Rico Cortes

[watchmanbob]

OK Vicky,

I have read through the entire thread - 9 pages written over the past three years - on Rico Cortes. I have also read the thread to which you referred me on other HR teachers with whom Rico is listed.

Although there are no retractions of the disparaging posts regarding Rico's "alleged" baseball career (which actually occurred), I will drop that subject. I pray that my point has been made: We should stick to a discussion of the doctrines and teachings of various teachers rather than taking unfounded pot shots at their integrity, which does nothing to increase our understanding of the Word, does it? Yes, there is some discussion of Rico's teachings, but much of the thread appears to be an attempt at character assassination - a lot of guilt by association. For example, there is the implication that he is involved in the occult through his martial arts practice. I don't know that he is, or if he has been in the past but has come out of that influence through his relationship with the Messiah Yeshua. Do you? Also, many of the comments ridicule him for claiming to be a Jew - a priestly Levite from the line of Aaron. And yes, the Word does condemn those who claim to be Jews who are not. But I have seen nothing that confirms that Rico is not who he claims to be. Have you? Meanwhile, shouldn't we leave that judgment up to the Lord? Closer to home, you state that Rico does not know Hebrew. How do you know that? In fact, if you will view any of his recent teaching videos, especially his teachings of the Sabbath Torah portions, you will see that he is quite fluent in reading and interpreting Hebrew. Yet, he openly admits that he is still learning Biblical Hebrew.

I am sorry that you were offended by Rico's not following through in activating his Seek God Discussion Forum account and by Victor apparently running interference for him. But rather than disparaging Rico in your public forum, shouldn't you take that up with him personally? (cf. Mat 18:15) So please, can't we cease from the personal attacks and focus totally on his teachings and doctrines?

Now, please allow me to clarify my position on the important doctrinal issues. Although I have been greatly blessed and enlightened through the teachings of Rico Cortes, as well as other Hebraic Roots teachers, I DO NOT subscribe to all their teachings. For example, I do not agree with the Two Houses doctrine, which is just a subtle Hebraic Roots version of Replacement Theology. And I believe that most Hebraic Roots teachers are trying so hard to the Torah-observant Jews that they are neglecting the Renewed Covenant in the Messiah Yeshua. (And I know that most of your forum members have a problem with that term "Renewed Covenant," but that is an issue that is beyond this reply.)

But please consider this: Just as Christians disagree on some major Bible doctrines (such as the doctrine of the Trinity, the doctrine of Eternal Security, the relation of grace, faith, and works, and so forth), there is also disagreement on major Bible doctrines within the Hebraic Roots/Messianic movements. For example, Mark Biltz, through whose teachings I have also been greatly blessed, does not agree with the Two Houses doctrine. But he has hosted talks by Rico Peres, Bill Cloud, and others, including non-messianic Jews like Nehemia Gordon, on topics on which they do agree, because of their insights into the Scriptures. And isn't that the Spirit we should all have - not judging and rejecting those who are sincerely seeking the Truth, but believing that they, like every one of us, are just temporarily blinded to parts of the Truth. But if we will all keep seeking together, and not throwing the baby out with the bathwater, we can trust the Spirit to clear up those differences and lead us into the whole Truth (John 16:13).