[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

While Schlissel is indeed a former Jew, it is a bit misleading to identify him as "Messianic". That might lead some to believe he is a praciticing "Messianic Jew". Schlissel is actually now a Belgic Confession waving, Heidelberg Catechism preaching, Canons of Dordt confessing (AKA: "Three Forms of Unity" subscribing) pastor from the Dutch Reformed tradition! Jean

Well, Jean, this is entirely true.

HOWEVER, it is also true that Schlissel has (in essence) told the Dutch Reformed to go hang when certain elements thereof tried to interfere with his Messianic exposition of Apostle Paul's doctrine of Faith (the short-and-dirty summary of the Controversy is that certain elements of the Dutch Reformed community have felt it necessary to remind Rev. Schlissel that "Faith Alone saves"; whereas Schlissel is defending the other side of the equation, "The Faith which Saves is never Alone" [i.e., Good Works are a testament to True Faith]).

While Schlissel is Covenanted to the Dutch Reformed tradition, it is clear from his education, his writings, and the congregation which he leads, that he still very much proceeds from a Messianic Jewish foundation... perhaps moreso even than Meredith Kline; or maybe one might say that Kline generally attends to theory, whereas Schlissel generally attends to praxis.

It might be, perhaps, most correct to say (in view of his own biographical record -- from Orthodox Judaism to Messianic Hebrew-Christianity to Dutch Reformed) that Rabbi-Presbyter Schlissel is a Messianic Jew who has found his Christian home amongst the Dutch Reformed.

If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. Yet whatever gains I had, these I came to regard as loss because of Christ.

(Hardly surprising, I guess; the Dutch Reformed have often been accused -- or maybe complimented, depending on your view of the matter -- as "the Jews of Reformed Christianity")

best, OP

[Jean Chauvin]

Thanks for the clarification!

"(Hardly surprising, I guess; the Dutch Reformed have often been accused -- or maybe complimented, depending on your view of the matter -- as "the Jews of Reformed Christianity")"

And Grand Rapids is often jokingly referred to as the "New Jerusalem"

Jean

[MarMema]

Hey. How are ya anyway?

Sending you a hug.