It’s a struggle for some people to understand how “Christian with Jewish heritage” and “Messianic Jew” are not the same thing. I completely understand why; it wasn’t that long ago that I myself would have failed to see the difference.
Friends in my college bible study group would ask me for the “insider’s scoop” on how to evangelize to Jews. Little did they know I was not the ideal person to ask, since I wasn’t converted by any “Did you know it’s Jewish to believe in Jesus?” rhetoric.
In fact, I didn’t start reading the Bible much at all until after conversion. My fascination with Jesus began not just with the saints, but with the whole doctrine of Incarnation. A messiah who is simultaneously God and human is absolutely not a Jewish concept. Jews don’t unanimously agree on a lot of things, but they will affirm that much.
While it’s true that Jewish spiritual education is lacking as assimilation increases, Jews know that “Yeshua Ha’Moshiach” is still “Jesus the Messiah.” They know Judaism teaches that the messiah will be fully man, and not divine. Therefore, it’s logically inconsistent to tell a Jewish person that they can retain a spiritual Jewish identity when they place their faith in Jesus, because this is a Jewish heresy. It’s akin to a Christian denying the Trinity- when you deny a critical doctrine, the faith can’t help but fall apart.
Now, a Jewish convert will always retain an Jewish ethnic and cultural identity, because Judaism is more than just a religion. Perhaps this is what some Messianic Jews mean when they use that label. But I choose not to.
What many Christians don’t realize is that it simply isn’t enough to convince a Jewish person that Jesus is God. The theological teachings of Christianity and Judaism have evolved in different directions over the last 2,000 years. Christians are quick to point out that Jesus intended to “fulfill” the Jewish law, so the two religions are theologically compatible as one, but that’s not what happened.
Jesus’ intentions aside, today we have two distinctly different religions that share origins in Abraham, but that’s where the similarities end. It’s intellectually dishonest to claim otherwise, and those that do indirectly tell me that they don’t know as much about Judaism as they think they do.
What’s more, you may be surprised to learn that not all Messianic Jews are ethnically Jewish. Many self-described MJs are actually gentile, which likely explains why Messianic Judaism as a denomination resembles mainstream evangelicalism more than traditional Judaism, in both belief and politics.
I jokingly describe myself as “Jew-ish” among friends. My family is not religious but we are quite steeped in Jewish culture. I still feel a sense of camaraderie when I meet other Jews because of many shared experiences (Bar/Bat Mitzvahs…Purim parties…having to convince a teacher or college professor to excuse an absence to observe the New Year… in October). I’ve been able to continue making Jewish friendships by being honest about the fact that I converted. This would be a lot less likely if I identified as a Messianic Jew, because traditional Jews believe that their messiah hasn’t come yet.
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Sarahbeth, you write: “The theological teachings of Christianity and Judaism have evolved in opposite directions over the last 2,000 years. Original sin has never been a Jewish concept, and eternal punishment for lack of belief may be the least Jewish of them all (and if you’re curious, as many people are, I still have trouble swallowing this one). Christians are quick to point out that Jesus intended to ‘fulfill’ the Jewish law, so the two religions are theologically compatible as one, but that’s not what happened. Jesus’ intent aside, we now have two distinctly different religions that share origins in Abraham, but that’s where the similarities end. It’s intellectually dishonest to claim otherwise . . .”
I think I understand the point; Judaism and Christianity diverged from one another. But if the truth is one, should we not try to study the history of Judaism and Christianity to see what happened: why they diverged, and who was right? You may find that Judaism and Christianity are more compatible than you think. Eastern Orthodoxy, for example, has never taught (and does not teach) “original sin” or “eternal punishment for lack of belief.”
For more on this, you may be interested in A. James Bernstein’s book _Surprised by Christ: My Journey from Judaism to Orthodox Christianity_.
The similarities between Judaism and Christianity do not end with their origins in Abraham.
Beth, you writes: “The theological teachings of Christianity and Judaism have evolved in opposite directions over the last 2,000 years. Original sin has never been a Jewish concept, and eternal punishment for lack of belief may be the least Jewish of them all (and if you’re curious, as many people are, I still have trouble swallowing this one). Christians are quick to point out that Jesus intended to ‘fulfill’ the Jewish law, so the two religions are theologically compatible as one, but that’s not what happened. Jesus’ intent aside, we now have two distinctly different religions that share origins in Abraham, but that’s where the similarities end. It’s intellectually dishonest to claim otherwise . . .”
I think I understand the point; Judaism and Christianity diverged from one another. But if the truth is one, should we not try to study the history of Judaism and Christianity to see what happened: why they diverged, and who was right? You may find that Judaism and Christianity are more compatible than you think. Eastern Orthodoxy, for example, has never taught (and does not teach) “original sin” or “eternal punishment for lack of belief.”
For more on this, you may be interested in A. James Bernstein’s book _Surprised by Christ: My Journey from Judaism to Orthodox Christianity.”
The similarities between Judaism and Christianity do not end with their origins in Abraham (and I don’t think I am being intellectually dishonest).
Yes! I love AJL! I wrote a response to one of her articles here: https://sbethcaplin.com/2017/04/11/thoughts-and-responses-to-amy-jill-levines-holy-week-and-the-hatred-of-jews/
Beautiful. I spent 25 years in a messianic congregation and came to many of the same conclusions. I guess it just took me longer. I left thinking I was to become a more authentic or at least less duplicitous Christian and instead ended up much closer to Judaism. I love it and have been stunned by the richness of what I have discovered in my ancestorial faith. The more I have studied the more I have seeen that what I appreciated in the New Testament is just straight Jewish theology. At the same time I deeply question core doctrines of Christianity such as the Trinity, hell, the devil, original sin and the overall soteriology. Have you come across Amy Jill Levine’s writings as the sole Jewish New Testament scholar functioning at a Christian Theology Department(Vanderbilt)?
Same here. Not sure where that line is between cultural appropriation and imitation as a form of flattery.
Most of the “messianic Jews” I’ve come across turned out not to have been born Jewish, so it makes sense to me for someone in your position to just avoid that label all together.
If I’m understanding your question correctly, Judaism for me is a cultural identity, not a spiritual one. I’ve never been comfortable with, much less fit in with Christian culture.
Thanks for a great post, Beth. This leaves me hanging, a bit, though. How DO you relate your “Jew-ish”ness to your Christianity? I don’t think you’re alone at all in being a Jew with Christian faith who does not want the “messianic” label.
LOL yes the “Dear Rabbi: Tell Me About Jesus” tape from “The Christian Jew” hour was just old and weird. 😛
Way better than that tape!
I laughed at this: “Friends in my bible study group would ask me for the “insider’s scoop” on how to evangelize to Jews. Little did they know I was not the ideal person to ask, since I wasn’t converted by any “Did you know it’s Jewish to believe in Jesus?” rhetoric.”
And also at this: “Jews aren’t stupid. “Yeshua Ha’Moshiach” is still “Jesus the Messiah.”
Also also also this is so good. “Whereas Christian tend to denounce differing viewpoints as heresy, Judaism has perfected the art of agreeing to disagree.”
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm so much good stuff here.
THIS IS THE BEST THING I HAVE READ ALL WEEK.
Fascinating, thought-provoking article. I just went to amazon and now have your memoir on my Kindle! I’m close to one of the types you mention 😉 I embrace my Jewish heritage, but my spiritual beliefs incorporate some parts of Judaism and Buddhism. I credit Judaism for my political beliefs: it’s major tenet is that it is our responsibility to work to generate a more just world. I know little of Messianic Jews—but I want to mention I am not a Zionist!
There’s been a rise of Reform Jews incorporating aspects of Eastern religious practices with Judaism, which I found surprising, but embracing Christianity feels more like betrayal, given the tragic history between Christians and Jews. When it comes down to it, my Jewish friends hold a “you do you, I’ll do me” attitude as long as they aren’t targets for conversion.
The last paragraph reminds me of something. A former Messianic rabbi I know (who still believes Jesus is the Messiah) attends a conservative Jewish synagogue, and it accepts him, even though it knows he’s a Messianic Jew. That’s somewhat surprising to me. I went to Jewish Theological Seminary in the early 2000s, and many Jewish students there did not have a high opinion of Messianic Judaism, or Jews converting to Christianity.
Thanks!
I enjoy your unique insight.