Suffering With Joy

Salvation Is From the Jews: Book Review

May 12, 2010

Salvation Is from the Jews: The Role of Judaism in Salvation History by Roy H. Shoeman

This is not a new book, having been published by Ignatius Press in 2003, but it is well worth reading if you have an interest in the conversion of Jews and understanding better today’s scourge of Islam. Shoeman tells his own conversion story in the process of covering the role of Judaism in salvation history from Abraham to the Second Coming.

Because of his background in Hebrew, having studied with noteworthy rabbis of American Judaism, Shoeman sheds light on certain Biblical passages that show how the Jews have a central place in the destiny of the world and the fulfillment of the Messianic prophesies. He covers the Holocaust from a spiritual standpoint and includes writings of St. Edith Stein (St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross).  He also links Our Lady of Fatima with the conversion of the Jews and explains the role of the Jews in the Second Coming. Of particular interest is his explanation of the anti-Christian roots of Nazi anti-Semitism and its links to Arab anti-Semitism.

Shoeman gives an excellent explanation of why Jews do not have to renounce their “Jewishness” to enter the Catholic Church.  For them, it is full acceptance of the Messianic prophesies and the Word.  It is, as it were, a completion of the past rather than a severing with it. If you know any Jews who may be interested in Christianity, this is a good book to give them.

One thing I especially liked about Salvation Is From the Jews was learning about Jewish scholarship, the Talmud, Torah, and the great Maimonides’ writings about the coming of the Messiah. The better we understand the Bible the better Christians we will be and this book helped me to do just that.  I found myself re-reading certain passages of the book and meditating on God’s generosity to man.  Also, the book explains the role of Islam in God’s plan.

One of the more important saints of the twentieth century for westerners is St. Edith Stein.  If you would like to read some excerpts of her writings contained in this book, visit my blog post, Judaism and the Holocaust.  If you want to order the book you can do it from here.  It is in Barb’s Custom Shop as well.  I highly recommend this book not only for increasing understanding of the Scriptures, but also for understanding the present state of world affairs as it relates to Islam and Judaism. It’s never too late to read a good book, even one that has been around for a few years.

Tags: conversion

5 Comments to Salvation Is From the Jews: Book Review

1. 

   Just this week another blogger also read and recommended this same book…I may need to catch up with you two.
kkollwitz on May 15th, 2010
2. 

   Sounds like it’s worth checking out. I’ll see if I can find a copy at the local library. I’m especially interested in reading his take on the role of Islam in both anti-semitism and (what he believes is) God’s plan for the world. Can you give me a synopsis of his views on these things?

   Evan
Evan on May 16th, 2010
3. 

   Oy veh! You would ask that. It’s covered in later chapters in the book, including “The Jews and the Second Coming”. He cites biblical passages related to Jerusalem and what will happen to the Jews including their conversion before the Second Coming. He mentions that some of the lost tribes of Israel who follow tenets of the Old Testament are now returning to Israel. He also talks about how Satan will do anything to prevent conversion. Islam is the tool of Satan and he makes specific references to how this fits with biblical prophesies. I don’t want to say much more which would spoil the read. I can say that his views are unique and fresh and could only have been provided by somebody immersed in Judaism who converted to Catholicism.
barb on May 16th, 2010
4. 

   It’s not easy to persuade Jews to become Christian, whether Catholic or otherwise (and given the mistreatment Jews have often received from those calling themselves Christians, their reluctance to convert is understandable). I don’t know whether Islam is being used by Satan to prevent the conversion of Jews (frankly, I just consider Islam a tool of Satan to keep people from the gospel by giving them a twisted form of monotheism–as a seminary professor I had liked to say, “False religions have just enough truth to send you to hell”), but I agree it is certainly a “scourge.”

   Anyway, I’ll need to read his book some time. Thanks for sharing about it!

   Evan
Evan on May 17th, 2010
5. 

   Evan, I think the best people to bring Jews into the Church are the Jewish converts themselves. On occasion it may happen otherwise because God works as He wills. As Catholics we should have the tools ready should the opportunity present itself. It’s true, too, that there are some very uncharitable people in the Church who, to use the phrase, “think they are more Catholic than the Pope.” I would hope that others would support and encourage the potential convert and learn something from him.
barb on May 17th, 2010