First Fruits of Zion ← The Corner Tassel

Hayesod: A baker’s dozen of disciples 3

Jan

2013

After 10 weeks of HaYesod sessions, a baker’s dozen of students appear to have a better appreciation of the Jewish context of the Gospel. I hosted the sessions, which were actually held over a span of 12 weeks. But even though I was the host, that doesn’t mean I was the teacher. I learned plenty ...

Four Questions: Making peace between Messianic Judaism and Messianic Israel 4

Jul

2012

When the Messianic Covenant Community was formed earlier this year, leader Scott Diffenderfer said one of the MCC’s goals was to “move forward from the contention between Messianic Judaism and Messianic Israel to the unity of the One New Man.” I saw that as an encouraging sign. There has been definite contention between many in ...

First Fruits of Zion adds Jacob Fronczak to creative team

Jun

2012

Jacob Fronczak, a pastor at a Baptist/Presbyterian congregation in Michigan, has signed on as the newest member of First Fruits of Zion’s creative team. Boaz Michael, president and founder of FFOZ, announced the move earlier this week. The addition of Jacob is part of FFOZ’s newer effort to reach out to Christians in mainstream churches, ...

Batya chastises anti-Christian spirit, then promotes it 18

Apr

2012

It was good to see in a recent newsletter by Batya Wootten of the Messianic Israel Alliance that she is taking to task the anti-Christian spirit among many messianic/Hebrew Roots believers. Such a spirit is a plague in the messianic movement. It breeds arrogance among entire congregations and destroys family relationships unnecessarily and separates messianics ...

‘Twelve Gates’: Book critiques pillars of Two-House theology 8

Mar

2012

Disclosures: Boaz Michael offered me a sneak preview of the book with the working title Judah and Ephraim: The Two House Movement Examined and asked for my feedback, which I gave him. I haven’t seen the completed product, though, so I’m commenting from the perspective of a late draft that didn’t have any of my ...

Biblically Kosher: Something for messianics to chew on

Mar

2012

Go to most messianic gatherings and one of the first things you’ll figure out is that this faith group may single-handedly keep the slow-cooker industry in business. The post-service buffet is typically covered by starch-laden foods that have been simmering for hours in their porcelain pots. But these congregations also will typically post warnings on ...