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Messianic Judaism is Not Christianity: A Loving Call to Unity Paperback – September 1, 2004
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As Stan Telchin explains, proponents of Messianic Judaism are confusing both Jewish and Gentile followers of Jesus and dividing the church. Their insistence on following rabbinic form and their statements that Jewish believers need to be in Messianic synagogues in order to maintain their identities are unbiblical. Telchin discusses the growth of this movement, its unscriptural doctrines, and its ineffectiveness in Jewish evangelism.
Those who have been swept up by the nostalgia and beauty of "Jewishness" or who have been hurt by division in the Body or who love Israel will find their hearts and minds freed by this firm but loving message.
From the Back Cover
Stan Telchin, a Messianic Jew and former pastor, explores in depth the heart and soul of Messianic Judaism. He exposes the motive behind its creation, its controversial doctrines, and its ineffectiveness in Jewish evangelism.
Messianic Judaism has grown significantly in fewer than four decades. While intended originally to appeal to Jewish people, unexpectedly it appeals also to Gentiles. Telchin, in following the teaching of the apostle Paul, sees Messianic Judaism as divisive. With a firm and loving approach, he addresses the dangers of this movement, reiterates God's intention for his church to serve as "one new man" and, most importantly, advocates unity among the body of believers.
Perhaps you're a pastor concerned with the enticing pull of Messianic Judaism on your congregation. Perhaps you've merely wondered about the validity of this movement. Or maybe you're a Gentile who has been made to feel less than worthy. Whatever the reason, if you believe that God sees a difference between Jews and Gentiles in the Body of Christ, then this book will help you think again.
"It took courage for Stan to write so pointedly from his broad and insightful experiences within the Messianic movement. Forthright and comprehensive, these chapters deal with a problem all followers of Jesus face-the desire to be accepted by those who have yet to experience God's transforming love."-Arthur F. Glasser, Ph.D., dean emeritus, School of World Mission, Fuller Theological Seminary
"What Stan tells you in this book may come as a revelation. Certainly it will be controversial. Questions should arise, and much discussion should be the result."-Moishe Rosen, founder, Jews for Jesus
"Whether you agree with everything he says or not, you will find the book interesting and enlightening."-D. James Kennedy, Ph.D., senior minister, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church
About the Author
- Print length176 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateSeptember 1, 2004
- Dimensions5.5 x 0.4 x 8.25 inches
- ISBN-100800793722
- ISBN-13978-0800793722
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- Publisher : Chosen Books (September 1, 2004)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 176 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0800793722
- ISBN-13 : 978-0800793722
- Item Weight : 8.5 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.4 x 8.25 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #474,104 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #191 in Messianic Judaism (Books)
- #306 in Ecclesiology Christian Theology (Books)
- #964 in Evangelism
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The greek N.T. explicitly written in koine greek under divine inspiration or God breathed boldly declares you shall call His name Jesus, Matthew 1:21. In fact on the road to Damascus when Saul had his encounter with the Lord, Saul even asked Him who are you and, " He replied I am Jesus whom you are persecuting", Acts 9:5. Later in Acts Luke refers to him as Paul. The point being that here even the Lord calls Himself Jesus. (Iēsous ) Isnt it interesting that the Bible says Jesus called him by his jewish name Saul, yet proclaimed He was Jesus . Clearly if He wanted to be called Yeshua this would have been the perfect time, yet He didn't. The Bible is God breathed and Jesus knows who He is here. Using Yeshua in a completely english conversation is just more incorrect ethnic elitism and why Paul wrote there is neither Jew nor Greek in the Church in Galatians 3:28 .
Rather than following a cultural identify we are commanded to follow Jesus Christ and Him alone. Never are we asked to understand the New Testament in light of the Old Testament but the other way around. Reading the prologue to Stans book it is very clear he understands this. The Church and those who follow Jesus Christ are not under the law. God said in Romans 6:14, " For sin shall no longer be your master, because YOU ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW, but under GRACE " .
Those who want to impose the traditions of men, religion or the law remain under a curse Paul said. Paul who wrote 3/4 of the New Testament boldly declared he was the Hebrew of Hebrews and yet he said "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ. Philippines 3:8
In Ephesians chapter 2:11 -16, God clearly states that in the Church the two groups have been made one, the Jews and Gentiles. He also clearly states that the law has been abolished. This also is in line with his statement in the Church there is neither Jew nor Gentile. "Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity."
The word abolish in the greek is katargéō and it means:
to render idle, unemployed, inactivate, inoperative
to cause a person or thing to have no further efficiency
to deprive of force, influence, power
to cease, to pass away, be done away
to be severed from, separated from, discharged from, loosed from any one
to terminate all intercourse with one to cause to cease, put an end to, do away with, annul, abolish.
Now God did not abolish His moral law for that would be against His immutable attributes. He fulfilled it in Jesus Christ. We can fulfill it also when we abide in Christ and obey Him. Jesus took the letter of the Ten Commandments down into the heart. He said you commit adultery when you lust in your heart for another mans wife. He also said you commit murder when you are angry with another. So he distilled the ten commandments into two when He said you fulfill them all when you, ( 1 ) love the Lord with all your heart, soul ,strength and mind and ( 2 ) love your neighbor as yourself. So God fulfilled the ten commandments and gave us a way through abiding in Jesus to fulfill them perfectly. This is something the Jewish religion of law keeping could never do. Then He abolished the rest of the law completely so that there was no longer Jew nor Gentile but one new man that reside within the Church. In closing we must trust, believe and obey Gods word. It really isn't a matter of debate either because Gods word is emphatically clear on the whole issue. In Romans 10:12 God said, "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him." Once again the Greek is explicit and the word distinction is " diastolḗ ". It means a distinction, or difference.It is often used to describe illustrate the vast difference between organs in the human body. So no distinction means exactly that. Paul went even further in the Greek and uses the absolute negative particle ("ou") - under scoring boldly absolutely no distinction ! God is impartial . Once again the language God uses here was is a reason and is perfectly exacting .
Gods chosen people in the Old Testament looked forward to the cross and Gods chosen people in the New Testament look back to the cross. Yet all who come to saving faith are His chosen people in Jesus Christ. God declared this in Ephesians 1:4, " Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love." Chosen before the world was ever made, that's rather revealing now isn't it.. The Church has taught and believed this for 2000 years. Messianic Judaism on the other hand started roughly 62 years ago and is not the ecclesia of God. Ecclesia or those that are called out, which is the Church, comprised of the one New Man ( both jew and gentile - slave and free ) . Messianic Judaism is a works based religion whereas Christianity is a relationship. The Christian life is a relational journey out of ourselves into Jesus Christ and is a narrow path. One that crowds us to forsake and let go of the baggage of religion . We are not under the law for it was fulfilled and abolished in Jesus Christ.
As we approach the end of the age, the Church is going to be removed from the scene. It's called the blessed hope in scripture. The coming tribulation then will be a time of Gods judgment upon a Christ rejecting world. During this time the unbelieving world and the jews who rejected Jesus will be dealt with.. Out of the great tribulation 1/3 of the jews will be saved after going through Gods judgement. This is recorded by Zechariah the prophet in Zechariah 3:19 where it says ,
" This third I will put into the fire;
I will refine them like silver
and test them like gold.
They will call on my name
and I will answer them;
I will say, ‘They are my people,’
and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’”
Paul speaks of this also when he says " He made known to us the mystery of his will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ." Ephesians 1:9-10.
When we read Acts 7 we see the history of the Jewish people and its filled with complete failure . We see a people that ended up in a legalistic religion of law keeping. That by its very nature can only create pride and hypocrisy. So much so that they rejected Jesus Christ and had Him killed. Part of Gods rejecting the Jewish system and religion was to keep the people of the New Covenant free from such influence. To become a Christian all people, of all cultures and ethnicity need to come to Jesus repenting of sin, accepting Him in faith believing He paid it all, which He did. This is also one reason God chose Paul to deliver that message and write 3/4 of the New Testament. He knew in a way no other Jew could what it was to be the Hebrew of Hebrews and yet to count it all dung that he may gain Christ. For the Jews this is a humbling experience for many still feel they are special when in reality Messianic Judaism simply cant be found in the New Testament. Pauline theology doesnt make room for it at all. God knew before the world was ever created He would choose all who come to faith in the Son that they would be His chosen people. Within the Ecclesia of the living God there really is neither Jew nor Gentile. The 614 laws regarding Jewish religion are gone and the 10 commandments were fulfilled in Jesus. Unless Jews get saved now the next time they will encounter the Savior is during the tribulation. When God will judge the unbelieving world of all races for rejecting His Son. Of those Jews 1/3 will put their trust in Jesus Christ. Then Jeremiah 31 will come to fruition for them just as it has for the Jews that find Christ today.
As the Jewish leaders heard Stephen full of the Holy Spirit say these words, " You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.” they picked up stones took him outside of the city and stoned him to death. Acts 7:51-53
Telchin's main thesis is that Messianic Judaism is an ineffective method for evangelizing Jews and that it is a divisive and spiritually unhealthy influence within the larger Christian community. He claims that the leaders of Messianic Judaism want to be accepted by a Jewish community that has largely rejected God and His Word. He points out that most Jews do not regularly attend a synagogue (62), but those who do are strongly opposed to Christianity (104) and abhor Messianic Judaism (70). Only 4 percent of Jews were evangelized by a Messianic congregation, while most Jewish believers are converted by a Gentile friend, and they attend churches (66).
Telchin also observes that the leaders of Messianic Judaism are more focused on maintaining Jewishness than they are on maintaining the integrity of Scripture. As a result, they are separating themselves from the rest of the body of Christ (98). While a church should reflect the culture of its people, most American Jews are assimilated and outwardly indistinguishable from American Gentiles (116). Yet, Messianic Judaism has created a liturgy that never before existed and is forcing it upon Jews and Gentiles alike (68). Rather than creating a comfortable place for Jewish believers to worship, most of the people attending Messianic congregations are Gentiles, who are being encouraged to wear head coverings, prayer shawls and fringes. Often, Jewish believers find this environment to be artificial, contrived and unappealing (83-84).
Telchin is concerned that Messianic Judaism is catering to Jewish elitism, pride and separatism (154). A kind of reverse anti-Semitism exists in the form of anti-Church sentiment (85). The actions and attitudes of their (primarily Gentile) followers seem to indicate a belief that if Jewish people really are saved, they should belong to Messianic synagogues and follow rabbinic form. Therefore, Telchin concludes that Messianic Judaism has lost sight of the fact that God has not called us to an ethnic identity and that He has called Jews and Gentiles to a spiritual identity as one new man (150).
Even if you don't agree with Telchin's point of view, his criticisms are worthy of consideration. Rather than lashing out, Messianics should see if there is room for improvement.