Return of the Remnant: The Rebirth of Messianic Judaism [Paperback]

Michael Schiffman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1996

Messianic Judaism is a modern movement with an ancient past. Its resurgence in these last days may hold the key to world redemption. A bridge between Jews and Christians, today’s Messianic Jewish movement is being used by God to reach his chosen people. Dr. Michael Schiffman, a Messianic Jew, gives us a comprehensive understanding of Messianic Judaism. In Return of the Remnant he: documents Messianic Jewish history from the first century to today; explains where Messianic Judaism fits theologically and culturally; examines difficult issues concerning both Jews and non-Jews--the Law, the tri-unity of God, etc. He reports his research on modern Messianic congregations and shows how Messianic Judaism relates to both synagogue and church. Paperback, 180 pages.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Today, there are hundreds of Messianic congregations around the world. If you are interested in what God is doing among the Jewish people, and how this impacts the Church, you need to read Return of the Remnant.

From the Author

The purpose of this book is to examine the history and theology of Messianic congregations. This will bring a greater understanding of their role in the plan of God pertaining to Jewish people and Gentile believers.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Messianic Jewish Resources International (November 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880226537
• ISBN-13: 978-1880226537
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,394,241 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars DX: Purely ponderous drudgery :-(, September 26, 2002

By 

Molly M. Young (Richardson, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Return of the Remnant: The Rebirth of Messianic Judaism (Paperback)

The author frequently rhetorically contradicts himself. Content information is shallow historically and theologically, and at times is in error. The 38 pages of statistics at the end of the book are wanting and appear to be just filler to increase the size of the book. Not very scholarly.

For more concise, un-biased, information on the history, theology and sociology of Messianic Judaism I highly recommend Carol Harris-Shapiro's book, "Messianic Judaism, A Rabbi's Journey through Religious Change in America." Rabbi Harris-Shapiro gives a more detailed and concise overview.

5.0 out of 5 stars A BOOK BY A PROMINENT "MESSIANIC JEWISH" THEOLOGIAN, May 3, 2011

By 

Steven H. Propp (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Return of the Remnant: The Rebirth of Messianic Judaism (Paperback)

At the time he wrote this book in 1992, Dr. Michael Schiffman was "Spiritual Leader of Kehilat Yeshua Messianic Congregation in New York City. He served as an executive member of the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations and is its theology chairman."

He wrote in the Introduction, "there exists a wide diversity among Messianic congregations today... In spite of their variations, these congregations are bound together through a common Messianic vision and heritage, and a common desire to preach the Gospel to the Jew first as well as the Gentiles. The purpose of this book is to examine the history and theology of Messianic congregations. This will bring a greater understanding of their role in the plan of God pertaining to Jewish people and Gentile believers." (Pg. 2-3)

Here are some additional quotations from the book (NOTE: page references refer to the 171-page 1992 edition):

"Although seventy-seven percent of spiritual leaders label themselves charismatic in orientation... only seventeen percent of them consider the exercise of spiritual gifts a major part of their services. Sixty percent consider it minor." (Pg. 123)

"Most Messianic congregations that participated in this survey have percentages of Jewish membership between twenty-five and fifty percent. This illustrates that Messianic congregations are not putting up a 'middle wall of partition' between Jewish and non-Jewish people. Both are equally members of these congregations."

"Jewish cultural elements in worship seem to have little value in outreach, but have value in identity and setting." (Pg. 150)

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hard questions answered, May 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Return of the Remnant: The Rebirth of Messianic Judaism (Paperback)

Micheal Shiftman gives a very readable introduction to messianic Judism. He addresses areas of conflict between rabinical Judism and traditional christian thought by restoring the first century meaning behind Yeshuah's and Rav. Shaul's(Paul's), teaching. I reccomend it as a book for those who want to know how Messianic Judism has developed,and its historical background.