10/12/87

Dear Mike,

Thank you for your letter of 09/12/1987. Whilst I appreciate your argument on Jesus, I urge you to think of the following:

Christians do NOT keep the law. Why? Because of Paul’s argument in his account of Romans, yet Jesus is supposed to have said that the "law is to time indefinite". I also urge you to consider my previous arguments, that is to say, "where is the record to show that Christ had rebuilt the temple, stopped wars, got all nations to worship the true God, brought God’s kingdom about, had dominion over the heathen, was a ruler in Israel, brought peace to the world, etc." If he NEVER accomplished these, then he must be a failure as Messiah! I accept the Nevi’im [the Prophets] has all the truth I need. I don’t have anything to do with superstition (see Exodus 22:17, Leviticus 19:31 and Deuteronomy 18:10-12). I also do my utmost to serve the law but, as you know, it is very difficult indeed.

One can consider the so-called New Testament as pagan because why do you have the so-called "second coming" when the Tanakh [the Hebrew Bible] doesn’t back it? Or, why was Christ vindictive (Matthew 10:34 etc). What was the purpose of Matthew 28:19 when Jer 31:34 says different, or why did the apostles break the law by teaching the pagans when the law forbids it, or why did Paul say that we are "no longer under the law"? How can Jesus’ blood be a ransom sacrifice when nowhere did the high priests offer up human blood in the temple! So with all this in mind why should I, or any other Jew, believe in someone who is a complete failure as Messiah?

Thank you for the wishes over Hanukkah to which I am returning to you and your family.