Messianic Judaism Is Not Christianity: A Loving Call to Unity

The full title is, "Some Messianic Jews Say 'Messianic Judaism IS NOT Christianity,' A Loving Call To Unity" (Grand Rapids: Chosen Books, 2004). Stan Telchin writes as an 80-year-old Jewish Christian with a long and extensive experience in Christian pastoring and evangelism. In Chapter 7 entitled "One New Man" he presents an eloquent loving plea for unity in the Body of Christ, based on his own personal experiences. "... while before I was saved my identity was in the fact that I was Jewish, now that I am saved my identity is in Messiah Jesus. The Bible tells me that I am Complete in Him. Of course, I am still Jewish and still a man and still an American, but my spiritual identity is now in Him and not in Rabbinic Judaism." (P. 87). Telchin says that Rabbinic Judaism is a non-Biblical man-made "Judaism" established after 70 AD, and that the only authentic Judaism is found in Jesus Christ, the True Messiah of Judaism. He bases his claim that our only true spiritual identity is found in Christ on texts like 2 Cor. 5:16-17; Gal. 3:26-28; 1:11-12; Eph. 2:11-16; 3:4-6; 4:1-6, 12-14, 22-24; and John 17:20, etc. Telchin describes how he discovered his true spiritual identity in Christ. "What I was reading seemed to be saying that my Jewishness did not matter to God, and that other believer's Gentileness did not matter to God. In God's sight we were equally new creations. ... --if Jesus is Lord of our lives, we are joined together spiritually as new creations. ... Galatians 3:26-28: `You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.'" (p. 90). "Then in Galatians 1:11-12, Paul stressed that Gospel he was preaching did not come to him from men. It was revealed to him by God. This verse emphasized for me that much of what I was hearing in the Messianic synagogue I attended were the differing opinions and theories of men and not the Word of God. When I really understood this truth, I began to look differently at myself and those around me. I began to see individual believers from what I perceived to be God's perspective of them." (p. 91). "I had become confused by the different winds of doctrine that were being proclaimed by certain leaders in Messianic Judaism. ... Because we were being encouraged to follow the teachings of men rather than the Word of God. Why was that? Because our leaders did not stress or demand our full submission to God's Word. Instead they seemed to be trying to gain the acceptance of the rabbis and of the Jewish establishment." (p. 93). "...Messiah Jesus is to be our model. According to God's Word, our present objective is to grow and become more like Jesus... Ephesians 4:22-24 ... This passage says to put off the old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, to submit to becoming new in the attitude of our minds and finally t

Wow! This was one the most enjoyable books I have read in years. Stan is truly a servant of God, and his heart shows he can spot sin when it raises its ugly head. I agree with Stan that Messianic Judaism is not part of the Church that Jesus started. I just wished this book had been out years earlier. Stan, keep up the good work. Amen!

"Messianic Judaism Is Not Christianity": A Loving Call To Unity by Stan Telchin (an octogenarian, Messianic Jew, and for fourteen years the senior pastor of a church in Maryland made up of Jews and Gentiles from every walk of life, denomination, size and color) specifically addresses the growing problem of the concept of Messianic Judaism originally intended to appeal to Jewish people unexpectedly appeal to Gentiles. Pastor Telchin reveals Messianic Judaism as a divisive movement within the Christian community, as ineffective in proselytizing Jews, and reiterates God's intention for the Christian Church to serve as "one new man" and as an advocate for unity among the body of believers in Christ. "Messianic Judaism Is Not Christianity" is highly recommended reading for both the clergy and those members of a Christian congregation having to deal with the attractions and divisiveness of the appealing heresy.

I have been involved in the Messianic movement and an active member of a Messianic congregation for more than 20 years. Stan Telchin's critique of the movement is both true and accurate. This is the book that many leaders of the Messianic movement will not want you to read. I would encourage all Messianic Jews to seriously consider the issues voiced in this important book.