The Gospel from the Gospels #2
A friend and I are co-teaching a group north of Atlanta that wants to learn the history and context behind the New Testament. My friend, Steve Purtell, said in the first session, “These are the things the New Testament assumes…
The Gospel from the Gospels #1
I have been asked by a congregant and a friend to answer an important question. My friend came out of the paradigm of faith that is familiar to many MJ Musings readers, the world of a simplistic gospel. Raise your…
The Much-Storied Yeshua
The evidence is indirect, but strong, that the earliest followers of Yeshua would gather to tell and hear stories about him. Eventually four collections of these stories were put to writing when it became clear he would not return before…
Why Pharisees Matter
Since posting last Friday a little corrective information about who the Pharisees really were (see “The Pharisees” here) I’ve had some interesting interaction with Christians both in person and online about the topic. Most of that interaction has been positive,…
Yeshua, the Woman at the Well, Thirst as a Clue
Thirst is a universal human experience. This is not just longing for water, but something else, a deeper satisfaction we are looking for, which is promised in many things but never quite satisfied. The following commentary and application of John…
What’s So Great About Tentbuilders?
You gather at a Messianic synagogue or a church. People from hundreds of miles away have come. The group is not large, about thirty or so. But everyone there is connected heart and soul to messianic redemption, to a belief…
The Resurrection Through Jewish Eyes
When Lazarus died, Yeshua was consoling Martha, “Your brother will rise again” (John 11:23). “I know,” she replied, “that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” This was an answer only a Jewish person could give.
IMJ Discussion: Jews and Intermarrieds in Churches
In last night’s discussion of Introduction to Messianic Judaism (David Rudolph and Joel Willits, eds. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013) one issue that came up was the experience of Jewish and intermarried families who attend churches. A related issue that came…
Is the Sacrifice of Messiah Literal?
“Messiah, our Passover lamb has been sacrificed,” says Paul in 1 Corinthians 5:7. He “gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Eph 5:2). He “once and for all at the end of the ages put…
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Law and Spirit, Shavuot, Ruth
For Messianic Jews, the fact that Ruth is the megillah for Shavuot is a bit of divine providence. Megillah means scroll and refers to the custom of studying certain biblical books on Jewish holidays. Shavuot is better known as Pentecost…