The Biblical Roots Podcast

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Enjoy this orderly yet passionate debate on the resolution: "Does Matthew 5:17-20 Teach that Christians Ought to Obey the Law of Moses?"

Pastor Matthew Janzen argues in the affirmative, and Prof. R. L. Solberg argues in the negative. Both are followers of Jesus (Yeshua) who affirm the authority of the entire Bible—the Old Testament (Tanakh) and the New Testament (Brit Chadasha). Yet they take very different views of this critical passage from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. What did Jesus really mean when He said He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it?

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 5:17–20)
What if Christmas felt sacred again? Full of Grace and Truth, the new book from award-winning author R. L. Solberg, invites you to rediscover the biblical story at the heart of the season. Available now in paperback and Kindle, with all proceeds supporting The Biblical Roots Ministries. Get your copy today on Amazon.com.

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In this episode, we take a step back from typical prophetic speculations and eschatological positions and ask a deeper question: Does a third temple fit the theology of the New Testament?

Our journey begins by entering the first-century world of Jesus and His disciples, where the temple stood at the very center of Jewish life and covenant faithfulness. From there, we trace how the New Testament interprets the destruction of that temple—and what it means that Jesus called Himself greater than the temple (Matt 12:6), identified His body as the true temple (John 2:19–21), and redirected worship away from Jerusalem to “spirit and truth” (John 4:21–24).

We reason from a Christ-centered hermeneutic: letting the New Testament govern how we read Old Testament temple prophecies. Along the way, we consider why early Christians never attempted to reconstruct a temple-centered faith, and why the apostles consistently anchor our hope in Christ’s finished work and the new creation, not in a restored sacrificial system (Eph 1:21; Rev 11:15).

If you’ve only ever heard the third temple discussed in terms of end-times timelines, this approach may challenge you to rethink the question from a covenantal and theological perspective.

3D Temple Walkthrough Video Clips:
Herod's Temple 3D - Ancient Jerusalem in UNREAL ENGINE 5
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Are Messianic Judaism and Hebrew Roots the same thing? What about Torah-observant Christians, Torah-keeping believers, or the broader “Hebraic Roots” movement?

In this video, we carefully compare Messianic Judaism and Hebrew Roots, while also addressing the other labels people often hear. Where do these movements overlap? Where do they differ—especially regarding the Torah, the New Covenant, and the person and work of Jesus?

If you’ve been confused by the terminology or unsure how to think biblically about these growing movements, this episode will help you sort it out with clarity and grace.

Links Mentioned in the Episode
Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations
Messianic Jewish Alliance of America
IAMCS (International Alliance of Messianic Congregations & Synagogues)
Jews for Jesus
Chosen People Ministries
One for Israel

First Fruits of Zion: A Biblical Examination (Video) 
Interviews on our YouTube Channel

The Biblical Roots Ministries
Our website
Our YouTube Channel
Prof. Solberg's Blog
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Chapters
00:00 Intro
06:00 Messianic Judaism
09:35 Hebrew Roots
12:41 On the Essentials
25:13 Wrap it up, Solberg

What if Christmas felt sacred again? Full of Grace and Truth, the new book from award-winning author R. L. Solberg, invites you to rediscover the biblical story at the heart of the season. Available now in paperback and Kindle, with all proceeds supporting The Biblical Roots Ministries. Get your copy today on Amazon.com.

Send a text
First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ) is often described as a ministry that helps Christians reconnect with the Jewish roots of their faith—but are their teachings biblically sound? In this new video, we carefully examine their theology, focusing on the underlying hermeneutical framework and their elevation of Torah over Christ, and test it against Scripture. By engaging directly with their published materials and testing their claims against Scripture, we explain why their approach ultimately distorts the gospel and why Christian churches should exercise serious caution when considering their resources.

LINK MENTIONED
Pastor Randy Powell: HaYesod (A full Rebuttal) — A 10-part series
The Biblical Roots Ministries
Our website
Our YouTube Channel
Prof. Solberg's Blog
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction
07:49 Examining First Principles
22:19 Interpreting the Gospels and the Epistles
38:16 Abolishing God?
46:08 Written on Our Hearts
59:44 Torah Made Flesh
01:16:05 Wrap it up, Solberg

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What begins as a sincere desire to understand the Jewish roots of the Christian faith can, in some cases, drift into something far more complicated. In this video, we explore the progression many believers experience as curiosity about the Torah slowly shifts from healthy study to imposed obligation.

By tracing common stages within Torahism (aka Hebrew Roots Movement, Torah-keeping, Torah-observant Christianity) we examine why this trajectory can lead to confusion, division, and a displacement of the gospel.

The video also offers practical guidance for thoughtfully and graciously engaging friends or family members who have embraced Torah observance, with an emphasis on patience, discernment, and keeping Christ at the center.

Read the article: From Curiosity to Captivity: The Journey into Torah-Observant Christianity
The Biblical Roots Ministries
Our website
Our YouTube Channel
Prof. Solberg's Blog
Support our Ministry (Thank you!)
Chapters
00:00 Intro
3:34 The 5 Stage of Torahism
12:07 Addressing Torah Keepers