The Letter Writer: Paul's Background and Torah Perspective

by Tim Hegg

The majority of studies on Paul have taken a similar perspective - one well entrenched in the contemporary Church. This perspective might be generally characterized as 1. When Paul came to faith in Jesus, he underwent a conversion from one religion (Judaism) to and other (Christianity). He left the works-based religion of Judaism for the new grace-based religion of Christianity. 2. In his conversion, he came to realize that Judaism was based upon works because it continued to cling to the Law. Thus, he taught against the Law (Torah) in order to unshackle the people from its burden and bring them to see the liberty of grace in Jesus. 3. As the Apostle to the Gentiles, he consistenly led them away from Torah, fearing they might be trapped in its legalism the same way his own people were. But can such a perspective be honestly maintained if Paul is read objectively? Did he convert to Christianity? Did he invent Christianity? Did Christianity, as we know it, even exist in his day? And what about the many times he appeals to the Torah as proof of his message? How could he describe the Torah as "holy," "righteous," and "good," and commend its message as "spiritual," while at the same time teaching it was burdensome and something to be avoided? In the Letter Writer, Tim Hegg reveals a different Paul - one who maintained his Jewish identity and love of Torah; an Apostle of Yeshua the Messiah who not only lived an obedient Torah-life himself, but expected those he taught to do the same. In The Letter Writer, Paul is seen to be both Apostle of grace and Torah, when received in the context of faith in Yeshua, is God's revelation of sanctifying grace.

Genres: Theology

332 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2002

Reviews

[Tom Greentree · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found The Letter Writer to be an easy, fairly engaging but largely out of step read.

Hegg's basic argument is that Paul (and the other apostles) were Torah observant Jews who continued to have a high regard for the Torah (and the Tanach) as they came to understand, by the Holy Spirit and through the life of Jesus, that it all pointed to Jesus the Messiah. Hegg is mainly concerned to combat a common dismissal of the Tanach as the "Old Testament" and to argue for the rightful and central place of the Tanach (Law, Prophets, Writings) in the life of the Spirit-filled follower of Jesus. The Scripture of the Apostles was, of course, the Tanach. Much of what Hegg seems to be trying to argue for (that Jesus and the Apostles followed Torah, that the early Jewish church continued to gather in local synagogues, etc) is so well-known and accepted now, I makes me wonder if he was arguing against a previous era.

So, while I learned a little from this book which was to my benefit, I found his arguments were aimed at a lot of little straw men--much of what he was arguing against seemed odd and out of step with most of what a thinking, engaged Christian would believe about Jesus and the Torah (and certainly anyone who's read any Tom Wright). To that point, a very significant weakness in his work was his utter lack of engagement with N.T. Wright, who has gone over all of this ground in great detail (tens of thousands of pages worth, many of which I have read) and with much more penetrating results. And while Hegg clearly states that Gentiles do not need to become Jews to be faithful to the new covenant, he still argues that they must keep the Torah, but never really defines what that means (though he alludes to keeping Sabbath and Festivals).

All in all, I'm happy I read this book, for Tim Hegg is clearly a biblical, Jesus centred scholar with a lot to offer the church. I just wished he'd engaged more with some steel men, in particular, that man Tom Wright.

[Saphraneet · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is seemingly thorough in writing about Paul's educational background and then his life and work after his "eye opening" encounter with the risen Yeshua. When this book was published in 2002, I don't think the reality of Paul being a Torah observant Jew throughout his entire life was a very popular view (even though that is quite evident in the book of Acts). I enjoyed and gleaned much from this enriching study,

[Tim Sivils · Rating 5 out of 5]

By examining the evidence of Paul's life, background, and the culture he lived in, The Letter Writer accurately documents how the Apostle has been misread through the centuries as being anti-Torah. Filled with insightful footnotes and references, this book does a masterful job of clearing up the confusion and contradiction often seen in Paul's epistles. Highly recommended for those searching to truly understand the Scriptures as they were originally written.

[Robin Sampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The vast majority of the modern day studies, teachings, and theologies developed concerning the Apostle Paul all disseminate a similar perspective:

~That Paul underwent a typical conversion from one religion to another, from the Law-based religion of Judaism to the Grace-based religion of Christianity.

~That Paul preached against the Torah and Judaism and that he sought to rescue people, both Jew and Gentile, from the clutches of this works-based system.

A ~nd some even teach that Paul taught that there were two ways of salvation, two ways to gain right-standing before God: the old way (works) and the new (grace).

Has the Body of Messiah missed significant blessing found in the Torah resulting from a skewed perception and misunderstanding of Paul and his writings? It is time for us to take a new and honest look at Paul as an apostle who was Torah observant, faithful to the call of Israel, and a great man that encouraged the followers of the Messiah to embrace the teachings of Moses and with great passion declared Yeshua to be the Messiah of Israel!

The Letter Writer challenges traditional Christian viewpoints of the Apostle Paul, his message and the foundation of his theological approach and understanding.

Through this remarkable book Tim Hegg attempts to re-establish a biblical, historical, and cultural understanding of Paul the Torah observant Apostle.

Quotes from the Book

He did not cease being a Pharisee when he came to faith in Yeshua, for he never considered Pharisaism to be something negative or contrary to genuine faith. That he would describe himself as a Pharisee even while being tried for his faith in Yeshua proves this beyond doubt.
When we read his epistles, then, we must be careful not to read back into his words what we would expect a modern Christian theologian to say or think. We must hear Paul on his own terms, as a Pharisee who, being a pious Jew, had come to a genuine faith in Yeshua as his Messiah, and who had been called by Yeshua to be His apostle to the Gentiles.…

…The quote from the Mishnah says that a place in the word-to-come is based upon a status of righteousness. Israel has a place in the world-tocome because ‘Your people are all righteous.’ What did they mean by this statement? . . . righteousness is attributed to all who are members of the covenant. Righteousness is a matter of God’s willingness to reckon the pious deeds of the fathers to their offspring and to forgive and show mercy when Israel sins. Thus, the place in the world-to-come which belongs to all of Israel is a matter of God’s grace, not something earned…

…Though sanctioned by the Sages, it was not God’s way. God never intended Gentiles to become Jews. What He had revealed was that the Gentiles would attach themselves to Israel by faith in God, and that in their attachment to Israel they would be blessed in the covenant, bearing both the responsibilities as well as the privileges and blessings of the Torah. Indeed, it is clearly stated in the Torah that there would be one and the same Torah for both the native born and the resident alien…

…Those who had been looked upon as ‘dogs,’ as total outsiders, not only were to be blessed with the same covenant blessings given to Abraham, but they were to be blessed within the very family of Israel. What is more, this blessing would come through adoption rather than the ritual of the proselyte. Faith in Yeshua would bring Jew and Gentile to be one in the body of Messiah….

…While he followed his Savior in doing away with traditions that stood contrary to the written Torah, we do see in Paul’s letters a recognition of the value of tradition and even the necessity of it within the community of faith….

…If James, Peter, and the others had been of the opinion that the Torah was finished, and that a new era, initiated by Messiah, had now made the Torah obsolete for His followers, here was the perfect time to make this absolutely clear.

What better way to declare this than by confirming that Paul was telling the people to forsake the Torah of Moses, and that he had their full approval? Here was the perfect opportunity to repudiate the need for Torah once and for all – to proclaim in no uncertain terms that the Torah was null and void, and that followers of Yeshua were forever free from any necessary connection to the Torah.

But instead of sending that message they proclaim just the opposite. They inform Paul of four men who desire to conclude their Nazirite vows but do not have the funds necessary to purchase the
required sacrificial animals. It is determined that Paul should not only aid them in this mitzvah, but also go with them and be purified himself. By doing so, Paul sends the clearest statement possible that the Torah is not only alive and well, but the he, as a genuine follower of Yeshua and His appointed Apostle to the Gentiles, joyfully lived by its ordinances…

[Schalk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant summary of the Apostle Paul. Good acedemic study of the context surroundinh alot of Paul's writings.