FAQ Question: What if you are not Jewish but have simular beliefs as Messianics?

[iitb]

I think the 2 questions at a time method is working, so here are the next two:

What if you are not Jewish but have simular beliefs as Messianics?

Wouldn't all Jews who believe in G-d's Messiah be Messianic Jews?

 

[Henaynei]

A MJ is a Jewish person who accepts Yeshua as Messiah AND who keeps/obeys Torah, one who keeps/follows the traditions of the Jewish Fathers. A Jewish person who accepts Yeshua as Messiah but follows/keeps the Christian cultural expressions of faith are known as Hebrew Christians.

Essential difference between an Hebrew Christian and a Messianic Jew is the format/culture in which they choose to express their faith and obedience.

 

[Henaynei]

What if you are not Jewish but have simular beliefs as Messianics

Personally, as a non-Jewish Messianic Believer myself, is the simplest answer is that we are Messianic Gentiles. That is, non-Jews who express our faith and obedience in a Jewish format/culture.

Gentiles who claim to be Messianic but resist or fight against Judaism and Jewish expressions of obedience are still Christians who for some reason want what they perceive as some "specialness of the Jews" while retaining their hold on the culture from which they have come. This inevitably leads to difficulty for all.

 

[iitb]

A MJ is a Jewish person who accepts Yeshua as Messiah AND who keeps/obeys Torah, one who keeps/follows the traditions of the Jewish Fathers.

Okay, let me get into "devil's advocate" mode here...

How would you respond to the MJAA, which is the largest governing body in this "movement," saying that Torah observance is "good, but not necessary?"

Actually, simchat_torah mentioned to me that the MJAA and UMJC are encouraging their rabbi's to teach that we are "free from the law." I couldn't find any mention of law or Torah on either site, though. Maybe Yafet will drop by with a little support for this claim.

 

[Henaynei]

Well, I would respond by saying the above IS my opinion.

How is what the MJAA and UMJC teaching different from the churches? Is MJ just one more "flavor of the month in Christianity?" In the form you mentioned it is.

If it is, then what is the purpose of our existence? Are we, as the anti-missionaries posit, just a Christian wolf in Jewish sheep's clothing, to draw Jews away from Judaism?



MJ without Torah is just another denomination of Christianity with a serious identity crisis.

 

[iitb]

Well, I would respond by saying the above IS my opinion.

For what it's worth, I would say that your definition of Messianic Judaism is the one that should be correct, but for some reason the "powers that be" insist on being Hebrew Christians. I really don't get it.

MJ without Torah is just another denomination of Christianity with a serious identity crisis.

Exactly. Are we a branch of Judaism that happens to believe Y'shua is the messiah, or a protestant denomination that is inspired by, but doesn't actually adhere to, Judaism?

I'm honestly not sure how to cover this whole mess in the FAQ. How do I give an honest overview of MJism when I disagree with the 2 largest governing bodies?

 

[Henaynei]

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For what it's worth, I would say that your definition of Messianic Judaism is the one that should be correct, but for some reason the "powers that be" insist on being Hebrew Christians. I really don't get it.


Exactly. Are we a branch of Judaism that happens to believe Y'shua is the messiah, or a protestant denomination that is inspired by, but doesn't actually adhere to, Judaism?

I'm honestly not sure how to cover this whole mess in the FAQ. How do I give an honest overview of MJism when I disagree with the 2 largest governing bodies?

May I humbly suggest that it is VERY Jewish to have more questions than concrete answers. Perhaps the best choice is an honest statement that includes the "hoped" definition and the ambiguities?? Honesty is usually the best policy

 

[OnederWoman]

So what about this?

We (as a family) attended a Messianic church all summer... we were first timers (and gentile Christians). We now are attending an Assemblies of God (the switch being due to the school year starting... the MJ church is too far away to go for Wednesdays during the school year... and we just felt we needed to attend a church in our own community where we can have more opportunity to minister to our community). Anyway.... we learned a lot from our time at the MJ church. We are still trying to learn more about MJ and we plan to observe Hannikah and Passover over Christmas and Easter (we were already frustrated with Christmas and Easter and with how much paganism is involved, so our MJ experiance just confirmed our beliefs and showed us a possibly better way to celebrate Jesus during those times of the year.) I can't see us going all the way into MJ (we just aren't Jewish)... but we see how Christianity in general has lost a lot of what there was in the first century church. If I had to label our family... we are Passover observing charismatic calvanists.

 

[Henaynei]

So what about this?

We (as a family) ... we are Passover observing charismatic calvanists.

"Welcome to the journey! Fasten your seat belts and keep your trays and seats in the upright position - we will be experiencing some turbulence during this flight but our Captain is very experienced and has never failed to bring His passengers to a safe landing as long as they stay in the aircraft!!"



Shalom,
a fellow traveler

 

[OnederWoman]

"Welcome to the journey! Fasten your seat belts and keep your trays and seats in the upright position - we will be experiencing some turbulence during this flight but our Captain is very experienced and has never failed to bring His passengers to a safe landing as long as they stay in the aircraft!!"



Shalom,
a fellow traveler

So does that mean I'm allowed to post on the MJ board? :lol

 

[iitb]

So does that mean I'm allowed to post on the MJ board? :lol

Well, since your original post said

We are still trying to learn more about MJ

I would have to ask, "why wouldn't you post on the MJ board?"


By the way, welcome aboard!

 

[OnederWoman]

Thanks