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Telling Jews about Jesus
by Paul Morris
A
Review
Telling
Jews About Jesus remains the only book of its kind by a British
author that is still in print. In 140 pages, Paul Morris presents a
readable introduction to Jewish history, culture and religion, as well
as a plain guide to sensitive and effective witness. Nothing else is
available in this country that covers so much, so comprehensively.
“Most Jewish people who
believe in Jesus first became interested in the gospel because of the
testimony of a Christian friend – someone like you”, says Paul Morris.
But many Christians are hesitant or fearful to speak about Jesus to
Jewish people. Some years ago Paul wrote Telling Jews
about Jesus to help ordinary Christians
share the gospel with Jewish friends effectively and sensitively.
Witness to Jews is not
simply a matter of adjusting our approach by taking account of Jewish
culture and history. The Jewish people are, by definition and in
contrast to other nations, those who have received promises from God.
This is their great distinctiveness. Our presentation of the gospel to
them, therefore, takes on a unique form; it is the good news of a
promise fulfilled.
Telling Jews about
Jesus paints
with broad strokes a history of the Jewish people: who they are; where
they are; how they think. The book also tells us how Jews today relate
to – among other things – God, Judaism,
Christianity, Israel and the Messiah. Many
Jews are unaware of the influences that have moulded their patterns of
living. They are unaware of the factors that have shaped their beliefs,
practices, opinions, attitudes and language. For some Jews, day-to-day
expression of their Jewishness is little more than eating Jewish-style
food. However, foremost among the influences on Jewish thought, says
Paul Morris, is the influence of God – a consciousness of God is
inextricably linked to the history of Israel.
The second section of
the book is practical, dealing with how – and how not – to witness to Jewish
people. Jewish people are the same as anyone else, yet they are also
different to everyone else. The Christian approach to the Jew, Paul
states, must not be sentimental, apologetic, pedantic or argumentative.
Our witness should be careful, biblical, loving and respectful. There
is an abundance of literature available to help Christians witness to
members of cults and other religions but for many years nothing was
produced on this side of the Atlantic to help Christians witness to
Jews. Telling Jews about Jesus is written by an experienced
“teller” who wants others to communicate effectively the Good News of
Jesus the Jewish Messiah.
Telling
Jews about Jesus is published by Grace Publications and is available
from the CWI Bookroom at
£6.95 (including UK p&p).
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