Messianic Jewish Theological Institute

Messianic Jewish Theological Institute (MJTI) offers quality education at the graduate level, training Messianic Jewish rabbis (Rabbinic Studies Program), and leaders and laity (Jewish Studies Program) to function in today’s world of Messianic Judaism, and to participate in building the Messianic Jewish future. Hashivenu, MJTI’s venue for academic forums, and Kesher, MJTI’s Messianic Jewish theological journal, are part of the MJTI network.

History

MJTI's beginnings can be traced to a meeting in 1997 where a handful of leaders came together to discuss the needs for a Messianic Jewish school of higher education. Initially, MJTI launched classes in cooperation with Fuller Theological Seminary. Dr. Mark Kinzer was named President. In 2003 MJTI was adopted as the official school for the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC). It expanded the UMJC's existing Yeshiva program, and offered classes toward ordination and continuing education. Over the next four years MJTI grew and developed into a distinct identity and in 2007 MJTI became an independent school separate from, but related to, the UMJC.

By 2013, under the leadership of Rabbi Rich Nichol, the trajectory was set for new programming, and an expanded staff to handle the multiple facets of the Institution. In 2015 an online Rabbinic Studies Program was launched, alongside the ongoing Jewish Studies Program.

The Institute’s offices are currently headquartered in San Diego, California.

Mission and Vision

Teaching and living a prophetic vision of Jewish life renewed in Yeshua.

MJTI seeks to be a prophetic sign of Israel's destiny by exemplifying and advancing Jewish life renewed in Yeshua. This foretaste of Israel’s destiny in Yeshua is realized as MJTI serves as:

• a theological and prophetic vision center for the Messianic Jewish community;
• a leadership-training center rooted in a contemporary Jewish experience of Yeshua and a Messianic interpretation of Judaism;
• a dialogue center for open and respectful theological encounter between faithful Christians and Jews;
• a Jewish school born in the Diaspora but oriented to Israel.

These core statements give shape to the specific mission of MJTI and are the foundation upon which MJTI’s educational outreach is based.

Academic Programs

MJTI offers two online degree programs at the graduate level: a Master in Jewish Studies (MJS) and a Master in Rabbinic Studies (MRS). Certificate tracks in various concentrations, such as Messianic Jewish Studies, Rabbinic Literature, Jewish History, and Biblical Hebrew are also offered.

Jewish Studies

MJTI offers an 18 course, 54 credit hour Master of Jewish Studies Degree (MJSP), designed to expose students to Jewish Studies in a Messianic Jewish context. It includes courses in Tanakh, Apostolic Writings, Jewish History, Messianic Jewish Theology, Spiritual Life, Jewish Text Study (Mishnah, Talmud and Rabbinic Writings) and a broad range of other courses, all taught through the lens of a Messianic Jewish world-view.

Rabbinic Studies

The Master of Rabbinic Studies Program (MRSP) is a 90 credit hour program designed to prepare Jewish men and women to serve as Messianic Jewish rabbis. Three unique elements of MJTI's MRSP are its Mentoring Component, Residential Study Weeks, and Humanitarian Service Project. The Mentoring component relates to Congregational Life and Leadership courses, and the Residential Study Weeks consist of interactive seminars in Midrash text study, the activity of God’s Spirit, and the role of a rabbi. The Humanitarian element requires a hands-on outreach to the marginalized, with the specifics developed by the student in cooperation with his or her advisor.

Hashivenu Forum

Hashivenu Forum, a part of the MJTI network, is a theological think-tank that explores authentic expressions of Messianic Jewish life with focus on continuity with Jewish tradition. Its core values are:

•   Messianic Judaism is a Judaism and not a cosmetically altered Jewish style version of what is extant within the wider Christian community
•  God’s particular relationship with Israel is expressed in the Torah, G-d's unique covenant with the Jewish people
•  Yeshua is the fullness of Torah
•  The Jewish people are "us," not "them."
•  The richness of the rabbinic tradition is a valuable part of our heritage as Jewish people
•  Because all people are created in the image of G-d. how we treat them is a reflection of our respect and love for Him. Therefore, true piety cannot exist apart from human decency.
•  Maturation requires a humble openness to discovery within the context of firmly held convictions

Kesher

Kesher is a bi-annual theological publication under the auspices of the MJTI network, which provides a forum for scholars, professionals and laity to address issues that impact contemporary Messianic Judaism. From its inception in 1994, it has published a range of articles including topics on intermarriage, sexuality, messianic culture, liturgical practices, history, and biblical exegesis, and reviews of books relevant to Messianic Jewish thought and theology. Articles not commissioned by the editorial staff are peer reviewed. To access full text articles in the journal since 2003 see www.kesherjournal.com.

Polity and Government

MJTI is a 501(C)(3) religious organization in good standing, operated under state charters in Michigan and Florida. Its Board of Trustees consists of professional men and women from various walks of life. For further information visit www.mjti.org.