How Jewish Is Christianity?

A major issue facing first-century believers was what to do with Gentile peoples who wanted to be part of the growing movement of Messiah followers.Today, the problem is reversed. Is there space within the scope of Christianity for a Messianic congregation: believers of Christ who maintain a Jewish culture that reflects Jewish background and customs?Understand the scope of this discussion from six contemporary contributors who have lived and wrestled with this issue as they present their arguments for both sides of the debate: John Fischer, a rabbi of Congregation Ohr Chadash and Chairman of Judaic Studies at St. Petersburg Theological SeminaryArnold G. Fruchtenbaum, who served with the Chosen People Ministries and Christian Jew Foundation and is now the founder and director of Ariel MinistriesGershon Nerel, who served as "Israel Secretary" for the International Messianic Jewish Alliance and has also been a member of the executive committee for the Messianic Jewish Alliance of IsraelDavid Stern, the translator of the Jewish New Testament from Greek to EnglishWill Varner, a professor of biblical studies at the Master’s College, CA, and the director of the Israel Bible Extension campus of this college in IsraelThe book concludes with a chapter on the future for Messianic Jews and a directory of messianic movement organizations.The Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.

Stanley N. Gundry is executive vice president and editor-in-chief for the Zondervan Corporation. He has been an influential figure in the Evangelical Theological Society, serving as president of ETS and on its executive committee, and is adjunct professor of Historical Theology at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. He is the author of seven books and has written many articles appearing in popular and academic periodicals. The late Louis Goldberg (ThD, Grace Theological Seminary), general editor, served on the faculty of Moody Bible Institute for thirty years and was the author of Our Jewish Friends, Are There Two Ways of Atonement? and other books. William Varner (EdD, Temple University), formerly dean of the Institute of Biblical Studies with Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, is professor of biblical studies at The Master's College in California. Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum (ThM, PhD, New York University) is the founder and director of Ariel Ministries. David Stern (MDiv, Fuller Theological Seminary) is the translator of the Jewish New Testament and the Complete Jewish Bible. John Fischer (ThD, California Graduate School of Theology, PhD University of South Florida) is a rabbi and chairman of Judaic Studies at St. Petersburg Theological Seminary. Gershon Nerel (PhD, Hebrew University, Jerusalem) has served with the International Messianic Jewish Alliance and the Messianic Jewish Alliance of Israel.