Upon Chad's fervent suggestion I emailed his mother.
“Nov 14, 2008
Hey Rebbecca! How are you? I hope you're doing well! I'm sure Chad has told you I've been asking him questions about Messianic Judaism. Truth be told I understood what he was saying on the phone better rather than email. I think on the emails there was some major mis-communications going on on both our sides. But, when I was talking to him on the phone a lot of what he said made sense, but there is still a lot that I don't know or didn't quite get. There was a lot of information... I've been trying to do my own research on the subject for the last couple of months but all I seem to find online is articles and arguments from/and to Jewish Rabbis, and Christan observers with big qualms about the whole thing. Not Helping...
I was wondering if you had any suggestions on where to start? Where did you start in your own research into the subject? Can you recommend some books I can lay my hands on?
I had kinda been talking to Mom about the whole thing (researching Messianic Judaism and what Chad had said... from what I understood) and slowly over the last few weeks she's changed her major apprehension about my looking into it. In a conversation I had with her about it last Sunday she actually said, to my surprise, that she trusted my judgment, because to me if its in the Bible, if someone can show me in black and white, beyond a shadow of a doubt its in there I have no problem believing it. I am very much in a "prove it" mind set when it come to religion.
I know this is a lot to ask of someone I haven't seen in about ten years, and we really haven't caught up or anything, but its been on my mind and I really feel stuck. Chad is very busy and though very knowledgeable about it is not available very often (understandably).
So, with all that said. I hope your doing well and Mom says Hi!
Always,
Crystal”
Rebbecca's reply.
“Nov. 16, 2008
It is good to hear from you. I think of you and your Mother so very often. I wonder many times what became of all of you. I dearly loved your mother and counted her as a best friend. I hate that we lost touch. I do hope that I never did anything to cause that.
I am more than willing to talk about my first love and that is G_d. If I don’t know the answer I will find it!..
I will be happy to help you in your search if I can in any way you would like. It would really help if you tell me what you are wondering about. Basically we need a starting point because I could get going and going and going and you would be doing the too much info too fast. So anyway before I say too much let me know what more specifically you are looking at. Where you are stuck, that sort of thing. There are so many areas that we could start so help me out with that please.
The children have always been taught to keep the commands and they were also always taught Torah (the five books of Moses) basically they were taught and ingrained the Old Testament. I am not sure what all Chad told you or what your interests are so help me out there. I started out on this journey when I was a very young child. I would ask questions since things I was being taught didn’t jive with what I saw as simple black and white truth of the Bible. The older I got the more questions I asked and more trouble I got into. I continued seeking answers asking questions and studying the Word of the Most High. Needless to say being raised in a Old Testament taught home and then passing that on to my children I knew what the Word said as did the children. I did as much study as I could on my own not really knowing where else to look for answers. There are so many books out there you just don’t know where to start or stop. What is good what is truth stuff like that. My cousin finally pointed me to Monte Judah he is with the Lion and the Lamb ministries. He did teach me a great deal but I out grew him fairly fast. I mostly study what the Rabbis teach now (I figure they have been studying longer and know way more than any of us). The ancient writings the Talmud, Mishnah, things like that. Needless to say that does not mean we do not study Torah. We do daily. The Bible is the foundation of everything. Anyway I can give you books I have read or try to answer any questions you have and give scripture to back it up. I will stop rambling on until I know exactly what I am rambling about. I would suggest strongly that you check into First Fruits of Zion. They have so far been excellent in what I have seen. We don’t agree with everything but it is not likely we will ever until the Messiah returns and straightens all of us out.
By the way, we do not call ourselves Messianic (I think Chad does). We have not had a very good experience with them. We prefer to refer to ourselves as Torah obedient, we are a little too Orthodox for most of them. I am not sure that FFOZ is really considered Messianic either they do believe in the Messiah and teach his ways but they are very Orthodox also.
I could go so much more into it but I will stop for now until I hear from you about more specifics. It would be great if we could get together sometime and just spend some time talking about all of this.
I will get this off to you before something happens.
I anxiously await your reply,
Rebbecca Talgan”
My response.
“Nov 16, 2008
Hey thanks for your quick reply! My mom counted you as a dear friend as well and no you are not at fault for loss of contact. My family was going through a hard time and didn't really settle back down until around 2002.
I guess as far as my questions... where to start?... From what I understand you guys believe in both the old and the new testament but focus more on the five books of Moses. How are you (if you do) combining Law and Grace? I was always taught its one or the other, not both.
And according to Chad you believe that Jesus is the Messiah that was prophesied in the Old Testament and you regard him as such. If that is the case why do you not celebrate his birth?
Are you basically going by the traditions and culture of the Jewish people along with the belief in Jesus Christ as the Messiah?
And I agree that sitting down face to face would be great. I am coming home (Wichita Falls) for Christmas maybe we can get together then?
Hope to hear from you soon!
Always,
Crystal”
Here's a funny little note, when I was writing this I was at Mom's sitting at the kitchen table with my lap top. Mom was helping me figure out what I wanted to say because my head was so filled will random information it was difficult to focus on one thing at a time. Anyway, when I got to the part of “From what I understand ...” (initially it said “From what I understand from talking to Chad...”) my fingers hesitated uncertainly on the keys for a long moment. Mom, who was sitting next to me watching the screen, kind of chuckled and said “Nothing... I understand nothing!” We both had to laugh.
Rebbecca's reply.
“Nov 18, 2008
Just for a fast one to give you something to chew on until I can get you some real meat. I have been a little extra occupied so have not gotten to this yet. I do want to give you all scripture bases for everything I tell you so give me some time for this please. Some will be historical documentation but I will give all I can get together.
I will most likely address one thing at a time. First subject: The Law and Grace.
They are one.... without grace there would be no Law and without the law there would be no grace. The rest of the story to come...
Now look up these verses just to start you out.
Deuteronomy 11:13, 11:22
Matt 22:37
Mark 12:30
Luke 10:27
Now, think about what it means to truly love the Lord your G_d with all you heart and with all your strength and with all your resources?
Then go ahead a finish reading Deuteronomy 11.
Deut 12:28,32
Deut 5
that should be enough to start this. Please do not limit your reading to just the specific verses I put down read all of the chapter if you can but make notes of the specifics. I am sure I missed some important stuff but I am trying to do this really fast. Please forgive that.
Also before I go on. I do not in any way want to offend you so please if I ever say anything that seems offensive let me know, it was not meant to be.
In the service of the Most High
Rebbecca”
So, I looked up these scriptures and they all said the same thing. “To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.” This did little to help me understand Law and Grace... Actually, it did nothing to help. I didn't see the connection. Every time I asked what that had to do with my question it only seemed to irritate her, like my ignorance was seriously testing the limits of her patience... I tried to sympathize, but I was refusing to try and make a false connection for her sake.
My response.
“Nov 19, 2008 10:21 PM
Okay, I looked up what you gave me and I don't see the whole/entire connection to Law and Grace. I understand to love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength means to obey his commands and decrees but what does that have to do with the Covenants?
Crystal”
Rebbecca's reply.
“Dec 4, 2008 6:27 PM
Crystal,
I am sorry I have not gotten back to you. Things have been beyond hectic then I got sick and each member of the family so nobody is feeling too great right now. I have not forgotten about you
Rachel “
My frustration with the large time spans between communication for this family was REALLY starting to get on my nerves by this point. This was a big deal, at least to me, and I wanted answers dammit! And it seemed that everyone was reluctant to give it to me for some reason. Why were they skating around the subject? What was the big deal?Blunt and honest, that's how I roll... When it comes to this at least.
Though I felt there was some truth in what Chad had told me another annoying thought began to creep up in my mind every time I sensed the evasive answers poking their ugly heads into their replies. If this was based in black and white Truth, and they truly believe what they're telling me, then why are they having such a hard time spitting it out?
Christmas came and I, of course, went home to Wichita for the event. Though it was less than a happy occasion thanks to a certain member of my family causing me to outright tell my mother that I refused to go to their get together. I, of course, was guilted into going anyway. An event that wasn't as bad as it could've been thanks to my Aunt Cheryl who told someone else to keep their mouth shut or they could leave. :) This person has always caused me massive amounts of stress that it came to the point where when I come home most of the time they are NOT to know I am there otherwise its almost too much for me to bare nicely.
When I got to Wichita I stayed with Dad and spent my time either with him when he wasn't working or with Jess and DJ. I was happy with this arrangement.
Another small oddity I hadn't expected when I went home was that I spent some time with a 14 year old girl named Brandy. I used to baby sit her when she was 3 and lived next door with her Grandma Eve. I'd seen her randomly throughout the years as I'd visit my former home and watched as she grew taller, then wider, then a bit thinner again. But I'd never really spoken to her.
So, it was a surprise to see her come knock on my Dad's front door one day. She was delivering a picture she had drawn for him. It was very good. Very detailed. She definitely had talent and a steady hand.
She was wearing a Twilight shirt and I commented on it and that got us to talking. The conversation veered from the book series to her life, which was a troubled thing... I could relate. She was similar to me, but the non-Christian version. It dawned on me as I was talking to her that I could've been just like her had it not been for my upbringing. For my Mom. She was a bit goth, a bit emo. Dark, like I had been, but more outward about it. I was never one to draw attention to myself... She was screaming for it because she wasn't getting it at home.
She threw herself at boys much older than herself giving me the impression, though she claimed otherwise, that she was sexually active. She seemed to be the kind of person that might have turned to drugs to attempt to escape her turmoil. I doubt she would admit it to me because of the impression I gave.
I listened attentively asking questions here and there and interjecting my own experiences. I tried to let her know what I had gone through without telling her too much. Many of my issues had to do with my father and she as well as her whole family were very close to him now. I didn't want to cause trouble. So, I told her, “My Dad has not always been the man you know. Growing up I hated him. Not even joking. And I thought he hated me and my brother.” I went on to tell her my story, edited of course, and she seemed to really appreciate our conversation. She left to go back to her house five hours later when her little brother came and said her mother wanted her.
I did find out after I had gone home that Brandy had been turned into the school principal and sent to Red River (mental institution) for a couple of weeks for cutting herself in the bathroom. My heart broke for her.
Anyway, the next day after talking to Brandy, Jess and DJ had come over and we were just killing time until our movie started when Brandy came back. She handed me a piece of paper folded in thirds cut with tapered scissors around the edges and told me it was a present. I opened it up and she'd drawn my name vertically with jagged lines and faded colors in the background. I thought she'd just been doodling like I used to do-- but much better-- and thanked her for it. Then, as I looked more carefully, I saw amidst the jagged lines she'd written other words. “Beauty through broken glass.” I almost wanted to cry... But, I didn't. I don't do that in public. But, it did touch me.
Another small part of this Christmas story was that I was supposed to see Chad while I was home. He texted me while he was driving from Arkansas to Texas, but after he gotten there I didn't hear from him again. Though I offered for him to come with me and my friends to see a movie. (Twilight-- but, I didn't tell him which one it was. Worst movie ever. LOVED the book. HATED the movie.) Never got a reply. So, I gritted my teeth, taking the hint and left him alone. He'd had enough of me. I get it. No need to make a spectacle of myself.
So, I went on with my life. Still searching for the answers. Studying persistently every night till I fell asleep which was usually about two or three in the morning. I tried not to think about Chad and the help I needed from him. It would do me no good to let my thoughts drift there. He'd made it perfectly clear by his silence that he had no interest in being my friend... and that was fine... or so I fervently repeated over and over to myself.
January came, as well as an unexpected email.
“Jan 19, 2009 6:41 PM
Hello Crystal
I am sorry we missed you and this is too late for your last visit but, for next time. The home phone is 555-555-5555.
Tell your Mother I said hello, I would love to see her again some day. I hope all is well with her and you too.
Sorry I have not written. It does seem I have no time for anything. I have been so busy and now kidding season is here. We had our first little buckling born this morning. We have three more girls due throughout the next two weeks and then we will be into Feb we have four due then and then four more in March. Wow. Pray for doelings from here on out. This little buck should fetch a good price but naturally you have to find the right buyer. G_d willing we will receive a good price for him. He certainly is a good one.
Must get to supper. Just in from the barn and have not even started supper.
love,
Rebbecca”
And a second.
“Jan 19, 2009 6:50 PM
Crystal
Just a really fast one since I really need to get to supper.
Chad tells me I don't understand because even with being in the church I wasn't really in the church. I get what he is talking about. That is why there are so many things I did not realize were being taught by the church. I just didn't pay attention. My parents taught Torah (the five books of Moses) at home and this could get long so I will not go on for now. Anyway for me there is not separation I cannot understand them as separated. The law is the covenant. If you break the law you break the covenant. That is why Israel was sent into exile so many times. They broke the covenant. Chad said he understands the church way of thinking better than I do so I guess he would be better to explain it in a way it would make sense to you. I am sorry I am no help.
Okay,I really am off now my beeper is going off so bye
Rebbecca”
The final nail in the coffin. Or the brush off, as I saw it. Fine. Chad pawned me off on his mom. His mom pawns me off on him... Officially, nobody wants to help me. “Well fine. Screw you! “ I thought. “I don't need them. I'll figure this out on my own. Who needs 'em?”
It was too big of a problem to just drop. Now that I understood the gravity of the issue and how it seemed to click with all my hesitations about things I had always been taught, I couldn't ignore it. There was no going back to the way things were just because I was without help or resources. The answer was out there and I was going to find it... It may take me years, but I was certainly going to do my best to discover it. This nagging empty space in my heart was not some superficial, emotional hurt. It was rooted much deeper. God didn't intent for us to be full of holes. I had to find out what pieces were missing.
And honestly, I wasn't doing that good on my own. I felt like I was treading water in the middle of the ocean, not a boat in sight. But still, I kept on. Mom, I'm sure was waiting patiently for me to stop searching as I “already knew the Truth” and plus the fact that Chad had seemed to have taken himself out of the picture. Mom was still operating under the misapprehension that this was all about HIM no matter how many times I explained what was really going on.... It was very frustrating. No one ever listens to me. Why is that? Geez.
Come late February in 2009 I was sitting on my bed after just getting home from work when my phone rings. Usually its Jessica who calls me at night, but it was like eight o'clock. She never calls 'til after she's put Brayden to bed. I look at my phone only to reveal my caller ID says “Chad Simpson.” I'm apprehensive. It's not making sense. The few text conversations we'd had since Christmas tended to be about the weather and those were fleeting.
I stared at the phone for a moment, deciding whether or not to answer it. Finally I do answer, but with the mental resolve to not bring up the Bible. If he does thats fine, but I will not broach a subject he has no interest in talking to me about. I'm sure I was a bit edgy at first, despite my attempt at casual off-handedness. I eventually pulled it off I think. We talked for about an hour and a half or so, not once mentioning the forbidden subject.... I let it go. It just cemented in my mind that he had gotten really annoyed with my failed, yet fervent, attempts to decipher his ramblings into coherent truths in answer to my questions.
So, he was speaking to me, but with limitations. Based on his previous pattern, I wouldn't expect any more communication from him for at least another month or so, and even then it would be nothing more than a text. So, I was definitely surprised when he called not a week and a half, two weeks later. Again, I answered, but with the same condition that I will not bring up the Bible.
It was nearly three hours and the conversation was sort of winding down-- it's really hard to tell when talking to Chad. He'll take the smallest thread of a thought and run with it and we'll end up talking for another three hours. He, again, was talking about Debbie, his ex-girlfriend, as he often did. The fact that he talked about her didn't bother me; she was a big part of his life for a while, of course she was going to make in impact. But, eventually HOW MUCH he talked about her started to get on my nerves. But, I never said anything. I responded as detached and diplomatically as I could as a third party observer- based on first parties opinion. I found myself arguing or suggesting reasons for her reactions to him and what he would do and say based on what he'd told me of her and on my knowledge of woman in general. It is rather difficult sometimes though because I have never been a typical girl.
But, he began HINTING at things again, as he sometimes would when talking to me. As if italicizing certain parts of his speech that would pertain to the type of woman he was looking for and the like.
I must make mention that I don't take hints. I get them. I understand them. But, I do not react to them unless its an invitation to leave or that I'm not wanted. If he has something to say to me he must SAY IT. Not hint, but out right SAY IT.
Anyway, back to our second phone conversation of 2009. It was probably almost midnight when he seemed to be winding down. His tone implying that the end of the conversation was near. And he was again, talking about Debbie. How what he was looking for and what he'd hoped she was and what actually turned out to be were two different things. He went onto to explain that he wanted a girl that he didn't have to “teach” this stuff to, as he'd said many times before. He wanted someone who already knew how to be a good Jewish woman and wife, etc. To me this was an off handed way of telling me both “Can you be this?” and “You most definitely are not, and cannot be this.”
Finally after repeating these things for the umpteenth time in our conversation my agitation was getting the best of me.
“Well, good luck finding that,” I said sarcastically and somewhat annoyed. “You are looking for the perfect Jewish wife. Someone who grew up in it! You're not looking for a wife! Not everyone has the time and resources and energy that you do to spend on such deep study. From your description you're looking for the female version of YOU!!!”
Immediately he sounded repentant. “No, no, no!!!” He was back peddling. “That's not what I mean at all. I just want someone who's willing to LEARN.” He continued on, but I don't remember what all was said. (By this this point for me, writing this all down, its August 2010.) But, again he hinted at what he was looking for with the double-edge in his voice as the minutes went on.
My eyes narrowed. Why was he doing this? What was the point? Did he think I was fawning all over him or something? We hardly spoke!!! Why would he be sitting there telling me how wrong I was for him? Seriously!
He let the last hint-- insinuation,-- hang. I didn't speak right away. To me the several seconds of silence after his last word was poignant.
I had enough. I was through being passively polite. “Do you know what really ticks me off,” I asked, a menacing hint to my tone, giving him at least some warning that this had to do with him.
“What?” He was weary and rightly so.
“I'm trying to figure all this stuff out and you pawn me off on your mom and then she turns around and pawns it off on you! So I all I can assume is that you all don't want to talk about with me anymore.” I had to stop right there because I could feel my blood boiling beneath my skin. I didn't want to go too far. I was still attempting to be civil, though livid.
“I'm... sorry... I didn't know she had done that.” His voice sounded dead to me. Like he was either shocked or merely indifferent, as if he didn't really care one way or the other what had happened to cause my silence toward him.
Again, the words leave me. Its been too long since I thought of that conversation for me to remember what else was said. After he found his voice again he apologized a bit more sincerely-- but still off- for the miscommunication. I'm not sure, but the abnormally long time it took for him to regain his former tone may have been because several pieces to the puzzle were clicking into place; letting him understand my tone, attitude, and silence toward him over the last few months. But, thats only a guess. I could be way off.
The conversation picked up again on the Bible topic, not returning to Debbie or his views on woman and what he wanted in a wife. I was thankful for that. That set us back on the proper footing. I still needed answers and I desperately didn't want to be distracted by having too friendly feelings for him. It could cloud my judgment.
So, from that point on I maintained a more business-like tone with him. When we talked it was mostly about the Bible. Though occasionally he would complement me in someway and I would hear a sudden hesitation in his silence right after and he'd change the subject. Then I started to notice a pattern. Every time he would complement me, be it my hair, how he thought I was pretty, or whatever he would change his attitude toward me almost instantly. Negatively. Like he regretted saying it. His responses to my questions or statements would be very short for several days or weeks after, subtly harsh.
I told Jessica about the pattern and said, “You know, I'm not used to being complemented anyway. I wish he'd just stop it if he's going to act this way. It's almost as if he's acting like I made him say it and he didn't want to! I'm not holding a gun to his head! He just needs to grow up!”
But, despite the complement problem we continued communicate, the way we did (texting every other week or so with intermittent calls every few months), on better terms from then on... mostly.
I told Trish about Second Call of 2009 the next day and she thought/thinks his an ass. Ha ha. He definitely has his moments, and unfortunately sometimes... a lot of the time... that's all I can see because of the gaps between calls and texts. But all his selfish, self-centered, irritating behavior is/was always surrounded by a genuine heart. I couldn't doubt his sincerity. I truly believe, to this day, even when he has unknowingly made me cry over some of the things he said and done, that he is a good man. He's just dense. Good lord is he dense. When it comes to speaking socially or just to woman in general anyway. He's not purposefully insensitive. He's just completely unaware of what to look for-- the signs that he'd screwed up or is treading on very dangerous ground.
He is like me in having a painfully soft heart, but the difference is is that he's man. I, as a woman, have borne in qualities that guide me to know when to shut up, when somethings inappropriate, and the ability to read an environment or someones tone or expression. Woman in general are much more attuned to that sort of thing-- though not all of them act accordingly to what they see. But, that's a whole other issue.
True, we both have built brick walls around ourselves, hearts especially, in hopes of deterring another fatal or nearly fatal attack. The difference between him and me though is that I've spent the better part of the last 6 years working on tearing them down. I've not completely succeeded, but there's definitely some big chunks missing. I focused on finding out how they came to be in the first place. When was the first brick laid? Who had caused it? Where did all the others come from? Why do I always react the way I do? What was is that really scared me?
It was a painful process, but it needed to be done. So many tears from so many wounds that just wouldn't heal unless I acknowledged them. That didn't make them vanish immediately though. I just knew what the problem was and so I learned how to deal with it better. At least, better than I had been. I still have a lot to learn. But, my old wounds still flair up excruciatingly now and again.
A few weeks before Easter Chad had texted me and told me that he was coming home and asked if I would like to come home to Wichita so we could meet in the middle. I told him sure and he was excited. So was I. I was also nervous. I hadn't seen him or the rest of his family since I was 16.
I stayed with Jessica when I went home. I was supposed to go to the Talgan home in Henrietta at about 3:00PM. He gave me directions to the house in the middle of nowhere and I still managed to pass it. But, I finally got there and followed him inside. He looked different, yet still the same. He was taller, a bit more filled out-- he'd always been very skinny as a teenager-- maybe a few pounds overweight, but so was I. I was smaller than I had been even months before, but not where I wanted to be in time for this meeting.
It was awkward at first... well, the whole time really. Finally it was Rebbecca that brought up the Bible stuff that I had wanted to talk about. It was a long discussion that lasted well into the evening. Actually I noticed as the light disappeared outside and it got darker inside, no body made a move to turn on a lamp. Instead they each had laptops which cast a dim glow on them where they sat. By this point it was just me, Chad, and Rebbecca with Sarah at the kitchen table nearby. The rest had disappeared elsewhere with no interest in our conversation. Finally the lamps came on by themselves. They informed me later on that they were set on timers. Part of their beliefs as far as the Sabbath goes was about a verse in the Old Testament that stated that you shall not cast a spark or kindle a flame on the Sabbath. I inadvertently jerked back, shocked. I was not expecting that.
Chad busted out laughing and Rebbecca, looking pointedly at her son, though smiling, accused, “I told you she'd react to that! Though I wasn't quite expecting THAT,” she jutted her finger at me.
I composed myself with chagrin and apologized.
Anyway, the evening passed slowly and they invited me to stay for dinner. They ended the Sabbath with a traditional ceremony that I had never seen before. My feeling of awkwardness only worsened as the rest of them filed in. It took them forever to get something together for dinner. She was going to cook something, but ended up just heated up leftovers. I was very weak by the time we ate, but I didn't say anything. I just kept sneaking glucose tabs from my purse; they didn't help much.
It was around 11 or 11:30 when I left. I called Jess on my way back to her house and asked her to have some food ready. They ate weird things and I had only eaten enough to sustain me.
The next day I drove back to Austin. I keep thinking over my conversation with Rebbecca and the things she said and showed me. A lot more made sense, but more questions arose. But oddly enough I couldn't find words for the questions. It was more of a feeling. I just wanted to know more.
Once I got home that night I got online and looked up Messianic congregations in Austin. I found one called Zion. The next day while at work I called the number listed and no one answered so I hung up without leaving a message. I was in the middle of changing a diaper (by the way I am a nanny. Just so you don't get confused if I say something like that.) about 30 minutes later when I heard my phone ringing in the other room. I went and looked at the missed call. It was an Austin number that I didn't recognize. So, I called it back and what was the answer on the other end but, "Rabbi Hall."
I was stunned for a moment then finally told him who I was and a very brief summery of my problem and where I was coming from. He was very nice and told me that he had the answers that I was looking for and if he didn't then he would find out and invited me to come to service on the next Shabbat (Saturday).
So, I went. It was interesting. And long. I should've brought something to eat because by the time he got up to preach I couldn't focus. So i went back and watched it all online the next day with Mom and Lynn. All three of us said had to admit he'd said nothing that we disagreed with. Which quite frankly was shocking coming from them!
I also went to the Torah Study on Thursday after work and that was also interesting. I wish I had a better word to describe all this, but I don't. Sorry. There's just nothing to compare it to.
After going to Zion for a few weeks my mom urged me to email her/our paster about Messianic Judaism. He's the main minister at the Cowboy Church close by. A Non-Denominational church, but honestly it's closer to Southern Baptist. His response was very short. "What you have to remember is that Jesus is our savior. The Jews still believe that Jesus hasn't come the first time, which was the Crucifixion. We believe in the Bible not the Torah. Be very careful with your friend and don't argue. We do not live under the Law, we live under grace."
My response to that was actually quite long as I obviously knew more about the subject than he did... which is sad. (I shook my head at the comment about the Torah. HELLO! THE TORAH IS PART OF THE BIBLE PREACHER-MAN!!) But, I did it nicely. My mom even read it to make sure it wasn't rude. And when she read it, she finally understood (at least somewhat... more than she did before) what was struggling with.
I gave up on any advise from the pastor, not that I wanted it in the first place. After I had been going to Zion for a couple of months Mom arranged for us to have lunch one Sunday with Connie and Gary from their church. Gary is Jewish by lineage, he was raised as a Jew, but converted to Christianity in the 70's.
It didn't take me long to figure out that this was an intervention. He was telling me that Jesus made void the Law, just as the church taught, and besides that I am a Gentile therefore none of it applies to me anyway. I was beyond irritated, but I maintained my polite civility. After they left Mom asked what I thought and I told her that I would continue on as I had because it is my faith not Gary's that I'm worried about. I will make my own decisions.
She was disgruntled, but let it go... for a bit.
(MORE IN THE NEXT BLOG)
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