WHAT IS ARIEL? WHY A MESSIANIC JEWISH PERSPECTIVE MATTERS

By Dr. Tim Sigler, CEO of Ariel Ministries

When I look back over my own spiritual journey, I can’t help but marvel at the way the Lord weaves together calling, heritage, and mission. Today, I serve as the CEO of Ariel Ministries, an organization committed to teaching the Bible from a Messianic Jewish perspective—a perspective that is both ancient and urgently relevant today.

You may be asking, What is Ariel Ministries? And perhaps more importantly, Why does this kind of ministry matter right now—for the Church and for the world?

Consider our story and why I believe a Messianic Jewish perspective is essential to a faithful reading of Scripture and a deeper understanding of the good news of salvation through the promised Messiah.

A Legacy Rooted in the Scriptures

Ariel Ministries was founded by Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum, a Holocaust survivor who came to faith in Yeshua (Jesus) and dedicated his life to the teaching of God’s Word. His academic journey took him through Cedarville University, Dallas Theological Seminary, and New York University, where he completed his dissertation that later became a book titled Israelology: The Missing Link in Systematic Theology.

That “missing link” continues to shape our ministry today. Too often, the role of Israel in Scripture is overlooked or misinterpreted. But Dr. Fruchtenbaum’s work—along with his books like The Footsteps of the Messiah and Yeshua: The Life of the Messiah from a Messianic Jewish Perspective—helps restore a proper biblical understanding of God’s covenant promises for Israel and the nations.

Our Mission: Evangelism and Discipleship Through Teaching

At Ariel, our mission is simple yet profound:
 We share the good news of Messiah with our Jewish people and to disciple believers around the world through sound biblical teaching.

We do this through:

• Camp Shoshanah, our summer discipleship program in the Adirondacks of New York
• Ariel College of the Bible and Messianic Jewish Studies, our online learning platform
• Publishing with hundreds of theological works and discipleship resources
• Global outreach with ministry branches in 14 countries and growing
• Study tours throughout the biblical world, where the events of Scripture happened

At the heart of it all is our commitment to the literal-grammatical-historical interpretation of Scripture—taking the Bible at face value, in its original Jewish context.

A Personal Journey Intertwined with the Mission

Before joining Ariel Ministries, I served in academic roles as Professor of Hebrew and Biblical Studies at Moody Bible Institute and then as Provost at Shepherds Theological Seminary. My own connection to Israel began in college, when I spent a year living on a kibbutz near the Sea of Galilee. That immersive experience—working alongside Israelis, learning Hebrew, and being told “Ata mishelanu” (“you are from us”)—was life-changing.

Digging into my family roots, I discovered my own Jewish heritage on my father’s side. More importantly, I discovered that the Jewish people and the land of Israel were not simply backdrops in the Bible—they were central to God’s redemptive plan. That realization shaped my calling and academic direction, ultimately leading me to further biblical studies, seminary, and later, a family life steeped in the Hebrew language, living in and out of Israel for over a decade.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Israel—and God’s promises to the Jewish people—are not a footnote in theology. They are a thread woven from Genesis to Revelation that help all of us better understand the Bible in its original context.

Why a Messianic Jewish Perspective Matters Today

The Bible is a Jewish book. Jesus is the Jewish Messiah. And when we disconnect the New Testament from its foundation in the Hebrew Scriptures, we distort the Gospel message.

A Messianic Jewish perspective helps the Church:

• Understand the continuity of God’s covenant promises to Israel
• Recognize the Jewishness of Jesus and the cultural context of His teachings
• Appreciate the symbolism of biblical feasts and sacrifices that foreshadowed and anticipated what the Messiah would accomplish
• Interpret prophecy and eschatology with clarity and consistency

This approach is not novel or trendy—it is simply faithful. It seeks to read the Bible as it was meant to be read, with respect to its original language, audience, and historical context.

Bridging the Divide: Between Church and Synagogue

In our ministry, we often find ourselves standing in the gap—correcting misconceptions from both Jewish and Christian audiences.

To some Jewish people, belief in Jesus seems like abandoning their heritage. To many Christians, Jesus’ Jewish identity is hardly ever mentioned. But the New Testament opens with these words:

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (Matthew 1:1)

Jesus did not replace Israel—He came as Israel’s Messiah, in fulfillment of promises made to the patriarchs.

Through our resources and teachings—books like Jesus Was a Jew and Yeshua: The Life of Messiah from a Messianic Jewish Perspective, or courses in Hermeneutics and Bible Study Methods—we help both Jews and Gentiles understand how the whole Bible points to the Messiah and the ongoing role of Israel in God’s plan.

A Word About the Current Conflict

Since the tragic events of October 7, 2023—when Hamas attacked Israel and filmed their atrocities for all the world to see—antisemitism exploded into full view, and the Jewish community has felt more vulnerable than at any other time since the Holocaust.

This has opened the door for meaningful conversations. When Jewish neighbors receive letters of support and prayer from Bible believers, it often comes as a welcomed surprise. They are asking, “Who are our true friends?” And when believers respond in love, solidarity, and truth, it creates space to share the source of this love for the Jewish people.

Jewish evangelism today requires both compassion and conviction. And it requires the Church to understand the importance of Israel—not just historically, but theologically.

Camp Shoshanah: Discipleship in the Adirondacks

One of the greatest blessings of Ariel Ministries is Camp Shoshanah, our discipleship training program in upstate New York.

Each summer, for over 50 years, believers of all backgrounds gather for deep biblical instruction in a peaceful, camp setting. We offer an eight-week curriculum, but attendees may come for any number of weeks. Classes cover:

• Bible and theology
• Jewish evangelism
• Israel and prophecy
• Messianic Jewish studies

There are programs for children and teens as well, and a wide range of lodging options—from bunk-style cabins to lakeside homes and RV hookups.

For many, Camp Shoshanah becomes a spiritual milestone—where truth is clarified, friendships are formed, and hearts are set on fire for God’s Word. We say it is the place to “Study Hard, and Grow Strong.”

Online Learning for a Global Audience

Can’t attend in person? Our online platform, ArielCollege.com, offers courses where
 “Anyone can take Any course at Any time.” These are available with or without assignments, and you can move at your own pace. Some students take a class to enhance personal study; others pursue deeper engagement with instructor feedback and assessments.

We’re also expanding our global ministry with translated resources in Hebrew, Russian, German, Italian, Hungarian, Chinese, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, and more.

Looking Ahead

We desire to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us. The message does not change—Scripture remains our foundation. But our methods and platforms must continue to grow and adapt.

That includes:

• Continuing to strengthen our online resources
• Developing church partnerships and curricula
• Leading study tours to Israel and throughout the biblical world
• Supporting Jewish evangelism globally
• Training believers to rightly divide the Word of truth

In a world of confusion, we aim to bring clarity. In a world of division, we strive to build bridges—between Jews and Gentiles, Old and New Testaments, tradition and truth.

Join Us

If you love God’s Word and want to grow in your understanding of the Jewish roots of your faith, I invite you to explore Ariel Ministries. Whether through Camp Shoshanah, our online courses, or our books and resources, we’re here to serve you—and to equip the Church to love the Jewish people and embrace the whole counsel of God found in the Scriptures.

Shalom,

 Tim Sigler, PhD
 CEO, Ariel Ministries