Ever wondered what it would be like to do church ‘Hebraically’?

Book your place now and join the movement to find out!

We are delighted to bring you a roundup of Steve Maltz’s 2017 Foundations conferences, which offer fantastic teaching, worship and fellowship all geared towards helping Christians discover the Hebraic roots of the faith.

Foundations North-West: Friday 24th – Sunday 26th February 2017

Abbot Hall Hotel, Grange-Over-Sands, Cumbria

Theme: Does the church really understand Israel and the Jewish people?

Cost: £185 per person (ensuite), £165 per person (standard)

***Last-minute places still available, see below for booking information***

Foundations 8 Annual Week-Day Conference: Monday 3rd – Friday 7th April 2017

Abbot Hall Hotel, Grange-Over-Sands, Cumbria

Theme: Livin’ the Life!

Cost: £300 per person (ensuite), £260 per person (standard). Short break deals and concessions available.

***BOOK NOW and secure your place with a £60 deposit – see below for booking information***

Foundations South: Friday 11th – Sunday 13th August 2017

High Leigh Conference Centre, Hoddesdon, Herts

Theme: Controversies!

Cost: £200 per person (ensuite), £170 per person (standard)

Booking: Booking not yet open.

***CANCELLED*** Foundations South Wales: Friday 8th – Sunday 10th September 2017

Foundations North: Friday 24th – Sunday 26th November 2017

Willersley Castle Hotel, Matlock, Derbyshire

Theme: The Hebraic Jesus

Cost: £180 per person (mostly ensuite)

Booking: Booking not yet open.

Booking Information

To book your place, visit www.foundationsconferences.com, email Steve Maltz at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 020 8551 1719.

Rosemary Bamber reviews the latest of Steve Maltz's Hebraic roots conferences, which took place earlier in December.

Foundations Conferences are a new and interesting phenomena! Until recently, they have been 5-day conferences held annually (more or less) in the spring, at The Quinta in Shropshire. However, founder Steve Maltz and his team are now branching out with smaller weekend regional conferences. This year, the second of these took place at the beginning of December, in the comfortable, pleasant surroundings of Brunel Manor, Devon.

A large percentage of delegates had never been to a Foundations Conference before (I had previously been to three out of the seven held in Shropshire and so was considered to be a bit of an 'old hand'!). Testimonies now featured on the Saltshakers website show the things that delegates most appreciated:

• "the friendliness. The Holy Spirit leading, the gathering together of like hearts and minds" (Cheryl)
• "dedication of the organisers and a sense of oneness of participants, freedom to express oneself with new and innovative ways to explore, genuine love for the Lord and a desire to please, worship and obey Him" (Anita)
• "relaxed atmosphere, genuine fellowship, opportunity to express gifts, free worship, excellent teaching" (Colin)

Putting Our Confidence Back in Scripture

The Foundations Conferences have grown out of Steve Maltz's books and ministry. The idea is not only to learn about his definition of Hebraic church, but also to have a taster of it. Each of the Conferences has accompanied the launch of his latest book and so their content has run parallel to his books as they have come out.

Steve has succeeded in his books to convey in an engaging manner important truths about the contrast between Greek and Hebraic thinking. Building on that understanding, he has shown where the Western Church has been influenced by Greek philosophy, leading to departures in certain areas from Hebraic thinking and biblical truth. Examples would be the adoption of Replacement Theology and liberal theologies, and the silencing of the 'laity'.

Foundations is putting out a call to return to a confident trust in the Bible as our ultimate source of authority and revelation and with that, a return to understanding the Hebraic or Jewish roots of the faith.

Foundations is putting out a call to return to a confident trust in the Bible as our ultimate source of authority and revelation.

Doing Hebraic Church

The Devon conference really drew on the supreme success of 'Foundations 7', the 'bravest' of Steve's conferences to date where he decided to include a day putting Hebraic church into practice. This meant that we had a worship session which wasn't led from the front but was led by all according to the direction of the Holy Spirit. The use of spiritual gifts was encouraged, so that the whole body could be released and built up.

We also had long free times when people could choose their own activities. They could preach, debate Scripture, read or listen to the Bible, go on a prayer walk, do creative activities, learn Israeli dance, sing in a choir, or pray alone or with others.

This formula from Foundations 7 was carried over into the Devon weekend conference. There were four teaching sessions, but there were also free times when people could participate in different activities designed to release us in our gifts - or simply allow us to try something new.

Hebraic Roots Teaching

The four teaching sessions on the Hebrew roots of the Bible and the need for a correct interpretation of Scripture based on its Jewish history and context were given by José de Silva. José has clearly studied this subject deeply and is very knowledgeable. He taught about the two olive trees (i.e. Jew and Gentile) in Zechariah 4, and about how the Jewish Rabbinic teaching on the logos (memra in Aramaic) is clearly outlined in John 1.

José showed how New Testament theology is based clearly on the Jewishness of the Old Testament. There was an emphasis on the errors of Replacement Theology and how the Church has been robbed of the understanding of God's everlasting covenants towards the Jews. José exhorted us to have an expectation that all Israel will be saved (Rom 11:26) and to understand that the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable (Rom 11:29).

The Devon conference made plenty of time to put 'Hebraic church' into practice.

Where Next?

The interesting question raised at the conference is: where do we go from here? Studying these subjects and exploring our Hebraic roots is undoubtedly fantastic, but inevitably throws up questions which will have to be tackled as the movement grows; such as: how do we engage with the Church without becoming separatist or elitist? And how can we best engage with people who have different emphases and outlooks?

Nevertheless, these conferences always provide a really special time and come very highly recommended. The testimonies of delegates speak for themselves:

• "Thank you for a truly wonderful weekend. I was so excited on the Friday night that I texted back to my church leaders that 'I thought I had died and gone to heaven' with the worship!!!!! Whew." (Marion)
• "I was only there for the day but wanted more! Although active and fairly intense, I was energised and invigorated by the whole experience. This was Church!" (Betty)
• "For me it was akin to arriving at Elim with its 12 springs of water after a long and thirsty walk through the wilderness!...Having sampled Foundations for a second time I am now convinced that this is a move of God. May the Lord fulfil this vision in this nation and beyond for the sake of the house of the Lord our God!" (Barry)

Paul Luckraft reviews 'God's Signature' by Steve Maltz (2012)

God's Signature is the first of a trilogy of books by Steve Maltz in which he turns his attention to the Hebrew scriptures. Subtitled 'The Wonders of the Hebrew Scriptures', the author claims that we will gain "a whole new layer of understanding of our wonderful God and His wonderful book though our exploration of His wonderful language, Hebrew" (p11).

His aim is to find God's unique signature within the scriptures. This is not a book about man's ideas and interpretive approaches to God's word, rather it explores how God chose to say things, the method and manner by which he communicated his divine will and purpose. When God decided to speak to mankind through people like Abraham and Moses, he had to give them the best language possible to reveal his thoughts and feelings. And that language was Hebrew.

Dip into the Delights of Hebrew

Maltz assures us that his book is not intended as a Hebrew primer or a series of tutorials. Rather, it is a dip into the delights of the Hebrew language and how it can help us understand God's word. We are treated to a series of word studies, plus several insights into how Hebrew works as a language and why it is so different from English.

However, he does rather dart around and the overall impression is one of 'bits and pieces', rather than an organised journey. Patience is required to cope with his diversions and asides (some of which don't really go anywhere) and comments such as 'more on this later', 'we will ask again later' and 'it is time to have another look at...'. This makes it a complex, rather than straightforward, read (there is no index to help you if you want to go back to something mentioned earlier) and it may leave you wondering what to do with all these titbits.

But Maltz does explain that "Like a meandering stream, we are now going to wander through the Hebrew Scriptures, unearthing little gems on the way" (p155) and once we realise the author's intention, we can sit back and enjoy what he serves up.

This is not a book about man's approaches to interpreting God's word – but about how God chose to say things.

Helpful Sections

Towards the end of Part One, there is a good discussion of the Masoretes who produced the Hebrew (Masoretic) text of our translations, and some excellent sections on ancient manuscripts and modern translations, which he surveys very well. For me, the book is worth it for these chapters alone.

In Part Two we are back to a collection of word studies, roughly grouped into chapters entitled Men, Messiah, Mysteries and Miscellany. Here there are often echoes of things considered earlier in Part One and again there is a rather miscellaneous feel about the whole section. Some of these studies may be a bit too detailed for some readers, but others are very meaningful.

Perhaps the most helpful are those which shed light on 'sin' and 'Messiah'. There is also an interesting introduction to the idea of 'midrash', a particularly Jewish way of connecting up scriptures via key words in order to squeeze more meaning out of individual texts. This method of study is a consequence of the nature of the Hebrew language, and is perfectly valid once we accept there is one overall author, a Divine signature behind all the scriptures.

The discussion of the Masoretes is good and the sections on ancient manuscripts and modern translations are excellent – it's worth it for these chapters alone.

During the book Maltz also introduces us to a new translation, the One New Man Bible, and quotes from it regularly. He explains why this version is worth promoting and includes an excerpt from a review by Peter Sammons which, with his permission, we reproduced in full last week.

God Chose Hebrew for Good Reason

Overall, Maltz makes a convincing case that God's signature "could not have been in any other language" (p117) and that "God chose Hebrew as His language of revelation for a good reason" (p118). We can agree with this even if by the end of the book we are still a little unsure exactly how it all works and where it leaves those of us who are non-Hebrew speakers/readers.

Certainly we will gain the sense that if we look hard enough, we will discern God's personal signature written all over his word and get to know him better.

God's Signature (revised 2014, 190 pages, Saffron Planet) is available from Saffron Planet Publishing for £10. We will be reviewing the other two books in Maltz's trilogy over the coming weeks.

Christine Burden reviews 'The Messianic Church Arising' by Dr Robert D Heidler (2006, 224 pages, Glory of Zion International Ministries).

I first read this book in 2008 and was so impressed with it that I bought several copies to give away. In re-reading it more recently I have found it just as refreshing, relevant and challenging for the times in which we are living! It is a book about restoring the Jewish roots of Christianity.

Heidler, senior pastor of Glory of Zion Outreach Centre (USA), is passionate about restoring the Church to its covenant roots. His book is divided into two parts: the first entitled 'Discovering Our Lost Inheritance' and the second dedicated to 'Recovering Our Lost Inheritance'. In addition to this there are three helpful appendices dealing with God's heart for the Jews, the Jewishness of the early Church and the Jewish Feasts.

This book is thoroughly researched and well-presented and I did not find it difficult to read. As an aside, as a Messianic believer myself I appreciated the thoughtful note included that this book was written for Gentiles and for that reason the author uses terms and expressions easily understandable to Gentile Christians (p2).

This book, about restoring the Jewish roots of Christianity, is refreshing, relevant and challenging for the times in which we are living.

Messianic Revival

In the introduction, the author reveals a startling fact: as recently as 1967, there were no known Messianic congregations anywhere in the world! Over the centuries, Jewish people had come to recognise their Messiah, but they had been assimilated into the church and had "forfeited their Jewish identity" (p13).

However, everything began to change after the Six Day War in 1967, when Israel regained the City of Jerusalem. For the first time in nearly 2,000 years, Jerusalem was no longer "trampled underfoot by the Gentiles" (Luke 21:24). Since then, more Jewish people have come to recognise who Jesus is than in all the generations since the 1st Century AD – and many of these believers are retaining their Jewish identity.

Heidler goes on to note that now, there are Messianic congregations worldwide. This has not happened since the days of the early church. God is doing something: "The veil that had been over the eyes of the Jewish people has begun to lift" (p13)! Heidler then examines when and why this began, which is one of the main thrusts of the book.

Since 1967, more Jewish people have come to know Jesus than in all the generations since the first century AD.

Chapters of Interest

In his second chapter, 'The Root and The Branches', Dr Heidler looks at the influence of paganism, which he believes has caused mankind to lose "any understanding of spiritual reality" (p34). He raises many interesting points that could be quite a challenge to believers. For example, he discusses the effects that a pagan mindset has had, and still has, on Gentile understandings of God's relationship with the Jewish people – causing many Gentiles to struggle to see that there is one God, rather than 'one of many gods'.

There is also an excellent chapter entitled 'Living in Covenant', in which the meaning of covenant is unpacked. Heidler refers to Genesis 26:26-28 and states that covenant is "the key to security" in a lawless world (p108). Later, he compares 'cutting' covenant (the correct terminology) with "Jesus our Covenant Partner" (p114). He explains that believers are now in covenant with God and tells of the blessings which come from that.

The book contains useful appendices on the Jewishness of the Early Church and on celebrating the Feasts as God's appointed times. In this the author takes us through each feast in turn, showing how to appropriate them into the Christian life. A special mention goes to Appendix 1, 'God's Heart for the Jews'. I found that this chapter touched my heart, and I could see the compassion Dr Heidler has for the Jewish people. He reminds the reader that God has not forgotten Israel – and that there is an urgent need for the Church to wake up and mature in its understanding of the Bible, which is very much a Jewish book.

This is a book that will show you how to regain your lost inheritance as part of the 'One New Man' with Jewish believers.

Breaking Down the Wall

If you are being called to be part of the 'One New Man' with Jewish believers (which we all are), I would recommend this book to you. It covers the burning issue of Replacement Theology and the diabolical influences of anti-Semitism within the historical 'Church'. It is relevant and thought-provoking to us in these end times and it helps to "break down the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile believers" (Eph 2:14).

The purpose of this book is not to make you Jewish, but to help you experience the fullness of Christianity - to know Christianity as God intended. Overall this is a book that will show you how to regain your lost inheritance. You will read and be refreshed and revived, and want to cry out, 'Lord, let me return to my roots and receive your blessing!'

'The Messianic Church Arising' is available from Sozo Books for £10.99 + P&P.

"The axe is already at the root of the trees" (Matt 3:10): Clifford Hill asks if these words of John the Baptist have relevance for us today.

I have always thought that in this verse John the Baptist is speaking about judgement falling upon Israel. That is what all my commentaries say. The axe is about to cut down the tree. But John does not say this. He says that the axe is at the ROOT of the trees, not the trunk!

This changes the meaning of the metaphor: the root of the trees was being cut off so that the "nourishing sap" (to use Paul's words in Romans 11:17) from the root could not feed the tree to produce good fruit. Therefore, it would have to be cut down.

Israel's long-awaited Messiah was about to appear and John's mission was to prepare the way for him. Meanwhile, the spiritual life of the nation was being corrupted by the Scribes and Pharisees whose teachings and interpretations of the Law made life difficult for ordinary people. The Israelites were being cut off from their spiritual heritage in the teaching of Moses and the prophets, so they were unable to read the signs of the times. Jesus wept over Jerusalem: "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes" (Luke 19:42).

Our Spiritual Heritage

In Britain, America and Europe since the Second World War, we have been cutting off our Judaeo-Christian roots. The 'nourishing sap' of the word of God that has blessed our nation for centuries is being cut off at the very time when we most need the guidance and the blessing of God.

Just as Jesus came to Israel at a time when they were cut off from their own spiritual heritage, so now Britain and other 'Christian' nations are cutting themselves off from their own Judeao-Christian roots."

The nations are being shaken with greater speed and severity each day but because the leaders of the Western nations do not know the word of God, they are unable to perceive the significance of what is happening. They do not know what to do: so inevitably they are making all the wrong decisions.

The Greek TragedyProtestors clashed with police outside the Greek Parliament on Wednesday.

In Brussels the Eurozone nations are struggling to save the euro. They may have succeeded in a patched-up deal to stop the Greek crisis bringing down the whole structure of European finance – but they are simply 'kicking the can down the road', delaying the day of judgement. They continue to build up a mountain of debt that will eventually become a volcano that will burst and spill out, engulfing not only Athens but the whole of Europe.

Battle in the Middle East

In the Middle East the power struggle for control of the Muslim world is increasingly centring upon the two behind-the-scenes main players in Iran and Saudi Arabia. With America's President Obama having another year to run, there is huge danger in his desire to be friendly to Iran, despite the recent treaty.

Everyone knows that the Iranian nuclear programme is not just to produce nuclear power for peaceful purposes, because they are sitting on the world's fourth greatest reserves of oil. They don't need nuclear power! What they do want is a nuclear bomb! Then they can control the Middle East and prepare to attack Israel. But if they succeed in their nuclear ambitions, the Saudis will have to do the same. They will immediately purchase a nuclear bomb and the race for survival will be on! Who will blink first?

Global Insecurities

With the rising tide of terrorism from militant Islam, the threat to world peace grows daily. So too does the danger of worldwide financial collapse. In Beijing the Communist rulers are struggling to control their stock market casino as the gambling fever that grips the nation has paved the way for a gigantic double-dealing con-trick that has swindled millions of small investors out of their savings. Clearly there is no way that a massive $3.5 trillion could have gone through a life-and-death cycle in a mere 80 trading days of normal commercial activity! Yet, the all-powerful commissars of China are powerless to protect their own people from financial disaster.

For those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, there have been warning signs of these global problems for a long time. Many Christians believe that a critical point in world history will occur around the time of the Feast of Tabernacles this year which coincides with the Lunar Eclipse, the 'Super Blood Moon' on 28 September, 2015.

Whether or not this is the case, we are certainly living in volatile times. What can be done? The most effective thing Christians can do is pray – but we need to know how to pray and what to pray for. This is where knowledge of the Bible and an understanding of the nature and purposes of God are essential.

The most effective thing Christians can do is pray- but we need an understanding of how to pray and what to pray for."

When we can understand what God is doing, we know how to pray. We should be praying for our nation; for repentance for all we have done that is contrary to the word of God and the way we have cut off our spiritual roots. God is slow to anger and abundant in mercy. It is time to call upon him for help. Never was there greater need than today.