Messianic 'Judaism'
Tilly
Jesus as Messiah, but which retain their Jewish identify."
The group follows an Evangelical Christian belief system, including the
acceptance of key cardinal Christian beliefs: the Trinity, the virgin
conception of Yeshua of Nazareth (a.k.a. Jesus Christ), his sinless life
resurrection and ascension, the atonement, etc. They combine Jewish
practices, celebration of holy days, etc from the first century CE with the
beliefs established by the Pauline Christians and their successors in later
centuries. Among their membership are many ethnic/cultural Jews.
A key difference between Messianic Jews and Reform, Conservative, Orthodox
and Ultra-Orthodox Jews involves their beliefs about the Messiah. This
difference is sufficient for Morton Klein, the President of the Zionist
Organization of America (ZOA), to have allegedly declared that a Messianic
Jew is a "former Jew." Another difference relates to the conservative
Protestant theology of Messianic Judaism.
There are many references in the Hebrew Scriptures to the coming of a
Messiah who would inspire Jews in Israel to rise and throw off oppression
from occupying military powers. Most Jews believe that the Messiah has yet
to come; Messianic Jews believe that Yeshua of Nazareth was the expected
Messiah.
Messianic Jews consider themselves to be fully Jewish. They maintain a
"Jewish lifestyle of faith....[they] celebrate all of the biblical holidays
(i.e. Passover, Succot, etc) as well as many of the customs which are
consistent with the Scriptures."
Within Messianic Judaism, there exists a wide range of beliefs:
What might be called an "Evangelical Protestant" wing of Messianic
Judaism has accepted Yeshua (Jesus Christ) as the Messiah. They have also
adopted the theology of Evangelical Christianity. Some add an additional
criteria: the belief "that G-d wants the Jewish people to remain a distinct
and obedient nation until the end of time."
Messianic Jews retain Jewish
symbolism, heritage, culture, seasonal days of celebration and many details
of religious observance. They also regard themselves as an integral part of
the "Body of Messiah" - what countless conservative Christian denominations
refer to as the "Body of Christ" - the followers of Yeshua who have accepted
and worship him as Lord and Savior, and as a member of the Christian
Trinity.
History of modern-day Messianic Judaism:
The recent roots of Messianic Judaism date from the mid 19th century. Many
Jews in Britain who had accepted Christian beliefs questioned why they were
expected to forfeit their Jewish heritage and identity in order to accept
the Messiah. The Hebrew Christian Alliance and Prayer Union of Great Britain
was formed in 1866 to promote the combination of Jewish heritage and
Christian theology. A similar group, The Messianic Jewish Alliance of
America (MJAA) was organized in the U.S. in 1915. Additional groups were
formed elsewhere in the world during subsequent decades. The International
Hebrew Christian Alliance (IHCA) was organized in 1925. It has become the
International Messianic Jewish Alliance (IMJA). The International Alliance
of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues was organized in 1986 "as a
fellowship of Messianic congregations or synagogues under the auspices of
the MJAA."
"By the end of 1993 there were 165 independent Messianic Jewish
congregations world-wide, and a similar number of Jewish ministries and
fellowships."
Some groups restrict membership to those who are children of a Jewish parent
or who are married to a Jew. Some organizations admit individuals who do not
qualify for full membership to join as associate members.
Although some refer to their members as Jewish Christians, their preferred
term since World War II has been Messianic Jews. There are about 100,000
Messianic Jews in the United States. There are over 200 Messianic
congregations in the U.S., about 50 in Israel and many others in other
countries. Some Christian-Jewish inter-faith couples find a Messianic
Jewish congregation to be a religious environment in which both can feel
comfortable.
References:
a.. "Messianic Jews," Religious Movements Homepage Project, at:
http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/
b.. Steve Heiliczer, "What is Messianic Judaism" at:
http://www.execpc.com/~dwolfe/mjfaq.html
c.. The Christian Jew Foundation has a web page at: http://www.cjf.org/
Their doctrinal statement at http://www.cjf.org/pages/aboutcjf.htm discusses
Biblical inspiration, the Trinity, original sin, salvation and
pre-millennialism.
d.. "Why you need Messiah," Messianic Bureau International, at:
http://www.messianic.com/articles/rescued.htm
e.. Messianic Jewish Alliance of America has a home page at:
http://www.mjaa.org/
f.. "The rebirth of Messianic Judaism," an essay on the International
Messianic Jewish Alliance's web site at: http://www.imja.com/rebrth.htm The
IMJA publishes a magazine: Messianic Jewish Life.
g.. International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues has a
web site at: http://www.iamcs.org/
h.. "The rebirth of Messianic Judaism," an essay on the International
Messianic Jewish Alliance's web site at: http://www.imja.com/rebrth.htm The
IMJA publishes a magazine: Messianic Jewish Life.
i.. "What is Messianic Judaism?," at: http://www.baruchhashem.com/menus
j.. "Answers to your Questions," Beth Emunah Messianic Synagogue, at:
http://www.bethemunah.org/FAQ.htm
Copyright 1998 to 2006 Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2006-JUN-26
Author: B.. Robinson
ElParedon
"Tilly" <fem...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:g0iv0b$rl8$1...@registered.motzarella.org...
law, especially the Ten Commandments.
We muslims have a simple rule: "el din a muamela? which simply means that
"religion is how you treat others"
Poohrona
You cannot be Messianic and Jewish..another OxyMoron....
Joe Bruno
>
> You cannot be Messianic and Jewish..another OxyMoron....- Hide quoted text -
>
I agree with you.
Eli Grubman
Proof???????????????????????????????????
Eli
Joe Bruno
>
> - Show quoted text -
LOL! YOu want proof that I agree?
Eli Grubman
<jbr...@indystart.com> wrote:
Yes.
Proof?????????????????????????????
Eli
VanCooova's Leading SOB
I want proof that you really exist Bluto!
VanCooova's Leading SOB
>
> You cannot be Messianic and Jewish..another OxyMoron....
No, it's really OK, if you're also a "Baptist." The it's not an
oxymoron.