Surprised by Christ

1. From Judaism to Christ: A Personal Odyssey

He who does not love does not know God, for God is Love.

Roots and Upbringing. A. James Bernstein's journey begins in a devout Jewish household in Queens, New York, shadowed by the Holocaust. Raised with a strong sense of Jewish identity and destiny, he grapples with questions of faith and the existence of evil. His family's history, deeply rooted in Jerusalem, contrasts with their life among Gentiles in America, creating a unique cultural and spiritual tension.

Seeds of Doubt and Conversion. Despite his upbringing, Bernstein finds himself drawn to the New Testament, captivated by the figure of Jesus Christ. This attraction sets him on a path of intellectual and spiritual exploration, challenging his preconceived notions and leading him to question the core tenets of his Jewish faith. His conversion is not a rejection of his heritage but a surprising fulfillment of his deepest longings.

Embracing Christ. Bernstein's conversion is marked by a profound personal experience of God's presence, confirming the truth of the Gospels and the divinity of Christ. This encounter transforms his life, leading him to embrace Christianity while navigating the challenges and conflicts that arise within his family and community. His journey is a testament to the power of faith and the courage to follow one's spiritual calling.

2. The Divinity of Christ: A Convert's Inquiry

My Lord and my God!

Confronting the Question. As a new Christian, Bernstein faces the central theological question: Is Jesus divine? Raised to believe that such a claim is blasphemous, he embarks on a systematic study of the Scriptures, weighing the evidence and arguments for and against Christ's divinity. He grapples with the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses, who deny Christ's eternal existence, and seeks to reconcile his Jewish heritage with his newfound faith.

Scriptural Evidence. Bernstein examines key passages in the Gospels, focusing on Jesus' claims to forgive sins, accept worship, and raise Himself from the dead. He analyzes the apostle Thomas's declaration, "My Lord and my God!" and the Book of Hebrews' affirmation of Christ's eternal throne. He finds compelling proof of Christ's divinity in the New Testament, even within the Jehovah's Witnesses' own translation.

The Love of the Incarnation. Ultimately, Bernstein concludes that the Incarnation is the ultimate expression of God's love. He reasons that a Creator who manifests Himself as a creature, speaking directly to humanity, demonstrates a superior love compared to sending a mere angel or created being. This realization solidifies his belief in the divinity of Christ and sets the stage for his exploration of Christian theology.

3. Prophecies Fulfilled: Christ as the Jewish Messiah

Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.

The Skeptic's Transformation. Initially skeptical of biblical prophecy, Bernstein undergoes a transformation as he studies the Old Testament. He begins to see a pattern of prophecies concerning the coming Messiah, spanning centuries and encompassing every aspect of His life, death, and resurrection. He recognizes that these prophecies are not mere coincidences but divinely inspired revelations.

Key Prophecies. Bernstein focuses on specific prophecies, including the Messiah's lineage from Judah and David, His birth in Bethlehem, and the timeline provided in the Book of Daniel. He examines Isaiah 53, a detailed description of the suffering Messiah, and Psalm 22, which vividly portrays Christ's crucifixion. These prophecies, combined with the historical accounts of Jesus' life, convince him that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah of Israel.

A Jewish Destiny. Bernstein reflects on the unique history of the Jewish people, their preservation through persecution, and their return to the land of Israel. He sees a divine destiny at work, channeling events and guiding the Jewish people toward the revelation of the Messiah. This understanding deepens his appreciation for his Jewish heritage and his conviction that Orthodox Christianity is the fulfillment of Orthodox Judaism.

4. Discovering the Church: Beyond Sola Scriptura

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

The Limits of Individual Interpretation. As a young Christian, Bernstein embraces the principle of sola scriptura, believing that the Bible is the sole source of spiritual authority. However, he soon encounters a "maelstrom of confused doctrines," as Christians interpret the Scriptures in contradictory ways. He witnesses sectarianism and division, realizing that individual interpretation alone cannot guarantee truth or unity.

The Church's Role. Bernstein begins to study the history of the Church and the New Testament, discovering that the Church existed before the New Testament canon was finalized. He learns that the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, played a crucial role in selecting and preserving the Scriptures. This realization challenges his Protestant assumptions and leads him to question the sufficiency of sola scriptura.

Tradition and Authority. Bernstein comes to appreciate the importance of Holy Tradition, the oral and written teachings passed down from the apostles. He recognizes that the Church is not merely a product of the Bible but the "pillar and ground of the truth," the living Body of Christ that interprets and applies the Scriptures. This understanding marks a significant shift in his theological perspective.

5. Ancient Worship: Liturgy, Sacraments, and Roots

The doors, the doors.

Seeking the Ancient Pattern. Driven by a desire to find the Church that compiled the New Testament, Bernstein investigates the worship practices of the early Christians. He studies the writings of Justin Martyr, Hippolytus, and Egeria, discovering a consistent pattern of liturgical, sacramental, and hierarchical worship centered on the Eucharist. This pattern contrasts sharply with the informal, low-church worship he experienced in Protestantism.

The Eucharist at the Center. Bernstein learns that the Eucharist, or Holy Communion, was the central act of worship in the ancient Church. He discovers that early Christians universally believed that the consecrated bread and wine became the Body and Blood of Christ, not merely symbolic representations. This understanding challenges his Protestant views and leads him to reconsider the nature of the sacraments.

A Deep Distrust. Bernstein's journey is complicated by his deep-seated distrust of Roman Catholicism, stemming from its history of anti-Semitism. However, he recognizes that the ancient pattern of worship he is discovering is not unique to Catholicism but is also found in the Orthodox Church, a tradition largely unknown to him. This realization opens a new door in his search for the original Church.

6. The Fall and Salvation: An Orthodox Perspective

God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.

Revisiting the Fall. Bernstein delves into the Orthodox understanding of the Fall, contrasting it with the Western view of original sin and inherited guilt. He learns that Orthodoxy emphasizes the consequences of Adam and Eve's disobedience—corruption, mortality, and separation from God—rather than a legal debt or punitive sentence. This perspective shifts the focus from God's wrath to His love and mercy.

The Nature of Sin. In Orthodoxy, sin is understood as a disease, a turning away from God, and a denial of love. It is not merely breaking a rule but a failure to realize life as communion with God. This understanding leads to a therapeutic view of salvation, emphasizing healing, purification, and transformation rather than legal justification.

God's Love and Freedom. Bernstein discovers that Orthodoxy rejects the idea that God is bound by a necessity to punish sin. Instead, God desires the salvation of all and works through love and freedom to draw humanity back to Himself. This understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity profoundly impacts his understanding of salvation.

7. Theosis: God Became Man That Man Might Become God

He indeed, assumed humanity that we might become God [godlike].

The Ultimate Goal. Bernstein explores the Orthodox concept of theosis, or deification, the ultimate goal of salvation. He learns that God became man so that man might become god, not in essence but in grace. This means that through union with Christ, humanity can participate in the divine nature, becoming more and more like God without ever ceasing to be human.

Union with Christ. Theosis is achieved through participation in the sacramental life of the Church, especially Holy Communion, and through ascetic practices that purify the heart and mind. It is a lifelong journey of transformation, a progressive unveiling of the divine image within each person.

A New Perspective. This understanding of salvation as deification provides a new perspective on the Christian life. It is not merely about escaping hell or earning a reward in heaven but about becoming fully human, fully alive, and fully united with God in love and glory. This vision inspires Bernstein to embrace the Orthodox path with renewed zeal.

8. Humility: The Foundation of Divine Love

God is as humble as He is almighty.

A Divine Quality. Bernstein grapples with the concept of God's humility, a quality often misunderstood as weakness. He learns that in Orthodoxy, humility is not a sign of deficiency but a manifestation of divine strength and love. God's humility is expressed in His condescension to create, His Incarnation as a vulnerable man, and His willingness to suffer for humanity.

The Path to Transformation. Humility is the foundation of the spiritual life, the fertile ground in which repentance, faith, and love can grow. It is the first step on the ladder of divine ascent, leading to purification, enlightenment, and transfiguration. Without humility, true communion with God is impossible.

Tools for Acquiring Humility. Bernstein discovers that the Orthodox Church provides specific tools for cultivating humility, including the Jesus Prayer, the pre-Communion prayer, the Rite of Forgiveness, and the Sacrament of Confession. These practices, combined with ascetic disciplines, help to break down pride and cultivate a heart of love and service.

9. The Divine Fire: Experiencing God's Love and Judgment

For our God is a consuming fire.

Uncreated Light. Bernstein explores the Orthodox understanding of God's uncreated light, fire, energy, and grace. He learns that these divine attributes are not merely external forces but emanations of God's very being, present throughout the universe and accessible to those with purified hearts. This light can both illumine and burn, depending on the individual's disposition.

Heaven and Hell. The Orthodox view of heaven and hell is not primarily about physical locations but about the experience of God's presence. Those who love God and seek Him will experience His light as joy and peace, while those who reject Him will experience it as torment and fire. The doors of hell are locked from the inside.

God's Unconditional Love. This understanding of the divine fire allows Bernstein to reconcile God's love and judgment. God never stops loving all of creation, but His love can be experienced differently depending on the individual's heart. This perspective provides a more nuanced and compassionate view of salvation and the afterlife.

10. The Jewish Christian Church: A Lost Heritage Rediscovered

They are still God’s Chosen People.

A Missing Piece. As a convert from Judaism, Bernstein longs to find a place within Christianity that honors his Jewish heritage. He discovers that the early Church was deeply rooted in Jewish culture and tradition, but that this connection has been largely lost in Western Christianity. He seeks to understand what happened to the original Jewish Christian Church.

The Nazarenes. Bernstein learns about the Nazarenes, Jewish Christians who maintained their Jewish identity while believing in Jesus as the Messiah. He discovers that they were often misunderstood and marginalized by Gentile Christians, eventually fading from historical view. However, he finds clues suggesting that their heritage may have been preserved within the Antiochian Orthodox Church.

A Providential Connection. Bernstein realizes that the Antiochian Orthodox Church, with its roots in the Middle East and its use of Aramaic, may be the closest living link to the original Jewish Christian Church. This discovery provides a sense of completion to his spiritual journey, uniting his Jewish heritage with his Christian faith in a profound and meaningful way.

Last updated: April 7, 2025