THE ecumenical winds blowing throughout the world are causing a stir in Jewish theological thought. Old concepts under review and dialog with Christians mark a new trend among Abraham's literal descendants. While this should not be construed as a mass movement away from historic Jewish doctrine it does indicate a desire to examine basic Christian belief.
Who will deny that the foregoing desire is of the Holy Spirit—the same Holy Spirit that worked so mightily in the days of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? Surely of all people who have anything in common with Jews, Seventh-day Adventists should be foremost in kindly answering the questions Jews are asking.
We have been instructed as to the best method of arousing Jewish minds to eternal realities. God's servant has said:
In the closing proclamation of the gospel, when special work is to be done for classes of people hitherto neglected, God expects His messengers to take particular interest in the Jewish people whom they find in all parts of the earth. As the Old Testament Scriptures are blended with the New in an explanation of Jehovah's eternal purpose, this will be to many of the Jews as the dawn of a new creation, the resurrection of the soul. As they see the Christ of the gospel dispensation portrayed in the pages of the Old Testament Scriptures, and perceive how clearly the New Testament explains the Old, their slumbering faculties will be aroused, and they will recognize Christ as the Saviour of the world. Many will by faith receive Christ as their Redeemer. To them will be fulfilled the words, "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name."—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 381.
An effective means to carry out God's instruction and reach the 5.5 million Jews in North America is the Israelite, a 32-page illustrated periodical published quarterly by the General Conference. Under the able direction of its editor, R. L. Odom, the magazine carries articles on health, archeology, science, history, theological and devotional topics, and religious liberty, and it has a question-and-answer service. Each copy offers its readers a free Bible correspondence course, which close to 400 persons completed during the first ten months of 1965. On Sabbath, March 19, the churches throughout North America will promote the circulation of this splendid magazine and we trust that subscriptions will be provided to every responsible Jewish family in the community.
Among the thousands and thousands of requests for literature initiated by Ingathering contacts, many come from Jews. In addition, approximately 20,000 copies of the booklet Religious Liberty Threatened have been mailed to leading Jews of the nation and the response has been good. Often the Jews work closely with us in defending and preserving religious liberty and in meeting the threat of Sunday laws. The increasing trend toward union of church and state brings us even closer together.
Let us, therefore, with warm and tender hearts befriend the Jews in our communities so that in our day this impressive statement will be fulfilled: "Among the Jews are some who, like Saul of Tarsus, are mighty in the Scriptures, and these will proclaim with wonderful power the immutability of the law of God. The God of Israel will bring this to pass in our day. His arm is not shortened that it cannot save. As His servants labor in faith for those who have long been neglected and despised, His salvation will be revealed."—Ibid. (Italics supplied.)