Ecclesiology in a nutshell: Christianity, Judaism, Hebrew Roots, and Messianic Judaism

Defining Bilateral Ecclesiology created a bit of banter, got people thinking.

Let’s take this a bit further.

Let’s see if we can define the ecclesiology of Judaism, Christianity, Hebrew Roots, and Messianic Judaism, all in blurbish, bite-sized nutshells, please:

• Judaism: God chose Special People A.
  
• Christianity: God chose Special People A. God sends messiah to Special People A, who reject him. God’s messiah picks Special People B to replace Special People A.
  
• Hebrew Roots: God chose Special People A. God sends messiah to Special People A, who temporarily reject him. God invites everyone to join Special People A.
  
• Messianic Judaism: God chose Special People A. God sends messiah to Special People A, who temporarily reject him. God’s messiah picks new Special People B. God has two special peoples.

At least all 4 can agree that “God chose Special People A”. The streams start forking as soon as Messiah is introduced into the mix:

Did Messiah never show up? Judaism.

Did Messiah replace Special People A with a new Special People B? Christianity.

Did Messiah open up membership to Special People A? Hebrew Roots.

Did Messiah chose a new Special People B whilst keeping Special People A? Messianic Judaism.

Nitpicker’s corner: yes, we’re oversimplifying. Sometimes, though, generalizations are generally helpful.

*update*: Nitpicker’s corner 2: By “special people”, I mean special because of God’s choosing. Please don’t read too deeply into wording. This is a blog post, not an academic paper.