Once the question made put forth to a Jewish rabbi: "Teacher, who is a Jews?" Not been able to give a precise answer, the teacher finally said "I cannot give you a precise description of a Jew, but I can tell you for sure who is not a Jew." One of the questions that has been most difficult to answer has been who is a Jew. The apparent simple answer to this question has eluded even the most inquisitive Jewish mind. The searching for a Jewish identity has been the goal of many sages, rabbis and teachers.
Today Messianic Judaism has erupted into the religious scene, and if trying to define who is a Jew has been elusive, it is even harder to try to define who is a Messianic Jew. I believe that oftentimes, we like the Jewish teacher, can only define Messianic Judaism for what it is not. There is hardly a unifying concept of what is Messianic Judaism or who is a Messianic Jew, but due to the fast growth of the Messianic Jewish movement, there is a need to find a genuine Messianic Jewish identity. It is agreed that Messianic Judaism has finally found its niche in the religious world, but whether it will be effective will depend to a large extent on the genuineness of the movement. The questions of who is a Messianic Jew necessitates some kind of answer because based on the answer to which one arrives it will be able to determine what is genuine and what is not. It is generally accepted the Messianic Judaism is the belief that Yeshua (Jesus) of Nazareth, is the Messiah of Israel and this belief does not cut one off from the people of Israel of which one is part of. Therefore, a Messianic Jew, although part of the larger Body of Messiah, will keep certain Jewish customs and traditions.
Looking back to the almost two decades of modern day Messianic Judaism, one comes to the conclusion that there are elements that are genuine while others are questionable. Although I am far from declaring that I can define who is a Messianic Jew, I can safely arrive to some type of conclusions. Let us consider some of the elements that will either help us to define a Messianic Jew or will give us some tools with which to carve an answer.
1. Messianic Judaism is defined by the words used to identify itself
It is generally accepted that words are vehicles by which we convey ideas.
Being this the case, what is then the idea conveyed by the words "Messianic
Jew"? Following these criterion we can reach certain conclusions:
(a) A "Messianic Jew" is not somebody who has chosen to worship in
a certain way or uses certain Jewish elements, but is a Jew who believes
in the Messiah. It is the belief in Yeshua as the Jewish Messiah that determines
a Messianic Jewish identity.
(b) Judaism is a movement made of Jewish people. A Messianic Jew is
not someone who has a Jewish heart or loves the Jewish people-- we know
quite well that we need more people like this. A feeling or an attitude,
no matter how deep and genuine is, does not make someone a Jew. This does
not elevate the Jews nor disparage the non-Jews. The Messianic Jewish movement
is enriched by the friendship and participation of the non-Jewish people,
but it must make clear that the Messianic Jewish movement does not make
Jews of people who have a Jewish heart or love the Jewish people.
Dr. Bruce Stokes, Pastor of Westminster Baptist Church and Vice-president
of the Association of
Messianic Believers of America, has expressed this very well when he
says that there is a role for non-Jews in the Messianic Jewish movement
and this role is best expressed when they participate in the Messianic
Judaism as non-Jews.
(c) Messianic Jews and Messianic Jewish Congregations. It must be made clear that Messianic Jewish Congregations, although an integral expression of Messianic Judaism, is ruled by a different set of standards. This has to be the case since a Messianic Jewish Congregation is a gathering of believers that follows the New Testament teachings. In consequence, in a Messianic Jewish Congregation there can be no distinction between Jew and Gentile. Belonging to a Messianic Jewish congregation does not make of a Jew a Gentile, neither makes of a Gentile a Jew.
2. A Messianic Jewish identity will be determined by its beliefs, not
by its external expressions During its first decade of existence Messianic
Judaism lacked the theological and doctrinal foundation that would give
validity to this movement. Since then there have been serious attempts
to rectify this, most noticeably, David Stern's Messianic Jewish Manifesto.
and Daniel Juster's Jewish Roots. Messianic Judaism was known for its music,
worship style and dance, which was roughly defined as "Davidic praise."
If "Davidic worship" was one of the characteristics used to define Messianic
Judaism, one is faced with an additional problem since the Bible is mute
on this whole concept. Another characteristic that defined Messianic Judaism
was the use of Jewish elements in the service, e.g. "Kippa," "Tallit,"
"Messianic Siddur," etceteras. All these elements,
while genuinely Jewish in their nature, hardly help to define who is
a Messianic Jew. At best, they help to express ones' beliefs, but they
hardly convey what these beliefs are. This is precisely what the Lord Jesus
rebuked the Jewish leaders of his day, who adhered to the letter of the
Torah to the tiniest detail while forgetting the spirit in which the Torah
was given (Matthew 23.) It reminds me of the time when I was a college
student and I took part in a debate with traditional Jews. After tired
of listening that I wasn't a good Jew I finally asked, "Well, then tell
me what do I have to do to be good Jew" and the reply I was gives was "Well,
if you are a good Jew you light the Shabbat candles." Then I added, "Is
that what Judaism is all about?" Messianic Judaism is more than "Davidic
worship," wearing "Kippa" or keeping the Shabbat, these are outwards expressions
but
the convey no message of what I believe in. There is a need to know
why we choose to wear "Kippa" and what are the beliefs that move us to
keep Shabbat. In the quest for an identifiable Messianic Jewish identity,
one must be able to show what are the beliefs that give form to ones' spiritual
self. It is only against this backdrop that it is possible to be genuine
in the usage of Jewish symbols and traditions.
3. Messianic Judaism is to be defined by Messianic Jews. For the past few decades Messianic Jews have allowed the non-Jewish followers of Messiah or the non-believing Jews to determine who is a Messianic Jew. Court rulings and Christian apologeticists have made their voices be heard while Messianic Judaism has been slow to respond. One of the reasons for this is the lack of an identity that characterizes Messianic Judaism today. One of task of Messianic Judaism will have to face will be to finally determine who is a Messianic Jew. While the answer will not please every one, it will preserve the integrity of the movement. There will be some who will not fit the criteria, while others will call Messianic Jews exclusive, and still others will raise the accusation that we are building up again the "middle wall of partition" that Messiah tore down. While not every one will be satisfied, at least there can be a degree of satisfaction on the fact that this is how Messianic Judaism defines of itself, not what others perceive Messianic Judaism to be.
I believe that Messianic Judaism is the fulfillment of Messianic hopes for the Jewish people. It is of God, and as such, it will prosper. Nevertheless, as the vine needs trimming and care if it is to bear fruit (John 15:8), so those involved in Messianic Judaism should care for this movement if it is to fulfill God's plan for the redemption of Israel.