I have had the same experiences in “regular church.” This is not a “Hebrew Roots” issue but a people problem. All denominations can be guilty of doing something like this. There is perversion in both camps. It’s a flaw of mankind. No one group is 100% perfect.
Many people who leave the Hebrew Roots movement describe experiences of legalism or church hurt. Those experiences are real. However, after spending decades in traditional churches, I have seen the very same behaviors outside of Hebrew Roots.
Many people searching for information about the Hebrew Roots movement have experienced church hurt or have watched discussions surrounding Proffessor Soleberg’s critiques of Hebrew Roots. While I understand many of those concerns, my experience has convinced me that these problems are not unique to Hebrew Roots. They are human problems that appear across many Christian traditions.
I grew up in the Church of Christ, which did many of the same things you are talking about in the Hebrew Roots movement. I have also been around Baptist churches that draw lines that don’t exist in Scripture and then make them matters of faith.
I agree that it is sad so many people experience “church hurt” from these groups and can even lose their faith because of this kind of behavior. I simply ask that this criticism be applied to all groups that act this way, not just Hebrew Roots.
The Hebrew Roots Movement Is Not the Only Place This Happen
I spent 30 years in the Church of Christ and non-denominational ministries, serving as a Deacon, Teacher, and Youth Minister.
While reading a letter from a person who was hurt by the Hebrew Roots movement, Soleberg’s response at 18:20, you nailed it. Many groups are prideful—not just Hebrew Roots. This does not make the Hebrew Roots movement any more “dangerous” than other churches that browbeat their congregants into submission over pet doctrines.
My Experience Inside Traditional Churches
Consider the issues that have divided churches:
- One cup vs. multiple cups
- No fellowship hall
- No missionaries
- No instrumental music
- Traditional worship
- Modern worship
- Fog machines
- Rave dance parties for youth groups
- Sexual scandals
- Believing that everyone is going to hell except your particular church
- Believing that you alone represent the inspired ancient path or the true “New Testament Bible-believing church”
- Women’s roles
Just to name a few.
How are the divisions and splits over these matters any better?
Legalism Is Not Unique to the Hebrew Roots Movement
Our Father wants His children to get along. We are not enemies.
The author of the letter and Soleberg are correct about being humble. We all know very little in the grand scheme of things. The more we study, the more we should be humbled by our lack of integrity and righteousness.
We also need to pray that God would show us how He sees people and the world. He is very slow to anger and patient. He has put up with our nonsense for a very long time.
We must extend grace and mercy to the world around us. If we all viewed the world through this lens, we would have much more patience with our fellow believers.
The Church Is Messy Because People Are Messy
Life is messy. People are messy. Church can be messy.
Humans naturally tend to be tribal. Tribalism is not entirely wrong as long as we can embrace and accept our fellow brothers and sisters. There is room in the Kingdom for many differences.
Why Humility Matters More Than Denominational Labels
I refuse to trample on the lineage of faith handed down by my forefathers who were Christians. That is still part of my heritage. I love them dearly, and they gave me my faith.
I still love the old hymns I grew up singing. I still love and fellowship with my family, even though they do not practice as I do. We make it work, and we love each other.
It can be done.
You Don’t Have to Reject Your Christian Heritage
In the end, none of us is the Judge. The Father saves whom He saves, regardless of our opinions on the matter.
I simply want to be found worthy, and I hope my life has been spent building His Kingdom in the hearts of others along the way.
Our Identity Is in Messiah, Not Our Tribe
This Kingdom has nothing to do with what tribe we call ourselves in our own tiny theological sandboxes. It is the Kingdom of our Almighty King, who demands perfection from us all—a perfection that can only be obtained through the blood of our Messiah.
If there is one lesson I have learned after three decades in ministry, it is that pride is not confined to one denomination or movement. Whether someone identifies as Hebrew Roots, Baptist, Church of Christ, or non-denominational, humility, grace, and love should define followers of Messiah more than theological labels ever will.
Mr Soleberg and the Hebrew Roots community, surely we can all agree on this.
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