Category Archives: Messianic Judaism

All things concerning the modern movement of Messianic Judaism.

Reasons 6 & 7 You Should Be Involved in Messianic Judaism

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This is the final post in my blog series Why You Should Be Involved in Messianic Judaism. I put my last two reasons together, because they correlate so well, and besides, seven posts makes for a long series. My final reasons are more for those who have a love of holy writ–which should be all of the saints.

Reason #6 Messianic Judaism sheds light on interpretation of biblical text.

One of the weightiest matters for every believer to consider is the proper interpretation of Scripture. The most sobering reality of the church is that every single minister, whether ordained clergy or layperson, interprets holy writ. Never mind the title–some are called pastors, others priests, others teachers, others small group leaders, etc.–all of them are interpreters of the ancient texts in the biblical cannon. Sure, the Gospel itself is simple enough to understand, but it is no small thing to read a compilation of books over four centuries old and explain it to modern listeners or readers.

Growing up in a pastor’s home with a beautiful church family, I had a lot of biblical knowledge, like facts in a database. Cold, hard facts. They weren’t alive to me. There was no color, just the black outside lines of the shapes that I saw. When I was at Bat Zion and Christ for the Nations Institute (CFNI), it was as if God took crayons and colored in the lines of my knowledge. Now, my knowledge was bright, vibrant–alive. You see, the crayons are called context. As I studied the Feasts of the Lord in CFNI, we celebrated them at Bat Zion. While I was reading the words of Christ in class, I would learn at Bat Zion what was happening with the Jewish people at the time that Jesus said what He said. This fusion of facts and context honed my ability to rightfully interpret Scripture.

It was in a messianic congregation (a jewish context) that I truly learned that Jesus was a Jew. He did Jewish things, and what He said almost always paralleled those Jewish customs. He quoted Jewish rabbis. He sometimes didn’t explain His entire thoughts because He was building off of the common knowledge of the people listening. Jewish people. Without understanding the cultural and historical context of a document, it is impossible to grasp its truest meaning or message. One can learn this context within the messianic movement.

Reason #7 Messianic Judaism sheds light on the importance of the Old Testament.

It’s probably unnecessary to convince you that the majority of teaching in the body of Christ for the last century has focused on New Testament texts almost exclusively. Can a person grow and prosper spiritually solely on the New Testament? I believe they could, but they would be lacking a great deal of important truths. They would be lacking context. Without Genesis, the Gospels make no sense. Without the books of the prophets, the epistles of Paul make no sense. Without the writings of David, the letters from Peter would have no foundation. If the Old Testament were to be ripped out of the cannon, then there would be very little reason to keep the rest.

Messianic Judaism seeks to correct this error through an emphasis on teaching New Testament text in light of Old Testament Scripture. They shun literary snobbery within biblical study and embrace all of the books of the Bible, including the books of the Law or those of a more boring nature. However, with a proper look at the writings of the Old Testament authors, the New Testament comes alive to the believer, and their faith is deepened.

PERSONAL NOTE: So, dear reader, here is my final post in this series. I hope that I have made such a convincing case that you would be moved to give your support and get involved in Messianic Judaism to the degree that you feel God is asking of you.

How has your thoughts changed on Messianic Judaism through this blog? How do you feel you should be involved in supporting messianic believers?

Reason #5 You Should Be Involved in Messianic Judaism

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Messianic Judaism has been growing in popularity and exposure for decades now within the Church world, and it is still gaining steam with more and more messianic synagogues popping up around the country (Check out the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America for a tiny glimpse into the movement’s growth.) It has become so influential that every Christian believer should consider whether they support the movement’s values and goals or if they should stay away. I think that you should be involved, and here is my fifth reason why:

Reason #5 Messianic Judaism brings revelation to End Times study.

Eschatology, the study of “last things,” has fascinated and influenced the actions of Christians ever since the beginning of the Church. Not so hard to believe as there are hundreds of prophecies in Scripture that have yet to find their complete fulfillment, and given the Bible’s track record on fulfilled prophecy, it’s not an unwise bet to think that the rest of them will happen. These studies have evolved in scope, focus and presentation throughout the centuries for a number of factors, but for this blog’s sake, we are going to only look at Messianic Judaism’s contribution to End Times study.

Messianic Judaism, as with all things that they do, places a unique emphasis on the role of the Jewish people and Jewish believers in bringing Scriptural prophecy to fulfillment. At first glance, this may not seem a significant offering to this biblical field of study. However, when one considers the noteworthy amount of Scriptures referring directly to the state and people of Israel in the End Times and the fact that some influential eschatologians in history have summarily dismissed the presence of the Jews within the events of unfolding prophecy (e.g. Augustine, Jonathan Edwards), it becomes clear the importance of the messianic message within eschatology.

The main beliefs that I have encountered in Messianic Judaism that stand out in the long line of historical End Times speculation is:

  1. All of the covenants given to the Jewish people remain in effect until Messiah returns. (see Gen. 12, 2 Sam. 7, Jer. 31)
  2. The evangelization of Israel (its people and the state proper) is crucial in the timing of the return of Christ. (see Rom. 11)
  3. The observance of the Feasts of the Lord as described in the Pentateuch shall be reestablished in the millennial kingdom. (see Zec. 14)
  4. The millennial reign of Christ shall be headquartered in Jerusalem. (see Zec. 14 and Rev. 21-22)

In most circles of Christianity, these truths in the Bible are skirted over out of ignorance for their meaning or out of a blatant resistance to their implications–the special role that Israel plays in the End Times of this world could hurt the ethnic pride of some believers. When we realize that every ethnicity has a hand in bringing the King of Kings to his throne on this world, then our prejudices and pride will melt away in humble joy at being given a place in the plan of God.

Are you interested in End Times prophecy? How does your view of the fulfillment of End Times prophecy include the role of the Jewish people?

Reason #4 You Should Be Involved in Messianic Judaism

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Has there ever been a country that has so captivated the news audiences of the world as the tiny nation of Israel? They are smaller than the square mileage of the state of New Jersey, yet they consistently find their way to the front pages of newspaper and the front row on the news channel. With this much exposure raising the stakes, what should be the Church’s relationship with the state of Israel? Messianic Judaism brings this issue to the light and gives an answer.

Reason #4 Messianic Judaism sheds light on the relationship of the Church and the state of Israel.

After acknowledging the special relationship that God holds with the Jewish people, the next question that arises is how should we then treat the state of Israel? Is their existence a fulfillment of End Times prophecy? Should we feel any obligation towards their government and people? These are questions that Messianic Judaism hits head on with these Scriptural supports:

Romans 1:16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” (NIV)

Romans 11:12 “Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?” (KJV)

Based on the implications of these Scriptures, Messianic Judaism promotes the missiology that if we reach the Jewish people first with the Gospel, then God will bless the efforts of our missionaries in other countries. When the Jewish nation of Israel “look[s] upon [the one] whom they have pierced” (Zech. 12:10), God will pour out His grace upon them. He will write the Law of His new covenant on their hearts (Jer. 31), and then we will see a global revival unprecedented in the history of the Church.

Really, anyone could have seen this in Scripture and advocated it to the Church community, but history has proved that the messianics within the Church are the only ones as a collective group with the chutzpah to make a lasting push in favor of Jewish evangelism. If you live in a messianic community, you will see reports of the evangelism efforts in Israel more than anything else on the missions bulletin board. With this unique focus in evangelism, the messianic movement has been leading the Church in learning the best methods for Jewish evangelism in Israel.

Messianic Judasim calls upon the Church to do whatever it takes to support the government of Israel in accordance with Scriptural morals. It claims that Israel is in fact a fulfillment of biblical prophecy. It urges us to recognize the obligation that we have as Christians to bless the nation as well as the people of Israel.

What do you feel should be the relationship of the Church and Israel? Should Christians promote and support the government of Israel?

Reason #3 You Should Be Involved in Messianic Judaism

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We’ve all seen fads and popular philosophies come and go within the Church. The Word of Faith movement, the Shepherding movement, the Voice of Healing movement–these were all major waves that rolled through the ocean of the Church world. Messianic Judaism is one of the newest movements within the Church to have taken center stage. Below is my third reason why I feel that everyone should get involved.

Reason #3 Messianic Judaism sheds light on the Church’s relationship with the Jewish people.

Perhaps this appears to be a redundancy of yesterday’s post, but Reason #2 focuses on the Jews and other ethnicities within the church. Today, we’re looking at the relationship of the Church to the Jewish race both believers and non-believers.

The Bible shows clearly that God loves all peoples and made a plan to redeem every race on the face of the earth. He has a special place in His heart for every people group. However, it is also blatantly clear that He has a unique interest in the Jewish people. In the Mosaic covenant, He chose to initiate a relationship with them as a nation. He never did that before or since. He chose to deliver them from the oppression of the Egyptians, lead them to their new property, help them claim the real estate and then set up their government. He did it Himself, and He has never done it again.

Beyond the historical record to show His love for the Jews, God decided to write extensively on His feelings towards them.

Romans 11:26 “And so all Israel will be saved…”

Jeremiah 31:3 “The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: ”I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”

Isaiah 40:1 “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.”

These are just a sampling of what God wrote about this people group. Messianic Judaism issues a clarion call to the Church at large to treat the Jewish people with respect, compassion and honor. Then, the blessing of Genesis 12 will be ours.

“I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Reason #2 You Should Be Involved in Messianic Judaism

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The movement called Messianic Judaism has been sweeping the globe with a renewed connection to the Hebraic roots of Christianity. I believe that every believer should somehow be involved, as it is going to change forever the landscape of the faith. Here’s my number 2 reason that you should jump in:

Reason #2: Messianic Judaism sheds light on the ethnic groups that constitute Christianity.

For the majority of our existence, the Church has taken an over zealous approach to the assimilation of culture into the Church. As with all humanity, we tend to be afraid of that which we have no experience or knowledge, and so instead of accepting the differences of the various cultures of the world, we prefer to absorb them entirely until they disappear. This way, we can smugly remain self-assured of our open-mindedness. I believe that this policy of assimilation began in the second century Church.

As the fledgling Gospel spread throughout the known world, it encountered much older philosophies and religions which were entrenched within cultures. The first reaction of the Jewish Christians was to convert the culture of the Gentile believers.  Instead of focusing on the change of the mind, they focused on changing the behavior patterns of the new converts. They taught them circumcision, sabbath observance and kosher laws more so than the core doctrines of their Messiah. The Gentile believers found it difficult and demoralizing to keep up with Jewish believer’s regulations.

It was a natural mistake. It was a mistake that was to be repeated.

When enough Gentiles had filled the membership rolls, they gained enough power in the Christian world to then return the same treatment to which they had been subjected back to the Jewish Christians. Now, it was the Gentile demanding the Jew to change by leaving circumcision, desecrating the Sabbath and eating unkosher foods such as pork. All because these things were foreign to the Gentile believer’s culture.

Messianic Judaism yells a loud and clear “Stop!” to this wretched cycle of culture smashing. Their cry is “Let us keep the traditions of our fathers for they have been redeemed by Messiah!” The movement advocates the redemption of culture through the sacrifice of Messiah by emphasizing the importance of preserving the Jewish culture within Church politic, worship and life.

Within the Messianic movement, I have seen a tremendous appreciation of other cultures when redeemed by Yeshua (Jesus). If you decide to get involved, then you will be faced with the question of ethnic identity within the Church. I believe that you will be all the better for it.

For more on this, please read Dr. Dan Juster’s article Who Am I? The Question of Gentile Identity.

What parts of culture must change when redeemed through Christ? What parts can remain?