Calvin Smith has an interesting post, following on from his attendance of a symposium on Messianic Jewish identity in Orlando last week.
I want to describe a recent conversation with someone who strongly supports Israel, a dispensationalist who maintains God has not finished with Israel and believes the nation and people feature prominently in end times prophecy. Over time our conversation drifted to other related matters, and soon we were discussing the issue of Jewish believers in Jesus.
When I raised the issue of Jewish identity among Jewish believers in Jesus and how this has become a major theological and cultural debate within the Messianic movement, it quickly became clear he had not given the matter much thought. His response, based on Galatians 3:28 (“There is neither Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female…”) was that in Christ there is no longer any distinction between Jew and Gentile, that through Calvary the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile had been torn down to create one new man from the two (Eph 2:14-15), thus rendering Jewish identity for believers in Christ an anachronism. For this champion of Israel, God’s dealings with the Jewish people as a distinct people was limited to the eschatological realm (how Israel features in the end times), and that in Christ there is no sense of Jewish identity or distinctiveness.
Such an interpretation of Scripture is problematic. There is no indication whatsoever in those passages that Christ’s work at Calvary abolishes the identity of either group. In fact, arguably quite the opposite is the case. As well as stating there is neither Jew nor Gentile, Galatians 3:28 also states that in Christ there is neither male nor female. Yet the various Pauline passages setting out the roles of believing males and females make clear the apostle was not declaring that gender identity had been abolished (something the person I discussed these matters with had not considered)…
…If becoming a Christian makes a Gentile no less a Gentile, then conversely a Jew who becomes a believer in Jesus makes him or her no less a Jew. If the Church tolerates, indeed celebrates, for example, African, Asian, Gypsy or any other culture-centric expression of their faith in Christ, why baulk at a distinctly Jewish expression of faith in Christ? But of course the basis for Jewish identity in Jesus is much more than a modern (or postmodern) pluralist celebration of culture-centrism. The Messianic movement is motivated by its divine calling and historic role as God’s chosen people, the people through whom salvation came (Jn 4:22) and who were entrusted with the spoken words of God (Ro 3:1-2). To them belong (note the apostle’s use of the present tense) the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple service, and the promises, while the Messiah is a Jew (Ro 11:4-5). Even if one holds the view that Israel’s calling and purpose has now been superseded (a theological view this nonsupersessionist author firmly rejects), nonetheless the Jews’ unique calling as the historic people of God through whom He revealed His plan of salvation and Messiah on its own dictates how Jewish believers in Jesus grapple with their identity as both Jews and Christians.
Hence Jewish believers in Jesus in a fledgling Messianic movement seek to explore the extent to which and how Jewishness should be expressed, not only as a missional tool as they share the gospel with their kinsmen, but also as an authentic expression of their continuity with biblical Israel. Thus the Messianic movement today is grappling with issues like Torah observance, assimilation, rabbinic tradition, culture, responses to the Middle East conflict, how to share one’s faith with fellow Jews, and so on. The wide diversity of approaches within and fragmentation of today’s Messianic movement are testimony to the complex nature of this issue, and in time I’ll explore some of these issues on this blog. But for now this short essay merely aims to explain why, for the benefit of those who, like the person I chatted with some time ago on these issues, Jewish identity for believers in Jesus represents a hugely important theological issue.
Read full post here
My “Olive Press Research Paper” on Issues JBYs Face should be published soon.
glasspole will this be online and do you agree with what Smith has written?
Yes, it will be online at the CMJ website. Do I agree with Calvin Smith? Yes and no!
I am not in any way a Dispensationalist, as I believe that to be a roundabout way of having a “Replacement” or “Supercession” belief. If “the Church Age” has in some way superceded the “Law Age”, then it follows that the “Church” has replaced “Israel”. Dispensationalism also flies in the face of Malachi 4, where The Almighty says that He doesn’t change.
The Rapture idea makes things even more complicated. If “the Church” is “Raptured” and “Israel” isn’t, then where do Messianic Jews go?
On an entirely different point, it is wrong for the (manily Gentile) Church to try to force Jewish people into its mould, when non-Jews are grafted in to Israel
Glasspole, was interested to learn what you disagree with about I wrote, but you don’t explain what or how.
This is one of the huge weaknesses in dispensationalism – where do messianic Jews fit in? Do they count as Israel or the church? This presents a big issue for dispensationalist eschatology, and is one of the reasons why I don’t feel the dispensationalist approach of drawing a strong distinction between Israel and the church is a valid one.
Good point zachor, the hereafter will still have every tongue, tribe and nation worshipping Messiah.
That brings up a more important question, though. Do Messianic Jews “fit in” at all? Must they “fit in” necessarily? Do the plans of G-d always fit in to our tidy, eschatological theories and such, or will we, like so many in the first century, be caught up in our own misunderstanding upon seeing these things unfold?
While we’re asking the big questions; where, actually, does the “church” fit in? I mean, even Shaul referred to these things as a “mystery”, did he not? Perhaps other groups need to “fit in”, instead. Messiah Yeshua came to Israel. The disciples carried salvation to the surrounding outsiders. Maybe they’re the ones who are unable to accurately find their place. If you consider that the word “church” is found nowhere in scripture (as it was written), but only the word ἐκκλησία – the ekklesia, or the “called out assembly”, it begs the question; is it possible that even our nomenclature has contributed to distortions in understanding? Let me ask it this way; the word “church” is from the old English word “cirice”, which is from the ancient Germanic word “kirika”, which, strangely, is from the Greek word κυριακὴ, which means “of the L-rd”, but is not the word used to refer to this assembly in the Greek text originally. Why the change? Does re-naming what was once referred to as the “called out assembly” the “church” (which, essentially, means “of the L-rd”), cause it to appear that those who are not the “church” are not “of the L-rd”?
The ramifications are plain to see. Christians would say, “Yeah, the L-rd is Jesus, and Israel isn’t of the L-rd because they haven’t accepted Jesus.” They may even go on to say, as they have in past centuries, “Since they aren’t then of the L-rd, they should be converted.” Then, they might go on to say, as they have in centuries past, “Since they won’t be converted, they should be shunned, exiled, or killed.” It’s happened many times before, obviously. Shaul, however, teaches that unto Israel were given the covenants, oracles, promises, adoption, etc. (Rom. 9:4) – so, they’re very much “of the L-rd”, contrary to the majority of Christian thought, teaching and action for so many centuries.
Saying all of that to say, I agree with you, I think. There are a great many weaknesses with any understanding that originates with man – not because of scripture, but because of our mishandling of it, not because of Israel, but because of the church’s misappropriating of it, and not because of Messianic Judaism, but because of the church’s misunderstanding it.
I have to say that I have had similar discussions with dispensationalists who end up being as anti-Messianic Jewish identity, anti-Judaic, anti_Jewish as you’d imagine a replacementist to be. Oddly I’ve met replacementists who are far more open to Messianic Jewish identity! Funny old world aint it!
The article reminded me of similar conversations I’ve had with fellow Gentiles. And I’ll probably have many more like in the future. I was born in England, but I’m part-Scots, part-Irish & probably part-Welsh. Both my parents were also part-Romany. So, when I became a Christian, did the L-RD remove all that? If anyone denies me my ethnic identity, he denies the how & the why God created me that way. God wanted one like me for a purpose, so He made one! To deny anyone their ethnicity is to deny God’s creative purpose for that individual. If He’d wanted homogenous clones, He would’ve made us all like that in the first place!
Very well said, Susan.
Here is a book review I wrote.
http://jewsforjudaism.org.au/resources/articles/kosher-jesus-a-book-review/
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No other movement has done more to create an identity crisis than the Messianic movement and it’s time they addressed this issue in a serious and realistic way. After four years in the Messianic church I was so confused about who I was that I left to seek out my true identity. The Jewish identity is so unique as to not be able to so easily do away with it. Who is a Jew? The legal, agreed upon definition is a Jew is a person born of a Jewish mother or a convert to Judaism. A Jew is also a part of “a People”, attached to each other throughout history from the moment we stood united on Mount Sinai and vowed to do all HaShem says. It’s an infinite bond with Israel and other Jews that exists in the heart and soul of every Jew. We are related to each other, wherever we go we know each other, our hearts eternally stir for Jerusalem. We are woven together into a fine tapestry of work, our lives intertwined with each other in a stunning array of colors. Yet these words do little to even begin to define who a Jew is but internally we have a strong sense of who we are. I met many Gentiles in the Messianic church who wanted very much to attach themselves to the Jewish people yet it eluded them. They came to church every Saturday and said Hebrew blessings. They touched the Torah as it was paraded by through the isles of the church. They wore Tallit and Kippot, ate Kosher lunches afterward and talked about their love of Israel. They certainly “felt Jewish” and for all purposes “acted Jewish”. Yet the wall of partition stood and the Messianic pastor was not going to have any part of bringing that wall down. In the church there was a very subtle, hidden tone of antisemitism. As much as he talked about one new man it was clear he saw a distinction between Jew and Gentile and he was going to point that out every week in his enthusiasm for “one new man”. He was Jewish and he wore and invisible “keep out” sign around his neck. In this church the Jews were confused, the Gentiles were confused. Many of the non-Jews wanted to find a path to conversion but they were discouraged by the “Messianic Rabbi (he wasn’t a real Rabbi by the way). It became the forbidden fruit because for a Gentile to become Jewish would someone mess up the delicate balance of the new man grafted into a tree theology.
In the end I left and ended up back in a real Synagogue under the teachings of a real Rabbi with my sense of who I am restored to me.
Very sad indeed Leah. There is much house cleaning to be done, I agree.
I can however think of religious groups that have caused more confusion.
I’m very encouraged by this article, it’s great to see people who get it! I’ve had so many conversations with Christians who, like the person Calvin spoke to, fail to see that there is a place for Jewish believers in Jesus to maintain a distinct Jewish identity. I’ve had that verse from Galatians quoted at me – by a Christian woman, so I asked her if she lost her femininity when she came to faith – as well as stuff about being under grace and not under law (which somehow they seem to think means it’s wrong of me to refrain from eating pork; their attempt to place this rule upon me seems kind of legalistic to me) and, oh, yes, that wall of partition stuff from Ephesians (why do they think the wall works one way and not the other? why should I lose my Jewishness rather than them embracing Jewishness?)… I could go on… lots of people out there who just don’t see why I need to call myself a Messianic Jew or a Jewish Christian, why do people like us *still* keep Jewish customs (in my case it’s not “still” – I happily ate bacon until I was born again) – and yes, they fail to see that in our case it’s not just about a minority being allowed to celebrate its own cultural distinction, it’s about a people group created by God, called as separate by God for his purposes, and promised that we would forever be special to him.
here endeth the rant.
Well most definitely there are other religious groups that cause confusion and that’s another discussion. We’re talking about Messianic Jewish identity here and I did want to share that it became an issue for me to the point of leaving. I know it was a major problem for many people who attended the Messianic church I went to. The Jews I knew there suddenly weren’t sure of their identity and they didn’t know if they were still Jewish or Christian or a new man in an olive tree. The Gentiles I knew there had a worse time than the Jews. Many of them had discovered a hidden Jewish past in their ancestry and they wanted so badly to connect with other Jews on it but the message was clear: “you’re not really one of us”. Those are the ones I feel really sorry for. They tried talking to the Pastor about it but being a Gentile who wants to be Jewish was frowned upon. What I discovered in the end is you can’t have it both ways. Jewish identity is a person born of a Jewish mother or a convert to Judaism and Messianic Jews are outcasts in Judaism. It’s not my intention to argue about it, it’s just what is. Trust me, I’ve been on both sides of this problem.
“And I discerned, and, lo, God had not sent him; for he pronounced this prophecy against me, whereas Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.” Nechemyah 6:12 JPS
Gal. 3v28 – ” We are all one in Christ Jesus” Why are we all so interested in our earthly human identities when we have a spiritual and eternal identity in Christ. As Christians it is our being ‘In Christ’ which really matters. God’s purpose is that in the fulness of time to gather together in one all things in Christ (Eph. 2v10). Paul says that he does not view anyone from a worldly point of view (2 Cor. 5v16) he further says that that if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come! (1 Cor. 5v18).
Remember Paul’s word to the Church “For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God,who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh” (Phil.3v3). Let us rejoice in our new identity in Christ!
J. Gibby, You are correct. We certainly should, and do rejoice in our identity in Messiah Yeshua. However, your take on things is very common in Christianity and I think you may benefit in having it explored a bit. If I may, let me try to answer a few of your points.
You’ve stated that if anyone is in Messiah, that person “is a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come!” But let me ask you, what is the “old” spoken of here? Are we not a new creation from our sin nature only? Does this scripture mean that we are reborn from our ethnicity, too? Did you abandon your national identity when you found Messiah? Where are you from now? Did you take on a new name, too? Are you not still you, physically, but just reborn spiritually?
Paul speaks of our identity in Messiah as being no longer free or enslaved, man or woman, Jew or Gentile – does he mean by this that men and women are asexual, now? Are slaves free to leave their masters? If a believer is no longer Jewish in Messiah Yeshua, what is he? Is a Chinese believer no longer Chinese? How about a Ukrainian believer? Should he abandon his culture, tradition and identity, now that he found Yeshua, the Messiah of Israel?
When a Korean person becomes a believer, it would only be natural – quite expected, in fact – for them to seek out a Korean congregation to attend. They have their own culture, language, and understanding of various things, right? Would you stand at the door of this Korean congregation and ask this person, “Why are we all so interested in our earthly human identities when we have a spiritual and eternal identity in Christ?” Of course you wouldn’t. Well, I hope you wouldn’t, at least.
Is it possibly understandable to you, then, that Jewish believers might feel inclined to worship with other Jewish believers, with which they share a common language, culture, tradition, and approach to various things? Not to mention, G-d has a very special place in His heart and plan for the Jewish People – unlike any other plan He has for any other people group on earth. Does it shock you to read that?
Which brings me to my last, but particularly challenging question. If you are a Christian, and you consider yourself “in” Messiah Yeshua, if you believe that your new identity is hidden in Him – does that make you hidden within an Israeli Jew, as far as ethnicity goes? I mean, if ethnic identity is your concern, which, apparently, it is. Surely, you didn’t think that “Jesus” was an American Christian, right?