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Building a "One New Man" Church
of Jewish & Gentile Believers
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Introduction
There seems to be an awakening within conservative Protestant Christian churches to include more Jewish believers in Jesus, although there are theological, cultural, and socio-economic roadblocks preventing the “One New Man” (ref. Ephesians 2:15) ideal from becoming a reality. I will attempt to discuss these roadblocks and offer a possible solution to this age-old dilemma.
Jewish believers in Jesus – A distinct minority within the Body of Messiah
In the last two millennia Jews have faced persecution within Christianity in both Catholic and Protestant denominations. Jewish believers in Jesus had to either renounce their Jewishness or hide it within the church to avoid ostracism. It was not until the 1970s that holding to one’s Jewish identity within the church was accepted by Gentile Christian brethren. Nevertheless, Gentile Christians within the church held to many misconceptions of Jews who either identified themselves as Messianic Jews or Jewish Christians and looked upon most as either oddities or threats to their theological view of Christian homogeneity. This unacceptance within the church eventually drove many Jewish believers to form their own Messianic Jewish congregations. By doing so though, these Messianic Jewish congregations gave up on the “One New Man” ideal and settled for an assumed “separate but equal” status. Today though many Gentile Christians have joined these Messianic Jewish congregations adopting many Jewish liturgical practices. What was once almost entirely Jewish now became mostly Gentile, twisting the ideal “One New Man” concept to propose a unity in Torah observance. I could expound on this theological error but will instead focus on how conservative Protestant churches can be more attractive to Jewish believers in Jesus.
The “One New Man” Theology of Ephesians 2:15 and how it must be interpreted.
Ephesians 2:15 states (NIV) – by setting aside in his flesh the law and its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace. Ephesians 2:15 provides a clear definition of how the unity of Jew and Gentile within the Body of Messiah is to be formed. The basis for unity must not rely upon observance of the Mosaic Law but rather in the loving bond we have in faith in His atoning sacrifice. With the gracious freedom we have been granted Jewish believers may celebrate the Jewish holidays and feasts knowing they are free to do so, but also are free to abstain as well (ref. Col. 2:16, 2 Cor. 3:17). Gentile believers must not be judged by their Jewish brethren for not holding to Jewish observances and Gentile believers must not judge Jewish believers for holding to Jewish holidays and customs, knowing they do so without obligation to the Law.
Choosing a place of worship can be complicated!
Given the Jewish believer has a clear understanding of the gracious freedom they have in Messiah, what type of church or Messianic congregation do they choose to worship at and how do they do so? Some Messianic congregations are almost entirely Gentile, and they present a dilemma to some Jewish believers. Do they accept Gentiles adhering to Jewish liturgical practices or does the concept of such observances among Gentiles seem too absurd to them. I know quite a few Messianic Jews that prefer attending a Protestant church with a Jewish ministry over a Messianic congregation. On the other hand, there are Jewish believers that prefer Messianic congregations since they know that they or their spouse or relatives would not attend a church. Unless there are definite theological objections to attending either a church or Messianic congregation, we have the freedom to chose one or the other.
The socio-economic factor in choosing a church or Messianic congregation.
When I was a new believer in Messiah Jesus I attended a Messianic Jewish congregation that was in a middle class Jewish and Italian neighborhood in Philadelphia. They were successful in attracting new Jewish believers from the surrounding neighborhoods but not so much in the more affluent areas. They eventually relocated to an area that was more socio-economically attuned to the more affluent Jewish community. The problem with following the socio-economic flow is that one can perceive oneself as more acceptable to those who are more affluent and not so much to those who are not. I also worshipped at a ministry to Jews in Center City Philadelphia, which attracted Jewish and Gentile believers struggling with mental and/or drug disorders. This ministry also attracted those Jewish and Gentile believers who had a particular calling to minister to those who were struggling to overcome their circumstances. I became involved in this ministry and grew to maturity there, although once graduating college I chose to leave to avoid being associated with those who had such struggles. I still feel some shame for choosing to leave for such reasons. Many cities in the US have more affluent suburbs that attract Jews wanting to get away from the problems that beset many inner cities. Some suburbs are preferred over others by much of the Jewish community. I have found that my suburban community in the Indianapolis area is not the preferred community for Jews. Even though I worship at a church in my area it is not as acceptable to other Jewish believers who prefer to worship at a church in an area that is considered more affluent. Does it seem a bit contrary to think of things in such a way? Of course it does! But that’s life here in America! I must choose to worship at a church that is considered by many Jewish believers in my area as unacceptable, or worship at a more upscale church with the possibility that I will not be accepted due to my own socio-economic status. But you already know the answer! “To thine own self be true!”
Overcoming misunderstandings and tropes towards Jews at one’s church.
Once a Jewish believer has chosen to worship at a Protestant church rather than a Messianic congregation there are other issues that will arise depending on the Biblical understanding and culture of the pastor and individuals at that church. I worship at a church in an area that is predominantly blue collar with some small business entrepreneurs. I like the church since the pastor has a strong love for Jews and has even received his doctorate in Jewish evangelism and discipleship. Most of the Gentile Christians there though have never known any Jewish believers except me and another few believers. But the pastor there has had little success in attracting Jewish believers for mostly the reason I stated above. He knows of misconceptions and tropes (ethnic slurs) towards Jews but does not believe they are present within his flock. My understanding of tropes though is that most are so subtle, most Christians do not even know they possess them. As an example, I know a Jewish Christian pastor I associated with while were youths attending the same high school and synagogue in Texas. We met again at our fifty-year high school alumni reunion. We were sitting with some Gentile Christians at lunch, and we heard a remark that Jewish men were effeminate. My friend remarked to me “That’s just the way they think of us!” He totally understood their mentality and has learned to accept it since his livelihood depended on him brushing off such comments and attitudes. Most Jewish believers though would not brush off such attitudes and would either worship at a Messianic congregation or a church that reflected more refined attitudes towards Jews. It seems that the pastor at the church I attend has not yet preached on the subtle nature of Jewish tropes since such a topic may stray from his preaching from a strictly Biblical viewpoint and may also draw criticism from his flock that such a teaching is offensive to them, being that they don’t perceive themselves as have any such biases. But unless the church is aware of its blind spots it will continue to exhibit them. His grand vision of having a “One New Man” church with Jews and Gentiles unified may be relegated to just a vision rather than a reality.
Summarizing this article on establishing a “One New Man” church
It is my sincerest desire to work within a local church to help establish a true “One New Man” ideal within the hearts and minds of its congregants. I admit there are numerous challenges that must be addressed and overcome, including my own set of misunderstandings and bad attitudes. I hope that you will mostly agree with this article and share it with others.
In Messiah's gracious freedom,
Marshall Beeber
Messianic Literary Corner administrator