|
Post by Josh on Apr 21, 2009 15:29:30 GMT -8
yeshuafreak,
let me give you a little overview of the books/ resources that I'm familiar with and have learned from that relate to the world of Messianic Judaism (is there a better term?). I'm interested in your feedback on these sources.
Michael L. Brown's Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus books
The book Search for the Messiah by Mark Eastman and Church Smith opened my eyes to the wealth of non-canonical Jewish literature that points to Yeshua as Messiah
Salvation is from the Jews- the Role of Judaism in Salvation History: Roy Shoemans (a Catholic Jew)
The Bible As It Was by James Kugel (I got my feet wet on rabbinical commentary through this book)
Any thoughts on these? Any recommendations of other helpful resources?
|
|
|
Post by yeshuafreak on Apr 22, 2009 15:03:29 GMT -8
i know brown is a good source although he bases his evidence on biased material often times, although he himself tries to stay unbiased.
i would suggest reading 'yeshua' and 'jesus didnt have blue eyes' as well as 'paul didnt eat pork.'
also, remember that messianic judaism is a shaky movement regarding theology right now- it is not purely decided yet. so it could easily sway from the truth, like i think christianity did (no offense to christians).
soon, i will state my personal theology and what i believe as accurate church history from the sources that i have recieved so far.
also, david stern does a good job of restoring the cultural setting of the apostles, although i would not take his scholarship with high value.
shalom- john
PS... messianic judaism is the best term, although rabbinical jews are not suporters of it. i think that judaism is the religion of YHVH- nothing more, nothing less. so i dont think it j=should just be 'messianic' but you can say 'mj' or just 'messianic' for abbrev. terms to make posting faster.
shalom bet (peace again)- john
|
|
|
Post by Josh on Apr 23, 2009 16:18:48 GMT -8
Please elaborate if you have a chance.
And, on another note, is it a bad thing to you if not all messianic jews agree on all points of theology?
|
|
|
Post by yeshuafreak on Apr 24, 2009 11:08:08 GMT -8
no not a bad thing, just be warned that some mesianic jews teach the doctrine of circumcision that shaul preahed against, etc.
i cant really elaborate b/c i did not record my findings on brown. but he is good. i would recomend his books to anyone who was into mj apology
|
|
|
Post by Josh on Sept 1, 2011 18:00:54 GMT -8
I'm wondering, as I've had the opportunity to dialogue with a smathering of Messianic \Jews, are there any who hold the view that the observation of the Torah is not mandatory, but simply a beneficial practice? Are there Messianics who don't distinguish between Jews and Gentiles in the kingdom of God? For a glimpse at what I'm talking about, see the following, where I have engaged in such conversations: barukhyeshua.proboards.com/I think that would be refreshing, but it seems that those I have encountered have a radical insistance on Torah observation not only for Jewish Christians but for all Christians.
|
|
Michael
Intermediate Member
Posts: 68
|
Post by Michael on Sept 5, 2011 10:17:20 GMT -8
I have known many messianic Jews who have not only not been Torah observant themselves, but even discouraged it, since no one is under the OT Law any longer, Jew or gentile (I realize there are differing opinions on that, but that's mine, and I'm sticking with it ). Their main purpose was to remain identified with their Jewishness, with the understanding that their Jewishness is ultimately fulfilled in Messiah. They often have a burden for the unbelieving Jewish people, and even use their messianic Judaism as an evangelistic tool. However, it seems to me that many messianic Jews, at least at some point in their spiritual walk, have a tendancy to slide into some form of legalism, whether it be Torah observance, sabbatarianism, kosher laws, circumcision, etc. It's unfortunate, because as most of y'all know, we celebrate several Jewish feasts a year (we aren't messianic Jews, however, even though there is some Jewish background in the family), and we think it's very meaningful and great fun! We don't do it out of a sense of obligation, but because it enriches our Christian faith when we see how the feasts are fulfilled in Jesus. So far as the distinction between Jew and gentile, most, if not all messianic Jews hold to a literal, future thousand year reign of the Messiah, when OT and NT prophesies will be fulfilled physically, and where Jewish believers will have special duties in the kingdom. Then after the Millenium, and the final judgement, etc., all distinctions will be eliminated. I guess it all depends on your eschatology....
|
|
|
Post by Josh on Sept 5, 2011 14:15:48 GMT -8
Mike, thanks for the response. I think a key point of misunderstanding between messianics and gentile christians is that the law is neither abolished nor still rigidly in place. The law was not bad or shoddy, but rather it was a sign pointing forward; it was a light in dark places, but now that the day has begun to dawn, we now just need the light of the Son, of which it was but a part. the law has been fulfilled in Christ, not negated.
I think you would really dig n.t. Wrights take on the subject in Scripture and the Authority of God.
|
|
|
Post by Josh on Sept 5, 2011 14:18:22 GMT -8
That being said, the benefits to Gentiles in becoming acquainted with those lights/signs cannot be underestimated because the more we know about them, the more we know our own story, the more we know God,s story, and the more we recognize His faithfulness.
|
|