Discussion: Defining Jewish Identity in the Messianic Jewish Context

I'll try to take up one of the topics that are on my mind and heart. Maybe we can have a fruitful exchange about it.

For the Messianic Jewish community, as well as for the broader Jewish world, I think it is time to come to a definition of the Jewish identity and what it means to be Jewish. With this I would like to provide an answer to the question of public interest: Can "Messianic Jews" rightfully claim to be Jews?

I. Introduction - Defining Jewish Identity

Part 0 : What makes up an identity?

• 0.1. Belonging: What causes people to take on an identity or identify with a certain community?
• 0.2. Selfdefinition: How is identity defined?
• 0.3. Purpose of life within identity: Does the answer to the purpose of life have to be the same for all that claim the same identity?
• 0.4. Accountability regarding the identity and its responsabilities: How are the self-expectations as well as the expectations of outsiders in regard to the identity formed?

II. Jewish Identity in the Messianic Jewish Context

Part 1: Is there a distiction to be made between Jewish believers and followers of Yeshua and non-Jewish ones?

• 1.1. Do all believers in Yeshua have to observe the Torah given specifically to Israel?
• regarding Shabbat
• regarding other commandments
• 1.2. Is the Olive Tree something bigger than the Jewish people?
• 1.3. Is Christianity supposed to be true Judaism and the Church supposed to be true Israel?
• 1.4. If being a Jew is an honour, which entails special promises but also responsabilities, are these promises and responsabilities automatically transfered to non-Jews that become believers?

Part 2: What are the special responsabilities of the Jewish people?

• 2.1. How can we describe the responsabilities in terms that touch the heart of the calling of the Jewish people?

Looking forward for your comments and contributions!

related posts:

• Discussion: Defining Jewish Identity in the Messianic Jewish Context (full text)
• Link Collection: Defining Jewish Identity in the Messianic Jewish Context
  

Defining Jewish Identity in the Messianic Jewish Context

Websurvey for contributions to the discussion:

Link collection

Messianic sites:

Intro for discussion of Jewish Identity Issue at There To Serve
"Messianic Believers Reflections on Identity" in Journal of Psychology and Theology
R. Kirk Gliebe: Jewish Children and Messianic Jewish Identity
David Sedaka: Search for a Genuine Messianic Jewish Identity
Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Council on Jewish Status
Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Council on Conversion
Richard Harvey: What Shapes Jewish Identity
Post by Derek Leman on Ebionites, Messianic Jews, Identity, and Commitment
Post by Derek Leman on Messianic Jewish Identity
Discussion page on Messianic Jewish Identity at Messianic Judaism Quest
Bookreview of Baruch Maoz: Judaism is not Jewish
Jews for Jesus - Answers: Jewish Identity


Non-Messianic Jewish sites:

Understanding Jewish Identity (AJU Student Theses 2004)

Other sites:

Jewish-Christian relations: Building a positive versus a negative identity (Pauline Bebe)
Discussion Forum>Messianic Judaism: Messianic Jewish Conversion - A Natural Progression for any Believer in Messiah
The Columbus Dispatch: Messianic Jews are not to be treated as Jewish

Academic Research:

Social Anthropological study of Contemporary Messianic Jewish Identity in Israel

Looking forward for your comments and contributions!

related posts: Discussion: Defining Jewish Identity in the Messianic Jewish Context