"Some Messianic Jews Say: Messianic Judaism Is Not Christianity: A Loving Call To Unity"

Author: Stan Telchin

Chosen Books - ISBN 0800793722

A DIVISIVE BOOK

Stan Telchin, who has been called a "giant in Jewish evangelism" and who serves on staff with Jews for Jesus, and who authored the well-known book "Betrayed!" and "Abandoned," has caused a firestorm of controversy with his latest book as reflected in recent issues of "Charisma Magazine" and "The Messianic Times." 

Writing from a pastor's perspective, Telchin attempts to be "corrective not condemning" arguing that Messianic Judaism is not biblical faith and suggesting that those who do embrace Messianic Judaism worship a false god.  His argument is a paradox as Telchin himself is a Messianic Jew and he works for Jews for Jesus, a Messianic organization that supports Messianic congregations. Telchin also writes from a self-appointed spokesman for God and self-appointed Messianic leader when in fact he is not a theologian, he is not spokesman for the Messianic movement and is not a leader of any Messianic congregation.

THE AUTHOR NOT QUALIFIED

As can be done with any faith group, Telchin uses a broad brush stroke to paint the entire Messianic movement with the most extreme elements found in Messianic Judaism and in the process, argues that Messianic Judaism is not biblical. His arguments are not convincing and this is understandable as Telchin has no formal theological training.  Despite his many claims to have a Ph.D. (claims he refuses to substantiate), he has never been in a Ph.D. program and his two degrees are in theater from his early years when he was studying to be an actor.  His doctorate is an honorary doctorate issued by a school in Oklahoma which is not accredited and does not issue degrees or credit of any kind.  He has not attended nor graduated from any four-year Bible college or seminary.

While Telchin writes from a pastor's perspective, there is debate regarding his claims to having been ordained.  Like his Ph.D. claims, Telchin refuses to produce his ordination credentials and the church where claims he was ordained has found no record of his ordination. There is also no record of his ordination on the denominational level.

Telchin positions himself as a spiritual leader with the necessary Scriptural qualifications for such office and uses the spiritual office as the authoritative basis for writing his latest book.  A close examination of the author shows that serious questions arise when examining his public claims to such a spiritual office.

In short, Telchin in his latest book attempts to tackle complex theological and historical subject matter - subject matter which he himself is not qualified to address. Telchin's hybris and uneducated opinions shine through his latest book and expose him to be ignorant of Jewish and Messianic history and the fundamentals of theology. 

LACKING MORAL AUTHORITY

In "Messianic Judaism Is Not Christianity," Telchin serves to divide the Church by setting forth poorly argued and unsubstantiated arguments that denigrate Messianic Judaism.  Having achieved this, he then issues a public "loving call to unity."  Telchin's call to unity within the Body of Christ is highly hypocritical as a close examination of Telchin's own life shows that the author does not hold himself to the unity standard he has publicly called for.

While Telchin has written a divisive book and has issued a "loving call to unity," he has in the last five years been the subject of more than one criminal complaint in Manatee and Hillsborough Counties, Florida (one filed by a church he spoke in) and the author has been investigated by local law enforcement and the FBI involving his personal use of donations to Stan Telchin Ministries, Inc.  These investigations led to an IRS investigation and the closing of his ministry following an IRS audit. 

While Telchin has issued a "loving call to unity," his own family is divided and the author refuses to have anything to do with his own daughter whom he lovingly writes about in "Betrayed!" His own daughter has since publicly stated that "Betrayed!" is no longer true and should be pulled from publication.  Telchin has been publicly shown to have repeatedly and factually lied about his own family.

While the author has issued a "loving call to unity," a former board member of Stan Telchin Ministries, pastors and members of his own family have stated that Telchin is "dishonest, deceitful and a liar."

Author Stan Telchin's public witness has little value in the world as his faith has been shown to not be valid in his own home.  Telchin is lacking the moral and Scriptural authority to issue any "loving call to unity."

While Telchin is publicly pointing out everything he thinks is wrong with Messianic Judaism and then calling for "unity" in the Body of Christ, he should instead tend to the plank of wood in his own eye and he should diligently work towards unity in his own family.  Only then will Telchin's witness for Christ be shown to be relevant.

In the meantime, the Body of Christ should continue in a spirit of unity denouncing Telchin and his latest book as unscriptural, dangerous and divisive.

"Messinaic Judaism Is Not Christianity" is a sad read and through it, Telchin defines himself for what he really is: an actor playing the part of a Messianic leader and a divider of the church and the Body of Christ.