Talk 2 in the Messianic Judaism series (10 minutes) examines the roots of this movement, as well as some of its terminology.

Click on the arrow to play the podcast, or you can use the "download" icon to download the podcast (if available). You can also right click here, in order to save the audio file and listen later.

 

 

 

 

Main ideas:

  • 1st century: apostles agree Gentiles are not obligated to follow Torah (Acts 15:1-35; Titus 1:10-11).
  • 19th century: rooted in evangelism of Jews in Israel during the Ottoman period, Zionism, and Dispensationalism.
  • 20th century: birthed in groups like "Jews for Jesus" (1960s-1970s).
  • In short, there is no "Messianic Judaism" until a few generations ago. The movement is marked not by its antiquity, but by its novelty.
  • Terminology: many Semitic words are embraced, like Yeshua. Words historically offensive to Jews are avoided (e.g. crusade, cross, baptism, BC & AD). The term "Messianic" means that they accept Jesus as the Messiah.