Messianic Judiasm: Roots & Terms

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/messianic-judaism-2/">website</a>.</p><p>Main ideas:</p><ul><li>1st century: apostles agree Gentiles are <i>not</i> obligated to follow Torah (Acts 15:1-35; Titus 1:10-11).</li><li>19th century: rooted in evangelism of Jews, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Zionism">Zionism</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dispensationalism">Dispensationalism</a>.</li><li>20th century: birthed in groups like "<a href="https://www.jewsforjesus.org/">Jews for Jesus</a>" (1960s-1970s).</li><li>In short, there is no "Messianic Judaism" until a few generations ago. The movement is marked not by its antiquity, but by its novelty.</li><li>Terminology: many Semitic words are embraced, like <i>Yeshua</i>. Words historically offensive to Jews are avoided (e.g. <i>crusade</i>, <i>cross</i>, <i>baptism, BC </i>&<i> AD</i>). The term "Messianic" means that they accept Jesus as the Messiah.</li></ul>