Response to Rabbi Paul Saal’s “Queer for Jesus”

I would like to commend Rabbi Saal for his willingness to address such a sensitive subject.1 His shepherd’s heart and concern for individuals, as well as for the Messianic Jewish community are evident throughout the paper. This is clearly demonstrated in his relational approach to the topic, and his core premise of marginality and identification. Rabbi Saal has presented some thought provoking issues and questions that need to be addressed. He challenges us to: 1. rethink our pat answers, our self-identification of “us” and “them,” and our standard arguments for the exclusion