|
POSTED
04 JUNE, 2007
Some Thoughts on Our Messianic Future
by
J.K. McKee
editor@tnnonline.net
Many questions are being asked of today’s
Messianic movement as we reflect where we have been the past few
years, and where we will be going in the future. I have stated
in previous articles that I believe that while in the past ten
years that the Messianic community has grown significantly, our
theology has not been able to keep up with this growth. I
believe that the next ten years are going to be a very
“interesting” time in our Biblical Studies, particularly as we
improve and refine our theology—meeting the challenges of the
Twenty-First Century and address issues that we have commonly
put aside.
But not all of us are called to be teachers; in
fact, most of you will not be called to spend two to three weeks
writing a commentary on just one chapter of Scripture (as
I frequently find myself doing). So, I write this to all of
us—from the Bible teacher to pastor/rabbi to the normal
person who serves God with his or her unique talents and gifts.
As we begin this season of growth, as one chapter closes in our
development, and a new chapter begins—what do we really need?
What must we have to make sure that we are fulfilling the
mission and purpose that the Lord has given us regardless of our
specific giftings?
Each one of us as individual Believers has a
calling to be in ministry. This ministry may not be sitting in a
office doing research, or out in the mission field with the
natives. Each of us minister in the sphere of influences God has
placed us in, interacting with people in the workplace, on the
street, and perhaps even in other parts of the world. We are
each God’s representatives on Earth, calling the world to be
reconciled with Him (2 Corinthians 5:20). And, while each of us
may have a different sphere of influence, there are still common
threads that are placed throughout what we must do. I believe
that if we can recognize the common traits that we all must
share then we can truly be empowered to be a movement that
can make a difference.
Need #1:
Our Ability to Love God and Love Others
Each of us recognizes from the Torah and Gospels
that the greatest commandments are to love God with all of our
being, and love our neighbors (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18;
cf. Luke 10:27). Hopefully, we recognize that as a direct result
of the born again experience, we are to have hearts that are
supernaturally transformed by the love of God. This causes us to
orient everything that we do in life toward God and toward
whatever He desires of us. Everything we do should be directed
toward glorifying Him and in seeing that His purposes are
accomplished on Earth.
Admittedly, while having a love for God sounds
wonderful on paper, truly loving Him will cause us to do things
that may seem strange to worldly people. Not only are we to not
act like the world (Romans 12:2), but we frequently make
decisions as Believers that do not seem logical or
well-considered to those of the world. As Believers, we do not
go to the same places to hang out as we did prior to our
conversion; we do not talk the same way; we have different
priorities; we dedicate time to worship and meditation; we
associate with different people; we live for a different reason.
Certainly, this is not to say that Believers in Yeshua should
not live lives without serious consideration—and just do things
because they “feel” that God wants them to—but orienting one
toward Him will certainly alter how we go about doing things.
A true love of God will be manifested in how we
treat His most beloved creation: human beings. If we can
interact with other people with the love and beneficence that He
has bestowed upon us—then it is a definite sign that we are His!
John tells us, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is
from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God”
(1 John 4:7). If we can demonstrate this love toward people
whom we can see; then it demonstrates that we truly love
a God whom we cannot see. But this is not always
easy—because people make mistakes and can be frustrating.
Interacting with other members of the human
family is something that can be very difficult, because each of
us is complex, has our own thoughts and desires, and will often
look at the world in a unique way. I am certainly no
exception to this. But, if we have truly experienced the
love of God and the new birth via His Son, Yeshua—then we should
be able to function in it. God’s love will give us the patience,
tolerance, and respect we should have in order to interact with
others. This is true of both how we interact with outsiders who
do not know the Lord—and especially those of the community of
faith who do know Him.
Operating in the love of God is a key element of
establishing common ground with anyone we encounter. Each person
desires love and acceptance. Each person wants to feel that they
are valued. This is true of the Jewish person who believes that
his culture and traditions have been discriminated against by
many Christians, or even the Italian person who believes that
legitimate Roman achievements are disparaged by some Messianics.
But the unique thing about human beings is that any
achievements—whether done in the name of God or
someone/something else—still testify to the fact that human
beings are made in His image (Genesis 1:27) and possess an
intelligence given to them by Him. We have to learn to recognize
the value that exists in every person whom God has made.
Today’s Messianic community—which largely claims
to uphold the Torah ethos of loving God and neighbor—needs to
understand how important it is to operate in His love. Love does
not insult others using slurs, or attempts to create contention.
Love attempts to build bridges, focuses on what people have in
common, and finds solutions to problems when they arise. A true
love of God and neighbor will result in the unity that so many
of us want—but often seem unable to find.
Need #2:
Our Ability to Have a Love for All of Scripture
One of the most important ways that we are to be
changed by the Lord is by submitting ourselves to a consistent
study of His Word. Certainly in today’s Messianic movement, we
encounter many people who have a hunger and thirst for truth,
specifically truth that is Biblically supported. But much of
this hunger and thirst comes from those who come from Christian
backgrounds where only the “New Testament” or Apostolic
Scriptures was considered to be relevant Scripture. Because
such people wanted more out of the Bible than what they were
receiving, a Messianic movement where the Torah is taught on a
consistent basis was very appealing.
In the past decade, a significant part of the
Messianic movement has grown because of its emphasis on Torah
study. Every week in Jewish synagogues, a selection from the
Torah is contemplated. This is a tradition that goes back beyond
the First Century—and it is something that can be very helpful.
At the same time, though, while the Messianic community is
largely faithful to consider the weekly parashah, falling
into the habit of only examining a 3-4 chapter Torah
portion every week has its disadvantages as well. All too often,
the cry is heard about “returning the people to Torah” or
“proclaiming Torah”—when the Torah by no means makes up the
entire Bible. In some sectors of today’s Messianic community, an
overemphasis on the Torah is beginning to reveal itself. It is
no better a mistake than only focusing on the “New Testament” in
certain Christian venues.
A definite solution to this can be to orient our
weekly Shabbat services to models that we see present in
Scripture. Paul’s visit to Pisidian Antioch in Acts 13:13-52 is
an excellent place where many of us could start. Whereas many
Messianic congregations only include a teaching based on
the weekly parashah, the model that we see at this
synagogue includes much more. Acts 13:15 attests, “After the
reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent
to them, saying, ‘Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation
for the people, say it.’” This indicates that there were
probably two short teachings: one from the Torah, and the other
from the Haftarah. This was then followed by some kind of a
sermon or homily. This message may have been based on themes
seen in the Law and Prophets that week—but it may also have been
on topics unrelated, but necessary for the events of the day
that the local community was facing. Paul used the opportunity
to proclaim the gospel message to those assembled.
Having a love for all of the Bible is
something that the Lord has been able to give me, especially as
the Messianic community grows and deals with complicated issues.
I know that He has given me a gift of not just surveying
Scripture, but examining it systematically verse-by-verse,
consulting original language texts and technical commentaries.
While most of you are not called to do this, reading large parts
of the Bible on a consistent basis, understanding the broad
message of Biblical books, and most importantly recognizing the
intricate mosaic that we call Scripture, are things that all of
today’s Messianic Believers certainly need. When circumstances
arise that the Torah does not address—directly or
indirectly—yet other parts of the Bible do address, can
we afford to be ignorant of them? How much of understanding who
God is and how we can serve Him more effectively remains
under-addressed because we really only have a love for parts
of Scripture and not all of
Scripture?
In your Messianic congregation or fellowship,
what needs to be improved upon? Are you only studying the weekly
parashah? Do the Apostolic Scriptures largely go
unexamined? What do you do about expository preaching that goes
beyond the Law and the Prophets? How might you have a better
appreciation for the masterpiece that we call the Bible,
which includes much more than just the Law of Moses?
Need #3:
Our Ability to be Forward Thinking
The ability to see beyond one’s current
circumstances can be a very serious challenge. This is
especially true of today’s Messianic movement which is
largely American. North Americans have difficulty seeing the
“big picture” due to the fact that most of the things built on
this continent are not ancient, nor do they last very long when
compared to the castles of Europe, pyramids of Egypt, or temples
of Asia. The ability to easily access ancient things causes
members of those societies to often look beyond their own
lifespan and consider the passage of previous time and the
advance of future time much easily than us as Americans.
As the Lord molds Messianic individuals into
people who are transformed by His love and have a deep regard
for His Word, we need to learn how to live lives that will not
only have an impact on our current generation—but generations to
come. How do we become a people who are forward
thinking—”progressive” in the best sense of the word—and looking
ahead toward the future? How do we prepare ourselves and our
posterity for the challenges that lie ahead? How do we study
Scripture and be empowered to respond to the issues that society
at large will force upon us?
These questions are not easily answered by many in
today’s Messianic community, be they in positions of leadership,
teaching, or just attendance. Much of the Messianic movement
began as an evangelistic outreach of Jewish Believers to the
Jewish community. Right now, an unforeseen side effect was the
exposure of many Christians to their Hebraic Roots. What will be
the next unforeseen development in the growth of the Messianic
community? What might we consider, looking forward to the
future?
One of the things that I have noticed most
Messianic Believers do not handle very well is theological
controversy. The Messianic movement—as a whole—tends to avoid
issues that pertain to the historicity and reliability of the
Bible, any kind of discussion relating to the nature of God and
Yeshua, and for that same matter any kind of scientific
criticism against the claims of God creating the universe via
His intelligent design. Yet, these are issues that Christendom
today is facing and debating. You only need to turn on the
Discovery Channel or History Channel and hear liberal
commentators say why this story or that account in the Bible is
obviously mythology. Likewise, these same liberal trends are
causing denominations to split in two over issues like
homosexuality.
When we consider these things, what are we
preparing ourselves for as Messianic Believers? Have you
considered the possibility that in the future the Messianic
community may swell significantly because of the effects of some
of these denominational splits? In a movement that should
emphasize the morality of the Torah, do not be surprised if it
does. But if such a thing does happen—we need to be ready. We
need to pray for God to give us the insight, discernment, and
premonition regarding what to prepare for—so
we can be ready long before anything occurs.
I know that the Messianic movement that I
personally envision is a minimum of twenty to thirty years away.
This will be a community of people who are more than changed by
the Lord. They will be people who also know more than just
theology and have the established Messianic doctrines
behind them complete with Bible commentaries and treatises on a
wide variety of issues. They will be people who are relevant to
the society where they are living and recognize the mission of
God to not only testify of the salvation available in Yeshua,
but can take responsibility for making disciples and enacting a
substantial difference in the world. They will have respect for
their shared Jewish and Christian theological heritage, and will
service the unique needs of both Synagogue and Church.
In the meantime, we must be sure that we are
people changed by God’s love with a heart for others, and that
we have a deep love for His Word so that we can have solid,
reasonable answers that those others seek. Likewise, we must
commit ourselves to the long-term work that He desires us to
accomplish.
Where do you need to improve?
Do you have a heart for the Lord? When you pray
to Him, do you ask Him to give you love for your fellow man?
When you get around other people, do you think why you are with
them and about what annoys you—or do you think that God cares
for each person in a unique and compassionate way? When you see
the achievements of any culture and society, do you try to pick
apart the “paganism” in them—or do you recognize that the
ability to build buildings, carve a statue, or compose music all
come because God gave intelligence to human beings? How much
more love and understanding might you need to be given? How
might you be a person who can be a peacemaker and effect
solutions when touchy subjects arise?
Likewise, when you read Scripture, do you find
yourself or your congregation favoring one part of the Bible
over another? Do you find yourself as a Messianic Believer
exclusively focusing on the Torah? How do you respond to
criticisms against your Messianic faith from the New Testament?
Does your pastor or rabbi ever focus on issues that directly
relate your own faith community or sphere of influence—that may
not be directly addressed in the weekly parashah? How
might you improve upon your understanding of all of Scripture?
What books of the Bible might you be purposefully staying away
from because your view of Scripture has become unbalanced?
Most importantly, are you considering what you
are going to pass on to others as a Messianic Believer,
hopefully one who is part of a faith community? Are you prepared
to answer the challenges of tomorrow? Do you understand what it
means to be part of a global society? Do you recognize what is
going on in the greater religious world around you—and how we
need to be there when the denominational splits come? What
progress do you think needs to be made in the decades to come in
today’s Messianic movement? How are you connected to others?
All of the questions I have just asked are things
that I believe we all need to be considering in this hour. We
have some difficult choices to make in the immediate years
ahead. We need to decide if we are going to be a Messianic
movement that will be used by God to make a serious difference
in our sinful world—or whether we will be focused on other
issues.
The issues that we will be facing can be easily
solved, though, by us first becoming diligent disciples of
Yeshua the Messiah. By submitting ourselves to His teachings and
example for life, we can be some of those who can make a
difference in our world. But secondly, we also have to be more
corporately and generationally minded. We should not be small
little islands unto ourselves—and we need to pass on what we
have learned to those coming after us. How these things will—or
even can—be accomplished, though, is entirely up to us,
because the Lord gives us the free will to say yes or no to Him.
I pray that we make the right decisions as we try to see what
the Lord is doing from His eternal perspective—even if
just for a short time. As for me, I want to be that Believer who
says “yes” to the Lord!
J.K. McKee (B.A., University of Oklahoma; M.A., Asbury
Theological Seminary) is the editor of TNN Online (www.tnnonline.net)
and is a Messianic apologist. He is author of several books,
including: The New Testament Validates Torah, Torah In the
Balance, Volume I, and When Will the Messiah Return?.
He has also written many articles on the Two Houses of Israel
and Biblical theology, and is presently focusing on Messianic
commentaries on various books of the Bible. |
