Rabbenu
A Discussion of Messianic Judaism, the Emerging Messianic Jewish Paradigm, and Related Leadership Issues from the Preoccupied Mind of Rabbi Stuart Dauermann, PhD.
All Contents ©2004-2007 Stuart Dauermann - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Richard John Neuhaus on Kinzer's Book
Richard John Neuhaus is the Editor of "First Things," a well-regarded magazine criquing modern culture from the perspective of serious and ecumenical Christian commitment. Neuhaus is a Roman Catholic Priest, but doesn't flaunt that office. He comes across always as a first-class intellectual with a nuanced understanding of modern culture and of the broader religious scene. I want to direct you ALL to his website, at http://www.firstthings.com/. Look at his musings of May 24, 2006, on Mark Kinzer's new book, often discussed here on my blog, "Post Missionary Messianic Judaism: Redefining Christian Engagement With the Jewish People." "First Things" is a good subscription for serious minded and ecumenically oriented intellectuals. What follows is the entirety of Neuhaus's musings on the book, from a running commentary section of his magazine's website. I commend the site and the magazine to all who will find these musings cogent and urbane.
Again, please visit the site and read the posting under May 24, 2006 concerning Kinzer's book. As of June 12, 2005, the URL for this posting is http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/index.php?paged=2
posted by Stuart Dauermann @ 9:48 PM
2 comments
Very interesting article. Some observations:
1) No doubt there will be some response asking from what source Dr. Kinzer received his Smicha.
2) The question of his ordination, along with the questions posed to the Church, might firmly place "Messianic Judaism" in some segment of Christianity.
3) One wonders what Neuhaus understands as "postmissionary." Being a Roman Catholic Priest, does he understand the term in the same way Kinzer means it? Has Kinzer anticipated multiple audiences interacting with his work?
To Anonymous,
There are some who will continue to "place 'Messianic Judaism' in some segment of Christianity" no matter what anyone says, does, or is. Just as Reform and Conservative Jews cannot allow themselves to be un-labeled by Haredi Jews who would deny their legitimacy, so, those of us who are Messianic Jews and serious about a Messianic Judaism will carry on, regardless of how some, well meaning or otherwise, might wish to deny us Jewish legitimacy. By the way, we DO respect the wider Jewish world's right to establish it's own boundaries and definitions.
Increasingly, there are opinions both for and against our legitimacy in the wider Jewish world.
As for Neuhaus' understanding of "postmissionary," I have no doubt that he understands quite well. His discernment and perception in things theological is among the deepest you will encounter.
As for Mark's Smicha, it is from our Union. Like any other branch of Judaism, it is our own "camp" that confers smicha upon qualified leaders. Nothing new here.;
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