Contributing author
Tim Hegg graduated from Cedarville University in 1973 (B.A.), Northwest Baptist Seminary in 1976 (M.Div, magna cum laude) and in 1980 (Th.M., magna cum laude). He is one of the overseers at Beit Hallel, a synagogue community in Tacoma, WA. He is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society, and the Society of Biblical Literature, and has contributed papers at the annual meetings of both societies. He has taught as an adjunct professor at several local seminaries in Tacoma, WA. He is the author of The Letter Writer: Paul's Background and Torah Perspective (FFOZ, 2002; 2nd Edition: TorahResource, 2008), FellowHeirs (FFOZ, 2003), the Four Part Series It is Often Said (FFOZ 2002-2006), Paul's Epistle to the Romans, vol. 1 (TR, 2005) and Vol 2 (TR, 2007), Studies in the Torah, Vol 1: Genesis (TR, 2010), and editor of Tehillot HaMashiach, a Messianic Erev Shabbat and Shabbat Morning Service Siddur (TR, 2008). He is married to Paulette, and has four children and four grandchildren.
It seems that it is the destiny of all who pursue Torah-living to be labelled by some as “legalists.” If not often, at least occasionally we hear the warning (sometimes from very sincere and loving brothers and sisters in the Lord) that our view of the Torah is either legalistic or leads to it. While such warnings may at first seem bothersome, we should listen and take heed. A wrong
5 min read
Yom Kippur centers its attention upon atonement—being right with God even though one knows himself or herself to be a sinner, and that God cannot have fellowship with sinners. Here is the mystery of atonement: God makes a way for a sinner to be made clean, and thus to be a fitting companion with Him. During the Temple time, elaborate cultic rituals were done on this day, the only day
8 min read
The Messianic Movement has come about because people have sought to recover a biblical understanding of the Torah/Law of God and its application to our lives as believers in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ). The following article suggests that if we hope to establish generational, biblical, Yeshua-centered communities, we must have a similar reformation and reclamation in the area of ecclesiology (the biblical doctrine of the “ekklesia/assembly”) as well. In this
51 min read
The description of mankind’s basic nature, as given in the Scriptures, is that of depravity. Following Adam and Chavah’s fall into sin and rebellion against their Creator, mankind was plunged into that same rebellion. The proof of this, as noted by Paul in Romans 5, was that death passed to all mankind. The penalty for sin, “you will surely die,” is passed to all subsequent generations, proving that all were
8 min read
Contents: Since the rise of rationalistic theology in the 19th Century, the approach to discussing the person of Yeshua has seen a marked change. While the Christian Church had for centuries begun her inquiry into Christology[1] “from above,” humanistic rationalism required that such inquiry begin “from below.” In other words, while the Church had always begun with the deity of Yeshua and proceeded from there to His humanity, the theology
38 min read
Initially, my interest in the “dividing wall” spoken of by Paul in Eph 2:14 centered on the place of the Torah in the life of the Messianic believer.[1] Since Eph 2:14-15 is an often used text by those who hold that Yeshua abolished the Mosaic Torah by His death, I felt it warranted a concerted study. Recently I have heard teaching among Messianic groups that brought this text to mind
35 min read
In Lev 23:24 the text says דַּבֵּ֛ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֜י בְּאֶחָ֣ד לַחֹ֗דֶשׁ יִהְיֶ֤ה לָכֶם֙ שַׁבָּתֹ֔ון זִכְרֹ֥ון תְּרוּעָ֖ה מִקְרָא־קֹֽדֶשׁ׃ Speak to the children of Israel saying, In the seventh month on the first of the month there shall be for you a Sabbath, a memorial of trumpet sound, a holy gathering. The day itself is called יום תרועה in Num 29:1 וּבַחֹ֨דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֜י בְּאֶחָ֣ד לַחֹ֗דֶשׁ מִֽקְרָא־קֹ֙דֶשׁ֙ יִהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֔ם כָּל־מְלֶ֥אכֶת
10 min read
“For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” — Matthew 5:18 TorahResource.com | PDF Matthew 5:17-20 is a central text for our consideration in the study of “The Believer’s Relationship to the Law.” It is a text over which much debate has arisen, and is a kind of touchstone for one’s
48 min read
In a recent newsletter sent out by a Colorado based ministry, the author came to the conclusion that there are several ways God forgives sin. The whole issue arose in the author’s mind when asked “How do Jewish people think their sins are forgiven since there is no blood sacrifice without the Temple?” The response to the question went on to suggest that when Hebrews 9:22 states “without shedding of
23 min read
What is the background of the Eucharist, commonly known as “The Lord’s Table?” This series offers an historical inquiry and suggests that the “Lord’s Table” was the product of the emerging Christian Church as she left her Hebrew roots. In part 2 of this series, Tim Hegg explains the Apostle’s use of the phrase “breaking bread.” Was it originally meant to connote the observance of the Eucharist (i.e. the Lord’s
10 min read
What is the background of the Eucharist, commonly known as “The Lord’s Table?” This series offers an historical inquiry and suggests that the “Lord’s Table” was the product of the emerging Christian Church as she left her Hebrew roots. In part 2 of this series, Tim Hegg explains the Apostle’s use of the phrase “breaking bread.” Was it originally meant to connote the observance of the Eucharist (i.e. the Lord’s
5 min read
What is the background of the Eucharist, commonly known as “The Lord’s Table?” This series offers an historical inquiry and suggests that the “Lord’s Table” was the product of the emerging Christian Church as she left her Hebrew roots. It will show how 1 Corinthians 11 refers to the Passover celebration rather than the later Eucharist of the Christian Church. The following is a list of topics that this series
40 min read
“Even the Apostles admitted the Torah was a burden no one could bear!” Such a statement characterizes a common sentiment about the Torah—one based upon an equally common interpretation of Acts 15 and the Jerusalem Council. But let us look again at Acts 15 and the decision of the Apostolic Council convened in Jerusalem. What was the issue at hand? What had brought about the need for the Council in
39 min read
An ancient controversy has surfaced once again in our times. It revolves around the text of Psalm 22:16 (verse 17 in the Hebrew). In the Hebrew Masoretic text, the verse reads: “For dogs have encircled me, an evil congregation surrounded me; like a lion my hands and my feet.” The Lxx translation, however, did not read the Hebrew word ‘כאר, ka’ari, “like a lion” but rather כארו, ka’aru, “they dug,”
6 min read
Tim Hegg • TorahResource • March 2009 Download PDF version here We’ve all had the experience of traveling to some place new and trying to find directions to a given location. With map or directions in hand, we look intently for street signs and road markers as we try to find our way. Then we come to an intersection where we must turn either right or left, and discover that
7 min read
http://hebraicbydesign.blogspot.com The Unity of the Torah By Tim Hegg TorahResource.com • June, 2008 Download the PDF Here “Adonai, You Are Forever; So Your Word Stands Firm in Heaven” Psalm 119:89 Every verse of each section of Psalm 119 has some reference to the Torah. The rich array of vocabulary used as synonyms for “Torah” includes ‘ eidut , “decree,” piqud , “precept,” chuqah , “statute,” mitzvah , “commandment,” dereq
16 min read
One of the great advantages of viewing the Christian faith from a Jewish perspective is the door it opens for looking at things from a different angle—for asking questions one would otherwise never ask. For some time I have been asking questions about the Lord’s Table, as well as the ritual of baptism performed in the traditional Christian church. The questions I’ve been asking myself relate to the origin of
17 min read
It is Often Said: “Two Thousand Years of Christianity Cannot be Wrong!” By Tim Hegg • TorahResource.com PDF of Article Have you been told, or thought yourself, “how could 2000 years of Christianity, which has taught that the Torah was abolished by Yeshua and His Apostles, be wrong?” It seems as though God has surely blessed the Christian Church by sustaining it over such a long period of time. If
17 min read
In the course of dialog over issues that we, as Messianic believers, hold to be essential, the Sabbath is a regular subject. Yet as part of the larger body of Messiah we recognize that the majority of our brothers and sisters in the Christian church have been taught that the Sabbath has been abolished in favor of Sunday. While discussing the validity of the Sabbath, Romans 14:5-6 inevitably becomes the
10 min read
“So Great a Salvation” Thoughts on the Holiness of God • Preparing to Hear the Shofar Tim Hegg • TorahResource.com • 2009 View PDF Here In the opening chapter of Hebrews, the author goes to great lengths to show that Yeshua is the exalted divine Messiah, the very one spoken of by Daniel the prophet, Who is seated on the throne of God, worshipped even by the angels. It was
11 min read
Note: This article is a summary of a complete seminar available in either mp3 or standard audio format, accompanied with a the full seminar booklet on Tim Hegg’s website. You can click here to see the these two products in Torah Resource’s online, secure Store. These summary articles show the difference between the Greek Worldview and the Hebraic Worldview and how this effects the way we understand and apply the
17 min read
Note: This article is a summary of a complete seminar available in either mp3 or standard audio format, accompanied with a the full seminar booklet on Tim Hegg’s website. You can click here to see the these two products in Torah Resource’s online, secure Store. These summary articles show the difference between the Greek Worldview and the Hebraic Worldview and how this effects the way we understand and apply the
17 min read