Is contextual understanding a core value of Messianic Judaism?

[visionary]

Yup. The Word became flesh.

I will state that the Word, Memra, is the manifestation of God on the earth. Not the scriptures, but a terminology used in the Targums whenever God is interacting or manifested on earth.

added: I add the previous explanation because of some discussions a person who was 'Word of Faith'. This person in particular expressed that there is 'power in the word' and thought that the Word, Jesus and the word, scripture were the same, and thought Gods power was literally in the words, so if you spoke the scripture, it had creative power. Memra had a unique meaning and did not refer to scripture.

Out of both sides... Yeah MEMRA is about God's manifestation on earth.. and the next minute.. doesn't refer to scripture... so which is it.. Is God manifested in scripture or not..??

 

[yedida]

Yup. The Word became flesh.

I will state that the Word, Memra, is the manifestation of God on the earth. Not the scriptures, but a terminology used in the Targums whenever God is interacting or manifested on earth.

added: I add the previous explanation because of some discussions a person who was 'Word of Faith'. This person in particular expressed that there is 'power in the word' and thought that the Word, Jesus and the word, scripture were the same, and thought Gods power was literally in the words, so if you spoke the scripture, it had creative power. Memra had a unique meaning and did not refer to scripture.

I got sucked into the WoF debacle some 30-35 years ago. Baruch Hashem I was freed from that!!

 

[yedida]

Out of both sides... Yeah MEMRA is about God's manifestation on earth.. and the next minute.. doesn't refer to scripture... so which is it.. Is God manifested in scripture or not..??

On this one, qnts has it right where WoF is concerned (as a whole, though obviously not necessarily every individual's perspective within that camp). Memra is distinct from the written Word. (Again, from about 30-35 years ago, they could have changed by now.)

 

[Yahudim]

Memra, from the Hebrew word for "speak", is a term found in the Targums (Aramaic translations/interpretations of the some of the books in the Hebrew Bible). It is often inserted into the text whenever there is reference to direct action by Hashem in the material realm. It's purpose is to help maintain the distinction between Creator and Creation, and to avoid the appearance that Hashem has a physical extent which would limit his attribute of omnipresence.

The Jewish Encyclopedia has a very good, if too brief, article on the subject.

You didn't appreciate the pun about physical manifestations and its associated representatives?

 

[mishkan]

You didn't appreciate the pun about physical manifestations and its associated representatives?

Honestly, it blew right by me!

Yes, that is a "representative's association". Too funny!

 

[MessianicMommy]

I believe it is a core value, and others have answered well how and why. I see no reason to delve into it further than it has already been said.

 

[Yahudim]

I believe it is a core value, and others have answered well how and why. I see no reason to delve into it further than it has already been said.

You are right. We have been caught engaging in PUNography. I have a sense of imPUNding doom. I suppose I'll be sent to the PUNitentiary as my PUNishment.

 

[visionary]

You are right. We have been caught engaging in PUNography. I have a sense of imPUNding doom. I suppose I'll be sent to the PUNitentiary as my PUNishment.

Punnnnnease...

 

[anisavta]

Very Punny!!!

 

[crossnote]

After looking at the context of the OP's question, i.e. by reading these posts up to this point, I'll have to vote 'yes'. After all, not were we only given the Holy Spirit, but the Lord has given His Body/Congregations, teachers, who I hope do more than read the Scriptures but among other things explain the setting, culture, language etc. of what they are expounding.

 

[Avodat]

After looking at the context of the OP's question, i.e. by reading these posts up to this point, I'll have to vote 'yes'. After all, not were we only given the Holy Spirit, but the Lord has given His Body/Congregations, teachers, who I hope do more than read the Scriptures but among other things explain the setting, culture, language etc. of what they are expounding.

I do, but when I go on holiday and attend a church I am usually amazed at what passes as a sermon these days. Apart from factual error, lack of the detail you mention, the sermon being read from multiple sheets of paper (and therefore not preached in my opinion), and lack of time given to delivery (5 to 10 minutes!), I am not in the least bit surprised that many Christians have no idea what their faith is all about in reality, when pressed about it. Even colleagues I speak with have no idea about the things I consider to be basic exegetical skills: language, society and culture, Biblical Judaism etc etc - they were not taught these things at College to any great depth. This is particularly the case with non-stipendiary ministers (those who do not do the job full-time).

Be interesting to know Contramondom's view on this.

 

[ContraMundum]

Is the understanding of the Hebraic, Historic and Cultural context of scripture (from multiple sources) a core value of Messianic Judaism?

This is a YES or NO poll.

Please state your view and give examples to support your view.
Please do not debate the answers of others.

* I suppose some rules are meant to be ignored.

Umm...contextual understanding is a core value of any scriptural, historical, or even literary studies. It's pretty much expected if you want to get anywhere in those disciplines.

 

[anisavta]

Umm...contextual understanding is a core value of any scriptural, historical, or even literary studies. It's pretty much expected if you want to get anywhere in those disciplines.

 

[mishkan]

Umm...contextual understanding is a core value of any scriptural, historical, or even literary studies. It's pretty much expected if you want to get anywhere in those disciplines.

Sounds like we have a wiener!
(Kosher, I hope.)

 

[Laureate]

'Context', every word, in every, language derives it's definitive meaning from contextual usage, meaning, without context there simply would not be any dictionaries; for context, is the only thing the literary world has to determine what a word means.

Therefore every sentence, verse, paragraph, chapter, and book derives it's meaning from context.

Without context there can be no comprehension of a language, whether it be spoken or written.

I think I would be dissapointed if context was not apart of everyone's vocabulary, for there would be no discernable language without it.

Yea, I guess it ought to be included...

Or should I say, it aught not be ignored, by anyone of the Children of Adam.

 

[Steve Petersen]

When most Christians I know use the word 'context' they mean how a word or verse or idea is used in relationship to the surrounding verses, chapters, books.

Rarely will you find a person who will ask or care about what this means in relation to how the word or idea was used and applied by the culture that surrounded the original author.

A prime example: circumcision.

From 'sola scriptura' persepective it really only mean the physical act or people identified by such.

From a historical and cultural perspective it can also mean 'conversion.' You will not find THIS context by Sola Scriptura unless you are very adept at reading between the lines.

 

[The Templar]

I do not see contextual understanding as a "core value" of MJ. The very term "core value" addresses what we believe, not why we believe it. I voted "NO" for the reason context is not a core value, it is more a foundational building block.

 

[Jerushabelle]

A prime example: circumcision.
From 'sola scriptura' persepective it really only mean the physical act or people identified by such.

I disagree Brother Steve. My perspective is sola scriptura and I understand circumcision to be both physical as well as Spiritual, ie. circumcision of the heart. Romans 2:28-29 -- "A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God."

 

[Yahudim]

I do not see contextual understanding as a "core value" of MJ. The very term "core value" addresses what we believe, not why we believe it. I voted "NO" for the reason context is not a core value, it is more a foundational building block.

Hi Templar,

This is interesting. In my mind (and I suspect most people's view as well), when it comes to a system of belief, a 'foundational building block' is synonymous with a 'core value'. Your point might otherwise be known as, 'a distinction without a difference'.

 

[Qnts2]

Hi Templar,

This is interesting. In my mind (and I suspect most people's view as well), when it comes to a system of belief, a 'foundational building block' is synonymous with a 'core value'. Your point might otherwise be known as, 'a distinction without a difference'.

If I were in the construction trade, a specialized in building basements with a cement foundation, my core value might be to build the best cement foundations and basements, using only the best materials, so that the basement will withstand typical environmental issues and be standing, supporting, into the next century. (My basements will be foundationally solid when the calendar says 2100+).

The tools I use include a cement mixer, a back hoe, etc. Now, every cement foundation and basement builder uses a cement mixer and a back hoe. Those are the tools of the trade, and not the core value. Those who build roads, driveways and sidewalks of cement also use a cement mixer and a back hoe, but their core value is different.

Historical, cultural hermenteutics is a standard tool used in Messianic Judaism and much of Christianity. The UMJC is a Messianic Judaism union of congregations. Therefore their core value is geared towards their mission of being a congregational union of Messianic Judaism congregations. The method of Hermeneutics is a tool to help accomplish some of the goals in their core values.


Core values statement Yeshua, by virtue of His atoning death and bodily resurrection, has provided the atonement for our sins. The congregations of the UMJC are committed to bringing this message to our people so that they too may believe in Yeshua and find the peace with God promised by our prophets for Israel and all humanity.
At our founding in 1979, we listed five organizational objectives:

• To further the initiation, establishment, and growth of Messianic Jewish Congregations worldwide.
• To be a voice for Messianic Jewish Congregations and Messianic Judaism worldwide.
• To provide a forum for the discussion of issues relevant to Messianic Judaism and Messianic Jewish Congregations.
• To aid in the causes of our Jewish people worldwide, especially in Israel.
• To support the training of Messianic Leaders.

We summarize these objectives in a simple statement of our mission:
To establish, strengthen, and multiply congregations for Yeshua within the house of Israel.



Core Values

In pursuing this vision, and the more specific objectives and standards articulated in our by-laws, we hold to these core values

1. Unity in diversity

• The UMJC represents diverse congregations united in our commitment to the authority of Scripture as the Word of God, the ongoing significance of the Torah for Jewish life, and the centrality of Yeshua as Lord and Messiah. Deference and respect are key elements in our fellowship.

1. Community relationships

• As a movement for Yeshua within the house of Israel, we stand in solidarity with the larger Jewish community, including the state of Israel. We are committed to the continuity of the Jewish people and to participation in our common tradition.

• As a movement for Yeshua, we also value and affirm our place within the entire community of Messiah and are committed to its genuine unity.

1. Congregational success

• The local congregation is foundational to Messianic Judaism. Therefore, we are committed to the success of our member congregations as places where Jewish people can encounter Yeshua as Messiah and live for him as Jews.

1. Organizational integrity

• We seek to develop and apply biblically rooted standards of integrity and accountability in all that we do as an organization, and to foster them in the polity of each of our member congregations.

1. Dignity and inclusion

• We recognize that all people are made in the image of God and therefore will endeavor to treat them with respect.

• We warmly welcome into our midst all who embrace our vision and core values and are committed to the success of our efforts.