Interview 35: Should Messianic Jews Keep Torah? (Daniel Calcagno)

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