How Jewish Is Jews For Jesus

Recently a reader commented on my blog, stating: "It is rather ignorant to claim that there is nothing Jewish about Jews for Jesus."

I think this view is rather common within our world. Many people believe that Jews for Jesus is really a Jewish group. The reason this false view is held is because many people know nothing about the founding of Jews for Jesus.

Jews for Jesus was founded by the Reverend Martin Rosen, an ordained Baptist minister. Though born Jewish, Rosen converted to Christianity at age 17. Rosen was ordained as a minister in 1957, a full decade before he created Jews for Jesus. Moreover, he is a graduate of multiple Christian evangelical schools. He had a degree from the Northeastern Bible College and later received a doctorate of divinity from the Western Conservative Baptist Seminary.

In 1977, Rosen sent out a mailing to other Christian leaders. In the mailing he said, "We are primarily evangelists and we are always mindful that we should not usurp the authority of the local pastor. As we win and disciple Jewish people, we urge them to take their place in a local evangelical church or establish a congregation and call their own minister. Our duty is to aid the church at large and we work as an arm of that body to gather in the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel."

When you take the time to study Jews for Jesus, there is only one logical conclusion one can make about this group. Namely, there is nothing Jewish about Jews for Jesus.