While all have reason to celebrate the greening of Christian-Jewish relations since the Shoah and the promulgation of Nostra Aetate (4), few will deny that much work remains to be done by Christians and Jews seeking the best way forward that they might best serve God's purposes in the world, the mission of God. This book addresses that need by first surveying how each community has historically conceived of its own mission and from that stance assigned an identity to the other. The text illuminates how such construals have often impeded progress and therefore need to be upgraded and supplemented. But how shall this be done? Converging Destinies proposes an eschatological vision and practical suggestions to summon Jews and Christians to prepare for that day when each will be both commended and reproved by the judge of all, sounding a call for more determined action, greater humility, and cooperative effort as together Jews and Christians serve the mission of God, accountable to him for how they have served him and each other in the world that he has created according to his will.
"While the scholarly world in the area of Jewish/Christian
relations focuses largely on the 'parting of the ways,' Dr.
Dauermann paints a well-reasoned trajectory that calls for a
conciliatory and complementary approach. Dr. Dauermann's
Converging Destinies is a must-read for those who possess
the intellectual openness that challenges their paradigmatic
understanding regarding the destiny of Israel and the Church in
God's eschatological consummation."
--Elliot Klayman, Executive Director, Messianic Jewish Theological
Institute
"A pioneering leader of the Messianic Jewish movement, Rabbi Stuart
Dauermann is unrivaled in its circles as a missiological
theoretician and practitioner. In Converging
Destinies, Dauermann argues with clarity and passion on
behalf of a mission paradigm which honors both Israel's enduring
vocation and its need for--and indissoluble connection to--Jesus
the Messiah. Dauermann demonstrates how a distinctive Messianic
Jewish perspective can make an essential and unique contribution to
the field of missiology."
--Mark S. Kinzer, President Emeritus, Messianic Jewish Theological
Institute
"Stuart Dauermann's book is an important statement that will
generate serious discussion. Some of his positions are in my
view foundational to our Messianic Jewish Movement. Others are
controversial and will require deep thinking to defend alternative
approaches. Stuart is always brilliant, provocative, and
stimulating. His positions are well stated. I encourage our
people to interact with this important book."
--Daniel Juster, ThD, Restoration from Zion of Tikkun Internatinal;
former President of the Union of Messianic Jewish
Congregations
"Dr. Stuart Dauermann knows what every turtle knows: if you want to
get anywhere in life you have to stick your neck out. This he does,
in his extremely insightful and provocative new book."
--Jeffrey L. Seif, University Distinguished Professor of Bible
and Jewish Studies, Kings University
"Dr. Stuart Dauermann knows what every turtle knows: if you want to
get anywhere in life you have to stick your neck out. This he does,
in his extremely insightful and provocative new book. . . . Long
live the Dauermanns of the world who stick their necks out. Long
live the Dauermanns of the world who appreciate the Jewish shell
and who are doggedly determined to stay at home in it--over and
against the protestations of younger reptiles who don't happen to
have a protective, 3,500-year-old home to dwell in. Lastly, long
live all who, with Dauermann, want to explore what does really mean
to be a 'Jewish' believer in Yeshua/Jesus? Those who don't agree
with his answers 100 percent will still agree that he's asking the
right questions, and that his answers are serious forces to be
reckoned with both now and in the days ahead."
--Jeffrey L. Seif, University Distinguished Professor of Bible
and Jewish Studies, Kings University
"While the scholarly world in the area of Jewish/Christian
relations focuses largely on the 'parting of the ways,' Dr.
Dauermann paints a well-reasoned trajectory that calls for a
conciliatory and complementary approach. Dr. Dauermann's
Converging Destinies is a must-read for those who possess
the intellectual openness that challenges their paradigmatic
understanding regarding the destiny of Israel and the Church in
God's eschatological consummation."
--Elliot Klayman, Executive Director, Messianic Jewish Theological
Institute
"A pioneering leader of the Messianic Jewish movement, Rabbi Stuart
Dauermann is unrivaled in its circles as a missiological
theoretician and practitioner. In Converging
Destinies, Dauermann argues with clarity and passion on
behalf of a mission paradigm which honors both Israel's enduring
vocation and its need for--and indissoluble connection to--Jesus
the Messiah. Dauermann demonstrates how a distinctive Messianic
Jewish perspective can make an essential and unique contribution to
the field of missiology."
--Mark S. Kinzer, President Emeritus, Messianic Jewish Theological
Institute
"Stuart Dauermann's book is an important statement that will
generate serious discussion. Some of his positions are in my
view foundational to our Messianic Jewish Movement. Others are
controversial and will require deep thinking to defend alternative
approaches. Stuart is always brilliant, provocative, and
stimulating. His positions are well stated. I encourage our
people to interact with this important book."
--Daniel Juster, ThD, Restoration from Zion of Tikkun Internatinal;
former President of the Union of Messianic Jewish
Congregations
"Dr. Stuart Dauermann knows what every turtle knows: if you want to
get anywhere in life you have to stick your neck out. This he does,
in his extremely insightful and provocative new book."
--Jeffrey L. Seif, University Distinguished Professor of Bible
and Jewish Studies, Kings University
"Dr. Stuart Dauermann knows what every turtle knows: if you want to
get anywhere in life you have to stick your neck out. This he does,
in his extremely insightful and provocative new book. . . . Long
live the Dauermanns of the world who stick their necks out. Long
live the Dauermanns of the world who appreciate the Jewish shell
and who are doggedly determined to stay at home in it--over and
against the protestations of younger reptiles who don't happen to
have a protective, 3,500-year-old home to dwell in. Lastly, long
live all who, with Dauermann, want to explore what does really mean
to be a 'Jewish' believer in Yeshua/Jesus? Those who don't agree
with his answers 100 percent will still agree that he's asking the
right questions, and that his answers are serious forces to be
reckoned with both now and in the days ahead."
--Jeffrey L. Seif, University Distinguished Professor of Bible
and Jewish Studies, Kings University
Stuart Dauermann is Director of Interfaithfulness. He specializes in developing new paradigms and tools to assist those navigating the intersection of the Christian and Jewish worlds, with special attention to the intermarried. Having participated in both the missions and congregational worlds, he is now engaged in serving a network of havurot, especially for Jews and intermarrieds.