Introduction to Messianic Judaism: Its Ecclesial Context and Biblical Foundations - Softcover

Zondervan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0310330637 ISBN 13: 9780310330639

Publisher: Zondervan Academic, 2013

Synopsis

This book is the go-to source for introductory information on Messianic Judaism. Editors David Rudolph and Joel Willitts have assembled a thorough examination of the ecclesial context and biblical foundations of the diverse Messianic Jewish movement. The work brings together a team of respected Messianic Jewish and Gentile Christian scholars, including Mark Kinzer, Richard Bauckham, Markus Bockmuehl, Craig Keener, Darrell Bock, Scott Hafemann, Daniel Harrington, R. Kendall Soulen, Douglas Harink and others. Opening essays, written by Messianic Jewish scholars and synagogue leaders, provide a window into the on-the-ground reality of the Messianic Jewish community and reveal the challenges, questions and issues with which Messianic Jews grapple. The following predominantly Gentile Christian discussion explores a number of biblical and theological issues that inform our understanding of the Messianic Jewish ecclesial context. Here is a balanced and accessible introduction to the diverse Messianic Jewish movement that all readers will find informative and fascinating.

About this title

About the Author

David Rudolph (Ph.D., Cambridge University) is the Rabbi of Tikvat Israel Messianic Synagogue in Richmond, Virginia, and teaches New Testament at the MJTI School of Jewish Studies. David has been part of the Messianic Jewish community for over thirty-five years and has published numerous books and articles on Messianic Judaism, the New Testament and Jewish-Christian relations. 

From the Back Cover

"A splendid introduction both to the history, beliefs, and practices of various groups of Messianic Jews and to the biblical arguments for the ongoing presence of Jews, as Jews, among the followers of the one they call 'Messiah Yeshua.' Readers may well wrestle with the arguments, but such wrestling would be an appropriately Jewish response."

- Amy Jill Levine, Vanderbilt University

"An excellent introduction to the contours, concerns, and challenges facing Messianic Judaism today."

- Scot McKnight, Northern Seminary

"Folks who think they know what Messianic Judaism is all about need to read this book."

- Richard J. Mouw, Fuller Theological Seminary

"This is a must-read for anyone interested in Jewish-Christian relations."

- Howard Silverman, Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations

"An extremely rich and important book, certain to stimulate fruitful discussion for years to come and covering a topic that the church can no longer ignore."

- Michael L. Brown, FIRE School of Ministry, Concord, NC

"This book is a landmark contribution to the nature and significance of Messianic Judaism."

- William J. Abraham, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University

"An unmatched resource for anyone wanting to understand Messianic Judaism today."

- Mark D. Nanos, Rockhurst University

From the Inside Flap

"At last we have a book written by top scholars, thinkers, and leaders in the Messianic Jewish and larger Christian communities that addresses all the major questions of faith, praxis, and biblical interpretation among Jewish believers in Jesus. It is an extremely rich and important book, certain to stimulate fruitful discussion for years to come and covering a topic that the church can no longer ignore."

- Michael L. Brown, President, FIRE School of Ministry

"This book is a landmark contribution on the nature and significance of Messianic Judaism. It shows clearly that Messianic Judaism is not an ephemeral epiphenomenon that can any longer be ignored or marginalized; on the contrary, it poses an acute set of theological and ecclesiological questions that will take years to resolve. Written with pleasing economy and depth, this volume is indispensable reading for anyone who has forgotten the Jewish origins of Christianity or who has become complacent about the contested nature of their current ecclesial identity. I recommend it with enthusiasm."

- William J. Abraham, Outler Professor of Theology and Wesley Studies and Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University

"This volume provides an unmatched resource for anyone wanting to understand Messianic Judaism today. In the first section, the accessible yet deeply informative essays written by scholars from within its own ranks cover the history and dynamics of Messianic Judaism. In the second, many topics relevant to the theological concerns of this movement are discussed by New Testament specialists."

- Mark D. Nanos, Soebbing Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence, Rockhurst University

Edition details

• Publisher: Zondervan Academic
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0310330637
• ISBN 13: 9780310330639
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336
• Editor: Rudolph David J., Willitts Joel