My wife, Esther, sat staring at my computer screen. “Kevin Geoffrey has… issues?” she questioned. “I’m not so sure about this blog thing, Kev.” But despite Esther’s hesitancy, I’m strangely comfortable with the idea. “Kevin Geoffrey has Messianic Jewish Issues” expresses the need I feel to be brutally honest about everything I write about here on my new web log — including myself. Yes, Kevin Geoffrey has issues… Messianic Jewish issues, that is! Hence, the goal of this blog: straightforward discussion of issues concerning Messianic Jewish identity and function in the 21st century.
The biggest issue facing the Messianic Jewish Movement is that we as a movement have issues! As small as we are, we are nevertheless amazingly fragmented — every corner of the movement vying for preeminance, collectively displaying an amalgamism of disarray to the public at large. While we struggle with trying to understand our identity and function in the world, we are kept too preoccupied to weigh in on matters of importance to our people — adding our voice to a dialogue that could otherwise affect restoration and salvation. It is these issues — issues of faith, of peoplehood, of covenant, of calling, of Messiah — that are the Messianic Jewish issues I wish to address in this forum. Be assured, though I try not to take myself too seriously, I am gravely serious about the issues that affect us not just as a movement, but as the remnant of Israel chosen to bring our people back to God — which, in turn, will be “life from the dead” for everyone (Ro.11:15).
Thank you for joining me in this ongoing discussion. I hope you will jump in, and I pray that you will be both edified and challenged as we work through these important issues together.
April 7, 2009
PLEASE PUT ANOTHER PICTURE THERE, I DON’T THINK YOU PRAYED ABOUT THE PICUTRE YOU WERE GOING TO USE OR PRAYED LONG ENOUGH, HA HA ANYWAY TRY AND FIND ANOTHER PICTURE I DON’T FEEL ADONAI WANTS HIS CHILDREN LOOKING LIKE THAT WHEN WE REPRESENT HIM I SAY THIS IN LOVE AS I KNOW YOU ARE GOOFING AROUND BUT I REALLY DO BELIEVE YOU NEED ANOTHER PICTURE FOR ADONAI’S SAKE. LOVE YA BRO!
November 18, 2009
It’s a great pic, but really there is no need to pull your hair out. As an opinion I would submit that we are not so much fragmented as we are experiencing growing pangs. Certainly when people/individuals are involved there are going to be “Issues”. But the lessons that we have in the scriptures very well are our guide to unity and harmony; though we are many members, we are all of the same body. Rav Shaul clearly defines our role as believers in the Body of Messiah. Naturally each individual has their level of progression in spiritual maturity: The gauge that facilitates our understanding for this is found in (Heb 6) As the writer expounds on the foundation principals of the one who is entering into faith with Messiah. Then once the basics have been firmly planted, they then take root by continuing in faith and trust. Yeshua emphatically and clearly defined who his sheep are ( John 10:1,5) This is our identity. Our function in the 21st century is to learn and to teach those who are willing to hear the Good News, which encompasses the promotion and furtherance of the kingdom of Heaven. The question here is not so much our ability in this great commission, it is raether our willingness in the matter to serve Messiah in the capacity that he has called us to trust.
April 6, 2011
Dear Mr. Geoffrey, I am a messianic believer. I don’t remember how I came across “Messianic Jewish Issues” but just want to say that it’s been a blessing. Thank you.