HUPO - I have a question for you if I could..

[Guest HIS girl]

I would like to know your thoughts if you would like to share them...

I have always wondered what "Church/worship" is like in countries closer to Israel and of course Israel itself.

Because.....as I have stated on here many times before, I feel the Western Church has become very commercialised and have added extras to "go with" the service to make it more "exciting" for the congregation........it 's unnecessary I believe...

One morning service I went to, had me comparing it to a rock concert as there was a rotating multi-coloured light ball in the centre of the room, and smoke machine on the stage..the room was dimmed and the band was loud.....actually the room was pretty pumping...I am not kidding here...

I felt extremely uncomfortable with that style...

[Guest HIS girl]

But more importantly, I'd like to know if the interpretations are different when it comes to Western Bible preaching - we miss that vital Jewish connection.

Thankyou.

[hupo]

I would like to know your thoughts if you would like to share them...

Ok, but remember they are my thoughts and not necesarily a concensus

Here in Israel, the word "church" is associated with "christianity" which to many here means "not jewish" - It shouldn't have anything to do with what you asked but I thought it should be mentioned.

I guess you are talking about fellowships that follow God, Yeshua and the holy spirit

I personally don't go for big meetings. "more than 5" is a crowd, if you know what I mean.

I have been to a few "big productions" which leave me pretty uncomfortable. But I have to admit that this discomfort could be rooted in personal hangups...I really don't know.

I definately don't go for the stuff I sometimes see on TV. Rock concerts as you call them, yet to be fair about it, there is a lot of taste that goes into it.

All in all I would say it is not so much the "noise" that counts but the essence behind it. The meaning that people bring to whatever concert they happen to go to

If the rotating multi-coloured light ball in the centre of the room, the smoke machine on the stage and the dimmed lights bring us closer to HIS Spirit (which I doubt very much), that is just fine. But if it all acts as a distraction, well, that defeats the purpose of the fellowship, doesn't it?

I'm not quite sure what you mean by different interpretations. Could you expand on that?

[Guest HIS girl]

You're right, the "rock concerts" may bring someone closer to the Lord, however when I think back to Jesus teaching, the vision of Him sitting on grass in open spaces and from a boat facing a crowd on the shore is really appealing to me - absolutley no added frills there...just teaching and personal contact with the Master.

What I mean by interpretations is this - is more beneficial to have somewhat of a good understanding of ancient Jewish culture etc to "properly" unsderstand Jesus/the Hebrew Bible?

Just speaking of myself here, the closer I get to God, and knowing Him, the more I want to know about Jesus AND ancient Jewish culture etc.

Thanks again.

[hupo]

You're right, the "rock concerts" may bring someone closer to the Lord, however when I think back to Jesus teaching, the vision of Him sitting on grass in open spaces and from a boat facing a crowd on the shore is really appealing to me - absolutley no added frills there...just teaching and personal contact with the Master.

That is not totally fair on today's generations. Yeshua didn't have all that modern technology at his disposal. I wonder if he would have used it if he had

But, yes, I would go for the quiet, out in the open teachings too

What I mean by interpretations is this - is more beneficial to have somewhat of a good understanding of ancient Jewish culture etc to "properly" unsderstand Jesus/the Hebrew Bible?

Just speaking of myself here, the closer I get to God, and knowing Him, the more I want to know about Jesus AND ancient Jewish culture etc.

It would make sense to study the ancient Jewish culture as a background to better understanding Yeshua. After all, he was a Jewish Rabbi, wasn't he?

Same goes for anyone studying the NT where studying Greek would be a great help in understanding it.

[Guest HIS girl]

You're right, the "rock concerts" may bring someone closer to the Lord, however when I think back to Jesus teaching, the vision of Him sitting on grass in open spaces and from a boat facing a crowd on the shore is really appealing to me - absolutley no added frills there...just teaching and personal contact with the Master.

That is not totally fair on today's generations. Yeshua didn't have all that modern technology at his disposal. I wonder if he would have used it if he had

But, yes, I would go for the quiet, out in the open teachings too

What I mean by interpretations is this - is more beneficial to have somewhat of a good understanding of ancient Jewish culture etc to "properly" unsderstand Jesus/the Hebrew Bible?

Just speaking of myself here, the closer I get to God, and knowing Him, the more I want to know about Jesus AND ancient Jewish culture etc.

It would make sense to study the ancient Jewish culture as a background to better understanding Yeshua. After all, he was a Jewish Rabbi, wasn't he?

Same goes for anyone studying the NT where studying Greek would be a great help in understanding it.

Maybe so (referring to red text)

It could be just a 'romantic' notion of mine, but I attended a service during one Easter holiday time and it was out in the open near a beautiful garden with native Australian gum trees with wild birds flying around and squaking and it was so amazing - hearing the Word of God and nature together ..it really is something special - hearing about Him and having the visual of His creation surrounding you..

Not only a better understanding of Yeshua but what about a better understanding of His teachings?

[hupo]

Not only a better understanding of Yeshua but what about a better understanding of His teachings?

Yes of course. I'm sorry if I didn't make that clear

[Guest HIS girl]

Thankyou for your thoughts Hupo.