Review of Called to Controversy by Ruth Rosen

I have really been lucky in my most recent review books. First, I had the great privilege of reviewing Call to Wonder, and now I have the wonderful privilege of reading this book.

I chose this book, because I spent several years in a Messianic Jewish congregation. It was a watershed time in my life. Through the Messianic Jewish congregation, I met some of the most amazing people--people who had a lifelong influence on me. Through that period of my life, too, I learned so much about the Jewish base for Christian beliefs and deepened my understanding and appreciation of the Bible, both Old and New Testament.

Many of the experiences from that time in my life are such a blessing to me, so I really wanted to read the book about the founder of Jews for Jesus. Jews for Jesus was not very active in the community where I was a member of the Messianic Congregation, but we were aware of their mission and admired it.

And the book does not disappoint. It is beautifully written.

This is the story of the life of Moishe Rosen, founder of Jews For Jesus. It goes through his normal Jewish upbringing, his marriage and the eventual process that opened his eyes to the understanding that Jesus was the Messiah for the Jews, as well as the Gentile's Savior. After his conversion, he attended a Baptist church and learned a great deal. He also experienced a huge culture shock, because some of the expressions used in the church caused him consternation.

He went on to attend seminary at a conservative college. Then served on the staff of the New York missions board. The experiences he had there were instrumental in leading him to the next step: Jews for Jesus. At first, this was just a catchphrase, but eventually the work of Jews For Jesus outgrew the missions organization with which it was associated and became a separate entity.

Jews for Jesus was a controversial group, but their work was always founded on and saturated in Scriptures, both Old and New Testament.

This was a fantastic book. I enjoyed learning more about this group I have heard of for so many years. Highly recommended.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review. I am grateful for the opportunity to read it. I really enjoyed it. 

Review of Call to Wonder by R. C. Sproul, Jr.

RC Sproul Jr's book studies the scripture, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."

He looks at this scripture from the personal perspective of a father with eight children, one of them a special needs child. In this very personal and deeply moving book, he discussed some of what he has learned about this passage from his role as the father of his children. He covers God's call for us to trust Him the way a child does. His next chapter is about God's call to wonder, especially as it relates to nature. He also discusses the desire that children have to please their fathers and how we should respond in this manner to our Heavenly Father. Children, as a general rule, unless given reason to do otherwise, trust in the love their fathers have for them. We should do the same. Then he goes a little way down a different perspective, that we should by no means remain children, but should mature in the faith. Fathers delight most in their children when their children are happiest, and so we should be filled with joy.

 I found this book to be a book that I could not quickly scan through, but felt it needed time to ponder. It really moved me and challenged me. It caused me to pray about how God would have me to apply it to my life. These are all things I treasure in a book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Tyndale in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Tyndale.