Finding Messiah: A Journey into the Jewishness of the Gospel

Written by Jennifer M. Rosner and Richard J. Mouw

Narrated by Nan McNamara

Jesus was Jewish, and his Jewish identity informed every aspect of his work, words, and witness. He came as the Messiah of Israel, God's covenant people, and he spoke the language of God's faithfulness to this people. So why does it seem that Judaism has little to do with our Christian discipleship today?

Jennifer Rosner, a scholar of Jewish-Christian relations, takes us on a personal and corporate journey into the Jewish roots of Christian faith and practice. Understanding Judaism-and the way in which Judaism and Christianity became separate religions-is essential for a rich and holistic Christian identity. As a follower of Jesus who was raised in a Jewish home and who continues to live a Jewish life, Rosner has seen firsthand how a Christian faith can become impoverished when divorced from its Jewish roots. Finding Messiah follows Rosner's own journey in rediscovering the role of Judaism and God's covenant with Israel in Christian life and practice. When we begin to understand Christianity's indelible relationship to Judaism, key aspects of the Christian faith come alive and the wonder of the gospel becomes clear in new and powerful ways.

Jesus' Judaism provides the foundation for the church that is built upon his name. Rediscover the Jewish Jesus, and in so doing, experience a deeper and richer faith than ever before.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ChristianAudio.com
• Release date: May 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9781545920947

Jennifer M. Rosner

Joshua M. Lessard is ordained as a Messianic Jewish rabbi through the IAMCS and leads Tree of Life Messianic Fellowship in Tallahassee, Florida.

Reviews for Finding Messiah

[Malachi3_6 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The book has a fascinating approach of combining narrative (the author’s autobiography of sorts) with theological discourse. I found at times the transitions were a bit forced, but in general things flowed well. The author presents her case fairly well, and no doubt describes the “in-between” feeling of many Messianics.

Where the book fails to receive beyond 3 stars from me, is how Dr. Rosner continues to perpetuate Mark Kinzer’s untenable bilateral ecclesiology. Akin to a theological “separate but equal” form of underhanded racism, the position is a cop-out, exchanging God’s desire for all the obey His instructions, with poor interpretations of Paul’s letters. I have observed much of it in my own time in Messianic Judaism, and while I understand the need to wrestle with the texts about what to do with one’s Jewishness, we cannot encourage the gentiles the continue on in lawlessness.