I am presently involved in a debate with proponents of the Hebrew Roots Movement on Stand Up For the Truth. So far it has been an interesting debate without any of the usual ad hominem I have come to expect from HRM proponents. The debate provides an interesting insight into this heretical movement, especially regarding their hermeneutics and soteriology. One glaring flaw in their hermeneutics is common to all cults, and that is to consistently remove verses and even sentences from context and form an opinion around them. It is obvious that when they study the Scriptures, they are not searching for truth, but for support for their doctrine. That is evidence of loving doctrine more than truth.
The defense of their doctrine involves a complete revision of the New Testament. Each of the verses against their doctrine (and the New Testament is replete with them) is separated, dissected, added to, and forced to say the opposite of what it actually says. They will borrow verses that were written under the Mosaic Law and use them in an attempt to validate their insistence that Christians remain under that Law. They appear incapable of understanding the Atonement or the advent of the Holy Spirit. Without any scriptural authority, they split the Mosaic Law into two sections, the rules and regulations and the sacrificial system. From that flawed premise, they insist that Christ only fulfilled and thus ended the sacrificial system, but not the rules and regulations.
Eventually, they will bring in Hebrew tradition and try to shift the debate to a wrangling over the meaning of Hebrew and Greek words. They know full well that most everyone has access to a concordance, but not everyone has studied Hebrew and/or Greek. Thus, if they can push the debate into the shadows of those languages, they can cloud the main topic. Further, it’s a fact that some people are easily impressed when Hebrew and Greek terms are being tossed about.
The fact remains that God gave us a Bible that contains a Gospel and complete picture of His Savior Christ Jesus with the plan of salvation. It is the simplicity of the Gospel that is so compelling. The HRM wishes to complicate the matter, insisting that salvation is not complete without the Mosaic Law. Somehow that flawed theory resonates with some people. However, millions of people are involved in cults and false religions that contain more rules than the Mosaic Law. It has long been my belief that the carnal mind will tolerate anything but full surrender to God and His Holy Spirit. When full surrender occurs, the carnal mind has to die. Once crucified with Christ, the ML no longer has authority over such a one. The higher and great law of that the Holy Spirit imparts will dwell in everyone who has fully committed to God through Christ Jesus.
The HRM presents a dangerous doctrine that rejects the Atonement. No matter how much they declare that they have accepted Christ Jesus, they have in fact (as evidenced by their doctrine) accepted another Christ and another gospel. That is why I decided to spend the time refuting their doctrine.