Book Review: Called to Controversy

CALLED TO CONTROVERSY 
"The Unlikely Story of Moishe Rosen and the Founding of Jews for Jesus" 
By Ruth Rosen

Called to Controversy - now there's a book title sure to catch the eye. :) This biography of Moishe Rosen, founder of the ministry Jews for Jesus, is aptly named. Moishe was a very courageous man, used by God to share the Gospel to his own people, the Jewish population in America. I have had almost no first-hand contact with this demographic, so found it quite interesting to have this peek into their culture and a look at the best (and worst) ways to reach out to them with the message of salvation in Jesus.

I appreciated the fact that this book is written by Moishe's daughter, Ruth Rosen. This lends a unique perspective on his family life and the early years of his ministry, and Ruth does a pretty good job trying to be respectful and honoring to her dad while at the same time not shying away from writing about his flaws or the mistakes he made over the years. She has served with her dad in the Jews for Jesus ministry for many years, so is well acquainted with both his personal and professional life.

Also of special interest are the pages of photographs from Moishe's family and ministry over the years. These helped me feel like I "got to know" Moishe a little better as a person - and besides that, old photos are just a lot of fun to look at!

This book kept my attention well through the first half or so, before bogging down with more details of the administration of Jews for Jesus and various controversies they dealt with over the years. It was definitely worth reading, but is not a book that I plan to keep on my shelf personally.


 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”