Dr. Couch, I noticed that Miles J. Stanford’s website mentioned that he
is opposed to Messianic Judaism/Hebrew Christianity. I know he was a
dispensationalist, so why would he be opposing Messianic assemblies?
ANSWER: Many Messianic assemblies isolate themselves from the complete body of
Christ which would of course include Gentiles believers. Some also want
to go back to the Law. Some “almost” oppose salvation by grace alone,
and place themselves into legalism. Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum is also
concerned about this and is working hard to help these assemblies be
truly dispensational/biblical. Practicing certain Jewish ceremonies and
honoring their Jewish tradition is not the problem. But turning such
practices into a legalism is a problem.
I do not know all of Stanford’s objections, so I
am giving you what I think, and more than likely, this is what he also
had in mind. Fruchtenbaum remarks that many assemblies are not very
biblically astute and are not well theologically trained. Some almost
look down at Gentile churches and Gentile Christians. Unfortunately,
many Gentile Christians do not absorb well Jews into their church
fellowship. And of course this is certainly wrong. And unfortunately for
us all, cultural and social differences can divide though this is not
supposed to be.
Thanks for asking,
Dr. Mal Couch
