As the name implies, this is a movement within Christianity that suggests that the Hebrew roots of Christianity are much more profound than is thought and practiced today.
In this view, Christianity has diverged from proper understanding and practice and is far away from its Hebrew roots.
This impacts doctrine and practice.
While I agree that Christianity does not properly understand and apply the Tanakh (Old Testament), neither does the Hebrew Roots Movement (HRM). It has a faulty understanding of the doctrines of both justification and sanctification in the Tanakh and in the NT. More on that in part two.
In 1994 Dean and Susan Wheelock trademarked the expression Hebrew Roots. In 1998 they began publishing the magazine Hebrew Roots and started the website hebrewroots.net.
Many different churches and groups are part of HRM. It is not a monolithic organization like the Mormons or the Jehovah’s Witnesses. But each segment of churches in this movement has a leader or leaders who convince their flock of the movement’s importance.
GotQuestions.Org says that many in HRM (see here)…
…affirm the existence of an original Hebrew-language New Testament and, in some cases, denigrate the existing New Testament text written in Greek. This becomes a subtle attack on the reliability of the text of our Bible. If the Greek text is unreliable and has been corrupted, as is charged by some, the Church no longer has a standard of truth.
That same article goes on to say that HRM “has also brought the doctrine of the Trinity under attack.” While GotQuestions.Org does not specifically call it a cult, it seems to understand it to be one, saying that HRM questions the validity of the New Testament and the Trinity.
Dr. Joseph Nally at thirdmill.org (see here) specifically calls HRM a dangerous cult:
The Hebrew Roots Movement (HRM) is a dangerous cult. It is a modern-day Galatian heresy, a works-righteousness religion, and another gospel (Gal. 1:8-9). It twists and turns certain texts of inspired Scripture to puzzle, confuse and cloud the hearts of those that embrace this movement.
Unfortunately, Nally goes on to say that believing in Christ alone for our salvation means believing in His death, burial, and resurrection and confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord (1 Cor 15:1-4; Rom 10:9-10). He does not understand believing in Jesus as believing in Him for everlasting life.
At first fruits of Zion (ffoz.org), three men indicate that they believe HRM is proclaiming a false gospel and that it is both anti-Christian and anti-Judaism. See here. While they do not specifically call it a cult, it sounds like they think it is one.
There are different definitions of a cult. Most would say a cult has some or all the following characteristics:
- A charismatic leader/founder.
- A false gospel.
- Special publications seen as being on par with the Bible.
- Claims exclusivity. The cult alone understands God and the Bible.
- No tolerance for criticism or questions.
- Fear that if they leave the group, they will go to hell.
HRM has most of those characteristics, though there is no single central hierarchy and no single book or publication to guide its followers.
I agree that it is a cult and a dangerous one, at that.
In part two we will consider HRM’s false gospel and false teaching regarding sanctification.
Keep grace in focus.
