Jews, Gentiles, and Christianity

ISBN-13: 9781475279962 / Angielski / Miękka / 2012 / 298 str.

Dan S. Blackwelder

Opis

Contemplating the rich two thousand year history of Christianity, and the few hundred years of development in the United States, brings to mind the vast divergence and the many forms that comprise this religion. From the orthodox to the independent branch, from the protestant to the restoration movement, there has been division. At the same time, each group gives its own opinion and view as rationalized by their particular cadre of qualified scholars. With the restoration of Israel as a nation in 1948, and with Jerusalem restored to the Jews in 1967, there has been an emergence of a "new" form or movement of believer. In actuality, is not new, but is the oldest movement based upon the belief in Jesus and his teachings. It is the movement of the Jewish believers in Jesus as the Messiah and Savior. Known as Messianic Judaism, it is a fact that there are more Jews who accept Jesus today than at any time in history since the 1st century. In the last few years, there has been resurgence in the number of Jewish adherents who follow Jesus, more than the previous nineteen centuries combined. Now, there are Messianic congregations throughout the cities of the United States. Also, congregations are beginning to proliferate worldwide. This must be a prophetic event. The "time of the Gentiles" might be fulfilled. Anciently, just as Joseph of Egypt, known by his Egyptian name of Zaph-enath-pan-eah (Gen 41:45), dressed in the attire of Egyptian nobility with the manners and language of the Egyptians, was unrecognized by his eleven brothers, so it is with Yeshua. Unrecognized by his Gentile name of Jesus/Iesous with his depiction commonly given as a blond European dressed in Byzantium robes, his Jewishness has been hidden for centuries. But, in the present day, his Jewishness is being rediscovered. Ironically, the discourse between the Gentile Christians and the Messianic Jews of today mirrors and brings to mind the same discussions of the first and second century. This parallel situation brought to the forefront the question: How did Christianity emerge from Judaism? Realizing my own biases and prejudices, I have tried to give an honest appraisal of this question and have answered it, at least to my own satisfaction.