Need a Good Book to give a Messianic Jew???

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Please Help!

My cousin grew up Episcopalian, but converted to Messianic Judaism in College. He is graduating this Saturday. I’m trying to find a good book for him…something that he would be interested in…but something that might reveal the truth about Catholicism without being too “in your face”. We have great conversations about religion…The first time he told me he was now Messianic Jew (I had never heard of it) and so I said, “You mean you’re Catholic??”…uh…No.

I was thinking Salvation is from the Jews by Roy H. Schoeman…but I started reading it and it seems VERY Catholic and I’m afraid he’d stop reading it…especially when it talks about Mary and Fatima early on.

Then I was thinking Four Witnesses: The Early Church in Her Own Words by Rod Bennett…but I’ve never read it, and would a Messianic Jew even care?

Are either of those good ideas? Does anyone have a better suggestion???
 
I’ve been to a couple of Messianic Jewish services. I don’t know if they are the same everywhere, but the ones I attended are an interesting mix of orthodox Judaism and evangelical Protestanism. Messianic Judaism generally is not Catholic in the sense of observing the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church. At least from my experience.

In a way, you might be stuck for a gift. The best suggestion I could make would something from C.S. Lewis or G.K. Chesterton. Another suggestion might be some of the works of Fulton Sheen. Scott Hahn’s works might be good, although that could be a little much.

Good luck
 
I attended a few Messianic Jewish services, but only at 2 congregations. I agree that Messianic Judaism is a mix of Orthodox Judaism and Evangelical Protestantism. It is not close to Catholocism at all. MJs only celebrate the Jewish holidays. There isn’t a recognition of the Saints, Mary, etc. All Jewish traditions with reading from the New Testament.

Have you looked at the website for the association of Hebrew Catholics? They might be the way to draw him to Catholicism.

Good luck!
 
I’ve noticed this too. Isn’t that weird? Can Orthodox Judaism and Evangelical Protestantism be ANY more different?

But I figured with the Episcopalian background he would find SOME Catholic things not too foreign.

Thanks for the suggestions!
 
I would also suggest something by C.S. Lewis. Perhaps “Mere Christianity”. It’s an awesome read. The first year I was a Christian (not yet Catholic) I read it through in a weekend at a Franciscan retreat house. It was wonderful! I would also suggest “The Great Divorce”.

While my husband and I were in Israel in 2001 we attended a few Messianic services. I did find they were similar to an Evangelical church with a lot of praise songs, etc.

in Christ
Steph
 
Hopefully, his Epsicopal church incorporated some Catholic practices into its worship. As you know, they vary. There are some that left ECUSA for African dioceses. They would be the least Catholic. In fact, Catholic could make him squirm.

A “middle” Episcopal church is probably his background.

How about something by Saint Edith Stein. MJs consider themselves Jewish. Here’s another example:
the congregation I visited celebrated Tisha B’av, which is the destruction of the Temple. (Correct me if I’m wrong!) This is a serious Jewish holiday. The MJ rabbi had to ask various Jewish synagogues if his MJs could worship with them- he found a Conservative one!!!
I remember the rabbi saying, “…so you can be with our people.”
 
joeybaggz said:
I’ve been to a couple of Messianic Jewish services. I don’t know if they are the same everywhere, but the ones I attended are an interesting mix of orthodox Judaism and evangelical Protestanism. Messianic Judaism generally is not Catholic in the sense of observing the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church. At least from my experience.

In a way, you might be stuck for a gift. The best suggestion I could make would something from C.S. Lewis or G.K. Chesterton. Another suggestion might be some of the works of Fulton Sheen. Scott Hahn’s works might be good, although that could be a little much.

Good luck
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I actually think that Hahn’s books would be good for a Messianic Jew. Hahn does an excellent job of tying Catholicism to the Old Testament and the Jewish roots of Christianity. His lecture/article “the Fourth Cup” (others here will no better than I in which of his books this can be found) might be particularly helpful.

Edwin
 
Valke2 said:
Give me “A Guide for The Perplexed” by Mamanomides.
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You know thats been on my reading list for sometime now. maybe when i get a break from school or a strong handle on Arabic i’ll pick it up.
 
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