I'm a New Jewish Christian . . . Now What? by Pastor Walter Snyder This week's column involves a letter from a young lady in Texas. Q: Hello. I'm 17 years old from Plano, TX. I have been raised in a Jewish family, and about 6 months ago I got a hold of the New Testament. Not thinking much of reading it at first, I read through it and I couldn't put it down. I was drawn to the stories and promises and could not resist. It has only been 1 month since I have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior; however, it has all been a secret. A: Congratulations and welcome to the Christian Faith. Even though I grew up in the Church, the power of the Holy Spirit working through God's Word continues to astound me. I've lost count of how many people I've met or read of who tried to resist or rebut the Bible only to have its Author start writing His story in their hearts. Some (such as C. S. Lewis) were world-famous. Others are only known among a few people. Q: I am certain that there is no way that my parents would accept this. Especially since we were Jewish refugees from anti-Semitic, post-communist, prominently Lutheran Latvia. I have been able to look beyond the horror of the past, but i really don't think my parents could. I understand that I must be careful and not disobey the wishes of my parents, but does that mean I release Christ? A: I understand your worries. Steve Cohen, a Jew whose family couldn't understand the changes Jesus made in his life wrote ~Disowned~, a brief book detailing the struggles that followed his coming to believe in Jesus. Steve is now a Lutheran evangelist. If you send me your address, I'll make sure you receive a copy. I'll also do what I can to put you in contact with someone who can speak from experience as well as faith as you work through any decisions in the coming months. You might start investigating the web site http://appleofhiseye.org/ as you ponder your choices. I'm intrigued by the way you describe the land of your birth. I know some Latvian Lutherans personally, and they, at least, are not anti-Semitic. However, that doesn't change those who were around you---and it doesn't take a large group to make a minority uncomfortable. Sadly there are too many who still want to use Jews as scapegoats for their own problems. And bad as things might have been after the Soviet Union fell apart, I imagine they were even worse in your parents' younger days, when Stalin and his heirs dominated every area of life. Don't disregard the power of the God who hold You in His hands. He desires not only to receive you into eternal life, but your parents also. And while your open confession of faith might shock them, God might also use it as the beginning of their own coming to faith in the true Messiah. You're right in wanting to follow the command to "honor your father and your mother." Yet in God you have a Father who also demands your honor. Remember how Jesus spoke to his (Jewish) audience of disciples in Luke 12. Anticipating His coming suffering and death, he said, "Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. (vv.51-52)" He knew that some of Israel would continue to follow Him while others would resist even more strongly. All who don't believe will continue to struggle with those who do. Q: Is it worse to not only keep such a big secret from everyone around me, but also fail to give public credit to Christ for the greatness in my life then it is to simply deny Christ altogether? From the Bible, I understand that it is worse to be a closet believer then a nonbeliever. What am I to do? A: First of all, don't be in too much of a hurry to do more than continue to learn about Christ and grow in faith. God patiently waited seventeen years to bring you to Himself. You can be patient now and carefully consider what you'll do. When the time comes to confess Christ, He'll give you the strength and serenity to do so. Just be ready, because usually the times aren't of our own choosing. God often uses illness, injury, or other family problems to open the door to His Word. If this is the case, trust that the time is of His choosing and You are His chosen messenger. In the meantime, please write back and I'll try to help you find mentors and friends in the Faith. If you haven't been baptized, we can talk about that. If you don't have a home church, we can find one for you. Please don't get caught up on whether it's better or worse to speak or remain silent. Allow God to continue to nurture your faith through the Scriptures, even as He seems to have already guided you to an amazing emotional and intellectual maturity for one still so young. You aren't denying Him if you're still quietly learning His love for you. And if find that you must take an open stand, remember that Jesus said, "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.... And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. John 6:37, 39)" The Father has given ~you~ to His dear Son, and the Son holds on for ~your~ dear life! Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from ~The Holy Bible, English Standard Version~, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Ask the Pastor, © 2004 by Walter P. Snyder. It may be reproduced in totality, including this disclaimer, by anyone, provided that no profit is generated by said republication and redistribution. Translations into other languages should similarly note the United States and any appropriate international copyrights, as well as God's Scriptural injunctions concerning the property of others. Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe."