Marvin 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 Rosenthal was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Yetta Rosenthal, a single mother who raised three sons in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood of the city. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Rosenthal denied these accusations, stating, “My goal is to share the truth of the word of God to all people, including Jewish people.”

Writings Rosenthal authored several books on Christian theology and prophecy, including: Not Without Design. West Collingswood, NJ: Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, 1980. The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1990. The Feasts of the Lord. Orlando, FL: Zion's Hope, 1997.

Personal life Rosenthal was married to Marbeth Rosenthal and had one son, David, who succeeded him as the leader of Zion's Hope.

Legacy Rosenthal was a controversial 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.