Renowned author and social commentator Reno Omokri has stirred discussion on the foundations of modern Christianity, urging believers to investigate their faith rather than accept teachings without question.
Omokri argues that many practices and doctrines associated with Christianity were never part of Yeshua’s (Jesus’s) original teachings, encouraging Christians to verify religious claims independently.
In a detailed statement, Omokri asserts that the title Christ was never used during Yeshua’s earthly life.
He explains, “The word Christ is not a Hebrew word. Yeshua, Whom some call Jesus, was NEVER called Christ in His Earthly lifetime.” Instead, he points out that Yeshua was referred to as Rabbi (teacher), as seen in passages like John 1:38 and John 11:8.
Omokri sheds light on the origins of the Gospels, stating they were written decades after Yeshua’s time and were intended for a Greek-speaking audience. “Mark was written about 63 years after Yeshua left the Earth. The other Gospels came later, and guess what, their authors are anonymous,” he notes. He questions the accuracy of traditional authorship, explaining that the Gospels attributed to Matthew, Luke, and John were not definitively linked to these figures.
Challenging popular doctrines, Omokri highlights that Yeshua, Peter, and Paul all identified as Jews, not Christians. He references Acts 10:28 and Acts 22:3 to support this claim, saying, “The word Christian was not used as a name of a religion until it was given as a nickname by local people in Antioch — Acts 11:26.” He further emphasizes that Christianity as a formal religion developed after Yeshua’s time, incorporating ideas like the Trinity, Christmas, Easter, and purgatory, which were not part of early Jewish belief.
Omokri also challenges believers to think critically, stating, “Don’t just follow me or any pastor, priest, or church blindly.” He stresses the importance of personal research, urging people to seek the truth themselves rather than rely solely on religious authorities.
In his concluding remarks, Omokri calls for a deeper understanding of faith rooted in historical facts. “Yeshua did not change any Jewish Law. He lived and died by them. The actual historical Yeshua did not call Himself God. In fact, He used the term ‘My God’ frequently — John 20:17.”
Omokri’s message is a call to action for believers to approach their faith with open minds and a commitment to truth. Rather than dismissing his claims, he encourages individuals to explore the origins of their beliefs, stating, “You have two choices: Refuse to fact-check me and insult me, or research the above and appreciate the truth.”
