Messianic Judaism ? What’s in a Name?

To use the term “Messianic Judaism” is to associate with a host of groups reflecting a variety of, to put it diplomatically, “troubling” views on theology, identity, and practice.Indeed, one could easily argue that the “Messianic Jewish” groups- whatever they might entail, exhibit at times, if anything, little commonality with each other in more than chaos.

But alas, we are faced with the simple fact that no matter what term we use, the Judaism, that I adhere to, while largely foreign to the aforementioned groups, does view a certain Jew from Nazareth as the Messiah of the People of Israel.

So how then does my Judaism differ from those “messianic” groups which often reflect little if any understanding of traditional Jewish thought?

Well that in and of itself is the first answer. My Judaism encompasses the experiences of the Jewish people. While most Messianic Jews or non-Jews view the world through the sole prism of the Bible in a fashion reminiscent of Protestant evangelicalism’s sola scriptura, my world view is informed by the Hebrew Scriptures, but also by Chazal; by the Mishnah and the Gemara; by halakhah; by the Jewish philosophers of the medieval period like the Rambam and Saadia Gaon.

My Judaism and faith is influenced by the likes of Don Isaac Abravanel and even the seeming outcasts of the Jewish community like Baruch Spinoza. My Judaism knows the words of the Rebbe Nachman. My prayers are the Amidah, the Birchot haShachar, those of the siddur.

Yet my Judaism encompasses the belief that a Jew from Nazareth offered the Jews of his time, just like he offers Jews of today a chance at guelah -at redemption via teshuvah (i.e. repentance).

My faith knows history and philosophy, historical criticism, and scientific inquiry.

This is my Judaism. It is not doubt confusing to most and an enigma to others, but it is my Judaism.

For more information about this and other related subjects visit:

www. messianicjudaismquest.com

Advertisement