Monthly Archives: February 2009

Myth: Pro-Jewish but Anti-Judaism

Posted on February 26, 2009 by Derek Leman

I wrote the following several years ago at the very last meeting I attended at a certain annual conference of Christian missions to the Jewish people. There are still many high-quality people in the organization in spite of the way … Continue reading →

Posted in Messianic Jewish | 6 Comments

Martians and the Myth of Tradition-Less Religion

Posted on February 25, 2009 by Derek Leman

From several quarters I have felt the press of this issue in the past few days. A commenter on Messianic Jewish Musings said that a certain piece of Jewish tradition was “a violation of the commandment not to add to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christian, Judaism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Talmud and Tradition | 12 Comments

What Can MJ Learn from Taoism?

Posted on February 25, 2009 by Derek Leman

My friend and colleague at MJTI, Sean Emslie, is back into blogging and has a nice meditation on a saying from Taoism and its wisdom for Messianic Judaism today. This is a good word for the building of Messianic Judaism … Continue reading →

Posted in Judaism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism | Leave a comment

Understanding the Passover Haggadah: Part 1

Posted on February 24, 2009 by Derek Leman

So, you want to celebrate Passover in a traditional way. You pick up a Haggadah, a Passover manual, and you think it will be simple. Passover is a ritual meal with a few symbolic foods and the story from Exodus, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Holidays, Judaism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Passover, Talmud and Tradition, Torah | 3 Comments

Is the Passover a Late Biblical Invention?

Posted on February 22, 2009 by Derek Leman

No Biblical festival has quite the cultural legacy and rich complexity of Passover. It is a holiday of interest to Jews and Christians and through the Exodus story and the narrative of the Passion of Jesus, Passover has a cultural … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Holidays, Judaism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Passover, Torah | 8 Comments

Revelation 5: Love Preceding Judgment

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Derek Leman

I continue a series at my congregation on the book of Revelation. It is a book that demands of its readers a prior knowledge of Daniel, Ezekiel, and Isaiah. And now, in my forties, it means more to me than … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christian, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, The Cross, The Messiah, Theology, Yeshua | 2 Comments

Review: The Commentators’ Bible: Exodus

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Derek Leman

The Commentators’ Bible: Exodus by Michael Carasik, 2005, Jewish Publication Society. This book is so beautifully bound and laid out, not to mention well-edited and conceived, that I would count it a tragedy if the other four volumes never make … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Book Reviews, Judaism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Talmud and Tradition, Torah | 3 Comments

On Torah Commentaries

Posted on February 18, 2009 by Derek Leman

Soon, probably tomorrow, I am planning to review a book I received from a Messianic Jewish Musings reader who thought it worthwhile to buy a book and further the cause of blogdom education. I will review The Commentators’ Bible:Exodus by … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Judaism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Torah | 5 Comments

Throne Visions

Posted on February 16, 2009 by Derek Leman

Although it is impossible, I like to imagine the electrifying terror and joy of ordinary men and women beholding visions beyond the veil. The sudden raising of the ordinary to levels unimaginable, the piercing quality of vision, the wonder which … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christian, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Prophets, Theology | 2 Comments

Responding to a Response: The Internet, Messianic Judaism, and the Myth of Biblical Judaism

Posted on February 13, 2009 by Derek Leman

Theology has implications. Part of the task of talking about God’s ways to concrete communities of faith is considering those implications. In a post earlier this week I took issue with a blog by Nate Long because the implications of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christian, Gentiles, Judaism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Talmud and Tradition, Torah | 28 Comments

Archaeology, David, the Valley of Elah

Posted on February 12, 2009 by Derek Leman

I have been here many times and even have 3 “David’s sling” stones from the Valley of Elah on my shelf. Here is more archaeological work that affirms the account of David’s kingdom (which has many doubters and skeptics): http://www.bib-arch.org/e-features/valley-of-elah.asp … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology, Bible, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism | Leave a comment

The Internet, Messianic Judaism, and the Myth of Biblical Judaism

Posted on February 11, 2009 by Derek Leman

Those who try to learn from the internet about Messianic Judaism and a Jewish perspective on faith in Yeshua are only slightly more likely to find good information as those seeking fine coffee at an interstate truck stop. The internet … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christian, Gentiles, Judaism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Talmud and Tradition, Torah | 24 Comments

Formulas of Intermarriage

Posted on February 9, 2009 by Derek Leman

If you are Jewish, have you ever thought about what it would be like to be married to a Christian? If you are Christian, have you thought about what it would be like to be married to a Jew? Of … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, Half-Jewish, Interfaith, Intermarried, Judaism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism | 3 Comments

The World Grows to Middle-Age

Posted on February 5, 2009 by Derek Leman

As I grow older I find it is more than a matter of my hair and beard whitening or my knees stiffening. In the forty-second year of my life I feel my certitude about many things shrinking. The words of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Faith, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Theology | 8 Comments

What is Talmud and Rabbinic Literature?

Posted on February 4, 2009 by Derek Leman

What follows is a guide to the basics of rabbinic literature for beginners as well as an insightful guide to the meaning of rabbinic literature for those who are already students. The insight is due to the research and writing … Continue reading →

Posted in Judaism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Talmud and Tradition, Torah | 5 Comments

More on Yeshua as Deity

Posted on February 2, 2009 by Derek Leman

In my last post, I attempted to restate and then evaluate a theory about the prologue to the Fourth Gospel (John 1:1-18). Obviously (to those who read the comments), Daniel is only about 80% satisfied that I have stated his … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christian, Messianic Jewish, Yeshua | 3 Comments

Yeshua as Deity: Evaluating a Theory