The Christian and the Pharisee: Two Outspoken Religious Leaders Debate the Road to Heaven »

The book reproduces a candid exchange of letters between two leading religious figures ¿ an evangelical preacher and a senior Jewish rabbi.

This groundbreaking publication is a rare opportunity to read the heartfelt correspondence of two prolific and acclaimed theologians, as they both seek to vigorously defend their own beliefs and allow themselves to be challenged by the claims of the other. As the discussion continues we see mutual respect grow and a strong friendship forged before the relationship is inevitably tested as they encounter points of seemingly irreconcilable differences.

Though there are issues and beliefs which separate the two theological camps, this book shows how they share enough to not only get along, but form strong alliances.

Publishers Weekly

In this uneven contribution to the literature of Jewish-Christian relations, minister Kendall (Out of Your Comfort Zone) and Rosen, former chief rabbi of Ireland, gather together their 2005 epistolary conversations, in which they discuss topics ranging from Jesus and salvation to Zionism. Rosen is the more nuanced, subtle thinker, and Kendall seems a bit out of his league by comparison. Rosen knows more about Christianity than Kendall knows about Judaism, and is thus able to tease out important differences between the two traditions, such as how they interpret the role of Messiah. Unfortunately, Kendall's evangelistic zeal-he pleads with his friend to "look carefully" at certain passages of Hebrew scripture, "honestly examine" them, and thus "accept Jesus... as your own Messiah"-dictates the shape of the book. Rosen is too often forced to explain Judaism on Christian terms (e.g., Jews don't believe in original sin), rather than on its own terms. Rosen remains generous and gracious throughout, stating that though he finds concepts like the Trinity baffling, he nonetheless respects Kendall's views and has no wish to disabuse him of them. (Jan. 3) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.