We will not hide anything. You can ask any question you like and get an honest answer. The whole body of teaching for Kiln of the Soul is easily obtained. But it’s a huge pile of reading, and not everyone is inclined to go through that before deciding whether to get involved.
So, to save them time and energy, we present to most outsiders something like an onion. Instead of layers of secrecy, we hope to offer layers of decision. The first decision point, as already stated, is the matter of faith’s fire. If that doesn’t run you off, then you may be interested in the next layer.
The next decision point is the declaration that Jesus was a Hebrew man, teaching a Hebrew religion, recorded in a Hebrew book (in terms of orientation, if not language). Most church folks have this instinctive notion that the New Testament is a western document. That’s plain wrong. The gospels may have varying emphases, but they all proclaim a Hebrew Messiah. Acts, the Letters and Revelation are all promoting a translated Hebrew covenant offered to mankind by the Hebrew God.
As we move forward with plans to organize local congregations under the label “Kiln of the Soul”, I think we will be surprised who can embrace that and who will choke on it. But we owe it to God as our duty to actively put up barriers that will exclude those who don’t belong.
Now, of course, saying “Hebrew” implies the broader academic term “Ancient Near East”. We must ensure that’s a part of the explanation of what Kiln of the Soul is about. Still, not everyone recognizes that term, so we start with talking about the Hebraic nature of following Christ. Further, we must be ready to mention that Hebrew is not the same as Jewish. As part of this layer of understanding, we must explain that Judaism is a departure from Old Testament religion. That was a fundamental part of Jesus’ message to His own nation. The meaning of “gospel” is the restoration of the faith inherent in the Old Covenant.
This filter is critical to gaining entrance to Kiln of the Soul.
“Do you want an honest answer you can understand, or an honest answer you’ll hate me for?”