What is Messianic Judaism?

Question

OK, I can't decide, so we vote!

Answer 1

Messianic Judaism refers to a group of loosely related religious movements which combine Christian theology with Jewish religious practice. These groups range from those comprising mostly of Jews to those which are mostly gentile in membership; the majority are mixed. Perhaps the best known of the Messianic groups, although certainly not the largest, is the controversial Jews for Jesus. Its stated aims are to educate Evangelical Christians concerning the Jewish origins of their Christian faith, and to convert Jews to Christianity.

While many Messianic Jews are ethnically Jewish (and as such would be considered Jews, albeit apostates, by even Orthodox Jewish standards),[3] Messianic Judaism is not seen as a legitimate form of Judaism by any recognized Jewish organization or leaders,[4] apart from a handful of dissenting voices among the Reform and Reconstructionist Jewish movements.
History
Messianic Judaism is of recent development, having been started by Christians as an evangelical movement to bring Jews to Christian beliefs. In 1866 the Hebrew Christian Alliance of Great Britain was organized with branches in several European countries and the United States, at the Trinity Chapel. A similar group, The Hebrew Christian Association of America (HCAA) was organized in the U.S. in 1915. The International Hebrew Christian Alliance (IHCA) was organized in 1925 (later becoming the International Messianic Jewish Alliance). Additional groups were formed during subsequent decades. (Robert I. Winer, The Calling: The History of the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America)

A major shift in the movement occurred when Martin Chernoff became the President of the HCAA (1971-1975). In June of 1973, a motion was made to change the name of the HCAA to the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA), and the name was officially changed in June of 1975. The name change was significant as more than just a "semantical expression;" according to David Rausch, "it represented an evolution in the thought processes and religious and philosophical outlook toward a more fervent expression of Jewish identity."(David A. Rausch, Messianic Judaism: Its History, Theology, and Polity)


Organization and beliefs
The organized Messianic Movement consists of congregations in at least 35 states of the United States and four provinces of Canada. Global membership includes at least 18 countries.

The Messianic Movement comprises many streams, each with its own views and emphases, but in general all consider it important to express their belief in Jesus in a way consistent with their Jewish culture. The Messianic Movement as a whole can be seen as a mixed-continuum, with some Messianic organizations drawing more heavily from Jewish tradition, and others from Christian sources, in varying degrees.

Many Messianic Jews trace their spiritual roots to the period of Jesus of Nazareth's time before his resurrection, citing that most of his followers were Jewish before then. The body of believers began to include non-Jewish (Gentile) believers in the period which Luke the Physician wrote Acts of the Apostles. Around the time of Constantine, though, the Jewish followers of the Christian way were excluded from mainstream Christianity and after much persecution, all but disappeared. Anti-semitism in protestant denominations is sometimes attributed to Martin Luther's frustration at the Jews not becoming followers of Jesus at the time of his 95 theses.


The mainstream Messianic movement
The two largest Messianic organizations, the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA) and the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC), accept from both Jewish and Christian sources anything they see as scripturally verifiable. The writings of theologians Dan Juster, and Paul Liberman two of the founders of the UMJC, and especially of David H. Stern have helped shape the direction of the mainstream of the Messianic Movement: Evangelical and Trinitarian in doctrine, but drawing heavily on Jewish sources to interpret the B'rit Chadasha (New Testament) as well as the Tanakh (Old Testament).

Messianics share with most Evangelical and Pentecostal Christians a belief that Jesus will someday return to the earth and establish his kingdom here. Much more widespread among Messianics than other Evangelicals, however, is the belief that the return of Jesus is dependent on his acceptance by the Jewish people. Many Messianics (though not all) interpret Matthew 23:39 ("I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord'") to mean that the Jewish people, or at least a very significant number of them, must believe in Jesus as the Messiah before he can come back.

A growing interest among some streams of Messianic Judaism is evangelism among gentiles, as well as Jews, in order to fulfill what they believe was God's original purpose for the Jewish people, to be God's model people and reveal the knowledge of the true God to the whole world. This also reflects an increasing attraction on the part of Gentiles to the Messianic movement. Some are attracted because they are in a relationship with a Jew and feel the movement is a "compromise" between Judaism and Christianity, but many are devout Christians who feel that the movement is a way to better appreciate the Hebrew roots of Christianity while still maintaining their faith.

Answer 2

Messianic judaism was created about 35 years ago with the ideas that the outreach of the Messiah's message was not reaching God's own chosen people. So it began to reformat the approach so that it wasn't so gentilized. So some of the comfort zone for jews was incorporated in the format of the service,and hence it grew and spread.
If you go to a service you will discover singing messianic
\songs,Israeli dancing, rejoicing before God in a very happy manner. The message is the same but in a jewish format, If you want a more thorough study go to http://mcu.edu/papers/mess_jud.htm

Answer 3

they are nonetheless Jews. There are truly 2 varieties of Jews, Messianic Jews and non Messianic Jews. The Non Messianic Jews often do no longer in user-friendly terms like the Messianic ones lots. The Messianic Jews are following a Rabbi of the 1st century that they suspect is the Messiah.

Answer 4

It's the name of a relatively modern movement whose adherents say they are Jewish, but believe that Jesus Christ was the True Messiah.

The main problem with the theological foundation of the movement is that Jews do not accept the premise that JC was the messiah. To accept that would mean that one is an apostate. The precepts stated in the New Testament abrogate most of the commandments incumbent upon a Jew.

Messianic Judaism is widely believed in the Jewish community to be a thinly-veiled Christain evangelical movement that attempts to convert Jews by gradually easing them into Christian beliefs.

Answer 5

im not sure what the hell people are talking about-- and why the hell they feel the need to write an essay basically messianic judaism is all about bloodline (messiah)-- meaning your not voted in or work ur way up to the top of high priest-- you must be born of the david bloodline- like jesus and james- and their descendants - much like our royal family- we know who will be king charles is next in line-- but we didnt chose him to be

Answer 6

Full Circle!

Christianity originally was a break away from Judaism.
Now there are many Jewish people who have come to the conclusion that the Rabbi deceived them and indeed Jesus is and was the True Messiah!

(Bless Them!)

A recent find shows the association--way back when.... see below!)

Answer 7

Christianity, specificially Southern Baptist, wrapped in tradition Jewish garb. It is nothing more than an attempt to convert unaffiliated and unlearned Jews to christianity.

Most members of MJ congregations are not, nor have ever been Jews.

Answer 8

Christians who pretend to be Jews so they can convince Jews that Jesus was the messiah who brought peace on earth. Can you imagine the violence and destruction if he hadn't come when he did!!!!
"...they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." Micah 4:3

Answer 9

http://jd374652.wix.com/messianic-judaism

Answer 10

Jewish typically do not believe Jesus as God's son or as the Messiah.

Messianic Jewish, are Jewish that hold to the Jewish faith but except Jesus as Messiah

Answer 11

What Anry said.