Towards a Messianic Jewish Theology of Reconciliation: The Strategic Engagement of Messianic Jewish Discourse in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Messianic Jews can play a significant part as peacemakers in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A theology and praxis of reconciliation is needed to address its political, social psychological and theological dimensions. Recent discussions of Palestinian and Israeli strategic proposals for conflict resolution provide a context in which a survey of Messianic Jewish understandings of the present conflict, proposals to end it, and the contribution Messianic Jews can make are analysed and evaluated. Concluding proposals for the development of a Messianic Jewish theology of reconciliation include the need for hope and the development of intra-group discourse that can engage strategically with other conflict partners.

This book addresses the universal theological dimension of reconciliation in the context of the Israeli Messianic Jewish and Palestinian Christian divide. Palestinian Christians and Israeli Messianic Jews share a belief in Jesus as the son of God and Messiah. Often, though, that is all they have in common. This remarkable book, written in collaboration by a local Palestinian Christian and an Israeli Messianic Jew, seeks to bridge this gap by addressing head on, divisive theological issues (as well as their political implications) such as land, covenant, prophecy and eschatology which separate their two communities. The struggle for reconciliation is painful and often extremely difficult for all of us. This unique work seeks to show a way forward. COMMENDATIONS "In a world that wants to see only one side of every conflict (and this one especially), where people believe only their own propaganda, and where many Christians inhabit hard shells of theological, political and apocalyptic certainties, this book is a bravely different voice. Rather, it is two voices talking carefully, honestly, graciously, respectfully and truthfully to each other - as sisters and brothers in the Messiah should. This is a unique conversation in which each partner, Messianic Jewish Israeli and Palestinian Christian, gives full expression to all that they are and think and feel about themselves and the conflict in their land. We are treated to some stretching theological debate and some honest self-criticism. But above all we come to share the hope and courage that shines through the pain and struggle." - Christopher J. H. Wright, International Ministries Director, Langham Partnership, UK "The Palestinian-Israeli divide may be the most intractable conflict of our time. With great courage, honestly facing the turbulent political, historical, and theological landscape which authentic reconciliation must engage, Munayer and Loden open up fresh space. Given the divides between their communities, this book is a remarkable achievement, a cry of hope from the land where Jesus walked." - Chris Rice, Director of the Center for Reconciliation, Duke Divinity School, USA

Despite the Jewish origins of specific theological ideas, the proximity of concepts that appear to have become central to Christian faith raises a measure of theological uneasiness and concern if not fear among many Jews. There is a real apprehension, perhaps as one of my teachers, Rabbi Moshe Berger said, of being assimilated spiritually and losing one's identity. In any case, unintentionally perhaps, the theological topics that seem too Christian, become, if not taboo, then relegated to the domain of scholars where the impact is rarely felt. This reality presents a unique opportunity that goes far beyond exploring and discussing topics in Jewish studies that may not be typical. It raises the opportunity to consider Christianity and Judaism in a different light. I regularly come across individuals who were either born Jewish and have converted to Christianity or vice versa, individuals who come from Christian backgrounds and have converted to Judaism. There is often an unfortunate link between some of them. Many of them hold incredibly angry sentiments against their previous religious traditions and community. Now at first glance, that might make sense. Some people do not convert to another religion unless something significant happens to cause them to look elsewhere. However, the animosity and the rancor that many such individuals maintain is disturbing. It does nothing to fight anti-Semitism, specifically in Christian sectors, nor does it do anything to promote the general welfare of spiritual communities. Christianity and Judaism are seen as evil or deceptive by either side. Age-old accusations often surface as if nothing has occurred in the post-Shoah world. However, much has changed, though much remains to be done in combatting misconceptions about either group.Now, all that being said, why should any Jew in their right mind wish to consider or perhaps reconsider Christianity from a different vantage point? It is a fair question. There are potentially many reasons. Intellectual honesty is an important one, I believe. A reactionary approach to Christianity may bode well from an emotional and even historical perspective. It may even justify a rejection of Christianity, theologically. However, does it do justice to the reality that many of the theological bricks that Christianity is constructed on are "Jewish bricks"? That does not mean as Gabriele Boccaccini has pointed out that the house itself is Jewish. My interpretation of Boccaccini's approach is that Christianity is a Judaic system bereft of Jewishness.This book seeks to explore alternative approaches to Christianity that permit Jews to consider it as something else besides idolatry without abandoning traditional Jewish theology.

Seeking to explain the enigma of Messianic Judaism in North America, this work deals with issues of persecution, misrepresentation, and defamation by both Jewish and Christian groups against Messianic Jews. The text considers several aspects of Messianic Judaism, including: its attempt to explode the ancient walls erected by Jews and Christians toward one another; its search for renewal of the Jewish roots of the body of Christ; and its efforts to express biblical faith and Messianic living in a contemporary Jewish dress.

Both Ched Myers and Elaine Enns work for Bartimaeus Ministries in California. Myers, the author of Binding the Strong Man and Who Will Roll Away the Stone?, focuses on building biblical literary, church renewal, and faith-based witness for justice. Enns has worked for twenty years in the field of restorative justice and conflict transformation. Book jacket.

In Christ and Reconciliation Veli-Matti Karkkainen develops a constructive Christology and theology of salvation in dialogue with the best of Christian tradition, with contemporary theology in its global and contextual diversity, and with other major living faiths. Karkkainen's Constructive Christian Theology for the Pluralistic World is a five-volume project that aims to develop a new approach to and method of doing Christian theology in our pluralistic world at the beginning of the third millennium. Topics such as diversity, inclusivity, violence, power, cultural hybridity, and justice are part of the constructive theological discussion along with classical topics such as the messianic consciousness, incarnation, atonement, and the person of Christ. With the metaphor of hospitality serving as the framework for his discussion, Karkkainen engages Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism in sympathetic and critical mutual dialogue while remaining robustly Christian in his convictions. Never before has a full-scale doctrinal theology been attempted in such a wide and deep dialogical mode.