Is contextual understanding a core value of Messianic Judaism?

[Qnts2]

Hello Qnts2,

Are your opinions about how MJ got started and it's workings written somewhere (text, commentary, theology book, etc., consensus of your study group or organizational affiliation) or is it based on your experience? Do you think others would disagree with the above?

Shalom

There are many historical accounts out there. Some are quite brief.

I am copying and pasting a partial one from Ariel ministries which simply gives a timeline. And will give links to various sites later.


Copyright © 2009, Ariel Ministries. O-MJH.PDF Messianic Jewish History - OUTLINE, PAGE 7


1809 - The London Society for the Promotion of Christianity Amongst the Jews founded
1813 – 41 Jewish believers form a fellowship in London, Beni Abraham
1823 – A group of Jewish believers and their supporters attempt to purchase 20,000 acres in southern New Jersey for a communal farm to house persecuted Jewish believers.
1840 – Sixty prominent Jewish believers in England publish a defense of the Jewish community against the false charge of the “blood libel”
1842 – Jewish believer Michael Solomon Alexander establishes a major protestant church in Jerusalem
1866 - The Hebrew Christian Alliance was formed in London.
1885 – Joseph Rabinowitz begins a genuinely Messianic Jewish, independent Jewish congregation in Kishinev
1885 – Jacob Freshman establishes a group of Jewish believers with Presbyterian help in New York City
1894 – Rabbi Leopold Cohn establishes a Jewish outreach in Brooklyn that would eventually become The American Board of Missions to the Jews, now known as Chosen People Ministries.
1915 – The Hebrew Christian Alliance of America (HCAA) was established with Sabbati Rohold, born into an Orthodox Jewish home in Jewish Palestine as its first President. The “driving motive” of the early HCAA was deemed to be evangelism. In 1917, the HCAA began publishing the HCA Quarterly with a Yiddish supplement. The early HCAA was a fellowship of Jewish believers, and issued statements viewing with caution or outright opposition the establishment of Congregations that were specifically intended to maintain a Jewish culture. HCAA members were generally allied with Protestant Christian churches, although a minority within the HCAA favored a Messianic Jewish stance.
1920’s - The HCAA took part in the fight against rising anti-Semitism, strongly denouncing Henry Ford’s distribution of the hoax “Protocols of the Elders of Zion”.
1930’s - The HCAA protested the treatment of Jews in Nazi Germany, and called attention to the plight of the “one and three-quarter million Christians of Jewish descent, who were all treated as Jews while the Jews of Germany considered them Christians”. They had trouble finding relief. The HCAA helped many of them to relocate, and continued to aid victims of the Holocaust after World War II.
1934 - The First Hebrew Christian Church of Chicago was established by Presbyterians. It had a Christian worship service with a Jewish “flavor,” and was headed by David Bronstein. A similar congregation exists in Los Angeles.
1939 – On the even of WWII, over a million people of Jewish origin are attending churches & fellowships in Europe
1938 thru 1945 – Between 100,000 and 250,000 Jewish believers die during The Holocaust.
1950’s – Congregations and stable fellowships of believers practicing Jewish culture exist in Baltimore, Detroit, Toronto, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles.
1966 – 1968 - Under the auspices of the HCAA, the Young Hebrew Christian Alliance (YHCA) was started by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Manny Brotman & Joe Finkelstein. Holding its first separate conference in 1970, they chose Messiah College in Pennsylvania for their meeting place. The entire Alliance would eventually meet there.
1970’s – This time period would see very large numbers of Jewish young people coming to faith
1971 - Martin Chernoff, a Jewish believer and Assemblies of God pastor, became the President of the HCAA. Chernoff would go on to lead Beth Yeshua Congregation of Philadelphia. His Pentecostal background influenced Messianic Judaism, and that of his sons Joel and David would continue to shape the Alliance for decades to come.
1973 – Moishe Rosen establishes ‘Jews for Jesus’, an evangelistic mission outreach.
1975 – In a divided vote, the HCAA voted to change its’ name to the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA). It signaled an intentional move toward unique self-identity for Jewish believers, semi-separate from the larger church body.
1977 – Ariel Ministries founded by Arnold Fruchtenbaum with dual goals of Jewish evangelism & discipleship.
1979 - The Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) was formed with Daniel Juster as President.
1980’s – Expansion of the Messianic Movement, growing use of American synagogue culture
1998 - Nazarene Yisrael Alliance is formed as an umbrella for groups teaching the “Two-House” false doctrine that Gentile believers in their groups are of the Tribe of Ephraim. Many in these groups reject the teaching of the Trinity and promote obligatory Torah observance. They influence over 20% of Congregations and recruit deceptively using various names. Notables include: Michael Rood, Marshall Koniuchowsky, Batya Wooten, Ed Chumney, Monte Judah, Brian Samtur and James Trimm, who all maintain separate organizations. The Internet fuels their popularity.

2003 – The Association of Messianic Congregations (AMC) founded by ‘Grace oriented’ Jewish believers who cite the “need for a new association of messianic congregations, those who would continue to hold to a messiah centered, joyfully Jewish, grace embracing messianic Judaism.” www.MessianicAssociation.org

 

[Qnts2]

Another link is from the MJAA (Formerly the HCAA). This is brief.

History - MJAA

Amazingly, the Wiki article isn't bad, when it comes to the history.

Messianic Judaism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Small section quoted below:

The Messianic Judaism movement, 1970s

Messianic Judaism itself arose in the 1960s and 70s.[2][3][4][5][6][8][7] In the 1970s, a growing number of young Jews who had converted to Christianity were committed to maintaining a culturally Jewish lifestyle, in the mode advocated by Rabinowitz in the 19th century. Going against the thinking of the older members of the Hebrew Christian movement, they believed that different methods of evangelism of Jews were needed. They looked to and adopted some of the evangelizing techniques of Jews for Jesus.[59] According to Hocken (2009) "the new thrust that turned Hebrew Christians into Messianic Jews was distinctly charismatic." This reflected the influence of the charismatic Jesus movement at the same period.[60] These younger members pressed the HCAA to change the "outdated" name of the Hebrew Christian Alliance of America (HCAA) to the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA). [61] In 1915, when the HCAA was founded, it had "consistently assuaged the fears of fundamentalist Christians by emphasizing that it is not a separate denomination but only an evangelistic arm of the evangelical church", and insisted that it would be free of these Judaizing practices "now and forever".[62] Martin Chernoff, who was president of the HCAA from 1971 to 1975, led the effort to shift the organization's focus[63]. In June 1973, a motion was made to change the name of the HCAA to the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA), and the name was officially changed in June 1975. According to David A. Rausch, "The name change, however, signified far more than a semantical expression—it represented an evolution in the thought processes and religious and philosophical outlook toward a more fervent expression of Jewish identity".[63] The Messianic Israel Alliance, an organization of over 130 Messianic congregations and ministries, was formed in 1999.[64]


The last line mentions the Messianic Israel Alliance. This is a group which is consistently renounced by the main Messianic Judaism organizations (MJAA, UMJC, AMC). MIA is a Two House theology organization.
Mentioned in the previous paper of timelines as follows.

1998 - Nazarene Yisrael Alliance is formed as an umbrella for groups teaching the “Two-House” false doctrine that Gentile believers in their groups are of the Tribe of Ephraim. Many in these groups reject the teaching of the Trinity and promote obligatory Torah observance. They influence over 20% of Congregations and recruit deceptively using various names. Notables include: Michael Rood, Marshall Koniuchowsky, Batya Wooten, Ed Chumney, Monte Judah, Brian Samtur and James Trimm, who all maintain separate organizations.

 

[Qnts2]

deleted... accidently double posted.

 

[yedida]

There are many historical accounts out there. Some are quite brief.

I am copying and pasting a partial one from Ariel ministries which simply gives a timeline. And will give links to various sites later.


Copyright © 2009, Ariel Ministries. O-MJH.PDF Messianic Jewish History - OUTLINE, PAGE 7


1809 - The London Society for the Promotion of Christianity Amongst the Jews founded
1813 – 41 Jewish believers form a fellowship in London, Beni Abraham
1823 – A group of Jewish believers and their supporters attempt to purchase 20,000 acres in southern New Jersey for a communal farm to house persecuted Jewish believers.
1840 – Sixty prominent Jewish believers in England publish a defense of the Jewish community against the false charge of the “blood libel”
1842 – Jewish believer Michael Solomon Alexander establishes a major protestant church in Jerusalem
1866 - The Hebrew Christian Alliance was formed in London.
1885 – Joseph Rabinowitz begins a genuinely Messianic Jewish, independent Jewish congregation in Kishinev
1885 – Jacob Freshman establishes a group of Jewish believers with Presbyterian help in New York City
1894 – Rabbi Leopold Cohn establishes a Jewish outreach in Brooklyn that would eventually become The American Board of Missions to the Jews, now known as Chosen People Ministries.
1915 – The Hebrew Christian Alliance of America (HCAA) was established with Sabbati Rohold, born into an Orthodox Jewish home in Jewish Palestine as its first President. The “driving motive” of the early HCAA was deemed to be evangelism. In 1917, the HCAA began publishing the HCA Quarterly with a Yiddish supplement. The early HCAA was a fellowship of Jewish believers, and issued statements viewing with caution or outright opposition the establishment of Congregations that were specifically intended to maintain a Jewish culture. HCAA members were generally allied with Protestant Christian churches, although a minority within the HCAA favored a Messianic Jewish stance.
1920’s - The HCAA took part in the fight against rising anti-Semitism, strongly denouncing Henry Ford’s distribution of the hoax “Protocols of the Elders of Zion”.
1930’s - The HCAA protested the treatment of Jews in Nazi Germany, and called attention to the plight of the “one and three-quarter million Christians of Jewish descent, who were all treated as Jews while the Jews of Germany considered them Christians”. They had trouble finding relief. The HCAA helped many of them to relocate, and continued to aid victims of the Holocaust after World War II.
1934 - The First Hebrew Christian Church of Chicago was established by Presbyterians. It had a Christian worship service with a Jewish “flavor,” and was headed by David Bronstein. A similar congregation exists in Los Angeles.
1939 – On the even of WWII, over a million people of Jewish origin are attending churches & fellowships in Europe
1938 thru 1945 – Between 100,000 and 250,000 Jewish believers die during The Holocaust.
1950’s – Congregations and stable fellowships of believers practicing Jewish culture exist in Baltimore, Detroit, Toronto, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles.
1966 – 1968 - Under the auspices of the HCAA, the Young Hebrew Christian Alliance (YHCA) was started by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Manny Brotman & Joe Finkelstein. Holding its first separate conference in 1970, they chose Messiah College in Pennsylvania for their meeting place. The entire Alliance would eventually meet there.
1970’s – This time period would see very large numbers of Jewish young people coming to faith
1971 - Martin Chernoff, a Jewish believer and Assemblies of God pastor, became the President of the HCAA. Chernoff would go on to lead Beth Yeshua Congregation of Philadelphia. His Pentecostal background influenced Messianic Judaism, and that of his sons Joel and David would continue to shape the Alliance for decades to come.
1973 – Moishe Rosen establishes ‘Jews for Jesus’, an evangelistic mission outreach.
1975 – In a divided vote, the HCAA voted to change its’ name to the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA). It signaled an intentional move toward unique self-identity for Jewish believers, semi-separate from the larger church body.
1977 – Ariel Ministries founded by Arnold Fruchtenbaum with dual goals of Jewish evangelism & discipleship.
1979 - The Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) was formed with Daniel Juster as President.
1980’s – Expansion of the Messianic Movement, growing use of American synagogue culture
1998 - Nazarene Yisrael Alliance is formed as an umbrella for groups teaching the “Two-House” false doctrine that Gentile believers in their groups are of the Tribe of Ephraim. Many in these groups reject the teaching of the Trinity and promote obligatory Torah observance. They influence over 20% of Congregations and recruit deceptively using various names. Notables include: Michael Rood, Marshall Koniuchowsky, Batya Wooten, Ed Chumney, Monte Judah, Brian Samtur and James Trimm, who all maintain separate organizations. The Internet fuels their popularity.

2003 – The Association of Messianic Congregations (AMC) founded by ‘Grace oriented’ Jewish believers who cite the “need for a new association of messianic congregations, those who would continue to hold to a messiah centered, joyfully Jewish, grace embracing messianic Judaism.” www.MessianicAssociation.org

And it goes no further tnan 2003. Changes have taken place. Most of what went before was Jewish Christianity.
After 2003, we have James Trimm absconding with money that people sent in for his translation of the bible. (The translation which, in fact, I like. But I was soooo glad I found out about the rip off before I sent in my money for it.)
AND the AMC also is one of the few organizations that have a formal "gerim" conversion for gentiles to "convert" to Messianic Judaism! Yes, a change has taken place.
As much as it irks some people, Messianic Judaism is NOT Jewish Christianity, and it is not what it started out to be. It is something new, something different, something that God is arranging and calling people into, Jews and gentiles - and it cannot be deterred if it is of Him.

 

[Chaplain David]

And it goes no further tnan 2003. Changes have taken place. Most of what went before was Jewish Christianity.
After 2003, we have James Trimm absconding with money that people sent in for his translation of the bible. (The translation which, in fact, I like. But I was soooo glad I found out about the rip off before I sent in my money for it.)
AND the AMC also is one of the few organizations that have a formal "gerim" conversion for gentiles to "convert" to Messianic Judaism! Yes, a change has taken place.
As much as it irks some people, Messianic Judaism is NOT Jewish Christianity, and it is not what it started out to be. It is something new, something different, something that God is arranging and calling people into, Jews and gentiles - and it cannot be deterred if it is of Him.

Do you know or any of our MJ members know anything about the conversion or said in another way, how to convert to Messianic Judaism? Is it done in a church for example or among a group of believers. Your last sentence reminds me of something someone told me once that is both true and naturally makes sense for believers. "God will do what He will do." I'm wondering if there are many ways to convert?

 

[Gxg (G²)]

There are many historical accounts out there. Some are quite brief.

I am copying and pasting a partial one from Ariel ministries which simply gives a timeline. And will give links to various sites later.


Copyright © 2009, Ariel Ministries. O-MJH.PDF Messianic Jewish History - OUTLINE, PAGE 7

Another link is from the MJAA (Formerly the HCAA). This is brief.

History - MJAA

Amazingly, the Wiki article isn't bad, when it comes to the history.

Messianic Judaism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Although I noticed that your link Ariel Ministries. O-MJH.PDF Messianic Jewish History - OUTLINE ( from 2009) went to 2003, I thought it was noteworthy that most of the major Messianic Jewish organizations (Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations -UMJC, Messianic Jewish Alliance of America -MJAA, etc) and many others have actually added on to it....keeping with the earlier thoughts at many points, as it concerns their focus (as Jewish believers predominately) of restoring the Jewish heart of the Body of Christ.

Joel Chernoff, who was one of the Pioneers of the Messianic Jewish movement, spoke on the issues raised by Ariel ministries back in 2008 when discussing the reality of the ways the Messianic Jewish movement developed....as seen here. Television - Programs - Transcript - Messianic 1: The Messianic Jewish Movement..." / Television - Programs - Transcript - Messianic 2: Messianic Jewish ..and he also shared way back in 2006 as well:

Joel Chernoff: Birth Of A Messianic Jew - YouTube​

Another one of the Messianic Jewish members on the board mpossoff noted before how he was associated with Messianic teacher David Chernoff...with with David noting many of the same things as brother Joel Chernoff--as seen here at Congregation Beth Yeshua. As he noted best:

What Is Messianic Judaism?
Messianic Judaism is a biblically based movement of Jewish people who have come to believe in Yeshua as the promised Jewish Messiah of Israel. Yeshua is the Hebrew name for Jesus which means Salvation.

Today, there are tens of thousands of Messianic Jews in the United States alone. Some have estimated the number to be as high as 100,000. Messianic synagogues are springing up in almost every major city across the country including Philadelphia.

Other nations such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, France, Holland, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, and South Africa are experiencing a growing movement of Messianic Jews as well.

Is it Jewish to Believe in Jesus?
To some, the concept of a Jew believing in Yeshua seems to be a contradiction. The reason is, many people have a dichotomy set up in their minds. On the one hand, you have Jews and Judaism and on the other hand, Christians and Christianity. You are either one or the other...so the thinking goes.

But this simple dichotomy is in reality not so simple. If we go back 2000 years we find that Yeshua was a Jew living in a Jewish land among Jewish people. All the apostles were Jewish as well as the writers of the New Covenant and for many years this faith in Yeshua was strictly a Jewish one.

From the Book of Acts and other historical evidence, many believe that in the first century there were literally hundreds of thousands of Messianic Jews (Acts 2:41, 2:47, 4:4, 6:7, 9:31, 21:20). In addition, there were Messianic Synagogues scattered throughout the Roman Empire and beyond (James 1:1, 2:2).

These first century Messianic Jews remained highly loyal to their people.

Whether it was Jewish to believe in Yeshua was never an issue. Of course it was Jewish! What else could it be? The big question back then was whether Yeshua had been sent for the Gentiles also. When God miraculously showed the Messianic Jews that he was the Messiah for both Jew and Gentile alike, then Gentiles from every nation began to pour into this Jewish faith.

Through the years, as the numbers of Gentile believers increased, they began to predominate in this Messianic faith. With the passing on of the Jewish apostles and the early Messianic Jews, the Jewish roots of the faith were eventually lost.

This "De-Judaizing" process continued until in one of the greatest paradoxes in history, it became alien for a Jewish person to believe in Yeshua as his Messiah!

The Real Issue
Today we are are seeking to put the Messiah back within His biblical and Jewish context. Messianic Judaism is a spiritual renaissance, a revival, a return to the faith as the Messianic Jews had in the first century, unencumbered by the traditions of men. It is a return to a pure and simple faith based upon having a living, vibrant and personal relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob through the Messiah Yeshua.

The real issue we must recognize is not whether it is Jewish to believe in Yeshua, because the Jewishness of Yeshua is historically unquestionable. The real issue at stake here is whether Yeshua is truly the Messiah or not. If He is, then it is the most Jewish thing in the world to believe in Him. If He is not the Messiah, then we should not follow Him.

There is only one way to find out, and that is to go back into the Jewish Scriptures ourselves and study the Messianic prophecies. According to the Jewish Scriptures, the Messiah was to come twice; the first time to suffer and die and the second time to usher in the Messianic era of peace upon the earth.

Still as valid today as it was decades ago..and that understanding has pretty much remained constant for years since, even today. Pretty much goes right back into the bottom line reality of what has often been noted multiple times over the decades/accepted by most Messianic Jews, as it concerns the entire intent behind MJism in reaching the Jewish people but not necessarily considering itself as disconnected from Christianity...and instead seeing itself as a restoration of Biblical Jewish Christianity, to be exact. It is necessary for things to go down and such and thankfully it has not been able to be stopped, as it concerns seeing the return to what the Jewish people lost over the centuries when the Jewish expression of the faith was gradually pushed out and all that was in dominance was Gentile Christianity---despite the fact that Judaism originally allowed for sects within it that claim they were Christians since it was not seen as seperate from Judaism anymore than one could say that being called an Afro-American was somehow different from being "black" since the terms were often used interchangeably to express the same concept (just as Messianic Judaism and Hebrew Christianity have always been used by Jewish believers to describe the same thing---emphasizing Jewish Culture/Customs and following of Judaic practices in pursuit of Christ , 1 Peter 4:15-17, Acts 26:27-29 /Acts 26 , Acts 11:25-27...specifically the sect known as the Way, Acts 22:3-5 , Acts 24:13-15, Acts 24:4-6, etc) ).:

1 Peter 4:15-17

If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Acts 26:27-29


27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Acts 11:25-27
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
27 During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.

Peter had no problem calling the Jews in the Diaspora "Christians"...and Paul had no problem with the term "Christian", be it with King Agrippa or with Barnnabas in Acts 11 when he/other Jewish and Gentile believers were called such There seem to be NO need of trying to go beyond what the early believers did...and as often as Gentile believers seem shocked when saying "How could you be a Jewish believer in the Lord? Isn't all of that stuff OT?", I'm always wondering why people forget that the Messiah was JEWISH!!!!! And early Christians were Jewish believers who loved the Torah/were zealous for the Lord's commands as well as the Gospel.

THere's no escaping what the scriptures note rather plainly in regards to Jewish believers ZEALOUS for the Law/Torah (just as many claim to be today) and loving being called Christians. One would literally have to ignore the text of scripture/make up something in its place in order to say otherwise....and if Jewish believers living in the Judaic world had no shame in being called "Christians" when it came to living out a Jewish worldview and being believers within the Judaic system, IMHO, it makes no logical sense for anyone to claim that the term has anything remotely to do with showing that any Jewish believers today being a Christian is somehow opposite of what the scriptures. The same goes for what is often shared in the Messianic movement when the claim comes out that being a "Christian" means one is not living out the Judaic lifestyle of the early church, as most of Messianic Judaism overall has NEVER accepted the concept of Jewish Christians not being apart of Messianic Judaism.

 

[Gxg (G²)]

Another link is from the MJAA (Formerly the HCAA). This is brief.

History - MJAA

Amazingly, the Wiki article isn't bad, when it comes to the history.

Messianic Judaism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Small section quoted below:

The Messianic Judaism movement, 1970s

Messianic Judaism itself arose in the 1960s and 70s.[2][3][4][5][6][8][7] In the 1970s, a growing number of young Jews who had converted to Christianity were committed to maintaining a culturally Jewish lifestyle, in the mode advocated by Rabinowitz in the 19th century. Going against the thinking of the older members of the Hebrew Christian movement, they believed that different methods of evangelism of Jews were needed. They looked to and adopted some of the evangelizing techniques of Jews for Jesus.[59] According to Hocken (2009) "the new thrust that turned Hebrew Christians into Messianic Jews was distinctly charismatic." This reflected the influence of the charismatic Jesus movement at the same period.[60] These younger members pressed the HCAA to change the "outdated" name of the Hebrew Christian Alliance of America (HCAA) to the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA). [61] In 1915, when the HCAA was founded, it had "consistently assuaged the fears of fundamentalist Christians by emphasizing that it is not a separate denomination but only an evangelistic arm of the evangelical church", and insisted that it would be free of these Judaizing practices "now and forever".[62] Martin Chernoff, who was president of the HCAA from 1971 to 1975, led the effort to shift the organization's focus[63]. In June 1973, a motion was made to change the name of the HCAA to the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA), and the name was officially changed in June 1975. According to David A. Rausch, "The name change, however, signified far more than a semantical expression—it represented an evolution in the thought processes and religious and philosophical outlook toward a more fervent expression of Jewish identity".[63] The Messianic Israel Alliance, an organization of over 130 Messianic congregations and ministries, was formed in 1999.[64]
.

There are many excellent works in existence that have good reviews on the matter recommended by Messianic Jews when it comes to noting the issues of how often semantics can be the cause for alot of miscommunication in the Messianic Movement.


As one prominent Messianic Jewish synagouge (Congregation Shema Yisrael) noted when it comes to some reasonable perspectives on where alot of Messianic Jews have considerations with the term "Christian":

What does “Christ” mean?
Some people mistakenly believe that “Christ” is Yeshua's last name! Rather, “Christ” is His title in much the same way as we might refer to a “President” or “King.” This title is taken from the Hebrew word “Mashiach” or “Anointed One,” which was translated into the Greek “Christos” and later anglicized to “Christ.” The actual English translation of Mashiach is “Messiah” and means an anointed, God-appointed leader. Examples of this title in the Tenach are found in Daniel 9:25 and Psalm 2:2. In the New Covenant, Yeshua claimed the title of Messiah (see Mark 14:61-62 and John 4:25-26).

Why do Messianic Jews prefer not to call themselves “Christians”?
The term “Christian” originally meant “follower of the Christ” or “follower of the Messiah.” By itself “Christian” is a good term. Theologically, Messianic Jews are Christians and many of us identify as Christians and call ourselves Christians. But sadly, over time the term “Christian” came to be used over-broadly and inaccurately. Many people today have a false dichotomy in their minds, that on the one hand there are Jews and Judaism, and on the other hand there are Gentiles and Christianity, and supposedly one must choose between the two. Accordingly, when a Jew accepts Yeshua he is thought to have “switched over” from the Jew-Judaism side to the Gentile-Christianity side, and is therefore no longer regarded as a Jew, but as a Gentile-Christian. For all intents and purposes the term “Christian” has become synonymous with “non-Jew” or “Gentile.” We believe the opposite to be true. Nothing could be more Jewish than to follow Israel's Messiah! Consequently we also choose to call ourselves “Messianic Jews,” which identifies us as Jewish people who follow Messiah Yeshua.

Why do Messianic Jews say they are “completed Jews”?
We believe that Yeshua is the fulfillment, or completion of Biblical Judaism. As Jews, we have been made “complete” in what the God of Israel intended for us; that is, we have come to trust in Yeshua as our atonement for sin and have been brought into a personal relationship with God Himself. Yeshua never intended to start a new religion; He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17). We have not “converted” to another faith, but are part of the fulfillment of the Jewish faith!

On another one, there's a great book entitled Border Lines: The Partition of Judaeo-Christianity by Daniel Boyarin. More discussed in review of the book can be found elsewhere in one of the prominent MJish journals entitled Border Lines: The Partition of Judaeo Christianity - Kesher Journal of Messianic Judaism , an excellent overview by Paul L. Saal who is the rabbi of Congregation Shuvah Yisrael, Simsbury, CT and eceived smicha from the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations and has served on its steering committee for the past decade, presently as the chairperson of the Jewish Community Relations Committee. Apart from that, there are other places one can go for other reviews (i.e. here, here, etc).

And for other places:

• Border Lines: The Partition of Judaeo-Christianity
• Euangelion: Boyarin on the definition of "Gentile Christianity"
• Boyarin, Daniel. Border Lines: The Partition of Judaeo-Chrstianity ...
• Reasons (Not) to Leave Church, Judeo-Christians | Messianic Musings...

Thankful for the many Messianic Jews who've sought to bring much clarity on the subject of how many times false scenarios can be created when others make it out as if it's only a choice between "Judaism" or "Christianity" rather than realizing the other reality that Christianity is...and has ALWAYS been...a type of Judaism (Nazarene, Yeshua-Focused, etc). And that fits right in perfectly with the entire focus of what CF is about when it comes to their saying they desired Christianity being promoted ultimately with all faith members , be it on the Orthodox forums of the Prebysterian and others, it'd make sense as to why they allow anything connected with Messianic Judaism to be present since there was the viewpoint that Messianic Judaism/the Messianic Jewish movement would need to be connected to Christianity in order to be valid...as opposed to having a forum saying they're for Judaism only but not valuing Christianity.

 

[Gxg (G²)]

Messianic Judaism is opposed to replacement theology which is common in many churches. This is the view that the Church replaced physical Israel, and is now the Israel of God. Theologically, Messianic Judaism views Gods promises to Israel were firm, so all promises given to Israel, are still in effect.

All of those things are issues that will often be debated due to misunderstandings by other believers...and thus, it's one of the reasons why contexual understanding is key within Messianic Judaism/Jewish Christianity and addressing the reality of what is present with the Lord in his heart for Israel

 

[Qnts2]

All of those things are issues that will often be debated due to misunderstandings by other believers...and thus, it's one of the reasons why contexual understanding is key within Messianic Judaism/Jewish Christianity and addressing the reality of what is present with the Lord in his heart for Israel

If I may disagree. Contextual understanding is not unique to Messianic Judaism. It is a common hermenteutical method. And is used in Christianity, including by some who believe in replacement theology.

What leads to Replacement theology is the addition of an alleghorical method of interpretation. Where Messianic Judaism generally follows the literal understanding. If scripture says Israel, it must mean Israel and not alleghorically, spiritually the Church.

People talk about the Jewish method of scriptural understanding, which is Peshat. The early church had a similar type of method. Peshat is first literal, and then moves to alleghorical and other ways of looking at scripture. But, any understanding can not contradict or alter the literal, plain meaning of the text.

 

[dnc101]

I'm probably not the most qualified person to say what constitutes good Messianic practices, but I voted "Yes" anyway. Looking at scripture in its proper context, trying to gain insight from Hebrew culture and the language itself were what attracted me to the Messianic movement in the first place.

Dan

 

[yedida]

I'm probably not the most qualified person to say what constitutes good Messianic practices, but I voted "Yes" anyway. Looking at scripture in its proper context, trying to gain insight from Hebrew culture and the language itself were what attracted me to the Messianic movement in the first place.

Dan

And then you begin to learn Torah and the things that were done and said in the Ketuvie Shelachim just pop into living color!! like never before. HD and 3D and all the Ds not yet invented!

 

[dnc101]

And then you begin to learn Torah and the things that were done and said in the Ketuvie Shelachim just pop into living color!! like never before. HD and 3D and all the Ds not yet invented!

Dan

 

[mishkan]

I'm probably not the most qualified person to say what constitutes good Messianic practices, but I voted "Yes" anyway. Looking at scripture in its proper context, trying to gain insight from Hebrew culture and the language itself were what attracted me to the Messianic movement in the first place.

Dan

Precisely. That's where I got my own introduction to MJ. Like you, I was sitting in a Baptist church, trying to study my Bible. But I found that, the more questions I had, the fewer answers were given. So, I started digging into atlases, histories, and dictionaries to find the answers for myself.

 

[GuardianShua]

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.

The core value should be righteous living. Cultural context has it's importance, but a person needs to remember that the bible is full of parables.

 

[dnc101]

The Bible also contains the Torah, where we are instructed as to what righteous living is! Cultural context helps us understand the parables; Torah tells us if we got it right. Nu?

Dan

The core value should be righteous living. Cultural context has it's importance, but a person needs to remember that the bible is full of parables.

 

[mishkan]

The Bible also contains the Torah, where we are instructed as to what righteous living is! Cultural context helps us understand the parables; Torah tells us if we got it right. Nu?

Dan

Good way to put it, Dan.

 

[WOFFED]

Precisely. That's where I got my own introduction to MJ. Like you, I was sitting in a Baptist church, trying to study my Bible. But I found that, the more questions I had, the fewer answers were given. So, I started digging into atlases, histories, and dictionaries to find the answers for myself.

Asking too many questions in any church leads to the door
​

Any way, I'm sitting here picturing Y'shua with His disciples being surrounded by a few Pharisees and scribes. Then one of the scribes asks Y'shua, "When Messiah comes will contextual understanding of the Torah be a core value of Messianic Judaism?"

The Beatitudes, parables and what seemed like mysteries are an important aspect of the contextual understanding of the Big Picture. Some Messianics may have considerable faith in the context of Judaic religious doctrine; while others have considerable faith in the Words of Y'shua and developing an abiding relationship via the Spirit of Adonai. The "contextual understanding" of our Messianic 'Salvation' whether Jew or Gentile is critical. The contextual understanding of the Torah/Tanakh in light of the New Covenant Words of Y'shua are the "core value" of Messianic Judaism.

So, YES, the contextual understanding of the Word of Yahweh (Complete Jewish Bible) via the teachings of Y'shua and His abiding Spirit in our inner man is crucial to our understanding and survival.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (CJB)
Trust in Adonai with all your heart; do not rely on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him; then he will level your paths.

John 6:40 (CJB)
40 Yes, this is the will of my Father: that all who see the Son and trust in him should have eternal life, and that I should raise them up on the Last Day.”

​

​

 

[Laureate]

Asking too many questions in any church leads to the door
​

Any way, I'm sitting here picturing Y'shua with His disciples being surrounded by a few Pharisees and scribes. Then one of the scribes asks Y'shua, "When Messiah comes will contextual understanding of the Torah be a core value of Messianic Judaism?"

The Beatitudes, parables and what seemed like mysteries are an important aspect of the contextual understanding of the Big Picture. Some Messianics may have considerable faith in the context of Judaic religious doctrine; while others have considerable faith in the Words of Y'shua and developing an abiding relationship via the Spirit of Adonai. The "contextual understanding" of our Messianic 'Salvation' whether Jew or Gentile is critical. The contextual understanding of the Torah/Tanakh in light of the New Covenant Words of Y'shua are the "core value" of Messianic Judaism.

So, YES, the contextual understanding of the Word of Yahweh (Complete Jewish Bible) via the teachings of Y'shua and His abiding Spirit in our inner man is crucial to our understanding and survival.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (CJB)
Trust in Adonai with all your heart; do not rely on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him; then he will level your paths.

John 6:40 (CJB)
40 Yes, this is the will of my Father: that all who see the Son and trust in him should have eternal life, and that I should raise them up on the Last Day.”

​

​

I could not put it sweeter give praise!