A. James Bernstein

In Surprised by Christ, Fr. James Bernstein tells the story of his conversion from Judaism, to Protestantism, to Orthodox Christianity. The book provides very interesting food for thought as Fr. Bernstein argues effectively that the Orthodox Church is truer to Christianity’s Jewish roots than either Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, or any other room of God’s Church in which one might find themselves. This is important for any Jew who comes to believe in and worship Jesus as the Messiah whom the Old Testament prophets foresaw, yet does not want to lose their Jewish identity. Not that a Christian Jew might not find they’ve come home worshiping in a Protestant or Roman Catholic church, it’s just Fr. Bernstein explains why after searching, researching, and praying for many years, it’s the Eastern Orthodox Church in which he finds his Jewish roots have found welcoming soil.

While interesting throughout, it was when Fr. Bernstein addressed deeper issues and paradoxes of theology as debated by the Early Church Fathers that Surprised by Christ really grabbed my attention. As a Jew, Fr. Bernstein examines important doctrines from the perspective of someone knowledgeable and deeply respectful of Christianity’s foundation, paying close attention to language and interpretation of the Biblical source material. As for the thought and insights of the earliest Christians, the texts referenced in the endnotes of Fr. Bernstein’s book form a curriculum on theology which I, being interested in learning more about the beginnings of Christianity and the Church, both for intellectual and spiritual edification, will be perusing, pondering, and praying about for years to come.… (mais)