NYC Isaiah 53 Campaign: Dr. Brown Responds to Counter-Missionaries
Filed under Israel & The Jewish People, News on August 15th, 2010 by M. FrenchA campaign to raise awareness of the 53rd chapter of Isaiah from Chosen People Ministries, which included billboards and a full page ad in the New York Times promoting a free book explaining the chapter, also featured a public open-mic debate with Dr. Brown at a Marriott in downtown Manhattan on July 15th. The debate began with a presentation from Brown on Isaiah 53, and followed with an opportunity for anyone in attendance to challenge his presentation. Below is a report from Dr. Brown, including live excerpts from the presentation and comments/challenges from some of those that came to the mic:
[audio http://www.voiceofrevolution.com/lineoffire/shows/line_of_fire_07_19_10_hr1.mp3]
Reaction from Jewish counter-missionaries (those that actively oppose the message of the gospel being spread to the Jewish people) to the campaign and debate included the following from 5 Towns Jewish Times:
Last Thursday night, Chosen People Ministries held a poorly attended public debate at Manhattan’s Marriott East Side, featuring top missionary lecturer Dr. Michael Brown, author of a five-part book series which purports to answer Jewish objections to JC. Among the few Jews who attended were several countermissionary experts, including Rabbi Moshe Shulman, executive director of Judaism’s Answer (www.judaismsanswer.com). Shulman engaged Brown in collegial exchange and scored several points in refuting Brown’s scholarly allegations that Isaiah 53 definitively supports the messiahship of JC.
Commenting afterwards, Rabbi Shulman noted, “Debates with Jews about the messiah are not new. Over 500 years ago, the Spanish Jewish communities suffered such indignity as part of the Inquisition. Today it’s more subtle, and Jewish apathy is furthering missionary inroads into Russian, Israeli, Bukharian, Persian, and American Jewish communities. The Orthodox can no longer claim to be immune. And what’s happening here is equally unfolding in Israel with little resistance or outrage.”
As well as the following from The Jewish Star:
The chapter, according to the translation in The Times, speaks of a singular “suffering servant,” which Glaser maintains is a reference to Jesus.
Isaiah 53 is a standard polemic text that missionaries use, said Rabbi Tovia Singer of Outreach Judaism.“Isaiah 53 is the fourth Servant Song which began in Isaiah 41,” Rabbi Singer explained. “In the first three Servant Songs it identifies the servant who suffers at the hands of the nations as Israel. Isaiah introduces the servant of G-d, both in the singular and plural, who endured tremendous pains, but who is ultimately vindicated in the Messianic days… The chapter [is] molested, ripped out of context and mistranslated and presented to Jewish people who know nothing about the faith that they are being asked to abandon.”
In response to allegations such as these from counter-missionaries that the campaign should elicit “resistance and outrage” from Jewish people, and that the 53rd chapter of Isaiah is “molested, ripped out of context and mistranslated” by Messianic missionaries, Brown said the following:
When you hear almost hysterical charges like these from Rabbi Singer, you can only ask yourself why the counter-missionaries are protesting so loudly. Could it be that Isaiah 53 speaks for itself so clearly?
Really now, why would a Jewish rabbi get so upset when we tell our Jewish people to take their Bibles (in Hebrew or in a good Jewish translation) and read Isaiah 53 for themselves? Are we being criticized by professional counter-missionaries for encouraging fellow Jews to read their Bibles, pray, and think for themselves?
In reality, the greatest evangelistic tool we have is not our gospel literature or our arguments or our debating abilities. It is just the text of the Tanakh, the Hebrew Scriptures. Countless thousands of Jews have embraced Yeshua as the Messiah based on their study of Isaiah 53, and we are confident that many thousands more will come to faith as well.
For more information on messianic prophecy, including Isaiah 53, see Real Messiah’s Messianic Objections section, and the book Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus: Volume 3.
Tags: counter-missionaries, isaiah 53, israel, jews, judaism, messianic judaism, New York City, New York Times, orthodox jews, prophecy, prophets
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amen!
I am an orthodox Jew and think the counter- missionaries nd the missionaries have to come grow up . Why can’t missinaries realise that Jesus/Yahshuah is a Jewish rabbi and whether one decides tto follow his teaching does not make him a non Jewish therefore there’s no such thing as living the faith for another. Yes in fact the faith/ religion Jesus/Yahshuah practiced and taught his disciples is Judaim not Christianity…..Christian is a name given by non non believers /gentiles to those following the teachings of Yahshuah as mocking name. The followers of Jesus/Yahshuah were fully part of Judaism not a different religion. They were simply seen as a different sect or denomination within Judaism as were Pharisees, Saducces , Essen, etc. At he time of Jesus/Yahshuah there were about a dozens different sects or denominations within Judaism. Today we have many current or denominations and as was the case in the Jesus/Yahshiah time the rulers (of the temple or religious authorities) tend to push away those who do not adhere to their brand of Judaism as not being Jews etc. This attitude still prevailing nowadays even if the persecutions are less fatals that it was at the time of Jesus/Yahshuah….there’s a way for missionaries to make counter missionaries understand and come to point of reconciliation . Find about the how the great reconciliation for the salvation of all Israel would happen on Revoluzion.TV..coming soon
Jewish Christians a puzzlement to gentiles and bringing out down right hostilities from
there fellow Jews
I always think we are asked to pray for the wrong thing for Israel.
We should pray for salvation for the Israelites, then they’ll receive
peace, not as the world gives it but as our Lord, Jesus gives it.
As Jesus said, one does not put new wine in old wineskins. If one
could perform some miracle and bring peace to Israel and the rest
of the Middle East, in a short time there after, they’ll all go right back
to where they were – fighting. The reason is because true peace comes from
the Lord Jesus, He is the Prince of peace. After they come to believe
He IS the Mesiah, they they’ll receive peace which will teach them to
rely and trust solely on our Lord for help and guidance. That is what
King David did. He called upon the LORD who went with Him as he
fought the enemy and He was victorious. However, when He/other
kings went on their own, they were defeated.
Israel is solely trusting on themselves, America and the rest of the
Nations. They ALWAYS wanted to be like the rest of the world. Their
President on Larry King Live, not too long ago, boasted about their
economy and how proud he was of his son who came 3rd in the
reciting of the Scriptures. Nothing about, “Praise the Almighty God,
who brought us out of the house of bundage and took care of us for
40 years in the wilderness where we lacked nothing, and brought us
to a Land brimming with milk and honey.” (zero economic problems)
If that were King David or Paul, we would have gotten a thorough
lesson about how GREAT and MIGHTY the God of Israel is.
IS THERE NO GOD IN ISRAEL? It does not seem so to me.
As for the Christians, they are pathetic. They think we can purchase
blessings and salvation from the Israelites. Stuff their pockets with
money and don’t tell they the truth about Jesus, the Christ and Israel
will bless them and – Voila! They are saved. The question is; what
Israel does with that money. Put more of their own people in jail?
LET YOUR PEOPLE GO ISRAEL!!!!! You have come full circle, back
in Egypt spiritually. I’ll be praying for the salvation for Israel day and
night and all who truly, sincerely care about the Jews will do the same,
to stop fighting
I am greatful to Dr.Brown for not showing the same textual unfairness that the counter-missionaries use. This is evidence that truth is on your side
Thank you for your boldness and letting the world know about Yeshua! “For G-d so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son,that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” John 3:16
Dear Brother Brown
what a delight to know that we in Christ Jesus, are one NEW MAN ‘Christ Jesus” Not Jew or Gentile. But ONE NEW MAN. and I pray those who respond to the call of the Lord Jesus and His Word. are awaken to the truth of the Word of our God the Father of all, His Children and Not His Traditional Religious member of the world? Dr. Brown, good work, Love you heaps in the Lord Jesus. Ernie and Yvonne Lake. Please People of the world God loves you,
God paid for you, he is NOT mad at you any more, stop rebelling, and come to Him with love and repentance. we are Abrahams seed, and not a traditional religious seen. God Bless you all.
Dr. Brown,
Your writings have been an inspiration on me in my Apologetics ministerial role. Thanks once again for a wonderful article, though I am well aware this is not the crux of your work. Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus is a wonderful 5 volume series! And you explained Isaiah 53 very well.
Shalom,
hamashiachagape
Dear and respected Dr Brown
This letter is meant to convey my deep appreciation for the NYC Isaiah 53 campaign launched by you to bring the knowledge of the true messiah to the jewish people. The jews are still and always precious in God’s sight. God wants them to be saved through faith in the only Jewish messiah our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. As an Indian Christian I am strongly convinced that following the foortprints of Saul who later became the Apostle Paul, only people of jewish origin fluent in Hebrew and the original OT scriptures can effectively convince their jewish brethren. God is using you powerfully and appropriately in these Last Days to reach the people He has always loved. I fervently pray that their eyes are opened to the truth of Yeshua who said “He who hates the Son hates the Father also”.It is edifying to listen to you on “Think it Thru”. Please carry on the Kingdom work. Christ’s grace is sufficient for you in every situation.
Your brother in Jesus
Joseph Chandra
Thanks Mikey, For continuing to do His thing! It will be great to see those who came into the Kingdom from your patient sharing of the truth and grace of our Messiah.
Be sure that Isaiah 53 is about the Lord Jesus Christ.The most ugly(physical) person on the earth was the Lord Jesus Christ,But it was our ugliness not His.To support this please read the book:The coin of the temple there you will see Jesus face to face in a real story happened in Jerusalem on Good Friday in 1994 (some details are not mentioned) unless someone discovers his ugliness and requires by himself these details after reading the book.The website of the book will be finished in one month and ready to give these details in one condition:After REPENTANCE.If not,no one can have access to these details even the highest rabbi or priest in the world.
God bless you all
Respected Servant of LIVING GOD OF ABRAHAM,
Dr Brown MICHEE!! ( Vrse: Promises,Hopes,Restoration of Zion by YAHWEH, Unto Jerusalem the Jewish and the People of Israel ) I’m thankful & confident in view of your HEROIC Battle,Prayers & Calls to Salvation for All the Jewish People and Israel.Regarding this Very Wonderful Purpose, Dr Mich! Brown is standing on Solid Rock,on Precious Cornerstone and Beautifully abiding the Rich VINEYARD-YESUAH! for instance, all Jewish & Gentiles, Believers of YESHUA-MESSIAH Thirst the Succulent Wine and Honey of The Very Vineyard.
Dr Mich, ELOHIM in YESUAH, The ANOINTING ONE and only ONE of ISRAEL Great & Mighty Unto You & Victorious Unto the People on Israel.Greater is HE That is Unto You than he that is in the world.And Dr! You and ISRAEL are CONQUERORS by THE ONE WHO Circumcise You, the Jews & Circumcise me.Exalt YESUAH! EL ELYON!
In HIM,
Norman Joseph Adam
Dr Brown, You & the Jewish People of ISRAEL are MORE than Conquerors by THE ONLY ONE WHO Circumcise You, the Jewish & Circumcise me. Exalt Rabbi YESUAH! EL ELYON!
addendum of MORE to previous comment.Thnks
I agree with many of the comments listed here, but we must also understand the condition of the Jewish people. These are a people who have been constantly at the brink of utter destruction and when they were cast out of thier own land, the only way to keep Judaism alive was through their traditions, oral Torah, and through Rabbinic teachings. It is not difficult to understand that they would be very skeptical to trust the teachings of anyone other than the Rabbis who are descended of the Pharisees.
I am a Christian in the sense that I will live and die for our Lord Yeshua, however I also know that there are MANY Christians who do not follow the teachings of Christ. I always wondered how is that possible? It is the nature of man to rebel, and the sin and lies of the wicked one has spread a veil of lies over the nations that is only broken through Christ Jesus. In my obedience to the Word of God, I guess I am closer (not quite) to being a Jew than I am a Christian.
My point is that one very wise Rabbi summed up these debates and the ultimate truth to what we live through now:
“27 They conducted them to the Sanhedrin, where the cohen hagadol demanded of them,
28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name! Look here! you have filled Yerushalayim with your teaching; moreover, you are determined to make us responsible for this man’s death!”
29 Kefa and the other emissaries answered, “We must obey God, not men.
30 The God of our fathersl raised up Yeshua, whereas you men killed him by having him hanged on a stake.
31 God has exalted this man at his right handn as Ruler and Savior, in order to enable Isra’el to do t’shuvah and have her sins forgiven.
32 We are witnesses to these things; so is the Ruach HaKodesh, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 On hearing this, the members of the Sanhedrin were infuriated and wanted to put the emissaries to death.
34 But one of the members of the Sanhedrin rose to his feet, a Parush named Gamli’el, a teacher of the Torah highly respected by all the people. He ordered the men put outside for a little while
35 and then addressed the court: “Men of Isra’el, take care what you do to these people.
36 Some time ago, there was a rebellion under Todah, who claimed to be somebody special; and a number of men, maybe four hundred, rallied behind him. But upon his being put to death, his whole following was broken up and came to nothing.
37 After this, Y’hudah HaG’lili led another uprising, back at the time of the enrollment for the Roman tax; and he got some people to defect to him. But he was killed, and all his followers were scattered.
38 So in the present case, my advice to you is not to interfere with these people, but to leave them alone. For if this idea or this movement has a human origin, it will collapse.
39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them; you might even find yourselves fighting God!” They heeded his advice.”
- Acts 5: 27-39
Amen!
Amen.
To me you are a Jew who believes Jesus is the Christ. From your comment you seem thorn. Many who are Jews may never come to believe that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah). What good being a Jew will do for them in that case? Is Jesus first a Jew and then the Christ? Or He was always the Christ who was born of a Jew? Was He more interested in proving He was a Jew than the Christ? Was Paul always boasting how Jewish He was or boasting about the greatness of Jesus, the Christ. So then what that made him, a gentile? I don’t think so. He was an Israelite through and through and very proud of it. In fact, he was willing to die for them. A true Jew is one who pleases God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, ONE GOD! All Jews are not Jews in the eyes of God. “ALL Jews” are those God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit deem to be Jews. (see Rev 2:9 & Rev 2:20) Isaiah – a remnant will be saved.
That is why we Christians, must not get so zealous for Jesus that we want to kill all Arabs and non-believers. Be patient and let God make those who hate Jesus His footstool. (Revelation) Psalm 81:15 “All those who hate God will cringe before Him and their punishment is forever!”
So you see we have nothing to worry or get upset about. We have to stop calling people names and regarding ourselves so godly that we can’t even have a dialog with those who do not believe. We even give ourselves a new name “CONSERVATIVES” WOW! Is Jesus divided into different types of Christians. Can we add or take out from “I AM” Let us do what Jesus left us to do. Go ye and tell all nations about our Lord and those who believe baptize them in the name of the Lord Jesus. WHAT IS THE REWARD? Eternal Life. Only Jesus knows who are the tares and who are the wheat. Many Jews who hated anything Jesus and everyone who love Jesus, believe Jesus is the Messiah today. What if we had tried to kill them or curse them and tell them they would go to Hell?
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive Power and Wealth and Wisdom and Honor and Grace and Thanks and Praise. (Revelation 5:12….) I love you whoever you are because you are a child of God and believe Jesus is who He says he is – He is the Messiah both to the Jews and Gentiles!!!!!!!!!!
Rabbi (forgot his name. The one who founded Wings of Eagles, for Christians and Jews) He is dead wrong to believe Jesus came only for the gentiles.
Have a Blessed New Year!!!!! May you bear much fruit among Jews and Gentiles.
Amen!
People of Yisrael, Be Fully Happy in RUACH ha KODESH and Rejoice in Your One & Only One GOD, YAHWEH-YESHUA ha MASCHIA He Who is The Worthy & Holy Lamb amisdt of You, the Beloved-Chosen of Yahweh. And you will sing for joy & Blow the trumpet in ZION!! For The Lord YESHUA is restoring the WALLS OF JERUSALEM, AMEN!
KOL YISRAEL YIVASHA!
Betty Brewster, I like your comments and they look Wonderful & Great.
Be Blessed! B.B, in Lord YESHUA
Norman
Praise GOD!
I am wondering if any one on this website has actually listened to Tovia Singers apologetics on Isaiah 53? I have been a follower of Jesus/Yeshua all my life, and yet, I must know BOTH sides of an argument in order to discern truth. I have to say Rabbi Tovia Singer does an excellent job in his aplologetics on this topic. There is no way, taken in context with the rest of Isaiah, where every other reference is referring to Israel as the suffering servant, to make this passage refer to Jesus IMO. I always took it by faith but now am diving deeper into the scriptures because of Tovia.
I would like to see a point by point document taking Rabi Tovia’s apologetics and taking Dr. Brown’s apologetics…both with scriptures listed…..side by side.
Dr. Brown, would you consider a point by point debate with Tovia….whether in person or in text?
May Hashem bless you both and bring his truth to light.
Living Proof,
Do you have a link to Tovia Singer’s interpretation of Isaiah 53?
here the link to the article of rabbi Tovia Singer
http://www.jewishisaiah53.com/websiterabbinic53.pdf
Thanks to the person who posted Tovia’s interpretation of Isaiah 53. I appreciate your taking the time to do that!
Messiah is related in Isaiah 53 as being the microcosm of the entire nation. He is the summation of all that the Jews were to represent as the Lord’s servants. He is the embodiment of the entire nation and it is He who suffers on their behalf, because even if we concede that the Jews have suffered for sake of the gentile nations, then it remains that someone must in turn suffer for them. Isaiah speaks of the one servant who will succeed by absolute obedience to the Lord’s will. He tells us that there is one servant who will be sent to redeem them, and then be exalted to the right hand of God, the Father, just as the other prophets foretold. It’s written in so many places that it’s futile to insist that Isaiah would not declare the same. Scripture is a tightly woven portrait of Messiah and He can be found within it’s pages by anyone reading the pshat for themselves. Scripture is open to all who seek God. The position of Tovia Singer and the Orthodox Rabbi’s has only served to inextricably complicate what can be understood by anyone who reads and studies the Bible. There is no need to rely on anyone from ages past to interpret what is still a living document to this day. If their interpretation is at variance with the word of God it doesn’t matter how eloquently they state a matter, it’s still wrong. Their most obvious error is that they don’t believe God did what He said He would by the mouth of all His prophets, especially that of Daniel, and that Messiah was right on time. Why would anyone claim to be their Messiah, boldly speak with the voice of the LORD, echoing that which we had previously heard spoken and then some, suffer scorging, degradation and crucifixion if He wasn’t who He said He was? It’s clearly because Isaiah 53 is so very accurate a picture of Jesus and no one else that they have to re-interpret the entire subject, literally, as in who the subject is.
I pray that many will give up their vain attempt at recreating what the LORD spoke to them, particularly by the mouth of Isaiah and turn to the LORD, their God, believing that He is capable of fulfilling all that He promised them and that it is He who will usher in everlasting righteousness. It requires unadulterated humility and the heart to see that “the LORD’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts” as if we could dictate to God what His standards should be and how He should judge us and what we need saving from. It is sin that we need saving from, everyone of us, both Jew and Gentile. And if for all your learning you missed that truth because your pride has separated you from the LORD, your God, there’s still time for you to turn and repent. What can our earthly enemies do but kill our bodies? And what can our spiritual enemies do but be held accountable and judged as well? Can any of us keep alive our own souls and stand before the only Righteous and Perfect Judge and proclaim that we did “good enough?”
And who is that Judge? Go ask Abraham and he will tell you plainly who He is.