ARTICLES BY DAVID WILBER
What Is the Hebrew Roots Movement? (And Why I Don’t Identify With It)
I am a follower of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah, and I believe the Torah (the Law of Moses) remains relevant for God’s people today and should still be obeyed. So does that make me part of the Hebrew Roots Movement? There are two reasons why it does not.
Who is the Son of Man in 1 Enoch 71:14?
In recent years, the Book of Enoch (also known as 1 Enoch) has become increasingly popular among some Christians, with many arguing that it should be regarded as inspired Scripture. While there are several reasons to reject that conclusion (as I outline in my book Pseudo-Scripture), one of the most significant is that the book contradicts Scripture regarding the identity of the Messiah. Indeed, the Book of Parables (1 Enoch 37–71), particularly 1 Enoch 71:14, identifies Enoch himself as the exalted Son of Man. This article presents the evidence for this reading of the text and addresses the objections commonly raised against it.
Do What's Right (Even When You Don't Want To)
Emotions are powerful. Our emotions, like compassion and empathy, often motivate us to do wonderful things like give to charity and help people in need. When we see an injustice, many times it will deeply affect us and move us to take positive action. And yet, strong negative emotions—jealousy, vindictiveness, resentment—can often overpower our better judgment and move us to neglect or hurt people.
Have You Lost Your Hope?
The difficulties that we endure in this life are sometimes so painful that we feel stuck in unending sorrow. Many of us have been through tragedies that have left us with a crushing despair, which years later turns into a continuous dull ache that never leaves. We become despondent and therefore reluctant to believe that God could heal us.
Self-Control in the Midst of Conflict
Can you recall times in your life when you’ve lost control of your emotions? Perhaps it happens more often than you’d like to admit. We’ve all had heated moments where we’ve reacted out of anger or pain, often provoking others and dragging out arguments. What guidance do the Scriptures give us in these situations?
Is There Emptiness in Your Life?
Many of us carry around a deep sense of rejection, insecurity, and longing. We struggle to feel accepted, which sometimes drives us to unhealthy behavior. What does the Bible teach us about overcoming these feelings?
Do Not Neglect to Show Hospitality
When the New Testament authors talk about Abraham, they always highlight his faith. Indeed, Abraham is most well known, both in Judaism and Christianity, for his great faith in the God of Israel. But Abraham also exhibited another important godly characteristic that is often overlooked: hospitality.
The Coming Days of Noah
Our Messiah said that His return at the end of the age will be like the days of Noah. What can we learn from Noah's flood as it concerns the end days?
5 Characteristics of a False Teacher
We are told in 1 John 4:1 and other passages to “test” the message of a teacher or prophet to see if what they say is truly from God. The reason is that “many false prophets have gone out into the world” and are leading believers astray. What are some of the identifying marks of a false teacher/prophet?
The Awful Art of Blame-Shifting and Escaping Responsibility
Yeshua said that the world would know the Father sent Him when His followers are united (John 17:21). Therefore, we as believers have an important duty to try to maintain unity within the body of Messiah. But in order to work towards unity, we must first identify the cause of disunity.
7 Ways to Celebrate Sukkot
The feast of Sukkot, more commonly known as the feast of Tabernacles, marks the end of the biblical fall feasts. It’s the most joyous celebration on the Hebrew calendar as God’s people come together and celebrate before the Lord in anticipation for the return of the Messiah and the wedding supper of the Lamb.
The Gospel Revealed in the Sabbath
Is there a danger of leaving Jesus and the Gospel behind in our pursuit of Torah obedience?
Don't Be A Flake
The Bible says, "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James 1:22). It’s not enough just to know about Torah. Followers of Yeshua must also live Torah. Part of that means keeping your word.
Who Are You to Judge?
It is often said that believers ought not to judge. Indeed, “Judge not that you be not judged” is one of the most memorized Bible verses ever. Even people who have never read a Bible in their life will immediately quote that verse to silence anyone who might dare express disapproval toward them. But is it true that we are not to ever judge anyone?
Has the Levitical Priesthood been replaced?
As believers around the world are being drawn back to the roots of their Christian faith and thus embracing the lifestyle and teachings of Yeshua (Jesus) and the apostles, there are often questions about some major parts of the Torah. It’s easy for most people to acknowledge the validity of commandments like the Sabbath and dietary instructions, but what about the priesthood? What about animal sacrifices? Isn’t Yeshua our High Priest? Isn’t He our sacrifice?
Should Christians Keep the Sabbath?
Why do you suppose the majority of today’s Christians don’t keep the Sabbath the way the Bible says to keep it? Does God care about whether we keep it? Was it given only to a specific group of people before the time of Christ? Was the Sabbath changed or taken to a “spiritual” level, replacing the literal application of the commandment? This article will take a closer look at this important topic. We’ll discover what the Bible—our final authority on all matters of faith and practice—truly says about the Sabbath and how it applies to us today.
Loving God With All Your Mind
The greatest commandment in the Torah/Law of God includes loving the Lord your God with “all your mind” (Matthew 22:36-40). What does that mean?
Christians and Torah – What’s the Point?
Why on earth does God care about whether or not we rest on the Sabbath or eat unclean animals? Is it that big of a deal? What do these things really have to do with being a Christian?
7 Ways to Observe Yom Kippur
Throughout the year there are several days that God declares to be “appointed times” in the Bible (Leviticus 23:2). These are special times that God told us to remember and observe. Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement—is regarded as the most important of them all.
7 Ways to Celebrate Yom Teruah
Did you know that God commands us to rejoice and make noise? Indeed, Yom Teruah—also known as the Feast of Trumpets or Rosh HaShanah—is an incredible celebration during which believers come together to worship the God of Israel with shouts of joy and the blast of the shofar as we look forward to the second coming of our Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus).