Christine Burden reviews 'The Messianic Church Arising' by Dr Robert D Heidler (2006, 224 pages, Glory of Zion International Ministries).

I first read this book in 2008 and was so impressed with it that I bought several copies to give away. In re-reading it more recently I have found it just as refreshing, relevant and challenging for the times in which we are living! It is a book about restoring the Jewish roots of Christianity.

Heidler, senior pastor of Glory of Zion Outreach Centre (USA), is passionate about restoring the Church to its covenant roots. His book is divided into two parts: the first entitled 'Discovering Our Lost Inheritance' and the second dedicated to 'Recovering Our Lost Inheritance'. In addition to this there are three helpful appendices dealing with God's heart for the Jews, the Jewishness of the early Church and the Jewish Feasts.

This book is thoroughly researched and well-presented and I did not find it difficult to read. As an aside, as a Messianic believer myself I appreciated the thoughtful note included that this book was written for Gentiles and for that reason the author uses terms and expressions easily understandable to Gentile Christians (p2).

This book, about restoring the Jewish roots of Christianity, is refreshing, relevant and challenging for the times in which we are living.

Messianic Revival

In the introduction, the author reveals a startling fact: as recently as 1967, there were no known Messianic congregations anywhere in the world! Over the centuries, Jewish people had come to recognise their Messiah, but they had been assimilated into the church and had "forfeited their Jewish identity" (p13).

However, everything began to change after the Six Day War in 1967, when Israel regained the City of Jerusalem. For the first time in nearly 2,000 years, Jerusalem was no longer "trampled underfoot by the Gentiles" (Luke 21:24). Since then, more Jewish people have come to recognise who Jesus is than in all the generations since the 1st Century AD – and many of these believers are retaining their Jewish identity.

Heidler goes on to note that now, there are Messianic congregations worldwide. This has not happened since the days of the early church. God is doing something: "The veil that had been over the eyes of the Jewish people has begun to lift" (p13)! Heidler then examines when and why this began, which is one of the main thrusts of the book.

Since 1967, more Jewish people have come to know Jesus than in all the generations since the first century AD.

Chapters of Interest

In his second chapter, 'The Root and The Branches', Dr Heidler looks at the influence of paganism, which he believes has caused mankind to lose "any understanding of spiritual reality" (p34). He raises many interesting points that could be quite a challenge to believers. For example, he discusses the effects that a pagan mindset has had, and still has, on Gentile understandings of God's relationship with the Jewish people – causing many Gentiles to struggle to see that there is one God, rather than 'one of many gods'.

There is also an excellent chapter entitled 'Living in Covenant', in which the meaning of covenant is unpacked. Heidler refers to Genesis 26:26-28 and states that covenant is "the key to security" in a lawless world (p108). Later, he compares 'cutting' covenant (the correct terminology) with "Jesus our Covenant Partner" (p114). He explains that believers are now in covenant with God and tells of the blessings which come from that.

The book contains useful appendices on the Jewishness of the Early Church and on celebrating the Feasts as God's appointed times. In this the author takes us through each feast in turn, showing how to appropriate them into the Christian life. A special mention goes to Appendix 1, 'God's Heart for the Jews'. I found that this chapter touched my heart, and I could see the compassion Dr Heidler has for the Jewish people. He reminds the reader that God has not forgotten Israel – and that there is an urgent need for the Church to wake up and mature in its understanding of the Bible, which is very much a Jewish book.

This is a book that will show you how to regain your lost inheritance as part of the 'One New Man' with Jewish believers.

Breaking Down the Wall

If you are being called to be part of the 'One New Man' with Jewish believers (which we all are), I would recommend this book to you. It covers the burning issue of Replacement Theology and the diabolical influences of anti-Semitism within the historical 'Church'. It is relevant and thought-provoking to us in these end times and it helps to "break down the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile believers" (Eph 2:14).

The purpose of this book is not to make you Jewish, but to help you experience the fullness of Christianity - to know Christianity as God intended. Overall this is a book that will show you how to regain your lost inheritance. You will read and be refreshed and revived, and want to cry out, 'Lord, let me return to my roots and receive your blessing!'

'The Messianic Church Arising' is available from Sozo Books for £10.99 + P&P.