Messiah Podcast

Christians all over the world in every denomination have questions about the Bible. Questions their theological frameworks have trouble answering. Like how could God disavow his covenant people Israel? Why did he give a law that he said was perfect and then say, well, no one has to keep it anymore. Chad Oltman is an evangelical pastor turned chaplain who has undertaken the journey from church to Messianic synagogue. Listen in to his conversation with Jacob Fronczak and learn what changed in his theology and worldview and how the Jewish idea of Tikkun Olam or repair of the world inspired him to start a new chapter of pastoral care, helping addicts recover.
👉 Key Discussion Points:
► Embrace Freedom in Spiritual Disruption You will learn why encountering major gaps in your theological framework shouldn't scare you. Instead of viewing disruption as a threat to your salvation, you will see how assuming "you already have all the truth" is actually the ultimate barrier to encountering God more deeply.
► Prioritize Ancient Context over Modern Opinion You will walk away with a practical reminder that modern cultural lenses and subjective opinions matter very little when evaluating ancient texts. You'll see why true discipleship means conforming your worldview to the text, rather than forcing the text to conform to you.
► Redefine Your Purpose through Tikkun Olam You will discover how the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) shifts your spiritual focus from just "waiting to go to heaven" to actively partnering with God to restore creation right now. You'll see how obedience to God's instructions plays a direct role in fixing our broken world.
📃 ARTICLES
Does FFOZ Teach Gentiles to Observe the Torah
There Is No Distinction
📚 STORE
The Holy Epistle to the Galatians
Torah Club
HaYesod: The Land, the People, the Scriptures of Israel
Shadows of the Messiah Commentary Set
–  Who is Messiah Podcast?  –
Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel. 
Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

Most leadership advice focuses on charisma and external influence, but what if the most powerful leadership qualities are rooted deep in character? Rabbi Damian Eisner unpacks the biblical blueprint of true leadership through the life of Moses, revealing how humility, resilience, and integrity shape effective leaders from the inside out. If you've ever hesitated to step up, doubted your abilities, or wrestled with failure, this episode offers a fresh perspective based on one of history's greatest leaders.  
👉 Key Discussion Points: 
► Confidence is often a hurdle, not a virtue. Reluctance and humility are signs of authentic leadership not inadequacy.  
► Leadership as character formation rather than charisma. Biblical leadership emphasizes internal qualities—humility, patience, the ability to receive criticism—over external charm or influence. 
► Humility is a strategic strength, not a weakness. Humility involves dependence on divine guidance and openness to critique. It's a deliberate choice to prioritize God's strength and others' input over personal ego. 
► Resilience in failure hinges on a learning mindset. Failure is not a verdict of inadequacy but an essential part of leadership growth, provided it is approached with humility and a desire to learn. 
Leadership is a journey of personal growth and spiritual formation. It’s an opportunity to develop character that inspires others. Whether you're leading a team, a congregation, or simply seeking to be a better person, these biblical lessons help you lead with confidence, humility, and purpose. Aspiring leaders, seasoned shepherds, or anyone committed to authentic influence will be encouraged by this conversation because true leadership starts from within, and the legacy it leaves is about more than titles.

👉  Resources: 
📚 BOOKS  
The Heart of Moses, by Damian Eisner 
https://ffoz.store/products/the-heart-of-moses 
📃 Podcast 
The Humble Leader: Nations Rise & Fall on This Quality 
https://youtu.be/ZPMO3eZUeyI
–  Who is Messiah Podcast?  –
Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel. 
Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

The Bible is the foundation of our faith. Unfortunately, the languages of the Bible are no longer in common use, and the modern equivalents are different. Engaging with Scripture in its original languages should not be reserved only for the scholars; it's foundational for anyone serious about understanding God's Word deeply. Austin Curtin from Biblingo joins Messiah Podcast to share practical insights on how learning the Bible in its original language can transform our Bible study and spur on spiritual growth. 
👉 Key Discussion Points: 
► Mastering Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic offers a direct line to the text’s original intent, not just what translations suggest, much like reading original Shakespeare versus a translation. 
► Reading in the biblical tongue preserves interpretive nuance, reshaping how we approach Scripture. This leads to a heightened level of personal engagement over blind acceptance of translations. 
► Learning Hebrew and Greek isn't merely academic; it’s a sacred duty rooted in Scripture’s command to seek understanding of God’s Word. This reframes language study as an act of worship and obedience, enhancing your ability to discern truth.  
Learning Biblical Hebrew and Greek can seem daunting, but Austin convincingly shows how the effort is worthwhile, especially in a culture increasingly disconnected from its biblical roots. Whether through immersion, study tools, or community learning, accessing the original texts can enhance a person’s personal faith and theological clarity. 
👉  Resources: 
Biblingo - Use code: TORAHCLUB10 for a 10% discount! 
https://biblingo.com/ 

📚 BOOKS 📚 
The Delitzsch Hebrew Gospels 
https://ffoz.store/products/the-delitzsch-hebrew-gospels-deluxe-edition-hardcover 
Besorot Tovot, The Four Gospels in Hebrew 
https://ffoz.store/products/besorot-tovot-deluxe-softcover 

📃 Podcast📃 
Music from God’s Word in God’s Language 
https://ffoz.org/messiah/podcast/music-from-gods-word-in-gods-language 
–  Who is Messiah Podcast?  –
Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel. 
Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

For centuries the church condensed the story of the Bible into one single narrative comprised of a simple, four-act structure. God created the world, humankind sinned causing the world to fall into disrepair, Jesus died for our sins and redeemed us, and in the future God will restore all of creation. But this narrative skips over everything that happens from Genesis 3 to Matthew 1. Dr. Kendall Soulen, renowned theologian and author, joins the podcast to share how Israel’s story is a key part of this larger biblical narrative and how losing that story makes our theology incomplete somehow. Listen in to discover how to reclaim the unity of the Bible by recognizing the same God at work in both the Old and the New Testaments.  
👉 Key Discussion Points: 
► Reframe the overall story-arc of the Bible. 
► How supersessionism emerged and why it’s a persistent theological mistake. 
► What is God’s personal name and what does it signify about His identity?
► How Jesus exemplifies reverence for God's name and modeled a deep respect that Christians can emulate.  
► Practical insights for pastors and believers on how awareness of God's name can transform your devotional life and church teaching. 
Whether you’re a student of theology, a church leader, or a curious believer, this conversation challenges assumptions and offers a fresh lens to interpret the Bible more faithfully. 
📚 BOOKS 
The God of Israel and Christian Theology 
Irrevocable: The Name of God and the Unity of the Christian Bible 
Israel Matters  
📃 ARTICLES
Israel Forgetfulness
A Blow to Replacement Theology
Dismantling Replacement Theology
The Biblical Blueprint of Peoplehood
Is the Church Israel
To Proclaim My Name
Hallowed Be Your Name
What's His Name
🎙️ PODCASTS
Is 1 Peter for Jews or Gentiles? | Dr. Kelly Liebengood 
A New History of Redemption | Dr. Gerald R. McDermott 
An Anglican Disentangled from Supersessionism | Dr. Gerald R. McDermott 
–  Who is Messiah Podcast?  –
Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel. 
Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

The roots of modern Messianic Judaism extend farther back into history than the cultural expression that emerged out of the 1960s. It’s a story of pioneering faith, a few missed opportunities, along with overcoming fierce challenges. Dr. Gershon Nerel is a Jewish believer in Yeshua and a historian who joins Messiah Podcast from the messianic archive center on the outskirts of Jerusalem in Israel. He has spent decades studying the history of Jewish believers in Jesus. His research informs us regarding both the past and the future. Dr. Nerel’s insights challenge us to reconsider how history, identity, and faith intertwine for Jewish believers in Yeshua living in Israel today. 

👉 Key Discussion Points:
► The artifacts, archives, and personal stories that reveal the complex journey of Jewish believers in Yeshua. 
► The rise and fall of key figures like Abram Poljak and the importance of stability and independence in movement growth.
► The impact of political upheavals, such as Operation Mercy, on the survival of Hebrew Christians and Jewish believers in Israel.
► "Messianic Judaism" vs. "Yeshua Judaism" and why the terminology matters.
► The ongoing struggle to reconnect with biblical, independent expression of faith beyond church doctrines and denominational control.
Gershon Nerel is a trailblazing historian with decades of research into Messianic Jewish roots in Israel whose work uncovers the overlooked and often suppressed stories of faith, exile, and revival. Step into the archives with us because the future of Messianic Judaism depends on knowing its past. 

🔖  Chapters
00:00 The History of Messianic Jews in Israel
03:28 Research Journey and Primary Sources
10:33 Establishing the Messianic Jewish Archive
17:11 Key Figures in Messianic Jewish History
24:02 Operation Mercy and it’s generational impact
29:55 Emissaries not Missionaries
34:39 Avram Poljak, A Courageous Pioneer
43:51 The Tragic loss of Abraham's Vineyard
49:56 The Current State of Messianic Judaism in Israel

👉  Resources:
Gershon Nerel’s Research
Books about Jewish Believers in Yeshua
Articles:
https://ffoz.org/messiah/articles/dr-gershon-nerel-speaks-at-the-bram-center
https://ffoz.org/hub/friends/teaching/the-history-of-messianic-jews-in-israel
Messiah Magazine Issue 18
–  Who is Messiah Podcast?  –
Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel. 
Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.