Behind the Scenes with Michael Rood – Episode 1

by with No Comment Michael RoodShabbat Night Live Q&As

This week (Sept 2) on Shabbat Night Live, we go behind the scenes! Several years ago, Luke and Kayte Abaffy interviewed Michael Rood for their groundbreaking documentary, The Way, a story of countless believers around the world who have traded Easter ham for Passover lamb and Sunday church for Saturday Sabbath.

Behind The Scenes with Michael Rood presents, for the first time, the raw footage of that interview — a special, two-episode series that gives you a real-life glimpse of the man behind the ministry!

Watch the episode — included on this blog post.

While you watch, consider the questions below. The timeline for each discussion topic in the video is noted on each question. Post your answers in the comments section and let’s get some discussion going!

  1. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 18:00) Why is the dedication of one’s life to serving YeHoVaH in some capacity, whether personal or professional, such a challenge for many believers? How does the simplicity of prayer underscore the complexity of defining, developing, and maintaining a private apostolate when there is no guarantee of its effectuality in a hostile and sinful world?
  2. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 21:00) Why has the enduring popularity of Fiddler on the Roof as musical and film, along with the source stories of Sholem Aleichem, nevertheless made little impact upon the spirituality of many professed Christians? Has this been a function of residual antisemitism, which is still prevalent, or evidence of an unwillingness to explore the genuine Hebrew ethos of scripture?
  3. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 25:00) Controversies continue regarding the politicization of our nation’s military, particularly regarding its growing egalitarianism toward gender and the practice of Islam within its ranks. How might the deterioration of hierarchy and discipline here be attributed to an absence of Judeo-Christian spirituality in training and in recognition of Just War Theory in military ethics?
  4. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 29:00) How do Yeshua’s words against the Phariseeism of his own times tend to resonate in today’s heavily materialistic and agnostic world? How can his demarcations of arbitrary and man-made legalism be viewed as precursors of the growing power and personality cults of present-day leaders, such as political figures, captains of industry, and presumptive medical experts?
  5. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 33:00) Alternatively, how do Paul’s admonitions to his readers assume greater contemporary significance when situated within the contexts of Temple worship and maintenance of the Feasts, as designated by the Torah? What is the most potentially damaging aspect of disseminating these texts as mere aphorisms without this framework for believers who attempt to evangelize?
  6. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 38:00) How do ongoing debates regarding the validity of the modern-day Jewish calendar serve to dramatize the challenge facing all believers who attempt to fulfill their duties as priests, prophets, and kings? Why is a crucial factor like the ancient reckoning of time so often ignored or treated in an arbitrary manner by many Christian denominations?
  7. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 42:00) Similarly, how have examples of biblical miracles such as the raising from death of Lazarus (John 11) and the daughter of the synagogue leader (Luke 8) been trivialized or dismissed as mere folklore or even propaganda by both believers and agnostics? How can the faithful strive most effectively to reconcile belief in divine power and the empiricism of science when faced with the Simon Magus figures of our own age?
  8. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 44:00) What could be the likely cultural impact of a revisionist view of Yeshua as a truly masculine and provocative public figure, one who challenged hypocritical authority and advocated a recognition of the Laws of Moses and a return to principles of obedient worship? Could such a conception inspire greater unity among today’s denominational Christians, or instead serve as an example of the “sword of division” (Matthew 10:34)?
  9. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 49:00) What is the unforeseen danger of the popular academic trend toward graduate degrees in divinity studies? How might otherwise devout or curious lay professionals develop skeptical or ill-defined conceptions of doctrinal elements within scripture, which could ironically weaken rather than enhance their secular apostolates within the working world?
  10. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 55:00) In light of Israel’s perseverance as a major player on the geopolitical stage, along with the ongoing relevance of its centrality in biblical archaeology, how might its prominence lead to a reconciliation of the divisions within modern Judaism? Would such a development most likely be initiated through political diplomacy and international trade, or through evangelical efforts among gentiles?

Tim Mahoney’s Journey Home

by with No Comment Shabbat Night Live Q&As

This week (August 26) on Shabbat Night Live, you are in for a special treat — a “double header” of sorts. Filmmaker Tim Mahoney is coming out with 2 new movies, one of which will be released NEXT WEEK (Sept 2)! You’re going to get some behind-the-scenes information about these two movies in a special interview with Tim Mahoney

Watch the episode — included on this blog post.

While you watch, consider the questions below. The timeline for each discussion topic in the video is noted on each question. Post your answers in the comments section and let’s get some discussion going!

  1. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 16:00) How should today’s believers who are eager to learn about the history of their faith attempt to reconcile their workaday spirituality with the remnants of biblical archeology, whether they confirm beliefs or raise further questions? Aside from recognition of YeHoVaH, what is the common ground between knowledge of artifacts and an individual’s prayer life and interaction with one’s neighbor?
  2. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 20:00) In the study and teaching of YeHoVaH’s message, how does our reliance upon documentation, text, and traditional school settings provide only a partial impression of our responsibility as his followers and evangelists? Apart from providing an environment for learning the Bible, how should parents view the home as a place to explore the full range of living the divine truth within our world?
  3. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 24:00) How do the ancient Israelites offer an enduring example for contemporary family members of how to negotiate such issues as abuse, personality disorders, or clinical depression, that can threaten the integrity of home life and spirituality? How might verses in Psalms or Proverbs serve to enlighten us about the command to “honor thy father and thy mother?”
  4. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 28:00) Similarly, how do the children of Israel under the leadership of Moses continue to demonstrate our own lack of trust in YeHoVaH throughout our earthly sojourn? How can our contemporary world, with its abundant material wealth and pursuit of power, be tenably viewed as the equivalent of the vast and barren desert that threatened the Hebrews with undernourishment and an attendant loss of faith?
  5. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 32:00) Despite their own personal testament of belief in and worship of YeHoVaH, why do so many professed Christians also acknowledge the difficulty of placing their full trust in his providence and guidance? How should today’s believer cultivate this ethos of conviction and genuine dependence in both private prayer and personal engagement with our neighbor?
  6. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 36:00) Similarly, how might this unconditional trust in YeHoVaH as heavenly father be impeded by our very human but inherently flawed refusal to forgive others who have wronged us, even those who are no longer present in our lives, either through estrangement or death? How might the countless references to divine forgiveness in scripture be viewed as an admonition against the false pride of maintaining a grudge? 
  7. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 40:00) How can the concept of “patterns of evidence” in biblical history be viewed as an archetype that transcends such categories of reference as archeology, textuality, or oral tradition? How might the diverse and conflicting theories regarding the location and significance of Mount Sinai in Judeo-Christian history ironically result in a greater recognition of the spiritual dimensions of narrative by disputing believers?
  8. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 44:00) How might the ongoing exploration of such subjects as the Exodus and the discovery of the true Mount Sinai serve to reorient the public’s attention to the ancient significance of the Sinai Peninsula and its centrality for the three major faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam? How could this potentially serve as an alternative point of reference from Jerusalem for eventual peace in the Middle East?
  9. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 48:00) How might today’s believers, accustomed to advanced communication, prolonged life, and relative material comfort, be likened to the “stiff-necked” Israelites, who repeatedly complained of their predicament in the midst of divine miracles? What sort of spiritual guidance should be sought by those teachers and evangelists who must share the exasperation of Moses?
  10. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 50:00) The final sentence of Joshua 24:15 is often emblazoned by evangelical Christians as a proclamation of personal faith, yet the complete verse offers a more challenging context for such a statement. How does this passage offer a straightforward acknowledgement of free will in its presentation of choice to the believer between worship of YeHoVaH and recourse to familiar but false forms of solace?

The Goshen Experience

by with No Comment Shabbat Night Live Q&As

This week (August 19) on Shabbat Night Live, While questionable happenings emerge one after the other around the world, YeHoVaH is preparing his people for a Goshen experience in the midst of an end-time Egypt. How will we as believers get through it — and even benefit from it?

Watch the episode — included on this blog post for your convenience — David Lopez opens our eyes to some interesting opportunities!

While you watch, consider the questions below. The timeline for each discussion topic in the video is noted on each question — post your answers in the comments section and let’s get some discussion going!

  1. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 16:00) How should today’s followers of YeHoVaH assess and respond to the broad public advocacy of such monolithic organizations as the World Health Organization or the World Economics Forum? Even without invoking end-times prophecy or interpretation, what steps can they take to avoid hysteria or combativeness toward those who would undermine their freedom to conduct their lives according to Yeshua’s ministry?
  2. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 20:00) Similarly, how have contemporary citizens of many Western nations come to resemble those of Yeshua’s community of colonial subjects, who were forced to defer to their imperial rulers? How should today’s faithful negotiate the increasing pressure to “render unto Caesar” and to avoid the temptation of surrendering to Bread and Circuses instead of being proactive and resourceful?
  3. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 24:00) Over a century ago, H.G. Wells created an enduring science fiction scenario wherein extraterrestrial invaders were destroyed by ordinary pathogens – “the humblest things that God had [created].” How might present-day believers, faced with another pandemic, successfully undermine those within the geopolitical-scientific complex through their own homespun ingenuity and initiative, as directed by divine providence?
  4. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 28:00) Similarly, how is the one-world government reflex dependent upon the passivity and perceived helplessness of the citizenry in our heavily agnostic age? How might this momentum be disrupted and even destroyed by the inventive example of those who fully consider and enact Yeshua’s exhortation to be both “wise as serpents and harmless as doves” in their refusal to submit to the monitoring and control of all human activity?
  5. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 32:00) As the social and political upheavals of recent years recede and new elections loom, how can the rebel ethos of the United States be rediscovered by complacent citizens as a viable opposition to international pressure toward conformism? How might its Judeo-Christian component be viewed as a central, rather than marginal, element that could redefine the dynamic between the individual and the state? 
  6. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 38:00) How might our contemporary civilization be compared to that of the Western world in the first century in terms of innovation and advancement borne out of autocracy and oppression? How are today’s believers, like the underground church of decadent pagan Rome, faced with unrealized opportunity in the form of cryptocurrency, “obsolete” media like shortwave radio, and increasing demographic mobility?
  7. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 42:00) Similarly, how does our current predicament recall the dilemma of the ancient Hebrews as they faced the prospect of fleeing a slave state with no guarantee of survival? Could the near future of Western civilization witness both a resurgence of dependence upon YeHoVaH by more resilient believers and simultaneous despair among those who have unwittingly placed more value upon the material world?
  8. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 46:00) How have the vagaries of the pandemic – enforced confinement, remote learning in schools, food shortages, increased surveillance – resulted in a defiant reawakening of our natural human desire for freedom and community? How might this unintended consequence of official control ultimately be more beneficial for resolving racial and cultural differences between citizens than coercion or propaganda?
  9. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 50:00) Similarly, how have the events of the past two years exposed the destructive aspects of elitism among those in power, whether in politics, industry, or media, to such an extent that nonbelievers are finding common ground with the faithful in their recognition and assessment of evil?  How likely is a near-future scenario like that described in Jeremiah 31:34, wherein evangelization will become virtually unnecessary among disparate peoples because YeHoVaH will have “put [his] law in their minds”?
  10. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 54:00) The recent repeal of the constitutional right to abortion has resulted in further polarization between pro-life and pro-choice factions. How has this served to recall the perspective of the ancient pagan Romans, who considered life to be cheap, but who were superstitious about death?  Furthermore, how might this legislation, like the various effects of the pandemic, compel a greater awareness of the devaluation of human life as an expression of evil? 

Crisis and Crypto

by with One Comment Shabbat Night Live Q&As

This week (August 12) on Shabbat Night Live, Former Navy SEAL David Lopez teaches us the difference between cryptocurrency and digital currency — pay close attention to this episode! China’s social credit-driven digital currency will soon be the way of the West, and you need to know how it works!

Watch the episode — included in this blog post for your convenience — and learn how to take steps now to understand what it is and how to use it to your advantage before the system takes advantage of you.

While you watch, consider the questions below. The timeline for each discussion topic in the video is noted on each question — post your answers in the comments section and let’s get some discussion going!

  1. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 16:00) Despite its categorical immorality, sex trafficking remains a marginal issue throughout public awareness and in the mainstream media. What is the likely outcome for grassroots and faith-based efforts in places like Haiti?  Will these apostolates produce only token success, or could they inspire the Holy Spirit to galvanize the larger denominational Christian world?
  2. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 20:00) How does a proactive approach to preventing the crime of kidnapping serve as a demonstration of both the pervasiveness of sex trafficking and the vulnerability of all women, regardless of race or class? What are some examples of how this particular crime has resisted politicization in public discourse and eradication through existing laws?
  3. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 24:00) How does the advent of cryptocurrency pose a challenge to the campaign against sex trafficking? In light of its controversial introduction and considerable public resistance, what is the potential for blockchain as an asset to anti-trafficking efforts?  Will this remain a viable element, or is it vulnerable to abuse and exploitation by the very same criminal factions that are targeted by their opponents?
  4. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 28:00) Similarly, how might bitcoin be viewed by a growing body of users as a legitimate and practicable form of currency which undermines the corporate oversight and control of money that is exercised by banks and the government? How might its utilization in opposition to trafficking be interpreted in terms of Yeshua’s imperative to “render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21)?
  5. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 32:00) How does the potential of sex trafficking for creating division among ostensibly monolithic groups like radical feminists or academic supporters of the BDS movement also underscore the common moral ground of both believers and atheistic materialists? How might this ironic situation be resolved through decentralized currency and unmediated communication between disparate individuals?
  6. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 38:00) How does the controversy over cybercurrency dramatize the dynamic between security and enterprise? How might believers who exchange civil liberties or professional advancement for social safety nets or autocratic law enforcement eventually become guilty of such sins as laziness and inactivity, indifference to the well-being of their neighbor, or laxity in worship?
  7. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 42:00) Similarly, how are today’s faithful vulnerable to a level of state control that is comparable to the monolithic imperial oversight of the Roman Empire during the period of Yeshua’s ministry? How does the notion of governmental “social credit” surpass the power of a stationed army or sinecured bureaucrats to undermine and degrade the personal freedoms of a citizenry?
  8. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 46:00) What are some examples of longstanding infrastructures that could be rendered obsolete by the adoption of a decentralized cybercurrency? How could today’s faithful, faced with the rapid loss of corporate-level protection and restriction in their workday lives, view this as an opportunity for growing apostolates, whether entrepreneurial or service-oriented?
  9. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 50:00) Aside from the dangers of politicization and its tendency to encourage differences between individuals and groups, how does cybercurrency demonstrate the principle of how anything of value may become a means of exchange, especially in times of severe deprivation? How might today’s believers begin preparation for a survival scenario that could conceivably prioritize a natural resource over something like bitcoin?
  10. (VIDEO TIMELINE – 54:00) Conversely, how might our present-day climate of controversy and alarmism indirectly encourage a rediscovery of hard cash as an antidote to the vagaries of our credit-based and corporate-controlled economy?  How might conscientious followers of YeHoVaH seek to avoid crippling debt and adopt a frugal lifestyle as an apostolate that is oriented toward “minding the pennies,” which ironically are still being coined after decades of premature eulogies?