Galatians for the Practical Messianic

Galatians for the Practical Messianic
Author: J. K. McKee
Publisher:
Total Pages: 404
Release: 2021-05-26
Genre:
ISBN:

Paul's Epistle to the Galatians is easily the most difficult to understand text for people within today's broad Messianic movement. Galatians has been historically interpreted by Christianity as delivering Believers a stark choice between God's Law and God's grace. Those who choose any obedience to the Law, according to this view of Paul, are unfaithful to the Messiah and the saving power of the gospel. Supposedly, Paul was desperately concerned for anyone who was trying to keep the Torah of Moses. Consequently, Galatians is a frequently-quoted text to today's Messianic Believers, many of whom are simply trying to live a life of holiness by obeying God's commandments in accordance with the example of obedience modeled by Yeshua (Jesus).Understanding Galatians in its original context, for its original audience, and for the original issues that it addressed, can be a severe challenge. Was the issue that the Galatians faced forced circumcision, followed by salvation--or was the issue ritual proselyte conversion for inclusion among God's people? Likewise, who were the people errantly influencing the Galatians? Were they authorized members of the assembly, or misguided outsiders with a definitive agenda?In the commentary Galatians for the Practical Messianic, TNN Online editor J.K. McKee takes a direct look at the issues of Paul's letter as he rebukes the Galatians for errors that have crept into their midst. Engaging with contemporary Christian scholarship on Galatians, critical questions regarding common conclusions of Paul's words are asked. Are Paul and Yeshua truly at odds when it comes to the Torah? Were the Jerusalem leaders and Paul at constant odds with one another? How do Paul's Pharisaical background and views affect the composition of this letter? What were the spiritual dynamics present in Galatia? What does the term "works of law" really mean? These are only a few of the questions that are considered. Likewise, some of the proposals from the New Perspective of Paul in theological studies are also analyzed.The Epistle to the Galatians gives us a small peek into the world of the First Century Body of Messiah, and the social dynamics and divisions between Jewish and non-Jewish Believers that had to be resolved. Many of the issues that the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 would address had yet to be discussed. Many did not understand the Abrahamic blessing of his seed being a blessing to the whole world. Many thought that inclusion among God's people came via ethnicity, rather than faith. Many did not know the proper place of obedience to the Torah in the post-resurrection era. Paul's letter set in motion the need for these issues to be addressed by the First Century faith community.This commentary will aid many Messianic Believers who have difficulty with Paul's letter to the Galatians. It also provides solid, exegetical answers to those who are skeptical, if not critical, of today's Messianic movement.Also included in this commentary is an exposition on Acts 13:13-14:28: Paul's visit to Southern Galatia.

Hebrews for the Practical Messianic

Hebrews for the Practical Messianic
Author: J. K. Mckee
Publisher: Createspace Independent Pub
Total Pages: 316
Release: 2012-04-23
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9781475237092

The Epistle to the Hebrews is one of the most overlooked texts in the entire Bible, and is greatly unappreciated by many in today's Christianity, as well as the Messianic movement. A profoundly spiritual and intellectual masterpiece, the theme of this treatise is undeniably Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ), and His supremacy over all. The author engages his audience by describing Yeshua as the Creator, being superior to angels, Moses, Joshua, and as mediator of the New Covenant. The author comes to these conclusions using some very unique ways, employing First Century rhetoric and literary devices that often evade your average reader. His sacrifice has provided men and women with permanent atonement for their sins, if they will truly choose to accept it.The Epistle to the Hebrews asks First Century questions for a First Century audience. The Jewish revolt in the Land of Israel was just getting started, and the Temple was on the verge of being destroyed. Many Jews from all over the Mediterranean world—who had acknowledged Yeshua as Messiah—did not know what to do. Was this the end of their faith? Many were at the possible point of denying the Lord. The author of Hebrews, employing carefully constructed and Scripturally-based arguments, advocates that to not heed the warnings of the past brought Ancient Israel extreme judgment—and to deny the Messiah would bring even worse judgment. The bulk of his arguments are deeply rooted in the Jewish theology of the First Century that we see attested to in a variety of ancient sources such as the Septuagint, the Apocrypha, the Pseudepigrapha, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Josephus, Philo, and traditions later recorded in the Mishnah and Talmud.In the commentary Hebrews for the Practical Messianic, TNN Online editor J.K. McKee tackles some of the difficult hermeneutical questions that are asked when we consider this text for today. Hebrews asks ancient questions that had to be answered by an ancient audience: Hebrews has background issues that cannot be answered solely by a surface reading of the text. Who wrote Hebrews? When was it written? How broad was its original audience? These are some of the many questions that surround Hebrews. The Twenty-First Century questions that Hebrews asks are difficult for many Messianics to consider: What should the role of the Greek Septuagint be in our theology? Do we ever make the mistake of uplifting the Torah over Yeshua? How do we maintain a high regard for Moses, but understand that Yeshua is superior?In a very careful way, the issues of Hebrews are addressed fairly and scholastically. We need to understand who Yeshua is to us, who Moses is to us, what the New Covenant is to us, and how we should never lose sight of our saving faith in Him. You will see that the Epistle to the Hebrews is a truly inspired and profound text.

Galatians

Galatians
Author: N. T. Wright
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Total Pages: 519
Release: 2021-05-25
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1467462179

The first major biblical commentary from the pen of N. T. Wright While full of theological import, Paul’s letter to the Galatians also captures and memorializes a significant moment in the early history of Christianity. This commentary from N. T. Wright—the inaugural volume of the CCF series—offers a theological interpretation of Galatians that never loses sight of the political concerns of its historical context. With these two elements of the letter in dialogue with each other, readers can understand both what Paul originally meant and how his writing might be faithfully used to respond to present questions. Each section of verse-by-verse commentary in this volume is followed by Wright’s reflections on what the text says about Christian formation today, making this an excellent resource for individual readers and those preparing to teach or preach on Galatians. The focus on formation is especially appropriate for this biblical letter, in which Paul wrote to his fellow early Christians, “My children—I seem to be in labor with you all over again, until the Messiah is fully formed in you!”

Misunderstanding Galatians

Misunderstanding Galatians
Author: M. I. Cha
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 186
Release: 2021-09-16
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1666713392

This commentary on Galatians seeks to provide an originalist understanding of the epistle by viewing Paul as a Torah-observant apostle of the Messiah who was arguing against compulsory proselyte conversion into Pharisaic Judaism and not the Old Testament law of God in general. As such, this commentary pays closer attention to the perpetuity of the Old Testament law of God, Paul’s nuanced use of “law” (nomos), Jewish oral tradition, and the historical context of gentile proselyte conversion in Paul’s time. The goal of this commentary is to combine the strengths of evangelical hermeneutics and recent advances in Pauline studies to arrive at a more accurate understanding of the original author’s intended meaning within his own historical context.

Romans for the Practical Messianic

Romans for the Practical Messianic
Author: J. K. Mckee
Publisher: CreateSpace
Total Pages: 452
Release: 2015-01-03
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9781497322240

Paul's letter to the Romans is easily discerned to be the most influential letter ever written in human history. It has had a significant impact on religious authorities, governmental authorities, and philosophies on God, human behavior, and societal order. There is no denying the great theological importance that the Epistle to the Romans has had throughout Christian history, especially since the Protestant Reformation.Romans was written against the backdrop of both the Apostle Paul setting his ministry activity westward toward Spain, and the Roman Jewish Believers returning to Rome after the Edict of Claudius, and finding that things would not exactly be the same with the assembly of Messiah followers being majority non-Jewish. Paul's letter to the Romans was written as a presentation of his theology of the gospel, to a group of people with whom he was not directly acquainted, but also to issue some admonitions to their circumstances, so that all might get along. Romans is a key epistle for Pauline theology to be sure, regarding issues surrounding salvation, justification and righteousness, the Jewish people and the Kingdom of Israel, the nations, and the Torah of Moses. Yet, Romans is also about some significant First Century issues regarding the redemption of the Jewish people and the nations, and them functioning together in one Body of Messiah.In much of Romans examination, only up until the past few decades, Paul's letter has principally been viewed as a theological treatise and not a letter written to ancient Messiah followers. While there are many useful perspectives and insights offered by those past voices who have considered Romans—the setting of Romans is quite important and most relevant for the broad, contemporary Messianic movement. Much of the ancient setting of Romans, with the Jewish Believers getting reintegrated into the fellowships of Believers, parallels much of what we see in our own faith community. The Messianic movement of today is a majority non-Jewish group of people—yet both Jewish and non-Jewish Believers do rely on one another, and should be eagerly about “lov[ing] one another with mutual affection; outdo[ing] one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10, NRSV).This Messianic study on Romans is definitely one produced for the 2010s, and for the challenges that the Messianic movement presently faces! TNN Online editor J.K. McKee offers a compelling examination of this letter, appreciating the perspectives of Law-positive Christian traditions which have preceded us, but one which is also engaged with some contemporary perspectives. These include proposals present via the New Perspective on Paul, studies and thoughts regarding the “I” of Romans ch. 7, egalitarian views regarding figures such as Phoebe and Junia in Romans ch. 16, and most especially current Messianic handling of the topic of Israel in Romans chs. 9-11. Romans for the Practical Messianic is a commentary that should be welcome in many Messianic libraries, as it interjects some well needed information into our developing theology of both Paul and the mission of God.Also included in this commentary is an exposition on Acts 28:11-31: Paul's arrival in Rome.

The Loftus Delusion: Why Atheism Fails and Messianic Israelism Prevails

The Loftus Delusion: Why Atheism Fails and Messianic Israelism Prevails
Author: David Reuben Stone
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 226
Release: 2010-02-14
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0557320631

David Reuben Stone has published the definitive critique of the anti-Biblical atheism of John W. Loftus. Also included: 1. New mathematical proof of Wagner's "Modus Tollens Probabilized" theorem. 2. Improved inductive logic in Intelligent Design arguments of Behe, Dembski, and Ross. 3. ACPO occasionalist metaphysics. 4. New debate resolution procedure (STONE). 5. STONE-based defense of Minimalist Theism. 6. Human Ignorance Principle used to refute atheistic arguments from evil. 7. Justification of conservative Biblical theology. 8. Biblical Gospel presentation. 9. Messianic Israelism definition and defense. 10. 130 Scriptural arguments for Torah-observant Biblical ethics. 11. An ecclesiology of church-Israel identity refuting Dispensationalism and Supersessionism. 12. Detailed critique of opposition, including: John W. Loftus, Elliott Sober, Jordan Howard Sobel, Bart D. Ehrman, Graham R. Oppy, and Michael L. Brown. Visit www.loftus-delusion.com for details.

Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians

Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians
Author: N. T. Wright
Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press
Total Pages: 201
Release: 2004-01-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1611640423

Enlarged print edition now available! Tom Wright's eye-opening comments on these letters are combined, passage-by-passage, with his fresh and inviting new translation of the Bible text. Making use of his true scholar's understanding, yet writing in an approachable and anecdotal style, Wright captures the tension and excitement of the time as the letters seek to assert Paul's authority and his teaching against other influences. Tom Wright has undertaken a tremendous task: to provide guides to all the books of the New Testament, and to include in them his own translation of the entire text. Each short passage is followed by a highly readable discussion with background information, useful explanations and suggestions, and thoughts as to how the text can be relevant to our lives today. A glossary is included at the back of the book. The series is suitable for group study, personal study, or daily devotions.

Introduction to Messianic Judaism

Introduction to Messianic Judaism
Author: Zondervan,
Publisher: Zondervan Academic
Total Pages: 336
Release: 2013-02-05
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0310555663

This book is the go-to source for introductory information on Messianic Judaism. Editors David Rudolph and Joel Willitts have assembled a thorough examination of the ecclesial context and biblical foundations of the diverse Messianic Jewish movement. Unique among similar works in its Jew-Gentile partnership, this book brings together a team of respected Messianic Jewish and Gentile Christian scholars, including Mark Kinzer, Richard Bauckham, Markus Bockmuehl, Craig Keener, Darrell Bock, Scott Hafemann, Daniel Harrington, R. Kendall Soulen, Douglas Harink and others. Opening essays, written by Messianic Jewish scholars and synagogue leaders, provide a window into the on-the-ground reality of the Messianic Jewish community and reveal the challenges, questions and issues with which Messianic Jews grapple. The following predominantly Gentile Christian discussion explores a number of biblical and theological issues that inform our understanding of the Messianic Jewish ecclesial context. Here is a balanced and accessible introduction to the diverse Messianic Jewish movement that both Gentile Christian and Messianic Jewish readers will find informative and fascinating.

Baxter's Explore the Book

Baxter's Explore the Book
Author: J. Sidlow Baxter
Publisher: Zondervan
Total Pages: 1846
Release: 2010-09-21
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0310871395

Explore the Book is not a commentary with verse-by-verse annotations. Neither is it just a series of analyses and outlines. Rather, it is a complete Bible survey course. No one can finish this series of studies and remain unchanged. The reader will receive lifelong benefit and be enriched by these practical and understandable studies. Exposition, commentary, and practical application of the meaning and message of the Bible will be found throughout this giant volume. Bible students without any background in Bible study will find this book of immense help as will those who have spent much time studying the Scriptures, including pastors and teachers. Explore the Book is the result and culmination of a lifetime of dedicated Bible study and exposition on the part of Dr. Baxter. It shows throughout a deep awareness and appreciation of the grand themes of the gospel, as found from the opening book of the Bible through Revelation.