In a compelling conversation with Eric Metaxas, Rabbi Kirt Schneider, host of Discovering the Jewish Jesus, delivers a timely message to the church: the Torah is not obsolete—it’s essential.
Rabbi Schneider begins by defining the Torah as Genesis through Deuteronomy—the foundation of the Judeo-Christian faith. He highlights Jesus’ own words in Matthew 5:17–19, where Christ affirms the continued relevance of the Law, not to place believers under legalism, but to guide them in righteous living. “We’re not under the Law,” Schneider clarifies, “but that doesn’t mean we throw away God’s self-revelation in the Law.”
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One of the major barriers, Schneider points out, is the historical separation of Christianity from its Jewish roots. After Constantine established Christianity as the Roman Empire’s state religion, an anti-Semitic spirit crept in, distorting theology. A prime example is the King James Version’s translation of John 1:17: “The Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” The word “but” is not in the original Greek; it was added by translators and has led many to believe that Law and grace are in conflict. Rabbi Schneider corrects this: “The Law was the elementary form of God’s grace. The fullness of grace came through Jesus.”
Schneider explains how his book, Decoding the Torah, presents timeless spiritual truths in the 613 commandments. One example is the command in Genesis 32:32 forbidding the eating of the thigh muscle. It points to Jacob’s wrestling with God, where his hip was dislocated—a symbol of God breaking his pride before blessing him. “We cannot walk in the fullness of God’s blessing until He breaks our self-reliance,” Schneider says, underscoring that humility remains central to Christian living.
Another example is from Exodus 30: the daily burning of incense by priests. This, Schneider explains, teaches believers to worship God every morning—whether they feel like it or not. “Love isn’t first a feeling, it’s an action,” he states, challenging believers to develop spiritual discipline over emotional dependence.
Schneider and Metaxas also discuss the observance of the Sabbath. Many Christians think attending church on Sunday fulfills this commandment. However, Schneider emphasizes that the Sabbath is a gift—a time to disconnect from busyness and delight in God’s creation. Drawing from Isaiah 58, he encourages believers to “call the Sabbath a delight,” noting that regular rest strengthens spiritual discernment.
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Rabbi Schneider’s message is clear: the Torah is not a relic of the past but a living revelation of God’s nature. In a time when the church is drifting from holiness and rootedness, we must be called back to a faith that is both ancient and alive.
Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
