Call Summary: Theological Discussion on Jewish Identity, Persecution, and Supernatural Reality

Overview

Extended phone conversation between Gary and Remy covering Gary's recent spiritual transformation, the theological significance of Jewish persecution, the reality of the supernatural realm, and both men's journeys in deepening their faith. The discussion explores the intersection of Jewish and Christian theology, eternal consequences, and God's covenant with Israel.

Key Topics Discussed (from Gary's perspective)

Gary's Current Spiritual Journey

• New Faith Genre Discovery: Gary discovered a "whole genre of the faith" he didn't know about until recently, which he finds interesting and exciting
• Career Considerations: Looking at developer relations roles in Texas - "social techie type role" that fits his personality and skillset
• Preference for Stability: Wants part-time work that pays bills while allowing experimentation on the side
• Recent Wedding: Gary recently got married and is glad to have time to "chill" and think about life balance

Plans to Visit Israel

• Shared Interest: Both Gary and Remy interested in visiting Israel
• Potential Coordination: "I don't know if it makes sense to coordinate a trip together or just overlap at some point"
• Spiritual Significance: Gary sees visiting Israel as part of his faith journey

Rising Antisemitism and Jewish Persecution

• Political Observations:

  • "It feels like the Republican Party is becoming very apologetic to Nazi stuff"
  • Netanyahu potentially "going really aggressive because he wants to stay out of legal trouble"

• Friends' Attitudes:

  • Gary has friends making "a really big deal out of Israel stuff"
  • "It's really affecting their opinion about Jewish people in general"
  • Friends willing to admit anti-Jewish sentiments to Gary

• Theological Perspective on Persecution:

  • Gary believes persecution validates Jews as "the first chosen people"
  • "That's really triggering to a lot of people... If you're an atheist, that sounds like the stupidest thing"
  • Sees Jewish suffering as coming with being chosen: "If you read what happened to your people, it sucked. So it's not like it didn't come with real cost"

Christian View of Jewish Covenant

• Everlasting Covenant Belief: Gary belongs to the "everlasting covenant side" of Christianity regarding Jews
• Prophetic Fulfillment: Believes persecution is prophesied and "validates that you guys are the first chosen people"
• Foundation for Christianity: "In my theology, you guys laid the foundation for everyone else"
• Moses Example: References 40 years in desert, Moses not seeing the Promised Land as example of burden

The Supernatural and Spiritual Warfare

• Belief in Biblical Miracles: "I actually do believe that the Red Sea is parted"

• Spiritual Causes of Illness:

  • "I absolutely do believe that sicknesses have spiritual roots"
  • Autism described as "almost like a spiritual [condition]"
  • Example of 24-year-old who can see "ghosts and demons" diagnosed as Asperger's

• Medical Establishment Critique:

  • "The scientific community typically boils down explanations... to anything but spiritual causes"
  • Secular labels for "special needs" sometimes mask spiritual giftings
  • People who can see spirits might be "tapped into a different [realm]"

• Denying the Supernatural:

  • "Science should just explain... The supernatural is part of reality"
  • "If you deny the supernatural, you're denying reality"
  • Modern atheistic worldview is "very materialistic" and harmful

God's Sovereignty and Israel

• Divine Land Promise:

  • "If God promised the Israelites land from this place to this place"
  • Biblical examples of God commanding to "wipe out anyone that's in the way"

• Generational Consequences:

  • "God creates consequences for the children and the offspring of people that violate His laws"
  • "If you curse the Jewish people, your great-grandkids might just be completely fucked"

• God's Ways vs Human Ways:

  • "God's ways are not our ways"
  • "We will not be able to understand why"
  • Makes things "suspenseful" but "they'll still come out in the end"

• Predestination Discussion:

  • Quotes Psalm 139: "Your eyes saw my unformed substance... the days that were formed for me"
  • "Did God preordain all this drama, all this persecution?"
  • Miracle of Jewish state formation despite opposition

Being on "God's Team"

• World vs God's Team:

  • "What matters more, having good world PR or being on God's team?"
  • World celebrates "cross-dressers, transsexuals" as heroes
  • Israel gets "demonized, demonized, demonized"
  • "Just because you want to be on God's team doesn't mean your life is going to be easier"

• Secular Jews:

  • "Secular Jews are just like [secularists]... they can't see it through God's eyes"
  • Some "virtue signal" - "I'm not like the other Jews"
  • Decisions have "eternal consequences"

Eternal Consequences and Salvation

• Religious Worldview Stakes:

  • "If you're wrong about your religious worldview, you might just totally be fucked after you die"
  • Acknowledges different views between Christians and Jews about afterlife

• Heaven and Hell:

  • Heaven is "unity with God"
  • Hell is "permanent disunity with God"
  • "We should talk about that"

• Need for Supernatural Discussion:

  • "We should be talking more about the supernatural in general in society"
  • Help people "make better choices about their spiritual lives"
  • Rarely has these conversations with non-Christians

Personal Life Updates

• Remy as Spiritual Head: Gary acknowledges Remy as "the spiritual head of the household"
• Work Situation: Remy still dealing with lazy workers at manufacturing business
• Gary's Living Situation:
  • Not actively dating - "not a priority right now"
  • Still figuring out where to live long-term
  • "Leaning towards Texas" - citing "low taxes, warm weather, and a lot of Christians"
  • Has "auntie-aged people" sending him pictures of potential matches

Key Quotes

On Jewish chosen status: "It also to me validates that you guys are the first chosen people... If you're an atheist, that sounds like the stupidest thing ever."

On burden of being chosen: "It's one thing to be called by God for a great mission... In my theology, you guys laid the foundation for everyone else. And that was clearly an awful burden."

On supernatural reality: "The supernatural is part of reality. If you deny the supernatural, you're denying reality."

On medical diagnoses: "What the medical establishment diagnosed him as is Asperger's... But that's my point. You have these labels for special needs. Sometimes it's just... their best secular label for behavior."

On God's sovereignty: "God's ways are not our ways... We will not be able to understand why. And it will be uncomfortable for us."

On Israel's survival: "It doesn't make sense unless you can basically admit that it's just part of God's covenant... He's going to make it suspenseful... But they'll still come out in the end."

On being countercultural: "These people get highlighted by corporations as the heroes of our time... But then Israel... get demonized, demonized, demonized. And it's a great reminder that just because you want to be on God's team doesn't mean your life is going to be easier."

On friendship and faith: "The purpose of our friendship will never be primarily to evangelize my faith. But faith is an important part of my life."

Invitation to experience: "If you ever do swing down to Texas... or if my pastor comes to New York area, I will let you know. I think it would be cool if you could see what is exciting me."

Action Items / Takeaways

• Both men interested in potentially coordinating trips to Israel
• Gary open to Remy visiting Texas and experiencing his church
• Continuing dialogue about faith and spiritual matters
• Gary seeking developer relations opportunities in Texas
• Both navigating how to deepen their respective faiths
• Remy congratulated Gary on recent wedding
• Ongoing discussion about supernatural experiences and spiritual reality

Relational Dynamics

The conversation reveals a deep friendship where both men feel safe discussing sensitive theological topics despite coming from different faith traditions. Gary explicitly states the friendship isn't about evangelism while sharing his genuine beliefs about Jewish identity and Christian theology. Remy appears receptive to these discussions as he explores his own faith more deeply in his new role as a married man and spiritual head of household.