A Reader Comments on Michael Rood's Teachings

It appears that Mr. Rood has made his newer teachings a little more "Christian" friendly, but he still throws around the occasional comments such as "...in the arena of modern Christianity's dog and pony shows" and "...but very bad news to the atheist who thinks that the Bible is a fairy tale, and the casual Christian who lives as if it is".

In one of the teachings that I reviewed titled, "Oracles of God & The Road to Emmanus", Mr. Rood touched upon Equidistant Letter Sequencing (ELS), which is marketed to the Christians by TBN and other "Christian" sources as Bible codes. He stills refers to the Messiah as Yahshua as he did in his earlier VHS tapes, explaining that it means Yahweh is our salvation, and also refers to Him as "Messiah ben Joseph".

In the printed insert that is included with the "Oracles of God & The Road to Emmanus" DVD it was stated:

"For almost a decade, former US Marine Michael Rood, has been on a mission, He has dared to go where few men have gone before...to challenge long- held beliefs about the Bible and to guide all "who have ears to hear" to an historically accurate interpretation and understanding of the Scriptures. His direct hard-hitting style is both disarming and refreshingly honest. His bold attitude is backed-up by Scripture and well-researched historical data. He is both a Theologian and Story Teller..."

Michael Rood's "Oracles of God & The Road to Emmanus" is teaching number three in his series, and according to his website schedule, it has been aired on Sky Angel.

In this teaching, Michael Rood informs us that:

"If you are ignorant of the Torah, you can not fully understand the scriptures of the New Testament. You will wind up wrestling or twisting the scriptures to your own destruction. "

I am of the opinion that all sixty six books are important for the believer to study, but my first question would be, how does Michael Rood's statement stand up in the face of these scriptures:

John 16
13 However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. For He shall not speak of Himself, but whatever He hears, He shall speak. And He will announce to you things to come.

John 14
26 But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you.

1 John 2
26 These things I have written to you concerning those leading you astray.
27 But the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true and no lie, and as He has taught you, abide in Him.

Michael Rood then went on to say:

"And if you teach twisted scripture, you will end up destroying those who listen to you."

After hearing this statement by Mr. Rood, I decided to review some of the scripture that he appeared to be quoting throughout the video presentation to see if he used his stated beliefs as his own guideline:

[From his opening statement at beginning of the teaching]

Michael standing on the steps of an ancient building in Israel, holding what appears to be an open Bible that he is reading from stated:

Yochanan, a first century Jewish author wrote " I have not written everything that could, or should be written about Yahshua of Nazareth, but these things I have written, so that you might know and believe that Yahshua is the messiah."
[Yochanan (John) 20:30-31 is titled across bottom of screen. No actual scripture passages appear, only the verse numbers.]

Let's compare his reading to what we find written in the Bible using four of today's popular versions from the verses that he cited [John 20:30-31]:

NIV
30Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.
31But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

NASB
30Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not
written in this book;
31but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

KJV
30And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

ESV
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;

31but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

As we can see, the four translations cited above are in agreement. Let's take a look at what was omitted from this reading by him:

"And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples"

"the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."

I found these omissions from the titled passages a bit perplexing, after being told in his liner notes for the DVD that he was both a theologian and that, "His bold attitude is backed-up by Scripture and well-researched historical data", because I view the Bible as both an accurate historical document, as well as the Word of God. I had also remembered reading on another site where he had claimed to be a Bible teacher for over thirty years. After this, I decided that I would randomly check another passage on the DVD.

In another teaching later in program, Michael Rood stated:

"Just weeks before his crucifixion, he asked his disciples "who do men say that I am"? One responded "Eliyahu"...another...Yochanan ben Zacariah ha cohen...your cousin John the baptist. But who do you say that I am? Kefa replied" You are the Messiah, the son of the living God". You are blessed Kefa. Flesh and blood has not shown this to you. I did not show this to you. My Father in heaven has shown this to you, BUT DON'T TELL ANYONE, because I must go up to Jerusalem, where I will be killed by the Gentiles." [Mattithyahu (Matthew) 16:13-17, 20-21, 20:17-19 is titled across the bottom of the screen while he is speaking. No actual scripture passages appear, only verse numbers.]

Let's compare his spoken passages once again to some popular Bible versions:

NIV
Matthew 16
13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"
14They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

15"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

17Jesus replied, " Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.

20Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
21From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

Matthew 20
17Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, 18" We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death 19and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life.

 
==========

NASB
Matthew 16
13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do
people say that the Son of Man is?"
14And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets."
15He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

20Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ.
21From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day

Matthew 20
17As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and
on the way He said to them,
18"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests
and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death,
19and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up."

==========

KJV
Matthew 16
13When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 20
17And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, 18Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, 19And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

==========

ESV
Matthew 16
13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
14And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
15He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

20Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
21From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.

Matthew 20
17And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18"See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day."

==========

As we can see, all four of the above translations are in agreement. After reviewing Mr. Rood's quoting of scripture against four popular translations, we find that there have been some omissions, but more importantly, some additions:

Matthew 16 additions:

14 "Yochanan ben Zacariah ha cohen...your cousin" (John son of Zachariah the priest...your cousin)

Note: Historically, it has been said that John (the Baptist) and the Messiah were cousins. We also know that his father, Zacharias, worked in the temple, though these things are not found in this passage.

Here is my bigger concern:

17 "I did not show this to you."

There is no reading that supports that the Messiah ever made the statement "I did not show this to you", nor is it in any Greek mss. A more literal translation from the Greek would read:

Blessed are you Simon bar Jonah because flesh and blood did not reveal to you but the Father of me in the heavens.

Omissions from Matthew 16:

13 " the Son of man "

14 "and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets."

Omissions from Matthew 20:

18 "and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, "

19 "and the third day he shall rise again. "

Just to be certain that I was not being over critical, I decided to reference four translations that Michael Rood might feel more comfortable with.

1) The Peshitta translated from Aramaic by James Murdock

2) The Shem Tov Matthew, which is included in the anti-Christian polemical writing known as Evan Bohan. Mr. Rood recently did a U.S. tour promoting the Shem Tov Hebrew Matthew.

In a press release for his tour, it was stated:

"In this three-hour multimedia presentation, Michael and Nehemia will transport you back in time and introduce you to Yeshua's teachings as Matthew originally recorded them in the Hebrew language. Western, contemporary Christianity simply does not understand the issues over which Yeshua wrestled with the Pharisees of his day, nor do his modern-day disciples know of his most important instructions."

From his Sky Angel broadcast schedule that appeared on his website [Feb 2004]:

"Both the King James and the Greek versions of this controversial statement clearly indicate that the disciples of Yeshua should follow the teachings, rules, and regulations of the Pharisees who "sit in Moses' seat" - but should not follow their example of hypocrisy. However, the Hebrew version of Matthew, preserved in Europe but virtually unknown in most of the world, tells a very different story - a story that shows how Y'shua taught the Torah from a solidly "Karaite" Jewish perspective, rejecting the innovations of the Pharisees. The "Seat of Moses" is a critical message to every believer in Messiah- and a message that can no longer be ignored by modern Christianity."

3) The ISR Scriptures which references the Shem Tov Matthew in it's version, and is recommended and sold on Michael Rood's website.

4) David Sterns "Complete Jewish Bible", which Mr. Rood at one time recommended and sold on his website.

Mr. Rood in the past, has been quoted as stating that the New Testament was originally written in Aramaic or Hebrew, and that the Greek was copied from them. He believes that in the process, mistranslation errors occurred in the Greek, so to be fair we will take a look at the Aramaic Peshitta , and then the Shem Tov Hebrew Matthew first:

Matthew 16 James Murdock's Aramaic Peshitta.

13 And when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, he questioned his disciples, and
said: What do men say concerning me, that I the Son of man, am?
14 And they said: Some say that [thou art] John the Baptizer; but others, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.
15 He said to them: But, who do ye yourselves say that I am ?
16 Simon Cephas answered and said: Thou art the Messiah, the Son of the living God.
17 Jesus answered, and said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon son of Jonas; for flesh and blood have not revealed [it] to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 20

17 And Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem: and he took his twelve disciples aside, on the way, and said to them:
18 Behold we are going to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered up to the chief priests and to the Scribes, and they will condemn him to death.
19 And they will deliver him over to the Gentiles: and they will mock him, and will scourge him,
and will crucify him; and the third day, he will arise.

John 20

30 And many other signs did Jesus before his disciples, which are not written in this book.
31 But these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God; and that when ye believe, ye may have life eternal by his name.
==========

Shem Tov [Matthew quotes only]:

Matthew 16
13 Jesus went out unto the Land of Syria (that is, Caesarea) and the land of Philoph, (Philipos), and asked his disciples saying: What do men say about me?
14 They said unto him: Some say he is John the Baptizer, some say he is Elijah and some Jeremiah or one of the prophets.
15 Jesus said to them: What do you say about me?
16 Simon, called Petros, answered and said: You are the Messiah, that is, Kristo, the Son of the living God, who has come into this world. 17 Jesus said to him: Blessed are you Simon bar Jonah because flesh and blood has not revealed [this] to you but my Father who is heaven.


Matthew 20
17 Jesus drew near to Jerusalem and took his twelve disciples secretly and said to them:
18 Behold we are going up to Jerusalem and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief sages and priests and they will condemn him to death. 19 Also they will deliver him to the Gentiles to smite and destroy him, but on the third day (he will arise).

==========

From the ISR Scriptures:

Note:  In the ISR Scriptures, the Name of the Messiah and God appear in the Hebrew letters Yod-Hey-Waw-Shin-Ayin [Yehoshua] and Yod-Hey-Waw-Hey. The letters YHWSA and YHWH have been substituted for them.

Matthew 16
13 When YHWSA came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, EliYah; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Kepha answered and said, Thou art the Messiah, the Son of the living Elohim.
17 And YHWSA answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 20
17 And YHWSA going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,
18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,
19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

John 20

30 And many other signs truly did YHWSA in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that YHWSA is the Messiah, the Son of YHWH ; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

==========
CJB

Matthew 16
13 When Yeshua came into the territory around Caesarea Philippi, he asked his talmidim, "Who are people saying the Son of Man is?" 14 They said, "Well, some say Yochanan the Immerser, others Eliyahu, still others Yirmeyahu or one of the prophets." 15 "But you," he said to them, "who do you say I am?" 16 Shim`on Kefa answered, "You are the Mashiach, the Son of the living God." 17 "Shim`on Bar-Yochanan," Yeshua said to him, "how blessed you are! For no human being revealed this to you, no, it was my Father in heaven.

20 Then he warned the talmidim not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
21 From that time on, Yeshua began making it clear to his talmidim that he had to go to Yerushalayim and endure much suffering at the hands of the elders, the head cohanim and the Torah-teachers; and that he had to be put to death; but that on the third day, he had to be raised to life.

Mattthew 20

17 As Yeshua was going up to Yerushalayim, he took the twelve talmidim aside by themselves and said to them, as they went on their way, 18 "We are now going up to Yerushalayim, where the Son of Man will be handed over to the head cohanim and Torah-teachers. They will sentence him to death 19 and turn him over to the Goyim, who will jeer at him, beat him and execute him on a stake as a criminal. But on the third day, he will be raised."

John 20
30 In the presence of the talmidim Yeshua performed many other miracles which have not been recorded in this book. 31 But these which have been recorded are here so that you may trust that Yeshua is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by this trust you may have life because of who he is.

As you can clearly see, nowhere, not even in Michael Roods favored translations, can we find the passages that he recited on his teaching DVD. After reviewing this 'teaching', I am wondering if Mr. Rood is considering joining the others in this movement, who have released their own Bible versions.

On the DVD he also stated " It was the first century Jewish followers who gave their lives to take the good news of their Messiah to the Gentiles, but after two thousand years, we have a few things that we need to clean up. Some bad doctrines and practices have been added to "the faith once delivered to the saints", and many good elements were stripped away."

After reviewing Michael Roods teachings, I agree that there are some things that we need to "clean up" in the Messianic movement, with conjecture, extra Biblical speculation, and the altering of the Almighty's Word being some of the key areas needing attention. I fail to see where what Michael Rood is attempting to do, is any different than what he has accused the church of doing. I think that there may be one other thing that Michael Rood and I agree on:

"And if you teach twisted scripture, you will end up destroying those who listen to you."

For we are told:

Proverbs 30
5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
6 Do not add to His words, lest He reprove you and you be found a liar. 

Vicky,

I want to thank you for all of your hard work and dedication in exposing the many that have been feeding on the flock in this movement. Some will hear the message, while others will deny the facts, stomp their feet, and curse you, sadly to their own destruction. Many in the Hebrew roots/sacred name movement, and now some Christians obviously feel that Judaica, costumes, and Hebraic presentation is more important than Scriptural accuracy, and studying the Word to show oneself approved.

The Messianic Jewish movement pays very little attention to Michael Rood. I have heard stories from assembly leaders that had to ask people who were not Messianic Jews, that showed up at their assemblies promoting Michael Rood, to leave their assembly.

In Christianity's attempt to get their ears hebraically "tickled", coupled with their latest attempt to try and embrace all that appears to be different than the church, it seems that a lot of wolves and errant teachers have crept in unaware. They have done this undetected due to compromised discernment as the result of little or no study on the part of many professed believers.

In short, the assemblies have done a poor job of equipping the saints. It is prudent that any Christian media organizations, or any others that promotes questionable teaching should be called into accountability for their actions, as your site has done. Thank you for being an unfailing watchman, and a beacon of light to warn those who have drifted off course and sailed into uncharted waters, and to those who seek the truth about this sometimes subtle attempt to undermine the Body of Messiah, whether Messianic or Christian.

We were told in advance:

"My people perish for lack of knowledge"

Higher Truth

OTHER COMMENTS BY HIGHER TRUTH

Letter from a Reader: "Higher Truth" Speaks Out

Michael Rood's The Pagan-Christian Connection Exposed

Yahshua, Yehoshua, Y'shua, Yeshua, Iesous, Iesus, or Jesus The Sacred Name or True Name

Yahweh, Yahwah, Yahawah, Yahovah, Yaheveh, Yehaweh, Yehowah, Yehowih, Yehwih, Yahuweh, Yahueh, Yahuah, Jahveh, Iabe, Iahueh, Iehouah, and Jehovah: What is His Sacred Name or True Name?

**Note Scriptures quoted by Higher Truth are from Modern King James Version unless otherwise stated.