Tuesday, 25 August 2015

Hebrew Christianity or Messianic Judaism?

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In 1975, the Hebrew Christian Alliance of America changed its name to the Messianic Jewish Alliance, reflecting the growing Jewish identity of Jewish followers of Yeshua. It is at this point that a major question comes into focus: What is the distinction between Messianic Judaism and Hebrew Christianity, which was the traditional designation for Jewish believers in Yeshua?

Hebrew Christians, traditionally, have not emphasized the planting of Jewish congregations, but Messianic Jews have. Hebrew Christianity, at times, saw Jewishness as merely an ethnic identity, whereas Messianic Judaism saw its Jewish life and identity as a continued call of God. Of course, there are many exceptions for those who use either label. An airtight distinction cannot be made. In general, however, Messianic Judaism has emphasized the planting of of Messianic Jewish congregations and fidelity to the Jewish biblical calling. The exact nature of this is still being defined. Furthermore, Messianic Jews have avoided using the term "Christian" due to its cultural sense - not being Jewish (which is a Jewish understanding of the word) - rather than its linguistic meaning, "One of Messiah's."

Jewish Roots, Chapter Five: Survey of the History of Judaism and Christianity