2006-11-06 A fascinating exchange between two religious leaders

This was a fascinating book - the chance to hear what modern Judaism actually is and to read of the interpretation of familiar Old Testament texts, so beloved by Christians, within a Jewish framework. The book is an exchange of letters between RT Kendall and Rabbi David Rosen, sometimes rather clumsily edited for publication, but showing the friendship and respect that these two men have for each other. They discuss the differences between Jewish and Christian views of belief, faith, the messiah, the nature of sin and routes to salvation amongst many topics. By the middle of the book I found RT Kendall's strong evangelistic stance to David Rosen rather toe-curling; the book was meant to be a debate but was moving away from that into a conversion attempt that felt rather awkward and embarrassing - especially when David Rosen explained how offensive proselytising can be to Jewish people. However there is evidently genuine affection and trust between the two people writing these letters and I was very drawn towards the humble and godly writing of David Rosen and the excellent way in which he described modern Jews, the descendants of the Pharisees of Jesus' day, and the ways in which Christians and Jews should work together for peace.