This issue of Kesher explores the place of the Messianic
Jewish Movement in relationship to Judaism and Christianity. Undoubtedly,
Messianic congregations are deeply connected on many levels to these religious
worlds.
In the feature article, "Competing
Trends In Messianic Judaism: The Debate Over Evangelicalism," Gabriela Reason
highlights both commonalities and dissimilarities within the Messianic
Movement. Reason traces the history and character of the Messianic Jewish
Alliance of America (MJAA) and the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations
(UMJC) against the backdrop of Evangelical Christianity. Even though there are
limitations to Reason's work and she occasionally highlights views that are not
mainstream, the quality and depth of her research advances the conversation.
Protestant
Evangelicalism, an influential force in the formation of the Messianic
Movement, remains a part of the Movement today. At the same time, there are
numerous points of tension between modern Jewish Messianism and contemporary Evangelicalism.
Two tendencies for dealing with this discontinuity co-exist within the
Messianic Movement:
- Continued
adherence to the ethos and culture of Evangelicalism including a reticence to
develop indigenous, local Messianic Jewish theologies. Evangelical theology is
upheld and Jewish life consistent with Evangelical values is embraced.
- Critical
engagement with Evangelicalism that appreciates its ongoing contribution.
Value is placed on a broader spectrum of Christian traditions, while mainstream
Jewish practice, theology, and spirituality is integrated in far-reaching ways.
Although
Reason tends to focus on the differences within two major branches of the
Messianic Movement, both branches are developing in the same direction. The
commonalities in theology and practice are also significant. In fact, the same
belief within the MJAA and UMJC concerning the person and work of Messiah is
one of the greatest expressions of unity.
The MJAA
states: We believe in Messiah Yeshua's deity (Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1,4), His
virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14), His sinless life, His atoning death (Isaiah 53,
Psalm 22), His bodily resurrection, His ascension, and His future return in
power and glory.
The Union of
Messianic Jewish Congregations holds that the One God, the God of creation, the
God of Israel, the God of our ancestors, of Whom our tradition speaks, reveals
Himself uniquely, definitively, and decisively in the life, death,
resurrection, and return of Yeshua the Messiah.
Yeshua is
the incarnation of the Divine Word through Whom the world was made, and of the
Divine Glory through Whom God revealed Himself to Israel and acted in their
midst. He is the living Torah, expressing perfectly in His example and
teaching the Divine purpose for human life. Yeshua is completely human and
completely divine.
[Affirmed by
the UMJC in 2003]
The shared theological tradition of
the MJAA and UMJC provides common ground for dialogue, cooperation, and
service.
As stated
in a previous Kesher editorial, "our journal functions as a forum for
such discussions, recognizing that it is vital to periodically explore our
identity as a Messianic Jewish community. Although a diversity of voices
express Messianic Jewish identity, our story is still developing and continues
to reveal who we are (or will be). As a pluriform movement that values and
recognizes a concert of traditions, the Messianic Movement is seeking a shared
vision and common trajectory."
A
Commentary on Defining Messianic Judaism by Russ Resnik furthers our
journey of understanding into individual and communal identity. On the back
cover of Kesher is the Defining Messianic Judaism statement
(approved at the 2002 Delegates Meeting of the UMJC).
The final
contribution is a review by Stuart Dauermann of Communicating God's Word in
a Complex World: God's Truth or Hocus Pocus? by Daniel Shaw and Charles Van
Engen. This work demonstrates how Scripture is deeply embedded in culture and
every re-communication of Scripture infuses the Message with culture. As a
result of the inextricable linkage of language, culture and community, each
community must translate the Message passed on to them. As Dauermann
highlights, the natural progression of the Messianic Movement is to translate
its tradition to Jewish enculturated forms and to continue "developing its own
theology."
Consider
offering a tax-deductible donation to Kesher this year. The costs are
significant to publish Kesher. There is also so much more we would like
to do, such as increase the web presence of Kesher and further its
influence in Jewish, Christian and academic communities internationally. If
you, your congregation, or educational institution do not have a subscription
or have not renewed, we anticipate hearing from you.
Andrew Sparks • Editor-in-Chief
• Kesher
Andrew Sparks (M.DIV., Westminster
Theological Seminary, S.T.M., Yale University)
leads Congregation Avodat Yisrael of Philadelphia, PA, serves as Executive Director of Messiah Now and is Editor-in-Chief of Kesher.
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