- Jun 10, 2004
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There is a serious issue of identity in the Messianic movement today. I am sure I have railed against this before, but I was recently having a PM conversation with another member of our forum regarding issues of identity.
I am a believer in Christ who believes in a distinct seperation between the concept of Israel (the Jewish people) and the concept of the Church (the Body of Christ). With that being said, I believe there are members of Israel incorporated into the Body of Christ...being our Messianic Jewish brothers (or Hebrew-Christian, whatever you want to call yourselves). I trust that those gentiles that have given their lives over to Christ have been "grafted-in" to the commonwealth of Israel (that being the Children of God). However, that doesn't make us Israel in the national sense nor in the sense of obligation to being shomer mitsvos. It means that we are heirs according to the promise of Abraham, children of the Living God, and heirs to everlasting salvation through our knowing the God of Abraham.
The people that comprise the children of Israel today, I believe, have representatives of all sh'vatim of ancient Israel despite their being divided up today primarily as Kohenim, Levi'im, and Yisroelim. I trust (and can find biblical support for the fact) that many members of the ten tribes of the ancient kingdom of Israel reincorporated themselves with Judah and her form of worship after the split between the kingdoms. Whether that was of their own accord (as can be seen in the apocryphal book of Tobit) or as a result of migrations south during the time of the Assyrian invasion. While I believe that many members of the northern kingdom were cast away or transplanted into the Assyrian empire, I believe many members of those sh'vatim retained their identity as they incorporated back into the kingdom of Judah. I have no doubt in my mind that God will awaken those descendents spirits and return them to the Jewish people as He has done in recent centuries (i.e. the Falasha Mura, B'nai Menashe, those in Peru, etc). Furthermore, I feel He will ultimately reconcile the issue of Karaim and Shomronim in the larger Jewish religious community (whether or not He lets them return is not my call). The reason why I brought this portion up, is because I don't believe in the "Ten Lost Tribes" myth that has plagued the Messianic world with two-house doctrines, etc. I think there is enough biblical and extra-biblical evidence to suggest this.
In addition to the above, I would like to define a Jew in the traditional Jewish concept as being that born of a Jewish mother (which given the biblical text in the Torah and in Ezra, I can see why they interpret it as such) or that which has halachically converted to Judaism (an Orthodox conversion). The reason why I am doing this, is to define "Who is a Jew?" as I continue to write, so that people are not mistaken as to where I stand.
In the Messianic movement we have a problem of identity. Up until recently, if I had to choose a Messianic umbrella organization that I would have supported as being theologically in line with what I believe regarding this issue, it would have been that of the UMJC. Unfortunately, in light of recent findings, I cannot agree with them any longer.
This next part, I am not saying to offend or affront any of our Orthodox Jewish members (i.e. Talmidah, TheRabbi, ChavaK, ChazakEmunah, Simchat_Torah, etc), I am merely bringing this up because it is the truth of the situation and it brings me into the larger conversation within the Messianic world. Coming from a background where I pursued an Orthodox conversion to Judaism (though I was never m'giyurred) and living among chassidim and other Jews who were either frum from birth OR ba'alei t'shuvas, I too experienced some identity issues. When one pursues gerus there are certain things that one cannot do because he has yet to be converted (and therefore become a Jew). These items include, but are not limited too: not being able to observe the Sabbath in its entirety (performing one melacha...in my case, I either ripped a piece of toilet paper...though in some cases someone left the cholent pot on too high or gentile cleaning crew from the night before shut off the women's section lights), not laying tefillin (in my case, I could...but not say the brachos), or during yontif taking my meal from kitchen so that I am not served by a Jew, etc. Through my learning, I came to respect and understand these concepts. I understand and respect these things within the context of Orthodox Judaism. Even if I didn't necessarily agree.
The Torah will always be something that is an obligation upon all of Israel to keep whether or not they place their trust in Christ, it never has been an obligation upon gentiles. However, in the context of Messianic gentiles, I believe that they should be able to take upon themselves as little or as much of the yoke of the Torah as they wish (aside from the moral commitments...which are universal) provided that they have an understanding that this is not something that they must do or have that same sense of obligation in the way that Israel does. Gentiles also need to remember, recognize, and respect the importance of Israel's relationship with the Ribono Shel Olam...as the chosen people of God. We need to recognize her role in God's plan of salvation. However, I do not believe that Jews in the Messianic movement should brush aside the desire of Messianic gentiles to observe the Torah if they so wish. Observance of the Torah's commands are blessing and all who wish to partake, should be able too. This tension between Jews and gentiles in the movement causes all sorts of problems including the advent of cultish movements like the two-house movements (which I feel is a reactionary movement to gentiles feeling as if they aren't important AS gentiles so they make this stuff up or stretch biblical exegesis to its limit to suggest they are part of Israel as described above) or in many cases causing gentiles to pursue conversion to Judaism (which shows that they have their faith mixed up in placing Torah observance before Christ).
It seems now that some Messianic organizations are further adding flames to the fire by offering "conversion" programs within Messianic circles. There are so many problems with this concept. Paul was against this. The conversions would be illegitimate and not accepted anywhere within the Jewish world. It would further divide the Messianic and Jewish communities. It would further alienate gentiles followers as second-class citizens. It may further members joining these two-house cults as it would be "easier" than going through any conversion process (which would make them feel less important AS THEY ARE in the Kingdom of God). Furthermore, it's simply not needed. There would be no advantage spiritually to the person converting (Paul attests to do this!).
The solution to all of these problems is respect. There is no longer Jew or gentile in Christ, that doesn't mean we don't have our roles to play in the Kingdom of God.
1. Messianic gentiles need to recognize and respect Israel's special role and relationship with God. This includes her obligation to observe the Torah and understanding that we don't have that obligation (even if we choose to observe it for our own blessing)
2. Messianic Jews need to recognize the gentile desire to observe the Torah in the Messianic world, despite our lack of obligation to do so. It helps us identify in a more biblical way with our God and with the nation of Israel to whom we are grafted. And it allows to live in way that our Savior and Messiah would have
3. We need to recognize that we are one body with our unique roles in purposes in God's plan for salvation
I am a believer in Christ who believes in a distinct seperation between the concept of Israel (the Jewish people) and the concept of the Church (the Body of Christ). With that being said, I believe there are members of Israel incorporated into the Body of Christ...being our Messianic Jewish brothers (or Hebrew-Christian, whatever you want to call yourselves). I trust that those gentiles that have given their lives over to Christ have been "grafted-in" to the commonwealth of Israel (that being the Children of God). However, that doesn't make us Israel in the national sense nor in the sense of obligation to being shomer mitsvos. It means that we are heirs according to the promise of Abraham, children of the Living God, and heirs to everlasting salvation through our knowing the God of Abraham.
The people that comprise the children of Israel today, I believe, have representatives of all sh'vatim of ancient Israel despite their being divided up today primarily as Kohenim, Levi'im, and Yisroelim. I trust (and can find biblical support for the fact) that many members of the ten tribes of the ancient kingdom of Israel reincorporated themselves with Judah and her form of worship after the split between the kingdoms. Whether that was of their own accord (as can be seen in the apocryphal book of Tobit) or as a result of migrations south during the time of the Assyrian invasion. While I believe that many members of the northern kingdom were cast away or transplanted into the Assyrian empire, I believe many members of those sh'vatim retained their identity as they incorporated back into the kingdom of Judah. I have no doubt in my mind that God will awaken those descendents spirits and return them to the Jewish people as He has done in recent centuries (i.e. the Falasha Mura, B'nai Menashe, those in Peru, etc). Furthermore, I feel He will ultimately reconcile the issue of Karaim and Shomronim in the larger Jewish religious community (whether or not He lets them return is not my call). The reason why I brought this portion up, is because I don't believe in the "Ten Lost Tribes" myth that has plagued the Messianic world with two-house doctrines, etc. I think there is enough biblical and extra-biblical evidence to suggest this.
In addition to the above, I would like to define a Jew in the traditional Jewish concept as being that born of a Jewish mother (which given the biblical text in the Torah and in Ezra, I can see why they interpret it as such) or that which has halachically converted to Judaism (an Orthodox conversion). The reason why I am doing this, is to define "Who is a Jew?" as I continue to write, so that people are not mistaken as to where I stand.
In the Messianic movement we have a problem of identity. Up until recently, if I had to choose a Messianic umbrella organization that I would have supported as being theologically in line with what I believe regarding this issue, it would have been that of the UMJC. Unfortunately, in light of recent findings, I cannot agree with them any longer.
This next part, I am not saying to offend or affront any of our Orthodox Jewish members (i.e. Talmidah, TheRabbi, ChavaK, ChazakEmunah, Simchat_Torah, etc), I am merely bringing this up because it is the truth of the situation and it brings me into the larger conversation within the Messianic world. Coming from a background where I pursued an Orthodox conversion to Judaism (though I was never m'giyurred) and living among chassidim and other Jews who were either frum from birth OR ba'alei t'shuvas, I too experienced some identity issues. When one pursues gerus there are certain things that one cannot do because he has yet to be converted (and therefore become a Jew). These items include, but are not limited too: not being able to observe the Sabbath in its entirety (performing one melacha...in my case, I either ripped a piece of toilet paper...though in some cases someone left the cholent pot on too high or gentile cleaning crew from the night before shut off the women's section lights), not laying tefillin (in my case, I could...but not say the brachos), or during yontif taking my meal from kitchen so that I am not served by a Jew, etc. Through my learning, I came to respect and understand these concepts. I understand and respect these things within the context of Orthodox Judaism. Even if I didn't necessarily agree.
The Torah will always be something that is an obligation upon all of Israel to keep whether or not they place their trust in Christ, it never has been an obligation upon gentiles. However, in the context of Messianic gentiles, I believe that they should be able to take upon themselves as little or as much of the yoke of the Torah as they wish (aside from the moral commitments...which are universal) provided that they have an understanding that this is not something that they must do or have that same sense of obligation in the way that Israel does. Gentiles also need to remember, recognize, and respect the importance of Israel's relationship with the Ribono Shel Olam...as the chosen people of God. We need to recognize her role in God's plan of salvation. However, I do not believe that Jews in the Messianic movement should brush aside the desire of Messianic gentiles to observe the Torah if they so wish. Observance of the Torah's commands are blessing and all who wish to partake, should be able too. This tension between Jews and gentiles in the movement causes all sorts of problems including the advent of cultish movements like the two-house movements (which I feel is a reactionary movement to gentiles feeling as if they aren't important AS gentiles so they make this stuff up or stretch biblical exegesis to its limit to suggest they are part of Israel as described above) or in many cases causing gentiles to pursue conversion to Judaism (which shows that they have their faith mixed up in placing Torah observance before Christ).
It seems now that some Messianic organizations are further adding flames to the fire by offering "conversion" programs within Messianic circles. There are so many problems with this concept. Paul was against this. The conversions would be illegitimate and not accepted anywhere within the Jewish world. It would further divide the Messianic and Jewish communities. It would further alienate gentiles followers as second-class citizens. It may further members joining these two-house cults as it would be "easier" than going through any conversion process (which would make them feel less important AS THEY ARE in the Kingdom of God). Furthermore, it's simply not needed. There would be no advantage spiritually to the person converting (Paul attests to do this!).
The solution to all of these problems is respect. There is no longer Jew or gentile in Christ, that doesn't mean we don't have our roles to play in the Kingdom of God.
1. Messianic gentiles need to recognize and respect Israel's special role and relationship with God. This includes her obligation to observe the Torah and understanding that we don't have that obligation (even if we choose to observe it for our own blessing)
2. Messianic Jews need to recognize the gentile desire to observe the Torah in the Messianic world, despite our lack of obligation to do so. It helps us identify in a more biblical way with our God and with the nation of Israel to whom we are grafted. And it allows to live in way that our Savior and Messiah would have
3. We need to recognize that we are one body with our unique roles in purposes in God's plan for salvation
We must live on different planets!