S3 EP8 | Christian and Jewish Thoughts on the Messiah

In this foundational episode, Ezra and Carly discuss Messianic Judaism and Christianity and identify some of the key ways Messianic Judaism differs from Christianity and why. They unpack the topic that some listeners might be wondering about ­– “Why use different names? Aren’t we all Christians?” – to give a fuller understanding of what Messianic Judaism is and what it isn’t. Using a question and answer format, Ezra and Carly ask each other questions coming from their own perspective and aimed at the other’s background and faith practices. Their discussion includes: Carly defines Christianity Ezra defines Messianic Judaism Is Messianic Judaism for all people or only for Jews? Similarities and the major differences in practices Are Messianic Jews trying to convert Christians to become Jews? Are Christians trying to convert Jews into Christians? What about a Messianic Jewish worship service would be the strangest thing to me as a Christian? And vice versa? Does Messianic Judaism do missions like the Church does? What does the outreach ministry of a Messianic Jewish congregation look like? Are there denominations in Messianic Judaism like there are in the Christian Church? Carly also asks Ezra how he defines himself when people ask him about his religion, which gets at the heart of why Messianic Jews don’t call themselves Christians. They also discuss how the “good news” is an Old Testament concept that appears in Scripture long before the New Testament. Ezra explains how Messianic Judaism typically presents the Gospel in a way that “fills in some blanks” of the way many Christians share it.   You’ll also learn Ezra’s enlightening take on when “Messianic Judaism” really started. Ending on a light, fun note, Carly and Ezra ask each other what their favorite holiday is on ...

All this talk about Jewish people being “God’s Chosen People” ­– what’s up with this “chosenness” stuff? Does God love the Jewish people more than Gentiles? In this episode of A Jew and A Gentile Discuss, Carly hits Ezra with questions on this very subject, asking what many Christians may be thinking but don’t want to ask outright. Want a Free Bag of Amazing Coffee? Enter our monthly drawing at www.ajewandagentilediscuss.org, and you could win a free bag of some of the finest Ethiopian coffee in the world from Lost Tribes Coffee Co. Do you like what you hear? You know, the only way we can continue providing these engaging conversations is through listener support. So, if you like tuning in to A Jew and A Gentile Discuss, would you consider supporting the podcast with a financial gift? Any amount – small or large – helps. Thanks!   Want more discussions more conveniently? You can subscribe to A Jew and A Gentile Discuss wherever you get your podcasts. Sharing: It’s nice Don’t keep us all to yourself! Share the podcast with people you know. Let them in on these exciting conversations, and spark some of your own discussions among friends. Leaving a review about A Jew and A Gentile Discuss will also help spread the word to others about the podcast. Follow and Engage Keep up with us by following and engaging with us on social media under the handle A Jew and A Gentile Discuss. Do you have a comment or question? We’d love to hear from you! Please leave us some feedback or send in your questions for us to consider for future episodes. This podcast is a production of Jewish Voice ...

What is at the top of everyone’s mind in the United States right now (besides the pandemic)? The presidential election, of course! And we wouldn’t want to miss hearing a Jew and a Gentile discuss politics! In this episode of A Jew and A Gentile Discuss, co-hosts Carly Berna and Ezra Benjamin talk about some of the heated topics within the upcoming elections.  They discuss:  General voting behavior of Christians and Jews, including the 2016 elections  Each candidate’s views on:  Israel  Anti-Semitism  Jerusalem  One-state or two-state solutions  The important issues that Ezra and Carly consider when voting, including:  Stewardship  Religious freedoms  Poor/underprivileged policy  Identity issues  Constitutional rights  National security  Judeo–Christian values  Our right to vote and its importance  This episode is the beginning of a three-part series where Carly and Ezra will talk about the important issues before the election occurs. The week of the election, they will follow up on what the results mean going forward. And then the week following the election, they will discuss any further developments and impact from the election results.  For more conversations around intriguing, relevant topics, check out additional episodes of A Jew and A Gentile Discuss wherever you listen to your podcasts or right here at www.ajewandagentilediscuss.org.  ...