MESSIANIC JUDAISM

INTRODUCTION: OVERVIEW, HISTORY, BOOKS

Sponsored link.

Overview:

Messianic Judaism is a religious movement of individuals "who believe in Jesus as Messiah, but which retain their Jewish identify." ₁

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." ₁₀

Within Messianic Judaism, there exists a wide range of beliefs:

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. ₅ 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). ₆ 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." ₇

"By the end of 1993 there were 165 independent Messianic Jewish congregations world-wide, and a similar number of Jewish ministries and fellowships." ₈ These congregations are usually affiliated with associations such as:

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. ₉ Some Christian-Jewish inter-faith couples find a Messianic Jewish congregation to be a religious environment in which both can feel comfortable.

Books on Messianic Judaism:

There have been an enormous number of books written about this topic. However, most seem to be now out of print. Some still available are:

References:

1. "Messianic Jews," Religious Movements Homepage Project, at: http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/
2. Steve Heiliczer, "What is Messianic Judaism" at: http://www.execpc.com/~dwolfe/mjfaq.html
3. 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. 
4. "Why you need Messiah," Messianic Bureau International, at: http://www.messianic.com/articles/rescued.htm
5. Messianic Jewish Alliance of America has a home page at: http://www.mjaa.org/
6. "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.
7. International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues has a web site at: http://www.iamcs.org/
8. "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.
9. "What is Messianic Judaism?," at: http://www.baruchhashem.com/menus
10. "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