In defining what Messianic Judaism is it is important to deal with the issue of Torah observance and to see what the differing voices in the larger spectrum say on this issue. In doing this we can see clearer those who affirm a Messianic Judaism that is a Torah honoring movement for Yeshua and those who hold for a Jewish cultural form of Evangelical Christianity.
This is the divide between Messianic Judaism and Jews for Jesus/Missions/Hebrew Christian movement.
Below is a post from Year 1 of towardblog looking at Jews for Jesus' view of Torah observance for Jewish believers in Yeshua:
Jews for Jesus affirms Jewish believers who, for the sake of honoring our heritage and developing a Jewish testimony, choose to give up some of what grace allows to conform to dietary standards and various other Jewish practices. As long as such practices are not presented as incumbent upon others in the body of Messiah, Jewish or Gentile, we hope to be an encouragement to those who desire to uphold their Jewish identity in this way.
(from Fall 2003 Havurah, a publication of Jews for Jesus)
(from Fall 2003 Havurah, a publication of Jews for Jesus)
The above quote from JFJ's Havurah newsletter was looked at in a previous post.
In this post I want to look further at this statement from Jews for Jesus.
In their statement above they put forward that a Messianic Jew can observe Torah commands if they choose to give up some of what grace allows to conform to dietary standards and various other Jewish practices.
Torah observance is not an "abandoning of grace", but an embracing of obedience to G-d.
Observing kashrut, Shabbat, the Festivals and other Torah commands is an act of obeying G-d and faithfulness to the covenant G-d made with all the Jewish People.
If we choose not to obey Torah commands we are not "living in grace", but "living in sin".
Non-observance of Torah commands is an act of disobeying G-d and not walking in His ways, not a benefit of being a follower of the Messiah.
Torah observance like dietary standards and various other Jewish practices is not just shtik to be used for evangelistic outreach (which sadly is the case for Jews for Jesus and other Jewish missions), but it is a matter of obeying G-d and living lives that honor Him.
I close with a statement by another Messianic Jew on the topic of grace and sin:
What may we say, then? are we to go on in sin so that there may be more grace?
In no way. How may we, who are dead to sin, be living in it any longer?
(Romans 6:1-2)
In no way. How may we, who are dead to sin, be living in it any longer?
(Romans 6:1-2)
Let us live in obedience to G-d and observe His Torah!
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2 comments:
Saturday, September 29, 2007 9:44:00 AM
The problem for both Messianic Judaism and Christianity is to have and maintain balance. Few in Christianity are balanced. Many in Messianic Judaism are having trouble staying balanced too. The entire basis for Christians saying the Law is now dead because it died on the cross leaves out the rest of that equation in theo logic. If it died, it rose back. In fact, that way of things supports both Messianic Judaism and true Christianity (following Christ, the Messiah.) All the groups of Christians follow some laws and practices. Not one is an anarchist is they truly follow a King. To follow a leader is to learn his ways. I did, and lo and behold, it turned out to be the Law I was learning. So, Jews who have known the Law is life all along get out of balance when the forget everything is based on trusting God. That is what faith means. To trust. Where did the Law come from but to and through trusting God and then, those He gave. What Christians call grace is simply what is given to the ignorant. God knows each persons ability to learn. Some learn the first time they are told. We call them gifted in the secular world. And I think everyone knows what "slow" means. But God accepts both kinds. He knows. It is therefore the "slow" who do indeed get grace. But grace for the disobedient? No. Discipline is for the sinners. When they are His kids, the goal is to bring them back to Him. Messianic Judaism would not have so much trouble if it's leaders were asking Him how He wants all the libraries of books on how the Laws are to be implemented. There would still be differences but the whole reason this new movement came into being is Christianit failed to see it was called to be obedient to Him all along. It is a relationship with the Almighty that builds us into people knowing His Laws.
Saturday, November 10, 2007 8:24:00 PM
Yochanan, I am in wholehearted agreement with what you say in this post. My question is, how far do you take the logic? I believe -- and teach, and write -- that all Believers SHOULD (not MUST, as in "mandatory to gain salvation") keep Torah. ALL Believers, whether their background is Jewish or not, because I stand on Romans 11 that says we're all grafted into Israel, whether -- like me -- you are born Jewish, or not!
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