Dear Dr. Savage,
On November 10, 2015, you dedicated part of your program to Rep. Michele Bachmann’s interview wherein she expressed her hope that many Jews in Israel would be converted to Christianity. In your segment on Bachmann, you took umbrage at Bachmann and expressed perplexity at why she would call for the conversion of Jews. Please carefully consider my answer:
First, Michele Bachmann called for the Jews to be converted because modern Jews in Israel need to be converted! It is unconverted Jews in Israel that are causing so many problems in the Middle East . . . and around the world. Jesus called the Jews of his day “the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Modern Jews need a savior . . . and “Jesus came to save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21-22).
Second, Michelle Bachmann understands that Jews are born sinners and under the condemnation of God. Our Lord told the Jews of his day, “Unless you believe in me, you shall die in your sins.” Since Jesus is true, modern day Jews are in peril (Matthew 10:6; John 8:24, 44; Mark 8:36).
Speaking to the Jews, Jesus said, “Everyone who commits sin is a servant of sin.” Because Jews are sinners, they have broken God’s law and must face His judgment. Jesus, however, offered them a way out: “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” The Jews, however, rejected the truth claiming that Abraham was their father and that they were the chosen people of God. Jesus, however, corrected their false belief: “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father . . . murder,” and the Jews eventually murdered the Son of God (John 8:32, 39-44; Romans 3:23, 6:23; Hebrews 9:27; John 3:18, 36)
Third, Modern day Jews not only do not believe the words of Jesus, they do not even believe in their own Scriptures. In fact, most Jews in Israel are atheist at worst and passive theists at best.
The true religion of Torah is a very bloody religion. From Adam to Moses, Hebrews shed blood for their atonement. Day after day, animals were slain and blood flowed on Israel’s altar. The ancient Hebrews understood that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. And, they were correct. Blood is the currency of the spirit world, and the LORD God called for shed blood in the redemption of the soul. Neither gold or grief can satisfy and offended Spirit. Of what value are shekels to a spirit? Everything at the Tent of Meeting was sanctified by blood. Today’s so called Jews cannot find forgiveness before God by their good deeds or religious devotion. They too must be redeemed by blood . . . and not any blood will do.
The good news of Christianity is that the Son of God gave His life and shed his blood for sins. Those who accept His offering find acceptance before God . . but if the Jew rejects Christ, there remains no more sacrifice for sins (Leviticus 4, 5, 16; Hebrews 2:14, 9: 12; 10:26; 1 Peter 1:19).
Thus, the difference between Jews and Christians is not one of devotion or character, but one of faith. Christians believe the Torah; the Jews do not; Christians believe that blood is necessary for redemption; Modern Jews do not; Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah who saves his people from sins; Jews do not. Jews believe their good deeds are sufficient to atone for their sins; Christians do not. Modern Jews fall into the same error as Biblical Jews when they reject God’s solution for sin, the atonement rendered by His Son.
Fourth, Michele Backmann understands the narrow truth that there is only one way to God. People tend to think there are many roads to God, but fail to grasp there are many ways to hell. The Lord Jesus Christ taught the Jews to “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Further, because He was the unique Son of God who gave his life for sins of men, Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” the ONLY way to the Father. Yes, Christians believe there is only one way to God and that is why they embrace Christ and believe that Jews, Muslims, Buddhist, Hindus, and Americans must be converted. For without Christ the Savior, all are condemned. This is what the Bible teaches (Matthew 7:13, 14; John 14:6; John 5:24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-12).
All men are religious, even atheists. For religions is about man’s fundamental problem and beliefs about what happens after death. It is not enough to be a devoted Muslim or Jew or Hindu or Catholic or Baptist for that matter. All religions are not equal nor does a religious habit lead one to God. But, if one embraces Christ and His work on the cross on behalf of sinners, they have access to the Father and the hope of eternal life. For Christians, not Jews, are the true people of God (John 3:16-18, 36; 5:25; Ephesians 1:3-5; 2Corinthians 5:18-20).
Michelle Bachmann may be wrong on many things, but she got this one right: Jews need to be converted. And, yes, Muslims need to be converted also.
Dr. Savage, you are loved by the LORD God . . . and by your audience. We are better off because you are on the radio than without your perspective. But, you too need a savior. Michelle Bachmann is a sinner and needs a savior. We all need a savior! And, that Savior is the Lord Jesus Christ Who died or our sins and literally, tangibly rose from grave in history demonstrating his claims are true. On this historical fact all muscular, iron-bending Christianity derives its strength (Romans 1:4; 3:22ff; 5:6-8; 6:4-6; 10:9, 10; Acts 17:31).
John 3:36 Whoever (Jew or Gentile) believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him (even Jews).
Sincerely in the Risen Savior, and Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. Brook Stockton,
a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ
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