Messerantic Judaism of Ralph Messer

Messerantic Judaism Christianity of Ralph Messer

Two House teacher and self-proclaimed 'rabbi,' Ralph Messer, finds himself caught-up in a national scandal.

 

 Reverend Dr. Wil Gafney writes:

The unidentified man who, (in the YouTube video to which I had access he is identified subsequently as Ralph Messer), represents himself as a Jew. He may well be some sort of Messianic Jew, a person who claims Jewish heritage and recognizes Jesus as the Son of God, but who is not part of one of the major Jewish movements: Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Reform, Renewal. He does not, however, represent recognizable Jewish thought or practice in his (mis-) representations of the Torah and other Jewish sancta — or for that matter, New Testament and Christian biblical interpretation and theology.

There are numerous problems with Ralph Messer’s actions – which Dr. Gafney does a great job in addressing. Particularly the two primary issues of Messer’s mishandling and misappropriating a Torah scroll as well as his “coronating as king” mega-church pastor Eddie Long, who was recently accused by five young men of sexual misconduct. After initially denying the allegations, Long is now in undisclosed settlement talks with them and his wife has filed for divorce.

Since Dr. Gafney so eloquently addressed many of the other matters, I want to address another serious matter. In the YouTube video, Ralph Messer (who calls himself a ‘rabbi’) claims to speak “on behalf of the Jewish People, the Land of Israel, and the G-d of Israel.” Because so many people are identifying Messer with Messianic Judaism, I want to make very clear that Ralph Messer is not affiliated with the mainstream Messianic Jewish movement, nor is he a legitimately ordained Messianic Rabbi. This was confirmed in a recent statement by Messer’s son, Russell Messer, to the AJC that his father “has no formal rabbinical training.” Furthermore, Messer does not actually have the authority to speak on behalf of Israel, world-Jewry, or G-d.

Ralph Messer is the leader of a large quasi-”Messianic” congregation in Colorado, and has quite a vast media ministry. I have been aware of his poor teaching, misuse of Jewish sancta, and his affiliation with the Two House movement for some time. However this recent video finally pushed me over the line.

Earlier today I confirmed with Rabbi Russ Resnik (UMJC Executive Director) and Dr. Dan Juster (one of the founders of the UMJC, and its first President) that Ralph Messer has never been affiliated with the UMJC nor has he ever spoken at a UMJC conference. I also confirmed with Ari Hauben, with the MJAA, that Ralph Messer is not affiliated nor ordained through them. In my asking around today, I also was not able to confirm whether he is even really Jewish.

I cannot speak out more strongly against Ralph Messer, his teachings, nor his affiliations with the likes of Eddie Long. Ralph Messer should be ashamed of himself. If it were within my power he would be stripped of his congregation and ministry, defrocked of his self-appointed title, and publicly forced to offer an apology for mishandling a Torah scroll, defaming Messianic Jews, and coronating as king an accused pedophile.

 Wrapping in Torah Scrolls?

Midrash Eleh Ezkerah (Hebrew: אלה אזכרה‎) "Eleh ezkerah," recounts the execution of ten famous teachers of the Mishnah in the time of the persecution by Hadrian The deaths were gruesome, including, being wrapped in Torah scrolls and then being set aflame.