Title: Called to
Controversy
Author: Ruth Rosen
Pages: 320
Year: 2012
Publisher: Thomas
Nelson
Note: I received a
complimentary copy of the book from BookSneeze for an honest review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Perhaps
biographies or autobiographies aren’t always interesting or they don’t have
full disclosure or maybe you don’t like this genre. What do you know of the organization JEWS
FOR JESUS? Is there anything you
can recall you learned about a man named Moishe Rosen? Did you know that his daughter Ruth wrote this
book and when?
Unlike
other biographies, this one is written while Moishe is still living. In an uncanny manner, Ruth writes the book
without ignoring her father’s shortcomings, as well as what others think of
Moishe, good or bad. The life of one man
is hard to capture in one book just the same as it is for Jesus Christ. Here the story of this man starts from the
very beginning of his life. We catch
glimpses of his parents, life during that timeframe as well as how his parents
respond to his becoming a believer in Jesus as the Messiah.
We get
to see how he meets and marries his wife and how they begin preparations to
reach out to others with the message of the Messiah. Where does Moishe grow up and how many
siblings does he have? How do Moishe and
his wife learn of the Messiah? Next, we
see how Moishe receives training and who ordains him for the ministry. There are several people who influence Moishe
and family with the relationships lasting various amounts of time.
With
the gift of evangelism, it is really interesting to see the various ways Moishe
uses it and how he deals with those who heckle him or are aggressive toward the
group. His leadership style earns him
both accolades, and at times, hurt feelings.
Moishe’s heart is always for One Person and to make Him known, not calls
of attention to himself or JEWS FOR JESUS. His wife lovingly stands beside him and
participates in the various ministry opportunities while being a mom. Her family story is included also so that
readers can get to know the woman as a person in her own standing, not always
as the wife of Moishe Rosen.
The
book has so much to share for those who want to know both the good and bad
about Moishe’s life. Readers will enjoy
following the memories so many shared that are included in the book. We will see how Moishe met his challenges and
began to prepare for his home-going. It
is worth taking the time to read and learn about more than what perhaps you
expect. I highly recommend reading for
enjoyment, encouragement, and to be taught by a man who lived a full life and
was really someone I wish I had met before he went home to be
with the Lord. Cecil Rosen also writes
her heart in a short chapter to the readers so they can catch a glimpse of her
and more. I rate this a 5-star book. Whether you come from a Jewish background or
not, you will enjoy this autobiography/biography of Moishe Rosen.
