Messianic Congregations or Church?

[Danny Carlton]

I understand, though, that some (perhaps many) Jews feel their cultural identity is being stripped away when they convert. Judiasm has become both a religion and a culture. I just read an article by a man who claims to be both jewish and an Atheist, and embraces the cultural aspects of Judaism but rejects the religious aspects. Which makes me wonder--How intertwined are the two? How much of Jewish tradition can still be embraced by a Jewish Christian without it becoming a hinderance to their growth in Christ? One of the things Messianic Jews I've known try to emphasize is how Judaism was always intended to be a launching pad for Christianity, so that even the religious aspects were simply a preparation for seeing the truths of Christ and His work, in a better light. Paul certainly was able to use Judaism to teach christianity, but he did so by using the law as an exampel of the futility of trying to accomplish salvation on our own.

I know that a lot of modern traditions (the yalmulke, many of the newer kosher laws, like not eating meat and milk together) were not part of the Judiasm of Jesus' and Paul's time, but have become a part of the Jewish identity today. Therefore since they were never a part of what God told Jews to do, they have become a stumbling block to many Jews, yet they still feel it's part of their cultural heritage.

[LindaR]

I understand' date=' though, that some (perhaps many) Jews feel their cultural identity is being stripped away when they convert. Judiasm has become both a religion and a culture. I just read an article by a man who claims to be both jewish and an Atheist, and embraces the cultural aspects of Judaism but rejects the religious aspects. Which makes me wonder--How intertwined are the two? How much of Jewish tradition can still be embraced by a Jewish Christian without it becoming a hinderance to their growth in Christ? One of the things Messianic Jews I've known try to emphasize is how Judaism was always intended to be a launching pad for Christianity, so that even the religious aspects were simply a preparation for seeing the truths of Christ and His work, in a better light. Paul certainly was able to use Judaism to teach christianity, but he did so by using the law as an exampel of the futility of trying to accomplish salvation on our own.[/quote']
Most of the Jews in Israel are either ultra Orthodox/Hasidim or athiest. The Messianic movement puts more emphasis on "Jewishness" than on Christ, therefore there is alot of "tradition" being embraced and it certainly does hinder spiritual growth in Christ. I am reading a book by Stan Telchin (a born again Jew) called "Messianic Judaism is NOT Christianity". I recommend it to anyone who wants to know the dangers of the Messianic movement. It has a brief history of how the movement started and the main players. Judaism is really not a launching pad for Christianity--that's what MJ teaches (I was involved in it for 10 years). Judaism is a works based religion of the Pharisees, IMO.

The Yarlmulke or Kippot was not a part of Judaism in Jesus' time--men wore a prayer shawl (tallith) over their heads. The eating of milk and meat were part of the dietary laws in the Torah, but they were "modernized" and most Orthodox and Conservative Jews observe those "kosher" laws...or try to. Modern Judaism is more of a "cultural" thing nowadays. I was raised Reform Jewish (liberal)....I didn't know that half of the prayers in our Siddur(Prayer book) were from the Bible!

[Danny Carlton]

That would be modern Judaism, which is different than the Judaism of Jesus' time. Many of the changes seem to have created stumbling blocks for Jews who might consider becoming Christians. Paul seems to be fairly clear that much of the Judaism of the first century either guides one toward Christianity by illustritive metaphor (the sacrifices, etc) or by harsh examples of failure (the law)

[LindaR]

As an aside, I've been wondering, how old were you in the pic you use as your avatar? You certainly seem much younger in the picture than you seem by your writing.

That's not me---that's my granddaughter who lives in California. In that picture, she is 7...was taken a couple of years ago. She will be 9 in July.