Marvin Rosenthal
Marvin Rosenthal | |
|---|---|
| Born | Marvin Jerald Rosenthal October 14, 1935 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | January 8, 2022 (aged 86) Winter Garden, Florida, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Pastor, author, missionary, theme park founder |
| Known for | Founder of Zion’s Hope and The Holy Land Experience |
| Spouse | Marbeth Rosenthal |
Marvin Jerald Rosenthal (October 14, 1935 – January 8, 2022) was a Baptist pastor, author, missionary, and founder of Zion’s Hope and The Holy Land Experience, a Bible-themed park in Orlando, Florida. A Jewish convert to Christianity, he was active in evangelical missions to Jewish communities but was also a vocal opponent of the Messianic Jewish movement.
Early life and education
[edit]Rosenthal was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Yetta Rosenthal, a single mother who raised three sons in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood. His grandparents were Jewish immigrants who fled Russia to escape antisemitic pogroms. Raised in an observant Jewish environment, Rosenthal was bar mitzvahed and attended a Conservative synagogue.[1]
His mother converted to Christianity after encountering a Christian missionary, which led to estrangement from the local Jewish community. Rosenthal himself converted to Christianity at age 15. He later served in the United States Marine Corps, worked briefly as a dance instructor, and pursued religious training at the Philadelphia College of the Bible and Dallas Theological Seminary.[1]
Career and ministry
[edit]Rosenthal was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1968 and became pastor of a Baptist church in Pemberton, New Jersey. He then joined the Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, where he served as executive director and edited the organization’s magazine for over 16 years.[2]
Rosenthal was known for his opposition to Messianic Judaism. In 1975, he helped draft a resolution for the Fellowship of Christian Testimonies to the Jews (FCTJ), denouncing Messianic congregations that mimicked synagogues and included Jewish ritual as “pseudo-cultural pride.” He maintained that Jewish converts should worship alongside Gentile Christians in local churches.[1]
In 1989, following a theological dispute over the timing of the Rapture, Rosenthal was dismissed from the Friends of Israel. He founded Zion’s Hope, a missionary organization based in Florida, and began publishing Zion’s Fire magazine.[1]
The Holy Land Experience
[edit]Rosenthal’s vision culminated in the creation of The Holy Land Experience, a 15-acre biblical theme park in Orlando. Developed by Zion’s Hope, the park opened in 2001 and featured reconstructions of ancient Jerusalem, the Qumran Caves, Herod’s Temple, and the Garden Tomb.[3]
Although the park was praised by some Christian leaders, it drew criticism from Jewish organizations who viewed it as a tool for proselytizing Jews. The Jewish Defense League protested its opening, and the park’s multimedia exhibits—such as a presentation at the Wilderness Tabernacle ending with images of Jesus and Mary—were accused of blending Christian theology with Jewish history.[4][5]
Rosenthal denied these accusations, stating, “My goal is to share the truth of the word of God to all people, including Jewish people.”[3]
Despite initial controversy, the park attracted widespread media attention and exceeded projected attendance figures. Rosenthal acknowledged that the protests helped boost publicity: “The storm of publicity has done more for us than millions of dollars in advertising could have accomplished.”[6]
Writings
[edit]Rosenthal authored several books on Christian theology and prophecy, including:
- The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church
- The Feasts of the Lord
- Not Without Design
- Iraq: Saddam Hussein and the Prophetic Word
Personal life
[edit]Rosenthal was married to Marbeth Rosenthal and had one son, David, who succeeded him as the leader of Zion’s Hope.[2]
Death
[edit]Rosenthal died on January 8, 2022, in Winter Garden, Florida, at the age of 86.[7]
Legacy
[edit]Rosenthal was a controversial but influential figure in Christian missions to Jewish audiences. His theological positions, particularly his opposition to Messianic Judaism, and his development of the Holy Land Experience, made him a notable figure in American evangelicalism.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Pinsky, Mark I. (June 30, 2001). "The Spark Behind Zion's Fire". Moment Magazine. Vol. 26, no. 3.
- ^ a b "Marvin Rosenthal, Builder of the Holy Land Experience, Dies at 86". Charisma News. January 21, 2022.
- ^ a b Canedy, Dana (February 3, 2001). "A Biblical Theme Park in Florida Begets Ill Will". New York Times. p. A8.
- ^ Berkman, Jacob (February 16, 2001). "Sacred Mission? A Local Counter-Missionary Leader Condemns Florida's Holy Land Experience". Baltimore Jewish Times. Vol. 258, no. 3. p. 22.
- ^ Pinsky, Mark I. (January 11, 2001). "Orlando's Holy Land: The Holy Land Experience, a $16 Million Religious-Themed Tourist Attraction, Will Open for Business Next Month". Orlando Sentinel.
- ^ Johnson, Robert (March 6, 2001). "Protests Help Theme Park Turn Prophets into Profits --- at Holy Land Experience, Conversion Dispute Brings Unexpected Publicity". Wall Street Journal.
- ^ "Marvin Jerald Rosenthal Obituary". Dignity Memorial.
- ^ Pinsky, Mark I. (March 22, 2020). "The Jerusalem Temple May Soon Crumble Again – but This Time, in Florida". Haaretz.