Since this was posted, I got connected directly with Fred and he kindly shared some of his background.
Both my wife and I are Jewish believers in Jesus and have been since 1971. She was raised in an Orthodox home, her mother being a Holocaust survivor, while I was raised in a nominal-Reformed Jewish home, and as typical, pretty much turned my back on just about everything Jewish after making Bar Mitzvah at age 13. I am often heard to say, "My testimony begins after I got saved." We currently reside in East Tennessee.For now, let's just say, "I've been around the block," so to speak," have been with virtually every expression of Evangelical Christianity, and can say that Church History, especially, Early Church History, has had no small influence upon my understanding of God's original purpose and design for the Church and how and why we have wandered from "the faith once for all delivered unto the saints," and the need to be restored to that character and purpose.
I am a very transparent guy and will address any question about my background or thinking, also, upon request. My wife and I were very much involved with the Messianic Jewish Movement for many years, approximately half of our believing lives. To our surprise, In recent years, the Lord has steadily moved us of the formal movement and into, what I refer to as, "The Gentile Hinterland." As a result, the Lord has enabled us to be able to "see the forest for the trees" and have gained many new and revised perspectives on many things.
Over the years, I have done much writing, have had occasional opportunities to teach in small venues, work with small groups and home fellowships, and relatively humble conferences. I am one of the very few Jewish believers that I know who are Post-Trib and believe that their is another Holocaust of even greater magnitude than that of WWII on the horizon to bring Israel (the Jews) to the place of true Godly repentance for the fulfillment of God's eternal covenant with Israel, but, that "judgment must first begin with the household of God." And, the church must come to recognize this and prepare, accordingly.
I believe that all the gifts and ministries are for today just as they were 2,000 years, but have been greatly misused and abused, with much error being propagated, especially, within the charismatic circles.
I was really blessed by his sharing and insights regarding Timothy and norms surrounding becoming a rabbi in the time of Christ. He has had a long relationship with Reggie Kelly and Art Katz who have blessed and edified many here.
Thank you Greg for helping Fred get in touch with me.