The moving story of a young man's amazing journey to discover the roots of the Christian faith in the Ancient Near East, which led him from Protestantism through the Messianic movement and into the Catholic Church. This journey took him to the rainforest of Papua New Guinea, the Nożyk Synagogue in Warsaw, and the Judean Desert and into the heart of ancient and medieval Jewish tradition: the Hebrew Bible.
Along the way, he met a cast of odd and wonderful characters, false prophets, and saintly Catholics who taught him about God, Scripture, and prayer. His steps were dogged throughout by God's strange, providential provisions, despite his human blindness. At the heart of the ancient faith, much to his surprise, he discovered what a billion people across the world already know and live: the Catholic faith.
Through it all, Matthew Wiseman's relentless desire for truth and consistency kept him searching until he discovered the "beauty ever ancient, ever new". His powerful story is like a course in fundamental theology, in compelling narrative form.
About the Author :
Matthew David Wiseman, Ph.D. (University of St Andrews), is a teacher and an independent scholar living in San Antonio with his wife and family. His research and writing focus on biblical poetry, Saint John Henry Newman, Scripture, and the development of doctrine.
Review :
"A groundbreaking book that could change the lives of traditional Jews, Messianic Jews, Protestant Christians, and wavering Catholics. Highly recommended!"
-- Ronda Chervin, Ph.D., Emerita Professor of Philosophy, Holy Apostles College; Hebrew Catholic
"Matthew Wiseman's journey to the Catholic Church through the Messianic movement is worthy of the Magi who followed the star to Bethlehem. An absorbing, challenging, and ultimately inspiring read."
-- Fr. Dwight Longenecker, Author, There and Back Again: A Somewhat Religious Odyssey
"Truth is stranger than fiction, or so the saying goes. In the case of Matthew Wiseman, this proverb is fulfilled. You will rediscover the inner logic of Catholicism that has drawn converts from every religion and philosophy for millennia.";
-- John Bergsma, Ph.D., Franciscan University of Steubenville and St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology
"Wiseman's stunning journey to the Catholic Church is biblical, intellectual, and eminently practical. The astute development of Wiseman's view of Scripture and its interpretation through multiple traditions makes reading this conversion story worthwhile."
-- Steve Ray, Author, Crossing the Tiber: Evangelical Protestants Discover the Historical Church
"Wiseman's determined path to find the true, authentic Christianity leads him from a Baptist childhood, through the Hebrew Roots Movement, into a deep involvement with traditional Judaism, and through Anglicanism to his final home in the Catholic Church. Along the way, one learns a tremendous amount about the transition between the preparatory phase of God's plan for the salvation of all mankind (Judaism) and its fulfillment (the Catholic Church)."
-- Roy Schoeman, Author, Salvation Is from the Jews and Honey from the Rock
"A beautiful testimony. Wiseman tells his story with charm, humor, and deep theological insight into the need for Tradition, liturgy that grows organically from its Jewish roots, and apostolic succession."
-- Lawrence Feingold, Ph.D., Professor of Theology, Kenrick-Glennon Seminary
