An Account of My 2015 Email Debate with Two Jewish Apologists, Jared and May – Part 9 on Intermediaries

Randall Johnson May 8, to Jared, May
Please let me assure you that I find ultimate truth and value in the words of our Creator. The Tanakh is every bit as much my Scriptures as the New Testament is. But I would argue that God has, ever since Adam and Eve’s disobedience and the degradation of humanity seen at the time of the flood, been using intermediaries to relate to us. The most notable is the priest of Israel, and Israel herself was an intermediary for the nations. You might also argue that sacrifices, in and of themselves, were intermediaries.

Jared, to me, May
Hi Randall and thanks for your email.

I don’t think G-d just picked intermediaries to relate to us. I think he picked leaders to teach us – starting with Abraham. Abraham in fact chose G-d over idolatry. He was the first man in history to do this. People often misunderstand the notion of the term ‘ G-d’s chosen people ‘. It was the father of our people Abraham who chose G-d over idols and in turn G-d promised to look after his offspring.

“And I [G-d] will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.”

It was the Jews that introduced the world to monotheism and a system of ethics and morals that has shaped the modern view of life and its purpose. And it is the survival of Judaism (in a world that has often tried to demolish it) to this day that attests to the eternal value of this system.

To your point about sacrifice – G-d made it very clear he did not want human sacrifice. Deuteronomy chapter 12:30 beware, lest you be attracted after them, after they are exterminated from before you; and lest you inquire about their gods, saying, “How did these nations serve their gods? And I will do likewise. 31 You shall not do so to the Lord, your God; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates, they did to their gods, for also their sons and their daughters they would burn in fire to their gods.

In Jeremiah, G-d tells us that Human sacrifice is a horrible a concept:

Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents; They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spoke it, neither came it into my mind: Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Etrnl, that this place shall no more be called Tophet, nor The Valley of the Son of Hinnom, but The Valley of Slaughter.
[Jeremiah 19:4-6]

There are more passages I could site but this email is already getting long.

Pastor Johnson I absolutely respect you and your thirst for Bible. Your views on Jews going to hell which we spoke of in our early exchanges are not respected.

The Jewish way of life is a force that can transform ordinary lives into lives of meaning. A family that keeps Shabbat is always reminded of what is really important–that there is more to life than accumulating wealth. The kosher laws teach us that we are not mere animals that must feed our every urge and desire, and that eating itself can be holy. A mezuzah on the door tells the world that this home is built for a higher purpose.

There are many Jewish people living a life following G-d’s word , performing as many Mitzvot as they can and studying Torah. I do believe it is inflammatory to suggest they are going to hell. After all we as Jews are simply trying to follow what G-d instructed – and will not follow a ‘God’ we have not known.

See, I am setting before you today the blessing and the curse— the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known. (Deut. 11: 26-28)

Have a great weekend

Regards, Jared