This matter has come up, this afternoon, on other threads in this part of the forum. Tonight, in my mail box, was this communication from: Towards Jerusalem Council ii. The TJCii website is at: Toward Jerusalem Council II - Repentance and Reconciliation Between Jews and Gentiles
Read and discuss...
Introduction.
I believe that Messianic Jews can be a bridge between Christianity & Judaism. In discussions between Gentile Christians and Orthodox Jews, here are some pointers that have been of help in Ireland.
1. Many Orthodox Jews do not realise that Messianic Jews are not synonymous with the Jews for Jesus organisation - they are organised by Messianic Synagogues, celebrate the Jewish feasts etc. The Jerusalem Post (12th Feb. 09) ran an excellent 6 page article on Messianic Jews (email tjcii@eircom.net for article), which is useful to give to Orthodox Jews.
2. Where TJCII is involved in bringing Messianic Jews to speak in their country, it is vital that good relations between Gentile Christians and Orthodox Jews be maintained. In our case we informed the Orthodox Jews that the purpose of the visit was to educate the churches on the Jewish roots of their Christian faith, to stand against anti-semitism and to correct teaching on replacement theology.
3. Gentile Christians can reiterate to Orthodox Jews that we are committed to confessing all the Christian sins of history against the Jewish people, and that our encounter with the Messianic Jews forces the Churches to do this in a more marked way.
4. It is good to highlight that in Israel Messianic Jews are loyal citizens, pay their taxes, serve in the army, celebrate the Biblical Feasts and defend the right of Israel to exist. They are involved in running Drug Rehabilitation Centres, Women's Refuge Centres and Food Distribution Centres for poor Israelis etc. Originally Messianic Jews were part of Judaism until a split happened in the 1st and 2nd centuries
5. It is useful to highlight the the Roman Catholic Church is in informal dialogue with the Messianic Jewish movement, as the Orthodox tend to hold the Catholic church in esteem, but often have difficulty in understanding why the official repentance has not filtered down to ordinary Parish level.
6. Finally it can help to highlight what the Pope's personal preacher, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, wrote about Messianic Jews healing the schism between the Church and Israel: "The reconstitution of the Jewish Nation is a wonderful sign and opportunity for the Church .... Only now can Israel take up again the question of Jesus of Nazareth.... Quite a few in the Jewish religion... openly acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah and call themselves 'Messianic Jews'. These help us...realise that the great original schism... is not so much the schism between East & West or between Catholics & Protestants, as the more radical one between the Church & Israel."
Paddy Monaghan
TJCII Ireland
Read and discuss...
Introduction.
I believe that Messianic Jews can be a bridge between Christianity & Judaism. In discussions between Gentile Christians and Orthodox Jews, here are some pointers that have been of help in Ireland.
1. Many Orthodox Jews do not realise that Messianic Jews are not synonymous with the Jews for Jesus organisation - they are organised by Messianic Synagogues, celebrate the Jewish feasts etc. The Jerusalem Post (12th Feb. 09) ran an excellent 6 page article on Messianic Jews (email tjcii@eircom.net for article), which is useful to give to Orthodox Jews.
2. Where TJCII is involved in bringing Messianic Jews to speak in their country, it is vital that good relations between Gentile Christians and Orthodox Jews be maintained. In our case we informed the Orthodox Jews that the purpose of the visit was to educate the churches on the Jewish roots of their Christian faith, to stand against anti-semitism and to correct teaching on replacement theology.
3. Gentile Christians can reiterate to Orthodox Jews that we are committed to confessing all the Christian sins of history against the Jewish people, and that our encounter with the Messianic Jews forces the Churches to do this in a more marked way.
4. It is good to highlight that in Israel Messianic Jews are loyal citizens, pay their taxes, serve in the army, celebrate the Biblical Feasts and defend the right of Israel to exist. They are involved in running Drug Rehabilitation Centres, Women's Refuge Centres and Food Distribution Centres for poor Israelis etc. Originally Messianic Jews were part of Judaism until a split happened in the 1st and 2nd centuries
5. It is useful to highlight the the Roman Catholic Church is in informal dialogue with the Messianic Jewish movement, as the Orthodox tend to hold the Catholic church in esteem, but often have difficulty in understanding why the official repentance has not filtered down to ordinary Parish level.
6. Finally it can help to highlight what the Pope's personal preacher, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, wrote about Messianic Jews healing the schism between the Church and Israel: "The reconstitution of the Jewish Nation is a wonderful sign and opportunity for the Church .... Only now can Israel take up again the question of Jesus of Nazareth.... Quite a few in the Jewish religion... openly acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah and call themselves 'Messianic Jews'. These help us...realise that the great original schism... is not so much the schism between East & West or between Catholics & Protestants, as the more radical one between the Church & Israel."
Paddy Monaghan
TJCII Ireland