Jesus of Nazareth
by Pope Benedict XVI
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Book Reviews of Jesus of Nazareth
Book Review: Jesus of faith
Summary: 3 Stars
This is a well written and generally scholarly approach to the study of Jesus from a faith perspective. Unfortunately, Ratzinger would have us believe that this is an historical approach, which it clearly is not. Ratzinger believes that the study of the historical Jesus begins with the understanding that Jesus is the son of God - "He [Jesus] lives before the face of God, not just as a friend, but as a Son... (p. 6)." Well, this might be a good place to begin a study of the faith of christianity, but I'm not sure this is the place that historical studies should begin.
Putting aside the faith based underpinnings, Ratzinger does a fairly good job of trying to sort out the different stories about Jesus. But along the way, he makes a few mistakes. For example:
- Ratzinger says: "Again and again, the Gospels note that Jesus withdrew 'to the mountain' to spend nights in prayer 'alone' with his Father (p. 7)." In fact this isn't true. For example, in the entire Gospel of Mark, Jesus does this only once (6:46). Matthew (14:23) Luke (6:12), and John (6:15) record the same instance, but more often than not, there are multitudes with him on a mountain.
- Ratzinger says: "...the early Christian community included more than a few priests and former Pharises (p. 13)." There were no priests in the early Christian movement, unless Ratzinger uses the word "early" to refer to 2nd century. The early Christian movement was Jewish, and all the major players were Jews, from Peter to Paul and James.
I also have some problems with the organization of the book: (a) there is no index, (b) references are placed in a bibliography, and separated by chapter, (c) there are no footnotes.
While the book has certain weaknesses, it is certainly worth reading, but not from the point of view of anyone seeking to discover the historical Jesus.
Book Review: Jesus - the Kingdom of Heaven
Summary: 5 Stars
Let me start out by saying that I am no theologian, but rather just one poor sinner doing my best to make it to the finish line. I am a revert Catholic who spent much of my life in search of the very God I was fortunate enough to meet as a young altar boy at St. Joseph's School in Bradenton, Florida. Unfortunately my spiritual encounter with God in the Eucharist was short lived as I began to "mature" and become a seasoned sinner. However it has been the Eucharist that hunted me down like the "Hound of Heaven" and brought me back to the reality of God - Jesus is God and the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.
Pope Benedict therefore brought this revert to a new level of realization: that Jesus is the Kingdom of Heaven. Suddenly the Curé of Ars statement made sense that after the last supper Jesus got up taking with him all of heaven in his heart to the Olive Garden. If the Eucharist is Jesus then when I consume the Eucharist I am also consuming the Kingdom of Heaven. Consequently, not only does my soul implode into the consumed Eucharist (which is God), but I am also united in truth to all the angels and saints who are in heaven and who forever participate in the Eucharistic banquet spoken about in Scripture. Thus Holy Communion is communion of God and of Heaven. So now when I gaze at the Eucharist I realize that something so small is yet so infinite. God is infinite and his created Heaven (from nothing), by virtue of residing in His Heart, is made infinite. Now the analogy made by Jesus that he is the vine and we are the branches makes perfect sense to me. Also Peter's Epistle notation that we will become as "gods" has new meaning.
I'm sure that it will take me a long time to fully comprehend and appreciate fully this book. I have no doubt that this book is the work of the Holy Spirit. Well worth reading!
Book Review: Answering the question of who the REAL Jesus is...
Summary: 4 Stars
In a world where critical 'theologians', novelists and various sundry people come up with new ways to 'downgrade' Jesus into something else, the Pope in the foreword asks this question:
Since the 1950's 'The gap between the 'historical Jesus' and the 'Christ of faith' grew wider and the two visibly fell apart. But what can faith in Jesus as the Christ possibly mean, in Jesus as the Son of the living God, if the man Jesus was so completely different from that the picture that the Evangelists painted of him and that the Church, on the evidence of the Gospels, takes as the basis of her preaching?'
This book is really an answer to that question, a defense of the biblical view of Jesus. The answer is given in a somewhat scholarly manner. However since many of the attaks on Jesus come from scholars, there is no other way to go about it.
That being said, this is not the kind of book, that someone who has no interest in some level of theology would find an easy read. Some patience is required. Again, if you are one of those types who by grace, has never been bothered by attacks of theological mavericks, you are blessed and may not need to read a book like this. However, some of us have never recieved that kind of grace, and every now and then need a book like this to help the intellectual side of our faith. If you are new to the Pope's books read the book 'God and the World' It is long, but is basically a set of interview questions that the Pope while still a Cardinal, answered in a very enagaging, simple language that is very easy to read. Some of the questions in that book are provoking like 'Was Jesus a Catholic?' 'Why should all of mankind be held responsible for original sin? Is God male or female? etc However Ratzinger answers them thoughtfully and with kindness and grace.
Book Review: Sublime
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is not so much a traditional biography per say but more of a biographical critical study. What made me buy it was an interest both in its subject and its author. The Pope, Joseph Ratzinger, is a figure who greatly fascinates me. He's a master's master and a scholar's scholar. Not that I'm a worthy appreciator of his skills as I am a Biblical ignoramus.
While I did learn a ton from finishing this work what amazed me most was the Bishop of Rome's intellect. I knew he wrote voluminously but was astonished to see how well-versed he is in...well, everything. His talent as a scholar and teacher cannot be underestimated. Normal folks, and even ecclesiastical half-wits like me, can profit from his instruction. Of course, Jesus of Nazareth, was no page turner. It is very cerebral.
And it was slightly incongruous to discover that the Pope even quoted Jacob Neusner and his A Rabbi Talks with Jesus, but I get the feeling that there is no truth Ratzinger will not examine in his attempt to understand God. Via discussion of the major elements of Jesus's life--such as the baptism, the temptation, and the gospel--the Pontiff succeeds in illuminating his essence.
Basically, his narrative is a mixture of minor and major; detail and theory; the mundane and the sacred. In his words: The Kingdom of God is not to be found on any map. It is not a kingdom after the fashion of worldly kingdoms; it is located in man's inner being. It grows and radiates outward from that inner space.
What more can I say about Christianity and this book than that it gives us hope: If you follow the will of God, you know that in spite of all the terrible things that happen to you, you will never lose a final refuge. There's not more we can ask for than that.
Book Review: Sublime!
Summary: 5 Stars
I decided to read Jesus of Nazareth in hopes of bringing myself closer to Him as the season of Lent began. I don't think anyone living has a deeper understanding of the Christ than Pope Benedict XVI, on both the purely spiritual level and the rational, scholarly level. But could he impart any of that relationship to me, a willing but unscholarly reader?
I've actually read a great deal about Christ, and am an avid Bible reader. Never have I seen such insight as this! Jesus of Nazareth is an exploration of the real Jesus and His part in the Trinity as Son of God as revealed in Scripture. Benedict made the complete humanity of Jesus shine through as never before. His discussion of how the people viewed Jesus at different points in His ministry, vs how Christ portrayed himself, answered long-standing questions I've had, such as exactly what He meant when he so often called Himself the Son of Man. This really filled me with awe.
Benedict's discussion of the parables was superb. Again, I was amazed at his insight as he pointed out meanings I've never heard before and historical relationships of which I was unaware. His explanations are always rational: no jumping to unlikely conclusions or unsupported theories. At the same time, they are explanations that presuppose the faith of the reader. I'm not sure how a nonbeliever might approach this book. He'd probably not be able to dispute any of the scholarship but would miss the deep satisfaction experienced by the Christian reader.
For me, this book was a delightful, uplifting journey of Christ in the Gospels. It made me feel much closer to Jesus, and I know that will stay with me. I am so eager for the second installment of Jesus of Nazareth!