* History/Origins of The Hebrew Roots Movement (HRM)
Historically, HRM can be traced through several different religious sources dating back to the early 1900s. Major contributors were *Messianic Judaism (MJ), the MJAA, and the Churches of God (COG). Other influences came through Seventh Day Adventism (SDA), World Wide Church of God (WWCG), Mormonism (MM), Jehovah Witness (JW), British Israelism (BI), and the Sacred Name Movement (SNM). Other connections come through the Faith Movement which includes groups such as Signs & Wonders, Gifts of the Spirit, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Word of Faith, Healing/Prosperity, Prophetic (prophetic words, dreams, visions, hearing the voice of God), Apostolic, Dominionism, Kingdom Now, etc. – all of those groups together will be designated as FM for this article. Connections to these sources will be noted throughout this article. HRM terms will be explained here and there within the article as well.
*Messianic Judaism is a more recent (1900) belief that Jesus Christ is the Messiah combined with Jewish culture, religious practices, traditions and lifestyle as found in the Talmud, known as Rabbinic Judaism. It was a term originally used by Jewish converts to Christ, who continued to follow the Jewish Religion (MJAA, IAMCS, UMJC). Because the main thrust of HRM is to align itself to Jewish lineage, it includes itself as MJ without the approval of MJAA, IAMCS, & UMJC.
The MJAA/Messianic Judaism Connection
In 1915 a group of Jewish believers formed the Hebrew Christian Alliance of America (HCAA) under the umbrella of Messianic Judaism. By 1960 the HCAA pushed forward to establish their Jewish identity and eventually changed their name in 1986 to the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA). These Jewish believers preferred to keep the Mosaic Law (Torah), Jewish religious culture and traditions, believing that Christianity had led them away from their historical religion. Other Messianic Jewish organizations are the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations (IAMCS) and the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC). Gentiles (non-Jewish) who desired to keep the Law of Moses were allowed to attend services within Jewish Messianic congregations around the 1960-70s. When that association began to fall apart in the 1980s, the “Gentile” believers who left these Jewish congregations brought with them the MJ belief system which was incorporated into what became the HRM.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messianic_Judaism
HRM Feeder Roots
The history of HRM has numerous feeder roots as mentioned above. In turn, its fruit has infected the Messianic and Christians religious venues in complex and far-reaching waves. It is impossible to single out how each different teaching was woven into HRM as all of the following movements and religious groups incorporated together through overlapping connections, which factored into the formation of HRM.
In 1937, the Scared Name Movement got its start through Seventh Day Church of God, keeping the Jewish feasts, kosher food laws, the 7th Day Sabbath, and “Torah” > the Law of Moses. Claims were made that the true and salvific name of God is “Yahweh” (YHWH) and that Jesus’ true name is “Yahshua” (there is no Hebrew equivalent for “Yahweh” or “Yahshua” > Yeshua is the actual Hebrew Name of Jesus). The name theory has remained one of the foundational doctrines for most of HRM with dozens of variations in the spelling and pronunciation of both Names. For many, the choice of name will decide if one is a saved or not. The Sacred Name movement was also influenced by Joseph Franklin Rutherford and his connections to the Jehovah Witnesses as president of the Watch Tower Tract and Literature Society of PA, and stood with the doctrinal beliefs of Charles Taze Russell, including the “correct true name”. JW also believes they make up the 12 spiritual tribes of Israel and have been given the mantel of Israel. This belief is incorporated into much of HRM as well as a bloodline bond (lost tribes/Ephramites).
Other early founders of HRM were William Dankenbring (1964) (World Wide Church of God; Prophetic Ministries), and continued through Herbert Armstrong who promoted British Israelism (Lost Tribes teaching) or “Two House” doctrine as it’s known in HRM. Dean Wheelock (1981) – trademarking the name “Hebrew Roots” and published a magazine by the same name. Both Dankenbring and the Wheelocks had prior associations with different Churches of God, as did Joseph Good (1978 – Hatikva Ministries – Talmudic teacher), and Brad Scott (1983) of Wildbranch Ministries & kabbalist, one of the most influential teachers in HRM who recently passed away (July 2020).
JW connection: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Name_Movement
Beginning in the 1980s HRM was influenced by Mormonism and Seventh Day Adventist – either as former members or by family association. James Trimm promoted the “Book of Mormon”, calling it Scripture, and developed his own version of the Bible – the Hebrew Roots Version (HRV), which depended on the Hebrew Matthew (middle ages Greek Shem Tov – an anti-Christ version). Another Mormon influenced teacher was Marshall (Moshe) Konuichowksi of YATI (Your Arms to Israel -YATI), who broke away from the MJAA with the Wootens (more info later). Both YATI and Trimm turned to a polygamist lifestyle a decade ago based on the original teachings of Mormonism. YATI also came up with their own version, Restoration Scriptures True Name Edition (RSTNE) which includes many Yiddish words, Hebrew words, and made-up names to promote a True Name/Sacred Name version. Those 2 version are very popular within HRM. The inner connections also came through former SDAs now in HRM leader/teacher positions pushing the beliefs of a 7th Day Sabbath (particularly the SDA belief that not keeping this Sabbath is a mark of the beast in Rev), keeping the Feasts and kosher diet, etc.
https://www.mormondialogue.org/topic/64764-hebrew-roots-movement-hrm/
* Summary note on the 7th Day Sabbath groups mentioned above: It was the influence of this one particular doctrine that has been a predominant theology in the formation of Hebrew Roots and upon which its greatest division comes between them and Christianity as a whole. For those who fall into HRM, the most important drawing point is the 7th Day Sabbath canard. Once that hook is embedded, the door is opened up for all the “Christianity is pagan” myths and conspiracies, plus the “Torah Obedience” canard to wreak havoc on one’s faith.
Hebrew Roots began to emerge as a distinct phenomenon in the mid-1990s (1993–96). In 1997, Dean Cozzens of Open Church Ministries (Colorado Springs, CO) (Faith Movement Prophetic) published a prophecy titled “The Hebrew Movement”, which revealed that God had foreordained four major moves for the 20th century, Pentecostalism, Faith-healing, the Charismatic Movement and finally the Hebrew Roots Movement. In this “prophecy”, the Hebrew Roots Movement is the “final stage of empowerment” before Christ returns. A great percentage (approx. 80%+) of HRM adherents come from a Faith Movement influence.
Dean Cozzens’ full prophecy: https://fortheloveoftruth.wordpress.com/deception-dean-cozzens-hrm-prophecy/
An important contributing source to the HRM was the MJAA. It experienced an influx of “Gentile” Christian believers (1960-70s) who wanted to keep the Law of Moses. Although the MJAA was not endorsing this move specifically, it permitted Gentile Christians to remain, but they were not allowed membership, could not teach or lead any groups.
Enter, Angus and Batya Wheelock/Wooten in the 70s, who were involved in the MJAA as Gentile Christians. Believing that Gentiles had the right to be Torah obedient and enjoy all the benefits of an organizational group, the Wootens broke off from the MJAA and started their own camp, the MIA (Messianic Israel Alliance, now named: Alliance of Redeemed Israel – ARI). Marshall (Moshe) Koniuchowski left the MJAA with the Wootens. Eventually, he broke away from MIA and formed his own group known as YATI (Your Arms to Israel). Not only did the Wooten’s believe they should keep Torah, they believed that as Gentiles they were the lost tribes of Israel (Ephraim/House of Joseph), as did Koniuchowski.
With the release of her 1988 book “In Search of Israel” and later with “Who Is Israel?” (1998) and renamed the 4th Edition as “Redeemed Israel”, Batya became a foremost spokesperson for Two-House at that time and gained a very large following yet to this day. The contents of these books repurposed Ezekiel 37:16-22 into the Two-House Theology, believing that the House of Joseph/Israel’s Northern Kingdom/Ephraim aka Gentiles would join with the House of Judah/Jews/Southern Kingdom to become one (2 sticks become 1 stick). The Ephraimites, according to her theory, are Gentiles who desire to follow after Torah and be observant to the Law of Moses (this whole line of teaching also repurposed British Israelism). The Two-House theory is one of the most popular doctrines in HRM due to the surge find Jewish lineage > “the Torah observant, favored people of YHWH (God)”.
As a side note, Batya Wooten practices mystic spiritual manifestations of the Pentecostal movement throughout her ministry. She also co-wrote the book, “Israel – Empowered By the Spirit” with a Pentecostal pastor, Wallace Smith. Together, they “attempted to explain why the Messianic Movement is generally as dry as the Sahara Desert. Yes, we acknowledge that there are pockets of Holy Spirit manifestations within our congregations but generally speaking, as Messianics, we have put the Holy Spirit on the back burner because of the fact that we have been so focused on Torah.” Personal experience disagrees with this. There is a large charismatic flavor in many HRM congregations which believe in the manifestations of the Spirit, Healing, Hearing the Voice, Prophecy, etc, and even tongues here and there which adds a depth of supposed spirituality that is lacking without the obedience to “Torah”.
Jumping back to the MJAA which supported HRM at first, trying to find common ground, but eventually the MJAA dissociated with HRM after “The Ephraimite Error” paper, written by Kay Silberling (2002) was released, exposing significant errors in the Two-House Theory. The MJAA objects to HRM’s self-described term, “Messianic Judaism”. The MJAA considers HRM to be an unassociated fringe movement. However; HRM uses the same “playbook” > Rabbinic Judaism (Talmud) – even though most of HRM strongly disagrees that they follow the Talmud – they most certainly do follow innumerable Talmudic teachings, commandments, and traditions.
http://oneinmessiah.net/2house.htm
Starting in the 90s, the anomaly of HRM began to seep into Christian circles. Believers left their church fellowships to join in this movement. HRM spread very rapidly, and existing leaders and teachers moved in quickly to capitalize on new “converts” with books, tapes, and conferences selling their wares on book and products tables. Numerous new leaders, teachers and “ministries” popped up on the web, and congregations took root, enticing people to join the new “Torah Obedient” movement. Teachers claimed “special revelations” in the Biblical text (the majority come from the Talmud, which is esoteric and seamlessly woven into HRM teachings). For many, the more sensationalized or unique the revelations, the more followers felt they were in possession of secret knowledge. They assumed a mantel as the special, enlightened, and superior few, the true people of “YHWH” (“Yahweh”) above those without a Hebraic mindset (“pagan” Christianity). There are hundreds of HRM teachers and thousands of websites, growing exponentially, found on Google at the click of one’s mouse.
https://answersingenesis.org/presuppositions/dangers-hebrew-roots-movement/
My observations pertaining to HRM are that a continual stream of their beliefs and practices are being included in mainline Christian Churches. There is a desire to know more of the Jewish culture and religious practice errantly believing that this goes back to the origins of the Jewish people and how they kept the Law from the beginning. Concepts from HRM circulates, connections are made between HRM and the church giving the idea that one can turn to Jewish traditions by incorporating them into a church setting to lend a Jewish flavor in recognition of what they mistaking believe are the Jewish origins (Mosaic)of the faith.
Talmudic Rabbinical Judaism is the religion of the Jews and has its own set of ways to live out the Torah (Mosaic Law) as there is no Temple and Levitical Sacrificial System. It also adds mysticism and esoteric teachings/commandments that were generated through Kabbalah. Although it is tempting to do a “Passover Sedar” or celebrate an 8-day Hanukkah (miracle of oil which is a Talmudic myth > the original Hanukkah was 8 days due to combined celebrations with the 8-day Feast of Tabernacles) – these are not Biblical traditions – they are based in mysticism. They are traditions that were put in place Rabbinically dating back to the writing of the Mishneh and Talmud from 150CE-500CE and added to by celebrated and famous Rabbis from then through the Middle Ages. Even though the Festival of Lights (Hanukkah) is mentioned in the NT, it was part of Jewish Culture and traditions > not designated or commanded within the Mosaic Law and added to within Rabbinicism as a mystical holiday as developed within the Talmud.
In closing, please us caution with HRM. It has tenacles everywhere, worldwide. You can go to the top of opening page of this blog to see more articles/resources on the false teachings of The Hebrew Roots Movement …. https://fortheloveoftruth.wordpress.com/