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…

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…

Addendum 1: What Do We Mean By “Jewish“? The UMJC Theology Committee defines Messianic Judaism as a Jewish congregational movement for Messiah: Messianic Judaism is a movement of Jewish congregations and congre-gation-like groupings committed to Yeshua the Messiah that embrace the covenantal responsibility of Jewish life and identity rooted in Torah, expressed in tradition, and…

Though the history of preaching1 is rooted in the liturgical life of the ancient synagogue (which is amply evidenced in the Gospels and Acts), preaching does not play a prominent role in the worship of the modern synagogue.2 The synagogue service is a serv­ice of the heart, Avodah, in which prayer and the recitation of…

A Vision I had a vision. A vision of our people turning toward the Messiah in unprecedented numbers. A vision of thousands of messianic congregations spreading across the world. A vision of a thriving messianic seminary where our young people can be trained to go forth with boldness, wisdom, and compassion. A vision where we,…

This month my new book arrives in the bookstore and I am won­dering whether its arrival is already too late. The subject matter is Israel and Palestine and carries two subtitles. The first, “Out of the Ashes,” is easily understood with the situation on the ground in the Middle East as it is today. During…

This journal is a testimony to the maturity of the Messianic Movement and the growing influence of messian­ic leaders and scholars in the academy, the church and synagogue, and the wider Jewish world. Our contributors and subscribers are from a variety of backgrounds: some are messianic, while others are interested in the distinct voice of…