The Jews for Jesus movement, a controversial Christian group focused on converting Jews — highly offensive to some, understandably — has confused and fascinated me for years. Doesn’t being a Jew who believes in Jesus basically make you a Christian? (Weren’t all the disciples “Jews for Jesus,” by definition?) If I’m a baptized Christian, but find Shabbat traditions, Passover Seders and other Jewish practices spiritually meaningful, does that make me a messianic Jew, a liberal Christian, or just confused? None of the above?

Questions to ponder, while reading the obituaries for Jews for Jesus founder Moishe Rosen, a Jew-turned-Baptist who died last week at age 78. Some of the coverage:

• Founder of Jews for Jesus Embraced Controversy (Wall Street Journal)
• Moishe Rosen Dies at 78; Founder of Jews for Jesus (New York Times)
• Jews for Jesus founder dies (JTA)
• Remembering Moishe Rosen: Jews for Jesus founder left his mark on evangelism (Christianity Today)

*Click here to subscribe to Belief Beat and click here to follow Belief Beat on Twitter.