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Category Archives: Theology
Robin Parry: New Article on Universalism
The new Rob Bell book has the topic of universalism on the minds of millions. Robin Parry (who wrote a much better book than Bell’s on the subject) writes here about seven myths concerning Christian universalism. As I have said, … Continue reading
Posted in Life to Come, Theology
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Richard Beck on Universalism as Biblical Truth
Everybody’s talking about universalism these days (because of a new book by Rob Bell called Love Wins). There are several kinds. One kind, and the one that interests me, does not deny judgment or hell. It simply says that there … Continue reading
Posted in Life to Come, Theology
7 Comments
Creation, Tabernacle, Dwelling
My thoughts on this aren’t as fully formed as I would like. I’m sure there is more to this topic and it will need further exploration later. But we finished Exodus this past Shabbat and the theology of Tabernacle-as-mirror-to-Creation says … Continue reading
Mysticism [or Apocalypticism] 101
You and I cannot understand God directly, in his full and direct Being. We know him through images, memories, mysteries, and emanations. Images (shepherd, father, king, maker, the one above, source, rock, fortress, the beautiful, etc.). Memories (the fathers, exodus, … Continue reading
Posted in Mysticism, Theology
7 Comments
PODCAST: Yeshua in Context – Demon Fail
What gospel gives the highest view of Yeshua’s exalted identity? John, of course. But after John, one of the synoptics stands high above the rest. That would be Mark. This story happens after the confession of Peter, and the rebuke … Continue reading
Complaining, With Permission, to God
At the end of Exodus 2, we read that after a long time, Pharaoh died. Israel groaned under bondage. They cried out and their cry came up to God in heaven. God heard their groaning and remembered his covenant. Most … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, Judaism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Theology
Tagged Lament, Molinism
4 Comments
Writing Theology, Risks, Rewards, N.T. Wright
Or should I call is Wrighting Theology, Wrisk and Wreward? (Or Wrighting N.T. Theology). When you write theology, especially in public forums, there are risks and rewards. I get a pretty fair amount of appreciation from people. I hope, no … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, N.T. Wright, Theology
1 Comment
Conversations About Law and Grace, 5
Chris was about the show Jude some Paul verses that sound like all of Jesus’ followers are law-free, but something else occurred to him. Chris: There are just so many little pieces of evidence on my side. I don’t think … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, Christian, Judaism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Theology, Torah
1 Comment
Conversations About Law and Grace, 4
Chris and Jude pick up their discussion later over coffee. Chris: Okay, I brought my Bible with me this time and now I’m going to make it harder for you. Jude: I thought you believed the gospel should make it … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Paul, Theology, Torah
5 Comments
Conversations About Law and Grace, 2
Chris (the Christian) and Jude (the Messianic Jew) are about to watch a game together and decide to order pizza and then continue their conversation about law and grace. Chris: Really? You won’t eat a pizza with pepperoni? Jude: No, … Continue reading
Posted in Christian, Judaism, Theology, Torah
4 Comments
Noah, Theology and Relation to Myth
The reading cycle of Judaism is on the Noah cycle (Parashat Noach). Now is a good time to go back and read some classic posts on Messianic Jewish Musings. In the first two, I describe the similarities and some differences … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, Theology
Tagged Atrahasis, Flood, Genesis, Mesopotamia, Noah, Utnapishtim
1 Comment
Conversations About Law and Grace, 1
Meet Chris and Jude, a Christian and a Jewish follower of Jesus discussing the role of Torah (the commandments of the Pentateuch) in Jesus-faith. Chris: I’ve really enjoyed meeting you, but there are a few things I don’t understand. Since … Continue reading
Posted in Christian, Judaism, Theology, Torah
12 Comments
Atonement: Participating and Anticipating
Aime Palliere was a Frenchman, a Catholic, who became a Noahide, a non-converting adherent to Judaism. In other words, he rejected the Jesus of his own family and Catholic faith because he was drawn to things he saw in Judaism. … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, Christian, Judaism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, The Cross, The Messiah, Theology, Yeshua
Tagged Aime Palliere, Yom Kippur
7 Comments
Three Modes of Revelation
An excellent video explanation by Daniel Lancaster of First Fruits of Zion. I wish I had said it this way before he did. Worth watching if only to find out what the three modes are. http://ffoz.org/blogs/2010/09/from_the_author_three_modes_of.html
Posted in Bible, Theology
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The Difference Yeshua Makes
Someone asked me a good question last night. He’s been to a few Messianic synagogues now and is trying to understand from a Christian point of view what Jewish life in Messiah is all about. He said, “Do you guys … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, Christian, Faith, Judaism, Life to Come, Love, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Theology, Yeshua
Tagged Ein Sof
6 Comments
Elul Meditation: Strength of My Life
Psalm 27 is read morning and evening throughout this month of Elul. יי מעוז חיי Adonai ma’oz chaiyai Adonai is the strength of my life David’s prayers are often emotional, viewing life experientially. The stresses of life keep him awake … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, Holidays, Judaism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Theology
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Pt 2, A Consoling and Disturbing Midrash for People of Faith
In Part 1 (day before yesterday), I gave a prelude to a midrashic parable which I will share with you today. It is a parable explaining, in a very narrative way, a possible meaning of Lamentations 3:21. It’s not just … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, Faith, Judaism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Talmud and Tradition, Theology, Torah
Tagged David Stern, Midrash, Parables, Rabbinic Literature
1 Comment
J-BOM: The Promise, Pt 1
Shalom, lovers of Jewish books (or potential lovers of Jewish books). J-BOM is the Jewish Book of the Month club, a reading of Jewish books together started by a cadre of Messianic Jewish bloggers and filling the minds of scores … Continue reading
Posted in Book Reviews, Faith, Judaism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Talmud and Tradition, Theology
Tagged Chaim Potok, J-BOM
1 Comment
PODCAST: Yeshua in Context – I Am
In the fourth gospel there are thirteen uses of I am by Yeshua in describing his identity and authority. Raymond Brown investigates these “I am” sayings (eigo eimi) and categorizes them. Four uses are absolute (no predicate), two have an … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, The Messiah, Theology, Yeshua
Tagged Eigo Eimi, Raymond Brown
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Is the Cross Laughable?
I became aware yesterday of a site that parodies Christian theology and faith in general: mrdeity.com. It’s all great fun, I guess, if you have no fear of God. And the fact that I made that last statement qualifies me … Continue reading
Posted in Atheism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Scot McKnight, Theology
Tagged Brian Keith Dalton, mrdeity
6 Comments
Classic Christian Creeds and MJ
A few weeks ago, I blogged about an immensely enjoyable and edifying paper we enjoyed at the Hashivenu Forum in Los Angeles, by Mark Kinzer. You can see that post here. Yesterday, on Scot McKnight’s blog (Jesus Creed), he posted … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, Christian, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Scot McKnight, Theology
Tagged Nicene Creed
6 Comments
The Disappearance of God in Judges
I discovered the artfulness of Biblical narratives about twenty years ago. My professor at the time was John Walton (now at Wheaton) who had us read Robert Alter’s The Art of Biblical Narrative. This is a book any lover of … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Theology
Tagged Daniel Block, Judges, Robert Alter
5 Comments
The Nicene Creed and MJ
This is day 2 of the Hashivenu Forum in Los Angeles (see yesterday’s post for more about Hashivenu). We heard a paper today by Mark Kinzer, “Finding Our Way Through Nicaea: The Deity of Yeshua, Bilateral Ecclesiology, and Redemptive Encounter … Continue reading
Posted in Christian, Judaism, Mark Kinzer, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Theology, Yeshua
Tagged Hashivenu, Nicene Creed
31 Comments
Live-blogging Hashivenu 2010
Hashivenu is a renewal movement within Messianic Judaism (see hashivenu.org). 2010 marks the 12th annual Hashivenu Forum in L.A., an invitation-only event. As someone remarked, we are a marginal part of a marginal movement of a marginal people. But in … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, Christian, Judaism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Theology
Tagged Hashivenu
3 Comments
Surreptitious Supersessionism
Supersessionism can be sneaky (if you don’t know what supersessionism is, check here). A commenter on the Jesus Creed blog, where I guest-posted recently about Richard Harvey’s book, Mapping Messianic Jewish Theology, said that someone asked N.T. Wright (famed scholar … Continue reading
Messianic Jewish Musings 
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