Yeshua Matters

by Jacob Fronczak

We see depictions of him in movies, paintings, and stained-glass windows. We hear about him from the pulpit and the stage. We read about him in the Gospels. As his disciples, we follow him; we revere him; we glorify him. But how well do we really know him?
Monks, imams, gurus, priests, and pastors of all kinds have tried to define him. But how does he define himself?
What if the Jesus of history doesn’t look like the Jesus we’re trying to follow?
What if we’re wrong—not about Jesus’ theological identity, but about his priorities? His politics? His mission? His message?
What if we’re wrong about Jesus’ religion?
Yeshua Matters is the story of a pastor who discovers that Jesus Christ was not just a Jewish person, but a practicing Jew, a teacher of Judaism—a rabbi, known during his earthly ministry as Rabbi Yeshua of Nazareth.
Yet despite this emerging scholarly consensus, Jesus has lost his Jewishness in the collective heart and mind of the church. We simply don’t imagine, interpret, or follow him as a part of the broader tapestry of Jewish life and history.
If the author is correct, then the root of modern Christianity’s maladies is not disconnection between generations, conflict over worship styles, doctrinal differences, or a failure to keep up with cultural trends, but is instead a failure to apprehend and embrace the historical figure of Jesus.
What would change if the church were to rediscover that at the very center of its faith stands a practitioner of Judaism? What would change if the Christian world were to rally around a risen Rabbi?
What would change if we all realized that Jesus’ Jewishness changes everything—that Yeshua matters?

Genres: Spirituality

164 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Saphraneet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was a very good overview of why it matters that we see Jesus (Yeshua) as he really was and is: a Jewish rabbi. I liked the easy, personal yet informative way the author wrote, using endnotes to cite authors and books we may further wish to explore. This is actually the first book in a series and I am looking forward to reading the others as they come available.

[Kelsey Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

“By spreading the word that Jesus was an observant, faithful Jew, we can bring the world one step closer to the final redemption. We can open the door for the Jewish people to recognize their Messiah—if not now, then at least when He returns again in glory. We can repair Jesus’ reputation, which has been damaged by years of misunderstanding.” (p. 114)
I really can't do justice to this book in my review. Jacob Fronczak did something remarkable in Yeshua Matters: He put Yeshua back into His proper historical context without diminishing anything of His divinity, His miracles, or anything else from His status. Reconciling the differing ideas that Jews and Christians have of the Messiah, he showed how Yeshua truly is the Jewish Messiah.
The book is divided into three sections. In the first, Fronczak relates his own journey of searching for the real Jesus and for the meaning of discipleship. In the second, the “Portrait” section, each of the main roles of Yeshua were explained in their Jewish context. He did not create a new religion or come out of a vacuum; He was all of these roles—the Carpenter’s Son, Son of Man, Rabbi, King, Redeemer, Priest, Son of God, Messiah—in a Jewish way, a background that we need to understand so we can accurately explain and represent Him to Jews and to other seekers. I found the "Redeemer" chapter especially enlightening because Fronczak spelled out the Jewish vs. Christian conception of redemption, how they are both true, and how Yeshua accomplishes them.
In the third section, Fronczak delves into why understanding Yeshua is so essential and how we can practically live it out as disciples. His reflection on the state of Western Christianity is sobering, but it's exciting to realize that we have the solution: Jesus.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The author makes solid, compelling points. He leans more toward being a Noahide and while I respect how he landed there in his reverence for our Jewish brethren, I do not see a Biblical case for this position. I wouldn’t recommend this book to one young in the faith or someone who is not well studied in the whole Bible, but I do feel it is a worthwhile book.

[Dr. Jason Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic books and a MUST READ for every believer in Christ. Loaded with practical theology and Scripture to demonstrate the Jewishness of Jesus and the First Century Church. READ THIS BOOK!

[Hopson · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book, an introduction to the Hebrew Roots Movement, is a 21st century reincarnation of the 1st century Judaizer's false teaching. In this book Fronczak maximizes Jesus' Jewishness at the expense of His deity. He elevates the law at the expense of the gospel. He highlights the distinction between Jew and Gentile at the expense of Christ's death to bring unity (Eph. 2:11-16). He exalts proof-texts that he twists to reinforce the Torah while completely ignoring countless passages in the New Testament that refute his theology. He has sacrificed the whole storyline of Scripture for the revival of the oldest false teaching. Stay away from this book!

[Bob Mendelsohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful read from a young pastor in the US who seriously 'gets it.' His arguments about the JJewish Jesus are impeccable and he is seeking to introduce anyone and everyone to the Messiah in his historical context. A great job!

It's not easy to write anything new, or in a new style, about the Jewishness of Jesus, but Jacob has done just that.

I was considerably worried about what might be Jacob's commitment to Torah, especially for Christians, and he leaves no one in suspense. There is plenty of fodder, plenty to unpack, plenty to discuss for Messianic Jews and Christians of all denominations. I heartily recommend this easy read. And now I will have to order a case for our book shop in Sydney so that I can continue to recommend it to the general public very soon.

[Drew Geisel · Rating 4 out of 5]

every American Christian should read this book. a simple read with worldview-changing concepts.