The Resurrection of Jesus: Another Jewish Perspective
In 1978, Pinchas Lapide became the first Jewish scholar to publish a full-length book on Yeshua’s resurrection.1 In 1983, Wilhelm Linss translated it into English as The Resurrection of Jesus: A Jewish Perspective.2 While many Jewish scholars grant the historical veracity of Yeshua’s empty tomb,3 and that his disciples had experiences they were convinced…
Read MoreIssues For Clarification In The Self-Defining Statement
Are We Becoming An Unbalanced Fiddler On The Roof? I would like to begin this article with a note of appreciation for the work that has gone into the UMJC’s self-definition statement of Messianic Judaism. I affirm the need to be integrally part of our people, as well as the need to function and witness…
Read MoreJesus, King of the Jews! Messianic Judaism, Jewish Christians, and Theology Beyond Supersessionism – ed. James Earle Patrick
Reviewed by Russ Resnik A sea-change in Jewish-Christian relations since World War II is undeniable. The two world-wide communities that for many centuries saw themselves as adversaries and often behaved accordingly have in recent decades been seeking peace and understanding. But one of the ironies of Jewish-Christian dialogue is that Messianic Jews have generally been…
Read MoreThe Personalism of Jacques Maritain and the Postmissionary Messianic Judaism of Mark S. Kinzer
Introduction Mark S. Kinzer, a prominent Messianic Jewish theologian and rabbi, maintains his faith in Yeshua as Messiah while professing allegiance to the written Torah and subsequent Jewish tradition. Kinzer defines his position within the framework of Judaism in the twenty-first century as “postmissionary Messianic Judaism,”1 arguing that earlier modes of what was referred to…
Read MoreLet the Real Israel Please Rise: Defining Messianic Judaism and the Israel of God
Recently, I had a conversation about the task of the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) to define Messianic Judaism. The individual with whom I spoke said, “Good luck, why not just follow the Lord?” My first thought was, “I did not know that the two were mutually exclusive.” In addition, the question that entered…
Read MoreSabbatian Heresy: Writings on Mysticism, Messianism, and the Origins of Jewish Modernity, ed. Pawel Maciejko
Reviewed by Solomon Intrater In the 17th through 18th centuries and beyond, a significant, though often ignored, messianic movement occurred, in association with the supposed messiah Shabbtai Zvi. Proper historical academic research into Sabbatianism was not initiated until the middle of the 20th century, at the hand of the famous German-Israeli scholar of Jewish mysticism,…
Read MoreFrom the Editor – Issue 17
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.…
Read MoreHow to Fight Anti-Semitism by Bari Weiss
Reviewed by Paul L. Saal It is not often that I am afforded the opportunity to write a book review with the potential of being longer than the actual book I am reviewing. Though I write this somewhat tongue-in-cheek, How to Fight Anti-Semitism by Bari Weiss can be characterized by its brevity. Bound in a…
Read MoreCompeting Trends In Messianic Judaism: The Debate Over Evangelicalism
Introduction: What Is Messianic Judaism? Messianic Judaism is a congregational movement consisting of believers who affirm Yeshua haNatzrati to be their Messiah and Savior while maintaining Jewish observance in both theology and practice. It is centered mainly in the United States and, to a lesser extent, in Israel. Worldwide membership of around 100,000 people has…
Read MoreDefining Messianic Judaism – A Commentary
(Summer 2002, revised March 2004) Recently I was leafing through the catalog of a major Christian book supplier and came across a section they had termed “Messianic Judaism.” There were a few books in this section, but most of its space was given to a nice selection of tallitot and kippot, challah covers and candleholders,…
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