on Refugees and Immigrants, we concluded on the basis of several scriptures in the Old Testament as well as the Great Commission that Christians should welcome refugees into their countries.  In response to this, William wrote: First, Thank you for your podcasts and all the work that you do preaching the word of God and your Unitarian teachings. I have to take the other side when it comes to Muslim immigrants coming into this country from the mentioned 7 Muslim countries. In December 2015, President Obama signed into law a measure placing limited restrictions on certain travelers who had visited Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria on or after March 1, 2011. Two months later, the Obama administration added Libya, Somalia, and Yemen to the list, in what it called an effort to address “the growing threat from foreign terrorist fighters.” So Trumps “temporary 90 day ban” was justified considering he is coming into office and now it’s his problem to solve and protect the American people from terrorism. I don’t want to turn this into me defending Trump because I don’t agree with all of his policies, but I do agree with the temporary ban to come up with a way a vetting refugees who come with less then amiable intentions. Ok, first Exodus 23:9 “You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt”. The key word for me is “heart” The heart of the sojourner. What are the intentions of the refugee? do they plan to live among you and abide in God’s law? If they don’t, do you still accept them as your brother even if they want to kill you or convert you through force? Do you allow mosques to operate that call for jihad and sharia law, infecting peaceful Muslims? Surly you wouldn’t invite someone into your home if you thought their intentions were to harm you or your family. Europe has has a policy of dropping off Muslims into their country and Europe is mess. All I’m saying is that it was not Gods intention to have his people treat sojourners as brothers if they would not assimilate into the culture or worse…destroy it. God Bless. In this episode, Dan takes the lead in responding to William.  Here are some quotes from our discussion: “How many minds can be changed by radical love like that [the Good Samaritan Parable]?  How many barriers of racism and nationalism could be torn down by that, by that kind of radical love?  That’s the attitude we should have toward outsiders, not, ‘Hey stay away because we’re afraid that you might shoot us even though our own countrymen are shooting us at a far higher rate.” –Dan “The kingdom will be a melting pot anyway; it will be a true melting pot where the one thing that we have in common and the only thing that matters is that we are citizens of the kingdom of Christ.  So we look forward to that day and in the meantime we are have the opportunity to live like that now.” –Rose “How cool is it that other nations want to come here?  How much easier does it make it to fulfill the Great Commission where Jesus says, ‘Go make disciples of all nations?’  Well if the nations are all coming here?  There are all in Chinatown and Koreatown and Polishtown or whatever towns in New York City, then how much easier is it to fulfill that Great Commission?” –Sean —— Links —— Listen to the episode that this comment came from: Off