By Lloyd Mackey

EVERY Sabbath (Saturday), several dozen Kelowna people, part of a Messianic fellowship, worship in the Jewish tradition – making the Torah a focal point in their worship. Then, they take a meal together.

To help bring the Messianic perspective into the community, a couple heavily involved in the group, Jim and Joan MacDonald, are spearheading what can be shorthanded as a ‘Hebraic course.’

Currently, seven students meet each Tuesday evening to gain a basic understanding not only of the Hebrew language, but of what Jim describes as “the foundation of our faith.”

He adds: “The course involves looking at the Hebrew world and examining the original [Torah] words.”

The course takes place at Evangel Church – but, MacDonald is quick to note, is not sponsored by the church.

The background is that, in addition to being a part of the Messianic fellowship, the MacDonalds attend Evangel on Sundays – and their pastoral staff has been happy to make facilities available for the course.

One other point MacDonald wants to make clear: exploring the Hebraic roots of their faith is not legalism.

“We sensed that we needed to keep the commandments of God,” he emphasizes.

“But there is no way that we teach the Torah to earn salvation. Rather, because we are saved, we keep the commandments. This is not about works salvation. It is a love response.”

He refers to the mission statement for the course, as originally developed by First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), the ministry that spearheads the Torah-positive initiatives being developed by, and for, many Messianic fellowships across North America.

That stated objective is:  “To strengthen the love and appreciation of the Body of Messiah for the land, the people and the scriptures of Israel.”

As well, to “learn about Feasts of the Lord, with the emphasis of painting a picture of the work of our Messiah, Yeshua. It is an invitation to walk out the commandments of the Lord.”

Two of the lessons tie in the Messiah, the Torah and living out the Torah. The last part of the course deals with “the seasons of our joy.”

The fellowship includes all of the Jewish Bible in its study. Known collectively as the Tanakh, these scriptures consist of the Torah (the first five books of the Bible); the Nevi’im, or ‘Prophets,’ which includes historical as well as prophetic books;  and the Ketuvim, or ‘Writings,’ which includes Psalms, Proverbs and all the other Old Testament books.  And, as Messianic believers, they also honour the New Testament.

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The MacDonalds developed their interest in the Torah and what they refer to as “the foundations of our faith” when they lived in Edmonton.

He was a provincial solicitor-general’s ministry researcher and she, a nurse. They retired to the Okanagan a few years ago.

Before moving to Kelowna, they offered the Hebraic course in Edmonton several times. Their fellowship had a good relationship with the synagogues in the Edmonton area.

There is less contact with the Kelowna synagogue, which is much smaller and served by an out-of-town rabbi.

But half the members of MacDonald’s fellowship have direct Jewish roots; and one teaches dance at the synagogue, in fact.

Travelling to Israel regularly, and looking at the land through Messianic and Torah eyes, is part of the MacDonald’s itinerary.

He is careful not to comment too extensively on Israeli politics. But he does believe that there will not be peace in the Holy Land until Messiah returns.

And, as part of a Messianic fellowship, he is used to being viewed with skepticism – or more – by both mainstream Christians and Jewish religious leaders.

The Christians, as he says, believe “we are legalists.” And some Jewish leaders see the interest in the Torah and Jewish worship as a cover for a latent standard Christianity.

But the journey, in the MacDonalds’ minds, is one of joy and fulfillment.

They revel that it was their Messiah who “loved us out of our bondage to sin.”

For more information, contact: ffoz.org

February 2009