Messianic Terminology

[Vickilynn]

Shalom,

For those of us who desire to witness to the Jews without offense, this short list may help.

For those of you who wonder why the Messianic Jews here write as we do, this also may help.

http://home.snu.edu/~HCULBERT/Yeshua.htm

Dictionary of messianic terminology and definitions

A study in contextualization

Language can both help and trick us in cross-cultural communication.

The following material is written in Messianic Jewish terminology and style. It shows us the challenges we "Christians" [ more ] face in cross-cultural communication with Jews.

This material is based on Return of the Remnant: The Rebirth of Messianic Judaism by Michael Schiffman.

[nebula]

Thanks for that, Vickilynn!

[jehovah Nissi]

It's always good to know stuff like that...thanks

[Tehilah Ba'Aretz]

I hope you don't mind if I make a couple of observations. One is that it is becoming acceptable to use the word, "Christian" in Israel. Actually, unless you are Jewish, it is now preferable by a considerable percentage of the Jewish people in Israel. Second is that the term, "Messianic" can have unfortunate misunderstandings. The followers of Rabbi Schneerson call themselves Messianic. Third, there is no way to avoid the fact that Jesus (Yeshua) is a stumbling block to many. We don't throw that stumbling block in the faces of the people we love but we don't leave Him home either. He is my very best friend and I will not deny that I follow Him.

It's great to be sensitive to the offense of poorly chosen words. What is far more important is a pure heart. Please do not think that having the perfect terminology is a sure way of witnessing. A simple act of love may be far more effective.

[Guest Biblicist]

Thank you for sharing that, Vickilynn.

If you want to speak properly to people about the Lord, you must understand their terminology and realize that some of the words you use, may in fact be offensive. Basically, you wouldn't go to a foreign country and expect those people to understand your English, you would learn their language instead.

We are learning about the Catholic religion in our CD classes on Sunday mornings and how to speak to them about Christ, and it is amazing the different things that offend them and that they do not understand. But the more I learn, the easier it is to speak to my Catholic family about Christ, and have them understand what I am saying.

Every Sunday I hear more and realize how wrong "we" are when we do talk to the Catholics. Some of the things said, are so very offensive to them. And now I understand why.

I wish there were lists like this for Atheists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Amish...

[Trusting Jesus]

I love studying my faith through the eyes of the Jewish people - both Orothodox Jews and Messianic Jews. After all, Jesus was a Jew and so much of the Jewish festivals and traditions point to Messiah. For Christmas I am giving my husband a set of DVD's called "The Life of Messiah from a Jewish Perspective" by Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

Thank you Vickilynn for your post.

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Nathele

[Guest alsgaeach]

God is good! All we need to worry about is serving our Lord and making new diciples.

Edited December 16, 2007 by alsgaeach

[Guest alsgaeach]

I think all of the postings are very interesting, especially from the jewish perspective. Our Lord and Savior is so Good!

[Skeeterbugs]

I think all of the postings are very interesting, especially from the jewish perspective. Our Lord and Savior is so Good!

Most important thing is a Christian will never convert a jew unless the jew trusts a christian. if you come at them all gangbusters and start preaching at them you have turned them off. Jews do not like or trusts Christians. you have to take the time to be their friend first. Also better be ready with a Bible and know all the prophcies of the messiah

[Willow325]

'Vickilynn' date='Dec 3 2007, 04:16 PM' post

Shalom,

For those of us who desire to witness to the Jews without offense, this short list may help.

For those of you who wonder why the Messianic Jews here write as we do, this also may help.

Thank you so much for posting this. I also use the name, Yeshua.

Edited April 21, 2008 by Willow325