Lévy challenges the accepted Christian tradition of excluding Gospel-derived eschatology, soteriology, and theology from Jews as Jews. Lévy asserts this in dialogue with leading messianic Jewish thinker Mark Kinzer, who provides the foreword and who shares the conviction of the need of Israel qua Israel presence in the church, albeit with major differences: i.e., for Kinzer (a messianic Jew) bilateral ecclesiology, Jewish and non-Jewish; for Lévy (Catholic Jew) acceptance of a global ecclesia defined by the magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church, which sees theological significance in the emergence of a Jewish corporate entity that contributes to the reconciliation between Yeshua and his people. Lévy respects yet sees limitation in messianic Judaism that insists that Jewish believers remain and live Jewishly. Recommended.

Choice Reviews

Lévy, a Catholic Jew, is facing the most crucial challenge of a fully catholic Ekklesia head-on: how do the two parts of humanity, the Jew and the non-Jew, come in the one fully restored catholic church of Jesus Christ? This book is a timely celebration of the 'coming home” of Jewish believers in the living Body of the Messiah.

Benjamin Berger, Shepherd of the Jerusalem Messianic Congregation “Kehilat ha'Seh al Har Zion”

Fr. Lévy has written an important book. With his critical analysis of various positions, he has profoundly and convincingly presented a case for continued Jewish identity and practice in Jesus. A challenge to church leaders and to Messianic Jews on the ecclesial unity of the Church.

Daniel Juster, Founding President of Tikkun International and the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations

Fr. Lévy enters into a critical conversation with the Messianic Jewish theology of Mark Kinzer and addresses the ecclesial status of the Jewish people within the Catholic Church. Lévy’s masterful presentation puts flesh on the bones of Elias Friedman OCD’s thesis in his book ‘Jewish identity’ and introduces critical considerations in the ongoing and vital theological discussions concerning the Jewish people and the Church.

David Moss, President, Association of Hebrew Catholics

Fr. AntoineLévy has written a very important book in which he engages in an intensive ecumenical dialogue with the ecclesiology of Mark Kinzer, perhaps the most articulate and profound exponent of the theology of Messianic Judaism. What makes this dialogue so fruitful is that Lévy Levy shares the foundational conviction of Kinzer on the need for a corporate Jewish presence in the Church that is structurally called from the circumcision and from the Gentiles. Lévy differs quite substantially, however, on the ecclesial and liturgical forms that ought to shape this Jewish dimension of the Church, so that it may remain in a catholic communion of faith, sacramental life, and hierarchical governance.

Lawrence Feingold, Assistant Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University