Martin Roth writes this devotional
from his perspective of growing up in a Jewish family and becoming a Christian
later in his life. Included are Bible reading assignments and discussions.
However, what I found special was when the author talked about his own
experiences. His first Seder, or Passover Ceremony, was experienced at the home
of his aunt and uncle in Tel Aviv where Roth had gone to work on a kibbutz
after recently graduating from the university. It was his first Seder because
his father, a refuge of World War II in New Zealand, had rejected his Jewish
heritage.
Roth became a Christian at the age of
forty-four after his Jewish experience and other experiences while living in
Japan.
Another interesting story in this
devotional is about Rabbi Harold Vallins, a man who went from being an atheist
to a Rabbi to a Christian. Roth talked to him to learn how this happened and
reading about it is fascinating as well as informative.
Roth's father was a Jewish refugee to
New Zealand and a Communist who served in the New Zealand Air Force. After the
war, he became anti-war, refused his war medals, and became a leader, along
with Roth's mother, in the fight for nuclear disarmament.
The question the author poses is this:
Should Christians kill as soldiers? The devotional goes through Psalms 18,
analyzing each verse as it relates to war.
I found the quotes from Andrew Grills
interesting. Grills was an Anglican chaplain with the Australian Defense Force.
Another story I liked was the way a British general became an Anglican priest
after he retired.
Both these devotionals are well worth
the read.
