A Message to Pastors and Church Leaders
Our ministry gets dozens of emails and messages every week from believers whose families, friends, or faith communities are dealing with disruption and even damage from false teachers who promote the theology of Torahism. (It goes by various names: Hebrew Roots, Torah Keepers, Torah-Observant Christians, Pronomians, etc.)
At its core, Torahism teaches that Christians are obligated to keep the Mosaic Law—especially the dietary laws, biblical feast days, and the seventh-day Sabbath—and that failing to do so is sinful and disobedient. While the movement varies widely in tone and doctrine, many expressions go beyond honoring the Jewish roots of the Christian faith and treat Mosaic practices as binding for Christians., promoting them in ways that compromise the sufficiency and finality of Christ’s finished work.
The result is a great deal of confusion seeping into our churches, dividing small groups, and even damaging marriages and families. In many cases, believers are led to think that traditional Christians are “missing” a higher form of obedience, or that churches have abandoned the “true” faith by not observing Torah. This frequently creates confusion, division, spiritual pride, and fractured relationships.
The Biblical Roots Ministries exists to serve the local church by producing faithful, Bible-based resources that ground believers in Scripture and equip pastors and leaders to recognize and respond to theological confusion.
As Scripture reminds us, faithful shepherding includes protecting the flock from teachings that distort the gospel (Acts 20:28–31; Gal. 1:6–9; Titus 1:9–11; 1 Pet. 5:1–3). We pray these resources help strengthen and encourage you in that calling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions we get from pastors and church leaders:
What can I do to protect my church or small group?
The best protection is proactive discipleship. Teach your people how to read Scripture in context, ground them in the sufficiency of Christ and His gospel, and address these issues before confusion takes root. Especially important is teaching an understanding and appreciation of the Old Testament. These movements often attract thoughtful Christians who desire to recover the Bible’s Jewish roots, but who may not yet fully understand how the Sinai Covenant and its temple-centered regulations (priesthood, sacrifices, offerings, feasts, etc.) are presented in the NT as fulfilled in Christ (Col 2:16–17; Heb 10:1).
Encourage honest questions, keep the conversation pastoral rather than combative, and be willing to address problematic teachings directly when necessary. Most importantly, shepherd patiently. Many people drawn into these movements are sincerely seeking to honor God, even when the theology itself becomes spiritually harmful. The resources listed on this page can be helpful in this pursuit.
Why is the theology of Torahism dangerous?
Torahism becomes dangerous when it teaches that Christians are required to keep the Law of Moses—such as Sabbath laws, dietary laws, and feast days—as an obligation of faithful Christian living. In practice, this subtly shifts the believer’s focus away from Christ and his finished work and back onto personal performance and obedience to the Mosaic Law. What often begins as a desire to honor God can gradually become a form of legalism in which assurance, spiritual maturity, or even salvation itself becomes tied to works rather than resting fully in the grace of God through faith in Christ. It can also create division within churches and burden believers with fear, confusion, and uncertainty about their standing before God.
How do I tell if someone is teaching Torahism or something else?
This is a good question because there are many acceptable and even beneficial ways to appreciate the Jewish roots of the Christian faith, including learning Hebrew, studying the feasts and how they point to Christ, learning about first-century Jewish culture, etc. The critical question revolves around obligation.
The Bible teaches that Christians are free to eat a Leviticus 11 diet, keep a seventh-day Sabbath, and observe the Torah feasts if they choose to do so as a voluntary expression of their faith (Rom 14:5–6; Col 2:16–17). These things are permitted, but they are not required of believers (Acts 15:1–29; Gal 2:15–16; 5:1–6). The moment someone begins teaching that Christians are required to keep these things as a matter of obedience, righteousness, or salvation, they have crossed the line into false teaching and are directly challenging the finished work of Christ (Gal 1:6–9; 2:21; 3:1–3; 5:2–4; Heb 10:1–14).
If you’re not sure, Church leaders can connect with Dr. Solberg for biblical guidance and theological support in addressing the challenges posed by false teachings within their churches and ministries. These conversations are offered as a free ministry resource. Contact us to learn more or schedule a conversation.
Resources to Help
Dr. Solberg’s open letter to to families struggling over Torahism with their loved ones: Responding to Loved Ones (PDF)
From Curiosity to Captivity: How people fall into this belief system: Video | Article
Pastoral Guidance with Dr. Solberg — Church leaders can connect with Dr. Solberg for biblical guidance and theological support in addressing the challenges posed by false teachings within their churches and ministries. These conversations are offered as a free ministry resource. Contact us to learn more or schedule a conversation.
Live Events
Our ministry partners with local churches to put on live teachings, panel discussion, and debates to help equip local congregations to stay grounded in Christ and God’s Word and recognize dangerous teachings. Click here to learn more.
Watch
The Biblical Roots YouTube channel has over 500 free videos addressing all aspects of Torahism and teaching the sufficiency and centrality of Jesus Christ in the Christian faith. For example:
- Messianic Judaism? Hebrew Roots? Torah Keepers? What do these groups believe?
- First Fruits of Zion: A Biblical Examination
- Colossians 2:16–17: A Bible Study
- 4 Hebrew Roots Myths Debunked
- Biblical Law: What Applies to Christians Today?
Read
Dr. Solberg’s blog features over 200 articles on theology and apologetics that likewise argues the all-sufficiency of Christ, including:
- What Makes the New Covenant New
- Praising God’s Law in a New Covenant Context
- Sin Sacrifice: A Response to C. M. Hegg
- Busting the Easter Pagan Myths
- Acts 15 in its Historical Context
Books by Dr. R. L. Solberg:
- Torahism: Are Christians Required to Keep the Law of Moses — (If you’re a pastor or church leader please contact us for a free PDF copy of this book.)
- Divergence: Jewish-Christian Relations in the Early Church
- What God Has Made Clean: Why Christians Are Not Required to Eat Kosher
- The Law, the Christ, the Promise: A Verse by Verse Apologetic Study Through Galatians
- Full of Grace and Truth: The Biblical Roots of Christmas
Listen
The Biblical Roots Podcast is available where ever you listen to podcasts.