OK...I've got to read that book. Getting cited a lot.
I think Boaz Micheal has met with the same kind of despair that many Jews have when it comes to the Messianic movement. His book on Messsianic Judaism struck a few chords with me.
I'm not sure exactly what you mean by despair when it comes to the Messianic Movement, but I might agree.
So often I hear that the 'church/assembly' started as a part of Judaism, and then moved away from the Jewish roots. I hear that that is the major failure of the Christian movement.
My concern with Messianic Judaism, is that today, it is at a cross roads. A choice to once again move away from the 'Jewish roots' but this time, the pressure is from people who argue for One Law. The vast majority of Jewish believers do not subscribe to this belief, so maybe that is the despair. Once again the pressure to move away from the Jewish view, thought and beliefs.
I have heard some about Kinzers book, but have not read it. I dislike the title, Post missionary Messianic Judaism. On that Kinzer is absolutely wrong. Messianic Judaism should never become post missionary, as long as there are Jewish people who do not yet believe on Yeshua.
As far as Gentiles encouraged to return to the Christian churches, I have heard this sentiment. I have mixed feelings. On one hand, I understand the sentiment, as a concern that some Gentiles are trying to push their idea of what Messianic Judaism should be, but what is being pushed is not Jewish. Jewish people who were much more comfortable in Messianic Judaism over the Christian church, (not due to core beliefs but because of the Gentile culture), might be faced with the same situation in Messianic Judaism if Messianic Judaism follows a more Gentile viewpoint.
There are other issues which I am concerned with, basically being, that Jews and Gentiles in Messiah are equal, but with different 'callings'.
In the paper, 'Defining Messianic Judaism', UMJC Theology Committee, Summer 2002 with commentary by Russ Resnick
Messianic Judaism embraces the fullness of the New Covenant realities available through Yeshua, and seeks to express them in forms drawn from Jewish experience and accessible to Jewish people.
The paper emphasizes that Messianic Judaism is fully part of the Jewish people. It emphasizes that Jewish believers identify as a part of the Jewish community, while still being in united faith with the Gentile Christian Church.
The paper says:
'We are Jewish not only in a biblical sense, but also in a living interaction with the whole of our community and tradition, the "concrete, historical community"'... 'We are making the revolutionary claim that we are at home in the Jewish community as we identify with Messiah'.
In otherwords, Messianic Jews have not left the community to join a predominantly Gentile community, only to return to testify of Messiah, but live as a part of the Jewish community.
I have no problems viewing myself as a member of the Jewish community, or living like a member of the Jewish community. I grew up there so it is what I am and live like. At the same time, I see a strong tie with the community of believers. We are of like Spirit.
I see a couple of questions though. I don't like or understand the kind of separation which seems to be defined in this approach. At the same time, a Messianic Judaism which is more Gentile then Jewish is not a part of the Jewish community at large. And, a Messianic Judaism changed by Gentile preferences is also not longer a part of the Jewish community as Messianic Judaism would leave behind Jewish culture, thought and understanding, becoming a Gentile movement.