Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict XVI Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Jesus of Nazareth
Book Review: A Must-Read for Serious Theology Students
Summary: 5 Stars
I've spent the past 3 1/2 weeks making my way through "Jesus of Nazareth" by Pope Benedict XVI. This is definitely required reading for any Catholic theology student and I was thrilled to pick it up at my local library. This is not, however, a book to breeze through. In general, I enjoy Ratzinger's works. They are definitely thought-provoking. They are also very erudite and this work was no exception. Every page needed to be read, reread, and pondered. There is just so much information here.
This book is the first of two, although there is no word on when the second installment will come out. Given his advanced age and the demands of his ministry, the Pope decided to publish what he had completed. As such, "Jesus of Nazareth" covers Jesus' life from the Baptism to the Transfiguration. Ratzinger's greatest strength is his ability to synthesize great volumes of research and different theological trends. He also spends much time integrating the Hebrew and Christian scriptures showing how they are interconnected.
I honestly don't feel up to the task of reviewing this book. It would make a wonderful college theology text, which I have no doubt it will be used as. You could probably spend a lifetime studying the text of this book and all the different ideas that Ratzinger put forth. If you are seriously interested in studying Jesus and the Biblical reason for our belief, pick up this book.
Book Review: A Pearl of Great Price
Summary: 5 Stars
Tremendous work!
One reviewer disliked the book because of the way, or method, the Pope employs. He adopts the same historical-critical approach that has gained much creedence since WW2 and existed prior. The work is not pedantic though.
His audience, I think, is larger than those who buy best selling books. He's speaking directly to academe while he speaks to the rest of us.
A wonderful corrective! Illuminating. Profound and powerful. This book will create waves and ripples that will last generations.
Step by step we are walked though Jesus' ministry as well as representative "versions" of revisionist history. This is really something. Something very important.
The Holy Father's book is not only to be read, but it is to be experienced. You will find yourself saying "Yes," and "Wow" on many more than one occasion.
Book Review: A Protestant's Skewed View
Summary: 5 Stars
The Pope, by his very position, tends to be a polarizing agent. From a young age, I caught whispers of Antichrist conspiracy theories in throwaway Christian tracts. Later, I read Morris West's unsurpassed "Shoes of the Fisherman," and discovered a wholly honorable and thought-provoking aspect of the Pope's position. With these warring extremes in mind, I simply had to read "Jesus of Nazareth" for myself, to discover if Benedict XVI was bringing anything new or worthwhile to the table of spiritual discussion.
To my pleasant surprise, I found this statement in the book's foreward: "it struck me as the most urgent priority to present the figure and the message of Jesus...and so to help foster the growth of a living relationship with him." Indeed, the rest of this tome does revolve around the divinity of Jesus and how that applies in our present times, both personally and publicly. While referring often to Church fathers and tradition, Benedict XVI addresses liberal theology's questions, as well as some of Nietzsche's dilemmas. He goes even further, addressing the real issues of the human heart in our modern age.
In a erudite manner, "Jesus of Nazareth" provides a text full of deep thinking and honest wrestling, while remaining accessible and immensely readable. It circles the central issues of Jesus' identity and message, puts out the fires with patient confidence, then hones in on biblical truth. He builds New Testament passages on Old Testament understanding, shows immense respect for Judaism, and offers a worldwide view of Christ's redemptive message. Although I still have issues with some of Catholicism's structural tenets (unwed priests, for example), I can find nothing but solid Christian doctrine in this book. If it's true that things trickle down from the top, then this is a good sign for a large portion of Christ's figurative Bride on earth.
Book Review: A Reasoned and Prayerful Reflection
Summary: 5 Stars
JESUS OF NAZARETH is the first book written by Pope Benedict XVI since he assumed the title. It is not a historical or biographical work, but rather a theological reflection on who Jesus was and is: his teachings, ministry and essence as the Son of God, whose paschal sacrifice won for us our redemption. It is the first of several planned books and is both clearly and eloquently written.
Beginning with an initial reflection on the Mystery of Jesus, Pope Benedict reflects upon different aspects of Jesus in each chapter:
1) The Baptism of Jesus
2) The Temptation of Jesus
3) The Gospel of the Kingdom of God
4) The Sermon on the Mount
5) The Lord's Prayer
6) The Disciples
7) The Message of the Parables
8) The Principal Images of John's Gospel
9) Two Milestones in Jesus' Way: Peter's Confession and the Transfiguration
10) Jesus Declares His Identity
All of the reflections, which stand alone and can be read thematically or sequentially, are well done. The two chapters that I found to be exceptional were those on "The Disciples" and "The Message of the Parables." One caveat: While the book is beautifully written, it is best not to read it in short bits; rather one should devote time in a quiet space for proper reflection upon at least one chapter in its entirety.
With respect to other reviews, it appears that there are those who are reviewing the "man" rather than the book itself. As head of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict is unwavering in his assertion that the Catholic Church represents the fullness of Christianity - this is clear from his other writings and proclamations. While that should be expected, it is also important to note that Benedict has been, and continues to be, an ardent advocate for religious freedom. These two concepts are not incompatible. Still others argue that he is not using the John Dominic Crossan model as shown in "The Historical Jesus . . ." (in itself a fine work). This is true! The books are written for entirely different purposes.
JESUS OF NAZARETH is a fine resource for both study and reflective prayer. It is not the definitive work on Jesus: that description is reserved to the Sacred Scriptures. However, it is a marvelous brief study of the essence of Jesus.
Book Review: A brilliant work
Summary: 5 Stars
I know the Bible quite well, but I learned something new on almost every page.