Messianic Jews
Alan sends a link to an interesting article from Christianity today about Messianic Jews (Jews who believe that Jesus is the Messiah”.
“I believe Yeshua ha-Notzree, Jesus of Nazareth, is the Messiah. Despite my two Jewish parents (one deceased) and having passed through a bris as well as a bar mitzvah, many Jews won’t consider me part of the mispocha, the extended family of Judaism, because of that simple declaration.
At the same time, more than a few Christians would, frankly, prefer that I not be a Jew, at least not too much of one. Forget the Sabbath, the holy days, the dietary laws—they’re all abrogated. Israel? Just another nation. God’s favor rests on the church now. Indeed, Jews like me, who believe in Jesus, are encouraged simply to assimilate into the church—not too far, perhaps, from Woody Allen’s legendary portrayal of a Jew-turned-Christian in Hannah and Her Sisters. Unpacking a grocery bag, the convert, played by Allen, removes a loaf of Wonder Bread, a jar of mayonnaise, and, finally, a crucifix.
What’s a Jew (who believes in Jesus) to do? For that matter, what’s the rest of the church to do with us?”
I thought it might spark an interesting discussion. At Northern we have a number of times conducted visits to our local Muslim mosque and shared the Ramadam feast with our local Muslims. It was a rich experience and this year we are planning to see if we can do the same with a Jewish synagogue.
Last year, Lawrence Hirsch from Celebrate Messiah joined us at our blended congregation an d explained the significance of the Jewish passover. Unfortunately I was not present but from all reports it was very interesting and meaningful.
What are your thoughts on the issue of Messianic Jews?
April 12th, 2006 at 9:23 pm
Are you sure Ned? I am not sure they spoke English.
April 13th, 2006 at 10:07 am
What should messianic’ Jews who live in a country that speak english call Jesus?
April 13th, 2006 at 11:45 am
I thought it was common sense that if you lived in a western english speaking nation and communicated in english that you also used the english name of Jesus.
So let me see … all the aussie greeks, italians, slavs, malays, indos, chinese, japenese. indians, dutch, germans etc etc etc can all preach Jesus in their original tongue.
The gift of common sense tells me to call Jesus…Jesus in a western english nation
April 13th, 2006 at 11:53 am
The other ripper is how some messianic jews will write G-D.
As if GOD is going to be offended by writing the whole word.
Jesus went to the common people who accepted him in his simplicity.
It was the religious people who had all these silly little rules and regulations.
April 13th, 2006 at 1:40 pm
Making FOUR posts on this subject proves I am not hung up about it
April 13th, 2006 at 2:56 pm
Ned, the point is that the name Jesus - as in the English sense, is not precious or holy. Why does it matter so much if someone uses another language to talk about Jesus? We do. We use a different language to the one that Jesus did, and the one that Jesus original listeners did.
In terms of messianic Jews writing G-D. This is what Jewish people have done for thousands of years out of respect for God. They believe that to give a word to God is to have control over God and limits God’s mystery, wonder and power. I like this concept as I think too often we think we have God boxed in and named to our satisfaction.
Again though, why does it matter? Seems to me that you want apply rules and regulations on Messianic Jews and they are not attempting to apply it on you.
April 13th, 2006 at 4:58 pm
just nigel has a problem….are you stalking me
phil
I am not interesting in applying ANY rules. I think it is a very irrelevant issue
that somehow is made out to be holy
Jesus healed on the sabbath….the religious got very upset
I think Jesus would write GOD as GOD just to get up the nose of religious people
The gospel is meant to be understandable to common people.
In english countries call Jesus ..Jesus.
In Israel call him Yeshua. In Italy call him….whatever it is
Why is that such a difficult concept to grasp??
I cant help thinking that some pride is involved with messianic jews so they resort to religious verbage.
April 13th, 2006 at 5:15 pm
I still dont get it.
The Messianic Jews are not applying a rule to you - they do not require you to call Jesus by any other name.
Why then do you want to apply a rule to them and ask them to only use the name Jesus in english speaking countries?
For me - I would like people to be in relationship with the person and the name is not of concern.
April 13th, 2006 at 5:22 pm
I am not asking them to do anything. I am not asking them to obey my rules.
I am making a comment on a website where people state their opinions.
They think its somehow important and I dont think it has any spiritual merit.
Now if it makes them FEEL better - fine. But it has no spiritual merit.
Just like many of the customs Jesus knocked down. Why???
April 13th, 2006 at 5:28 pm
Phil
There have been numerous comments on how people want HS to alter this that or the other.
Yet you did not react or tell them to not apply rules.
I make a couple of small comments and you come out swinging.
I think you have some issues of bias.
April 13th, 2006 at 5:32 pm
How has phil “come out swinging’?
April 13th, 2006 at 5:39 pm
not seeing any swinging either, just asking you a questions. I like using Yeshua I think when Jesus is used so commonly, it gives it a bit of focus and even a bit of respectfulness. I do sometimes feel like they where their Jewishness like a badge of honour, and this is part of that, and I can see why that would be irritation to some people. I also know if I flaunted my Americaness like that I would get lambasted pretty hard.
the rev
April 13th, 2006 at 5:39 pm
Trying to imply how I want to impose my RULES on messianic jews.
I made a comment..my personal opinion….nothing more
This is only a message board..everyone makes comments about everything.
Are everyone elses opinions trying to impose their rules or is it only my opinions.
April 13th, 2006 at 5:45 pm
Looking back I can see Phil did not come out swinging - yes my words were too harsh…I apologise for that
To reiterate …Phil jumped to a wrong conclusion about me imposing rules.
I was reacting to that
April 13th, 2006 at 7:13 pm
I am glad you dont think I was “coming out swinging”, certainly didn’t want you to feel I was doing that.
I was just trying to understand why you thought it was a problem for people to call Jesus a name that the original disciples would have called him. You said you felt that Messianic Jews were childish to do this and so I was trying to get you to see that, it is actually us westerners that have changed the name.
I still don’t think the fact that many people in Australia speak English makes it a problem for people to call Jesus by another name. In Australia we have many different languages and when someone who speaks German calls their Mother - “Mutti” that this means that their Mother is any less their mother or they are necessarily being childish to use the German word for their Mother.
May 3rd, 2006 at 6:38 am
Call Him Jesus, God, Lord, Yeshua, Messiah, Christ, Emmanuel, Alpha and Omega, Saviour, the risen Lord…whatever you call Him, He is the “I Am”, He is “The Word”, The Truth, The Way and The Life, The Prince of Peace…The Beginning and The End.