Current Events/Resources/Biblical Perspective
By Summer Lane
Photo: Deposit
It’s well-known that practicing Jews deny the deity of Jesus Christ. What is not as well-known is that there is a mysterious sect of Jewish mystic teachings that has created an offshoot of Judaism that, for thousands of years, has blended paganism and swirling beliefs about magic together into one, confusing, and very anti-Biblical pie.
This religion is known as Kabbalah. It is an esoteric and mystical offshoot of Judaism that interprets the Torah and Jewish traditionalism through the lens of ancient pagan beliefs rooted in cultures like Egypt and Greece. Over the years, Kabbalah has become surprisingly mainstream, evolving from a small, little-known cult to a global phenomenon. And yet, few Christians are aware of the spread of this false religion! Some high-profile celebrities who have allegedly been linked to Kabbalah include Madonna, Demi Moore, Elizabeth Taylor, and Paris Hilton.
President Donald Trump’s eldest daughter, Ivanka, and her husband, Jared Kushner, known to be practicing Jews, are also allegedly linked to this mystic religion. In 2020, the Times of Israel reported: “In kabbalah, or Jewish mysticism, wearing a thin red string around the wrist is said to ward off bad luck. Kushner and Ivanka Trump, not to mention celebrities like Madonna, have been spotted wearing the talisman before. According to this interview, Kushner is still maintaining the practice — and his kids are now, too.”
In a 2020 interview with TIME, the outlet noted, “[Kushner] wears a Kabbalah bracelet of red thread, a gift from his sister that invokes how his grandmother used to sew red thread into family clothing to ward off evil.”
Notably, Kushner is now one of two key diplomatic negotiators in the Middle East as the war with Iran grinds ahead. His link to Kabbalah is troubling, to say the least, as it strays far from not only basic Judaism, but even farther from the core tenets of the Bible, the inspired Word of God. In Revelation 22:15, the Bible says that in the End, within the kingdom Christ is preparing for His people, those who practice witchcraft or sorcery will not enter into the gates of the city.
“Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood,” the verse states.
This is a very sobering warning, and it illustrates just how dangerous it is, from a spiritual perspective, to get wrapped up in paganism or mystic beliefs. Christians everywhere should be energized to reach their Jewish friends and neighbors with the Gospel of the one true Christ. The message of salvation is the best news, and the truth of the Bible easily puts to rest any conversations about the validity of Kabbalistic practices, which are simply a blend of many false religions and represent the worship, therefore, of a false god.
To understand this incredibly important – and often overlooked! – topic, Dr. Brian Crawford has written an amazing and comprehensive book on this subject: The Scandal of a Divine Messiah – A Response to Maimonidean and Kabbalistic Challenges to the Incarnation.
He also masterfully lays out the history of Kabbalah, how it differs from traditional Judaism, and how Christians can focus their efforts on reaching Jewish people with the good news of the Gospel. Check out the interviews with Counter Culture Mom below and don’t forget to share these episodes with your friends and family!
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Dr. Brian Crawford Part 1 & 2
For centuries, many rabbis have denied the deity of Jesus Christ. Why do so many Jewish people refuse to accept the Gospel and affirm Christ’s sacrifice on the cross as both God and Savior? Dr. Brian Crawford has the answers to these complex questions. Brian is the director of digital evangelism for Chosen People Ministries and the author of The Scandal of a Divine Messiah: A Response to Maimonidean and Kabbalistic Challenges to the Incarnation. He explains the roots of these two separate schools of Jewish thought, with particular details about Jewish Kabbalistic philosophy, which is ultimately rooted in the mystery religions of ancient Greece, Egypt, and a slurry of varied beliefs. Brian provides loving counterpoints to these misled beliefs about the Bible and educates Christians on how to share the Gospel with their lost Jewish brothers and sisters.
Summer Lane is the #1 bestselling author of 30 books, including the hit Collapse Series and Resurrection Series. She is an experienced journalist and editor who is covering the White House and Trump administration. She owns Write Revolution News.
Summer is also a mom and wife who enjoys rural country living, herding cats, and gardening. She is passionate about writing on women’s issues, parenting, and politics from a theologically-grounded perspective that points readers to the good news of the gospel.
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