Messianic Judaism Is Not Christianity: A Loving Call to Unity

Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended
Review: "Messianic Judaism Is Not Christianity": A Loving Call To Unity by Stan Telchin (an octogenarian, Messianic Jew, and for fourteen years the senior pastor of a church in Maryland made up of Jews and Gentiles from every walk of life, denomination, size and color) specifically addresses the growing problem of the concept of Messianic Judaism originally intended to appeal to Jewish people unexpectedly appeal to Gentiles. Pastor Telchin reveals Messianic Judaism as a divisive movement within the Christian community, as ineffective in proselytizing Jews, and reiterates God's intention for the Christian Church to serve as "one new man" and as an advocate for unity among the body of believers in Christ. "Messianic Judaism Is Not Christianity" is highly recommended reading for both the clergy and those members of a Christian congregation having to deal with the attractions and divisiveness of the appealing heresy.


Rating:
Summary: disappointing
Review: I have been involved in the Messianic Jewish Congregational movement for over 25 years, and I found Mr. Telchin's book to be at best inaccurate, and more directly to the point, the ravings of a disapointed, bitter man with a theological axe to grind. He is someone who has never invested himself into the Messianic congregational movement, and here seems to be trying to justify his cutting himself off from his own people by finding fault with a movmement that he could have enriched with his input had he not been so bitter.

It is a pity when people become so bitter that they air their discontent for the whole world to see.

I would reccomend this book to NO ONE who truly wants to understand or learn more about Messainic Judaism.

A far better book on the subject, treating the subject in a more scholarly and unbiased fashion, by a non-member of the Messianic Jewish Congregational movement, would be Messianic Judaism, by Rabbi Daniel Cohn-Sherbok.

Rating:
Summary: THE BOOK THAT MESSIANIC LEADERS DON'T WANT YOU TO READ
Review: I have been involved in the Messianic movement and an active member of a Messianic congregation for more than 20 years. Stan Telchin's critique of the movement is both true and accurate. This is the book that many leaders of the Messianic movement will not want you to read. I would encourage all Messianic Jews to seriously consider the issues voiced in this important book.

Rating:
Summary: An important and necessary critique of the Movement
Review: I have for several years had a concern about some of the theology and excesses within the Messianic Jewish Movement. I was glad to finally get a book that addressed my concerns. If you have been concerned or are not sure about some of the more extreme forms of Messianic Judaism then I recommend getting this book.

It is an issue that needs to be addressed as error may be creeping more and more into the movement. While not all of the theology of Messianic Judaism is in error, much may be, and the Body of Christ can no longer be silent about the issue. This book lovingly tries to break the silence and to point to the problems within the movement.

I recommend it getting the book and finding out for yourself.



Rating:
Summary: Important analysis, but poor conclusion
Review: Stan Telchin provides an expose of sorts about the Messianic Movement. He provides a lot of interesting facts, but offers a conclusion that misses the mark. His book is pretty light reading, and his writing style easy to follow. Some of the book is supported by statistics (which are not explained, but references are given), but the bulk of the conclusions are derived from the author's personal experience (which is extensive, but hardly complete). As a point of reference, I am a Gentile believer in Yeshua (Jesus), I have attended Messianic Congregations since 1999, and I have helped lead one since 2003.

Stan Telchin offers a valid Biblical analysis of how some people interpret Messianic Judaism. By Messianic Judaism, the author seems to refer to anyone who practices Christianity in a Jewish way. The main critique he discusses, and one with which I agree, is that too many Messianic Jews/Gentiles try so hard to be accepted by mainstream Judaism that they begin to sacrifice the Gospel. As Telchin points out, some in Messianic Congregations emphasize Talmudic adherence to the Torah, which is something that even Yeshua Himself did not do. He points out how some groups divide based upon Jewish and Gentile heritage, and this is of course wrong, but just because in his experience some groups do this by no means characterizes the entire movement. He points out that some believers felt peer pressure to keep a kosher diet, but then again does this type of scenario happen in other groups as well? Messianic Congregations may not be for everyone, but just because a few people have had problems is no reason to conclude that all of them are unnecessary..

Although Mr. Telchin does admit that there may be congregations that do not fit this profile (and yes there are), he seems to throw out the baby with the bathwater, as it were. What I found disturbing is how quickly Telchin turns his facts into his main thesis, that there is really no need for Messianic Congregations. One example of how he reaches this conclusion is that issues can be so divisive, lets get rid of them. I find this to be a very myopic conclusion. Should we should disband all Baptist and Charismatic Congregations because they cannot agree on Tongues? Of course not. He also cites as evidence that very few Jews today are in touch with their ancestral traditions, so why use these traditions to reach them?

Telchin cites as a reason to disband Messianic Congregations that only 4% of Jewish people became believers because of Messianic Congregations. Again by this logic, why not close up all evangelistic outreaches to say the Muslim world because only a few percent convert? I sense the frustration in Telchin's words, but to close up Messianic Congregations based upon statistics seems to be following business models and not necessarily the Holy Spirit.

In all, I think Mr. Telchin provides a very important analysis about some types of Messianic Congregations. His message, though harsh, was delivered in love, and in this manner I have great respect for his words. These groups, which over-emphasize Jewishness at the expense of the Gospel, should take note. But to conclude that Messianic groups are themselves therefore a divisive force is unfair, and un-Biblical. The book is important to read for some good facts, but be wary of the conclusion.

For those who were angered at the conclusions, Telchin does provide a good message that we as the body of Messiah should not seek to be divisive. To those who have not been a part of Messianic groups, and might not want to based upon this book, rest assured that not all Messianic groups behave this way. Telchin's analysis represents a kind of "worst case scenario" that should be avoided at all costs. But at least the author defines the problem, which should contribute to the healing process.


Rating:
Summary: Division caught in the act
Review: Wow! This was one the most enjoyable books I have read in years. Stan is truly a servant of God, and his heart shows he can spot sin when it raises its ugly head. I agree with Stan that Messianic Judaism is not part of the Church that Jesus started. I just wished this book had been out years earlier.
Stan, keep up the good work. Amen!