Michael Rydelnik
Michael Rydelnik grew up in a devout Jewish home and is the son of two Holocaust survivors.
His father lost his first wife and five children to the Nazis at Auschwitz. He also lost his parents, his grandparents, and four of his five siblings at Treblinka.
His mother lost her parents, her brother, her grandparents, and all her relatives except for one cousin during the Holocaust.
His mother came to believe that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah during Michael’s high school years. Michael followed soon afterward.
His father divorced his mother and disowned Michael. His father told him that the Nazis were Christians and that the world was divided into two groups and Michael had joined the other side. His world was “us” and “them” and Michael had become “them”.
After high school Michael attended Moody Bible Institute where he met his wife, Eva. He studied under Dr. Louis Goldberg, Moody’s first Professor of Jewish Studies. After finishing at Moody, he earned an undergraduate degree at Azusa Pacific University, a ThM at Dallas Theological Seminary and a doctorate in the study of missions at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
Michael served the Jewish community during college and seminary. When he finished his formal education he moved to New York with Chosen People Ministries and planted a messianic congregation on Long Island.
When Louis Goldberg retired from Moody he recommended that Michael follow him as Professor of Jewish Studies. Michael started at Moody in January, 1994. He also served as Vice President and Academic Dean during his time at Moody.
Michael and Eva have two sons. One of them moved to Israel, became an Israeli citizen and has served in the Israel Defense Force.
After retirement from Moody, Michael has continued to serve in various ways.
Michael Current Ministries
Michael also edited The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy. This is my Book Note on this important book.
The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy- an excellent tool
What is in this book?
How Should Christians Think About Israel?: A Quick Guide to God’s Covenants, Biblical Prophecy, and the Jewish People is very readable and covers important theological concepts that are clearly relevant today.
1. How should Christians view the promises to Abraham and the patriarchs and the covenants of Scripture.
2. How should we view unbelieving Jews.
3. What is the place of the Jewish people in prophecies yet to be fulfilled?
4. He opposes a view that holds that all references to Israel in the New Testament refer to the church.
5. How should Christian view the state of Israel?
6. Do God’s promises to ethnic Israel have any benefit for Gentile Christians?
My Thoughts
Michael started on the faculty of Moody in 1994. I was the Library Director at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School from 1993-1997. In addition to his service in the Jewish Christian community, he and I attended North Suburban Church in Deerfield, IL (current name of the church).
I have followed and been challenged by Michael’s service to God’s people.
I highly recommend this book.
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