Swot analysis is a strategic planning tool that you use to ensure that your venture (usually business) achieves its goals. The acronym stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats.
I thought it might be helpful if we all devote a few moments to apply this to Messianic Judaism. I'll try to get it started and then you, the readers, can see what you think should be added to it.
STRENGTHS:
Scholarship
Infrastructure
WEAKNESSES:
Lack of unity
OPPORTUNITIES:
Scholarship: we need scholars to compile works dealing with Messianic Jewish Theology (MJT); Systematic MJT; Messianic apologetics; Messianic hermeneutics;
Community: we need to learn from the Orthodox in some ways. There should be actual Torah study amongst men at Messianic shul. Chaverah groups should be more inclusive of Christians and non-Messianic Jews as we seek to build bridges to the broader community.
Halachah: we need to develop battei din, local councils which coordinate with regional councils that develop halachah. This must involve the establishment of scholarly offices and Houses of Study to ensure that our elders have a thorough understanding of Torah and Tradition.
THREATS:
Bilateral Ecclesiology: what could be more divisive to the Body?
Unrecognized Mediation: the idea that Yeshua saves members of Israel even if they don't accept Him personally.
Errancy of Scripture: the idea that the Scriptures contain errors. This idea is a direct attack on the authority of Scripture.
Non-Divinity of Yeshua: the idea that Yeshua wasn't really HaShem, that He was a man and possibly more than a man but definitely not G-d.
Non-Messianic Rabbinic Judaism as Primary Authority: This idea promoted by such groups as FFOZ is extremely dangerous. We should respect the Rabbis historical sources on the ancestral traditions. On any matter that could potentially affect Messianic Jewish Theology, they should not be given authority---such authority was given to the Holy Spirit working through the Kahal of Believers in Yeshua as represented by local or regional battei din (councils of elders).
QUESTION 22:
Can you think of any ways to improve this Messianic SWOT analysis? Anything to add? Or do you disagree with anything I've presented?
I don't think that its proper to do SWOT on the Messianic Jewish Movement and the Messianic independent movement as a single entity. It's like doing one on Catholics and Protestants - true, we have many things in common, yet in many ways, we are worlds apart.
ReplyDeleteIf you believe that they are all members of one Body then it's appropriate. It's appropriate for organizations.
DeletePeter, the day you will try to reconnect with the Baptists and the Catholics (i.e. other "members of one Body") is the day that you can come back and tell me that Messianic Jews should join forces with those who see the various aspects of their theology as "threats".
Delete"what could be more divisive to the Body?"
ReplyDeleteOh, how about trying to compel Gentiles/Christians to live and dress like Jews or telling Jews that they are really not Israel, but only a tiny little portion of it (so we Christians will tell you how things will roll in OUR Judaism).
Gene,
DeleteYou are aware that Jews (House of Judah) represent only three tribes, right?
"You are aware that Jews (House of Judah) represent only three tribes, right?"
DeleteThe problem is that I may be from the House of Israel, not Judah. Jews=Israelites.
In regards to the need for a place to study... shameless plug...
ReplyDeleteWhat about:
http://torahresourceinstitute.com
Wish some of your readers would sign up for classes there and take the internet study and debate to a different level....
Shabbat Shalom
I'm honored that you would visit my blog. Let me know if there's anything I can do for you or your ministry.
DeleteShalom,
Peter
Hello. I saw your blog today only because it was contained in a Google alert on things Messianic. By experience I have roots in the Lutheran denomination but have been interested and pursuing Jewish roots for 6 years this month. Just finished writing a novella and about to self publish it on my 6 year experience and hopefully invite others to start looking at the "ancient paths." I keep going back to sources like torah class.com and Bereans On line for my education as I do not know a Rabbinic type but have been participating in an on line study of Pirkei Avot by Keren Hanna Pryor which has fulfilled a need.. I find at large the church is disinterested in this perspective, but there may be small pockets of people who are interested. Before you write off FFOZ, in my opinion their weekly EDrash is rather direct in trying to challenge century-held views on things theologic. My novella will be published through CrossBooks perhaps in October or November of this year. I agree with your points about the lack of unity and the need for MJ scholarship, and think MJTI provides that as does the organization with which Tim Hegg is associated just to name 2. For Shabbat worship I attend Congregation Melech Yisrael in Toronto which streams their service on line.. Were it not for CMY, this path would have been impractical to continue. Thank you. My name is David russell, http://graftedinandonthejourney.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteDavid,
DeleteYou have no idea the magnitude of a blessing it is to hear from you, my brother. I welcome you. You are embarking on the most difficult (and rewarding) of journeys. I have no doubt that your story is amazing and I hope that you will honor us all with a link to your book when it becomes available for purchase. I would be happy to create a blog post for such a link should it become available. Also, thank you for commenting and engaging with the discussion. I look forward to hearing more from you.
May you be strengthened!