On Tu B’Shvat in Israel, people like to go outside and plant trees. (AKA “Tu Bishvat” and “New Year for Trees”). We like to eat fruit from trees like dried fruits since traditionally that’s how fruits from the previous season were preserved, prior to global exporting practices.
But “New Year for Trees” is nowhere commanded in the Scriptures. As such, Tu B’Shvat is a good example of how Romans 14:5 relates to feasts which are not Commanded in the Word: That is, some feasts may be relatively harmless, although not commanded; participation in such feasts is optional and up to each individual’s choice. In the Body of Messiah, we are not to judge one another about non-mandatory things:
One man discriminates between days; and another judges all days alike. But let every one be sure in regard to his knowledge. 6. He that esteems a day, esteems (it) for his Master: and he that esteems not a day for his Master, he does not esteem (it). And he that eats, eats to his Master and gives thanks to Elohim: and he that eats not to his Master he eats not and gives thanks to Elohim. (Romans 14:5 AENT)
What do you think? Does this passage relate to non-mandatory feasts? Leave your comments below.
For further reading on the question, “What are mandatory feasts for the Disciple of the Messiah?” For this, we click the link to have a look at Colossians 2:16.
Well, we aren't to judge one another in any context, but that aside, I'd say that generally speaking, Romans 14:5 would cover non-mandatory feasts in interest of promoting unity. However, there's a lot of grey in that response because I'd also say that there is a somewhat subjective, slippery slope with respect to what each individual might deem to be harmful/harmless or beneficial though permissible.
Hi Gina, thanks for your comment!
Re: Judging one another, I think that's exactly what's encouraged in Colosians 2:16-17, for example, where it is written, "Let no one judge you (on faith practice matters) EXCEPT for the Body of Messiah." For those who haven't seen, my post on Colossians 2:16 has some of my thoughts on this passage, and how this reading is defended.
Re: Slippery slope: It's clear from Scripture that feasts which are commanded by YHWH are not optional. In Acts 20:16, Paul arranges his travel schedule to ensure he makes it to Jerusalem for Shavuot (Pentecost), which is one of three yearly Feasts in which men of Israel are commanded to appear in Jerusalem (Lev. 23). Acts 20 of course takes place well after the Atonement. And Paul's actions here cannot be explained simply by his Jewish background, because in Acts 26:20 he explicitly states that he teaches this lifestyle to Jews and Gentiles alike.
Re: lots of grey: Yes, there certainly is grey area; 1 Corinthians 10:27 expresses such: "And if one of the pagans invite you, and you are disposed to go…" Disciples of Y'shua Messiah can make their own choices. A Disciple may even choose to attend a feast hosted by a pagan, to obey the Law of Love.
However, such a Disciple must still obey the Word of Elohim: (1) Don't knowingly eat meat sacrificed to idols (including "Halal" meat: 1 Cor. 10:28, Acts 15:20, 29; Rev. 2:14, 20) and (2) don't eat unclean meat (Biblical Diet 3: 1 Cor. 8 / Col. 1 & 2). That being said, according to 1 Tim. 4:5, the meat is cleansed first by the Word of Elohim (which refers to Leviticus 11/Deuteronomy 14) and SECONDLY by prayer.
In other words, this flexibility, this freedom of choice regarding such "grey areas," is ultimately subject to the Word of Elohim: Acts 24:14, 25:8.
For me the shades of grey and slippery slope come more in the form of the subjectivity amongst believers with respect to what they personally celebrate outside of "mandatory feasts", as opposed to what they might tolerate from others or actually participate in if invited, for the sake of unity. You might view New Year for Trees to be "relatively harmless" whereas someone else might view it to be harmful. Clearly that's a benign example as planting trees sounds super nice relative to other "non mandatory" celebrations/feasts accepted throughout the world, but hopefully the overall distinction makes sense.
Re judgement …. I think it depends how we are defining the term. If we are talking about judgement that is fueled by pride and somehow elevates one over another, giving room for the enemy to operate, I'm going to be hard pressed to think that's what Colossians 2:16 means regardless of bible version and will defer those judgements to the Lord, but if we are talking about judgement in the context of critical thinking and discernment, I might buy it. 🙂
Thanks for the comment Gina. You're right, of course Abba doesn't want us to lord over each other or to be vindictive or whatnot while judging each other. That would go against the fruit of the Spirit. But assess and discern is also valid meaning of judge, too. 🙂
On 2/10/12, Gina Huff wrote:
Cool. And wasn't trying to be adversarial … just discussing. And wanted to clarify just because of the apparent differences between AENT and my ESV. Often the difference seems pretty significant and really changes a verse in ways I wouldn't necessarily expect. I'm getting curve balls all over the place. 🙂
Teddy wrote:
Great! Discussion is good, and a necessary part of the life of a
Disciple, I think. Esp when there's curve balls! BTW how are your
friends enjoying their AENT Bibles?
Gina replied:
I agree. I could happily spend days and days in discussion …. I especially enjoy it when I have differing opinions as that's when I learn the most and am challenged to dive into the Word – sometimes to ultimately solidify my original opinion or sometimes opening my eyes to other possibilities.
AENT's are awesome! Do you use yours exclusively for NT study or do you entertain other translations?
Shabbat Shalom!
Gina
Hi Gina: The only other translation I read in the NT is the King James Version (aka Authorised Version because it was authorized by the Body in that day) and the NKJV. But since I'm already quite familiar with Greek-based NT's, I don't use those much for reading or study anymore. But hey, YAH's Word never returns void, and His Ruach haKodesh moves and works through all kinds of things. However, while He promised to keep His Word (His promises and His Scripture, as delivered), He did not promise to keep the translations. 🙂