Of course, there are always exceptions—as with our Lord Jesus. As for me, I’ve never claimed to be the sharpest tool in the shed, but I’ve learned to work hard and stay faithful. So it’s taken me a long time anyway—and perhaps that’s exactly how it should be.
After wrestling with the traditions of both Eastern and Western Christianity and engaging deeply with the teachings of figures like Thomas Aquinas while researching and writing on Meister Eckhart a decade ago, I found Jo’s work resonating profoundly with my pacifist Anabaptist convictions, even though I way fall short in embodying such a lifestyle and devotion.
The evolution of languages is key here—just as Hebrew influenced the Septuagint (LXX), Koine Greek, Judeo-Aramaic, and early Arabic, we see this same interplay in Ladino and the forms of Yiddish that evolved in Western and Eastern Europe. To fully grasp “classical Arabic,” we must understand its development, infused with what I’d call “Hebrewisms” or “Ismaelisms.”
As followers of Jesus, we may find ourselves akin to the Sabians mentioned in Surah 42 of the Quran—a kind of proselyte pilgrim committed to the Noahide laws (which Acts 15 echoes). This contrasts with the Christianity often equated with Christendom—a system many Muslims associate with Crusades, conquest, and Western decadence.
Instead, we are called to be archaeologists of language and history, uncovering the contextual meaning of ancient texts without imposing rigid modern standards. For example, Greek allowed for abstraction and conceptual expression that complemented Hebrew’s illustrative and verb-driven essence. Yet Hebrew itself was always contextualized into the local languages where Jewish communities lived and practiced their faith.
When it comes to religious unity, perhaps we need a fresh framework: let us consider calling ourselves Messianic Hebrews, grafted into the “Cultivated Olive Tree” described in Romans 11:24. This invites us to wrestle with the deeper question: What is the “old faith”? On this, I find common ground with Jo’s effort to document the narrative of the cultivated olive tree as a historical corrective. For me, this concept reinforces my commitment to proclaiming the gospel of JESUS CHRIST and calling others to the obedience of faith revealed in Scripture—faith rooted in the Abrahamic Faiths. I have not met a better exegitical commentator on the New Testament than Jo.
The term “Injil” in Islam refers to the original Gospel revealed to Jesus (Isa) by Allah, distinct from the Christian New Testament, which Muslims believe has been altered over time. Recognizing the Jewish context of the original Gospel suggests it could be viewed as a collection of Messianic, Mishnaic instructions. This perspective emphasizes the importance of understanding its Jewish roots before developing doctrinal and systematic theological approaches.
This includes NOT condoning an ‘insider approach’ to Islam but sensitive to its practice in pursuing peace and godliness, rather helping Muslims to truly understand Jesus of Nazareth as the Injil (New Testament) with its writers as messengers. Some interpretations within Islam identify the three messengers with Peter (Shamom), Paul (Bulus), and John (Yuhanna). This is not a universal view and is largely derived from external historical traditions rather than the Quran itself. In this context, Paul is viewed as a positive figure preaching monotheism and it is ‘His gospel’ ‘the announcement of ungodliness in the power of the cross’ that I proclaim. Obviously, the Maimondean infused thought within today’s Judaism and Islam unequivocally still rejects the cross or misundertands it.
Evangelism is deeply ingrained in my identity. Recognizing the importance of being well-informed to address others’ questions, I have dedicated over a decade to formal theological study during my four decades of missionary work, honing my ability to pose and answer challenging inquiries. This extensive learning has not shaken the Christian faith I’ve held since childhood; rather, it has deepened my understanding. Additionally, stories from my grandparents and family who interacted with Jewish communities in Eastern Europe before the Second World War have now found clarity, enriching my perspective on our shared history.
Moreover Historical Jesus studies often attract individuals seeking to “deconstruct” their faith, my engagement with such academic and skeptical literature has only reinforced my convictions. Many scholars in this field, despite their critical methodologies, inadvertently highlight a prevalent gap: a comprehensive understanding of Judaism. This lack of depth often leads to interpretations that, perhaps unintentionally, underscore the necessity of integrating Jewish contexts to fully grasp the historical narratives of Jesus and Paul. Such perspectives can challenge established doctrinal positions, including my own, prompting a reevaluation of traditional interpretations.
The Christian & Missionary Alliance serves as my ministerial and spiritual sanctuary, a community that embraces diverse perspectives while maintaining a shared commitment to refining our beliefs through Scripture. Together, in understanding the Abrahamic Faiths, we have the opportunity to better proclaim and demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ—the Christ—to one another and the world. As we affirm within the Alliance, “All of Jesus to all the world.”
BA Organizational Management, Warner University 1997
MATS Reformed Theological Seminary, Maitland, FL 1997
MA Diplomacy, Norwich University 2009
BA Filosofia, Pontifical Salesian University Rome 2013
Post - Graduate Studies Medieval Philosophy and Theology - Pontifical University of Thomas Aquinas 2014–2018 with the Dominican Order’s historian Walter Senner (1947–2020) wrote a 10/10 thesis on Meister Eckhart but was ‘dragged over the coals’ by the Monks, who first tried to kill me with their ‘dead language’ Latin. After 8 tries I finally passed their Latin exam on the ‘easy’ texts of their dear Thomas. Just an eternal student who is still trying to learn.
Dedication
“For the Earth Shall be Filled
with the Knowledge of the Glory of the Lord
as the Waters Cover the Sea.”
Habakkuk 2:14
My writings are
Dedicated to former Doulos Ship Mates
Lilliana Torres Bourguet ❤️ (1956-2022)
and her husband Carlos Torres
From Argentina
Our Mentors and Examples
while Onboard the Doulos from (1984-86)
&
Ray Lentzch 1925-2020
My mentor in the Word and Evangelism
as a young man onboard MV Doulos 1985 - Italy and sailing through and visiting ports of call till Cameroon West Africa
where I disembarked to go to Bible School in Canada in 1986.
