Nearly ten years ago now, I wrote a blog post explaining why, despite my Jewish heritage and faith in Jesus Christ, I do not call myself a Messianic Jew. It went semi-viral, and not in a good way. I received – and still do, on occasion – many emails criticizing my reasons, which mostly had… Continue reading Why I’m (still) not a Messianic Jew
Category: Theology
What Christians get wrong by saying “It’s not a religion, it’s a relationship”
There are rhythms to certain relationships that are not only enjoyable, but indicators of good health. In my marriage, it’s making coffee for myself and my husband (he still doesn’t quite understand the French press) in the morning, which we sip in our home library as our daughter races her toy cars across the carpet.… Continue reading What Christians get wrong by saying “It’s not a religion, it’s a relationship”
How anxiety pointed me to the gospel
I’m occasionally asked if I ever consider myself a “completed Jew,” and Christians tend to be surprised when I answer no. The main reason for that is because it’s considered highly offensive to Jewish people. The gospel is offensive enough; I don’t see a need to use language that is inflammatory if I don’t have… Continue reading How anxiety pointed me to the gospel
Pope Francis and the importance of moral clarity
If there’s one takeaway from my brief stint in progressive Christian spaces, it’s this: certainty in faithful matters is not a goal, but rather an enemy (ironically, they seemed pretty certain about that). But when I read books and blog posts about people’s de-conversion journeys, it seemed that certainty itself was not always the problem:… Continue reading Pope Francis and the importance of moral clarity
The Protestant to Catholic pipeline
I recently came across this Christianity Today article on why there seems to be a surge of Protestants turning to Catholicism: It’s no secret that a growing number of Protestants in the US have become embittered with American evangelicalism. There is, of course, the disillusionment with sexual abuse scandals among well-known leaders and institutions—as well… Continue reading The Protestant to Catholic pipeline
I left Judaism, but can’t fully leave
In my last post on antisemitism, I touched on Christians celebrating Jewish feasts, and how it causes offense to many Jewish people. I’d be a hypocrite to not expound further on how my own actions as a Jew-“ish” believer can be just as offensive. To an extent, there’s not a whole lot I can do… Continue reading I left Judaism, but can’t fully leave
What is (and isn’t) antisemitism?
With so many people talking about Israel and Gaza, perhaps it's worth visiting what antisemitism actually is. That is, if we can all agree on how that is defined. In the same way that racism can be more complex than burning crosses and white hoods, antisemitism is more than Nazis and concentration camps. I would… Continue reading What is (and isn’t) antisemitism?
Give me blood and guts
I used to have a crucifix necklace that I purchased at the Vatican during my semester abroad. Upon returning home, I made the mistake of wearing it to a meeting at Campus Crusade for Christ, my alma mater’s campus ministry. People chastised me: “You don’t want to wear that, people will think you’re Catholic!” “Crucifixes… Continue reading Give me blood and guts
Ta-Nehisi Coates and moral relativity
Did you hear about the interview with writer Ta-Nehisi Coates on the Trevor Noah podcast, in which he admits that if he had grown up in Gaza, he might have joined in Hamas’ massacre of Israelis on October 7th, 2023? Publicising his new book, The Message, on Trevor Noah’s podcast, US writer Ta-Nehisi Coates –… Continue reading Ta-Nehisi Coates and moral relativity
My Jewish background and the Ten Commandments in schools
Growing up, I attended a public school system that regularly bent the rules as far as what was permitted under freedom of religion. Football coaches prayed with students before games. Teachers discussed matters of faith with students in the classroom. Faith-based groups visited my health class to discuss abstinence. I didn’t know yet that Jesus… Continue reading My Jewish background and the Ten Commandments in schools