David Brickner
David Brickner (born September 29, 1958) is an ordained Christian Baptist minister[1] who has been head of the Christian missionary group Jews for Jesus since 1996.[2] Brickner was born and raised in Beverly, Massachusetts.
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[edit] Family background
Although his father was Jewish, Bricker is not Jewish according to Jewish law as his mother was not Jewish.[3]
Brickner married Patti Vasaturo in 1979, they have two children, Isaac and Ilana.[1]
[edit] Education
- 1981 Graduated Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, IL Diploma in Jewish and Modern Israel Studies
- 1986 Northeastern Illinois University in conjunction with Spertus College of Judaica B.A. in Judaica, Minor in Music
- 1994 Fuller School of World Mission, Pasadena, CA M.A. in Missiology, Concentration in Jewish Evangelism/Judaic Studies
[edit] Career
Brickner began his career as a missionary with the Chicago branch of Jews for Jesus. He led the New York City branch until May 1996, then was elected by a council of his peers the organization's second executive director. He has spent his entire career as a missionary.[citation needed]
[edit] Controversial statements
Brickner was reported to have said on 17 August 2008 that the deaths in the Jerusalem bulldozer attack were “God’s punishment” for Jews having failed to convert to Christianity.[4][5] The comments created further controversy because they were made at the Wasilla Bible Church, where Sarah Palin is a member; Palin was chosen a week later to be the Republican candidate for vice-president in the United States presidential election, 2008.[5][6] Political analysts speculated that Brickner's remarks would cause the Republicans to lose Jewish voters.[7] In an interview with NBC news David Brickner responded to this assessment of his guest speech by saying "That's not what I was saying ... That's not what I believe. The violence is evidence that sin has marred our human condition and because of sin and non belief, God's judgment rests on all humanity."[4][8]
[edit] Books
- Mishpochah Matters: The Jewish Way to Say Family : Speaking Frankly to God's Family, 1996
- Future Hope, 1999
- Christ in the Feast of Tabernacles, 2006
- Christ in the Feast of Pentecost, 2008
[edit] Musical albums produced
- Times and Seasons 1986
- Music for Messiah Live 1989
- Messianic Music Festival 1991
- Yeladim for Y'shua 1991
- He Will Return 1991
- Psalms of a Modern David 1991
- David's Hope 1997
[edit] References
- ^ a b About me, brickner.jewsforjesus.org
- ^ Jews for Jesus Hit Town and Find a Tough Crowd, Michael LuǍo, July 4, 2006, New York Times
- ^ David Klinghoffer (30 March 2006). "A Tenuous Claim as a Jew for Jesus". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. http://www.jewishjournal.com/opinion/article/a_tenuous_claim_as_a_jew_for_jesus_20060331. Retrieved 4 September 2009.
- ^ a b The full transcript and audio recording of the Aug. 17, 2008 speech is on the Wasilla Bible Church website.
- ^ a b Harris, Ben (2008-09-03). "McCain team: Palin rejects views of church’s Jews for Jesus speaker". Jewish Journal. http://www.jewishjournal.com/elections/article/mccain_team_palin_rejects_views_of_churchs_jews_for_jesus_speaker_20080903/. Retrieved 2008-09-07., "Palin attended Anti-Jewish sermon given by Jews for Jesus founder 2 weeks ago". Israel e News. 2008-03-09. http://www.israelenews.com/view.asp?ID=3005. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
- ^ Pulliam, Sarah (9 September 2008). "Jews for Jesus director defends remarks". Christianity Today. http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctpolitics/2008/09/jews_for_jesus.html. Retrieved 4 September 2009.
- ^ Smith, Ben (2 September 2008). "Jewish voters may be wary of Palin". Politico. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13098.html. Retrieved 4 September 2009.
- ^ "Jews for Jesus Head Defends Speech, by Domenico Montanaro,Sep 9, 2008 http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/09/09/1368740.aspx
