When Moshe came to our House ... We Saw Where Beliefs Will Take You

One night after summer Bible School, we met a traveler passing through. Afterward, he came to stay a few days, just to talk. When Moshe came to our house, we were introduced to a new philosophy on worldviews.
Moshe was raised in a conservative Jewish setting. He said he always felt a kinship to Mennonites because he considered himself at the same setting in the Jewish spectrum of beliefs as Mennonites are in Christian doctrine.
But the Moshe who came to our house also explained how along the way he lost his belief in Judaism. It started with questions about their practices and how maybe they didn’t need to practice the Mitzvah as he had been taught. Eventually, he developed a deep skepticism of anything having to do with God, with morals or with the thought of eternity.
His trail of beliefs not only took him out of the conservative Jewish community– they have taken him to Las Vegas physically, morally, and spiritually.
It’s amazing how difficult it is to say anything intelligent to someone who has decided the whole Bible, and all logic that points to God is foolishness. We pointed Moshe to the Moshiach (Messiah), but all he could see was an inconsistent Judaism and Christianity. We finally stopped trying. It seemed better to try to reach Moshe’s heart through love and example.
It is not difficult to see how Moshe’s life parallels choices we too must make. One hardly comes to adult life without wondering at times, “Is it really necessary to live the life of a Biblically separated Mennonite? Is it necessary to be so different from the world?”
It is obvious there is a continual bi-directional movement. There are folks who are quietly (or sometimes noisily) laying aside forms of obedience – like the modesty of the cape dress or long trousers – and are conforming to present styles and norms. At the same time, there is a migration of folks who are sincerely reading their Bibles and deciding there is a direct link between what the New Testament teaches and what conservative Mennonite churches ask for. They are leaving fashion for a separated lifestyle (which includes clothing).
Some can see it plainly. Others cannot see it at all. What makes the difference? Where does the “want to” come from for this vast difference?
There is a sequence and development of thought. Contrast the following thoughts:
If there is a God and He means what He says, and He asks for obedience for salvation, then practical expressions of faith should be the norm.
If we don’t need expressions of obedience; (look at all the conflicts between conservatives!) how do we know it matters how we live? Maybe there is no God at all?
See how the thoughts fit together in progression?
Recently another state shamefully agreed to same-sex marriages. There was an uproar from fundamentalists. Rightly so.
But there is a logical question. Why put so much emphasis on homosexuality when it is obvious nominal Christianity does not intend to obey other New Testament commandments? The Apostle Paul teaches us homosexuality is against nature to the Romans (Romans 1:26). Paul also teaches us that nature teaches us it is a shame for a man to have long hair (1Corinthians 11:14). Why does the religious world make an issue on the matter of homosexuality but ignores concerns placed on the same level by the apostle? Why condemn same-sex marriage and excuse divorce and remarriage? Are not all part and parcel of the same?
If there is a God, then the atheists are wrong, terribly wrong. If there is a God and He means what He says, then most of Christianity is in trouble, terrible trouble. If there is a God and He means what He says, then I want to be among those who believe He means what He says and says what He means. I want to be a Bible-believing practicing Christian in a church that believes in what it does.
When Moshe came to our house, we saw afresh what chipping away at little matters does to core, foundational beliefs. We witnessed that when foundational beliefs are gone, tragedy will follow. We saw a path we do not want to travel.