Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict XVI
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Book Reviews of Jesus of Nazareth
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: 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: 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!
Book Review: Opening our eyes to the real Jesus
Summary: 5 Stars
Pope Benedict inserts this book into the context of those theologians who claim that Jesus was no more than a man, and that the scriptures and later articulations about Jesus were fabricated by subsequent generations. Pope Benedict in response shows that the outlook of faith is not irrational but rather extremely reasonable. He analyzes many themes in depth such as the Transfiguration, the temptation of Jesus and the importance of settings such as mountains. He draws forth the significance of these events from Jewish tradition as well as from a deeper understanding of the language used in the texts themselves. What emerges is a solidly articulated depiction of Jesus as He presented Himself, and a refutation that this depiction was or indeed could have been, drawn up by subsequent generations.
At times I found the scholarly depth of this book a little trying, however it is in general a rich and nourishing read. I was a little frustrated that it took me so long to read this book, but that's more to do with me than the book, since I had to keep putting it down to read other things through the course of this summer. however this is not a book that should be rushed through, it should be prayed through and pondered. I also found that the book broke down easily into individual sections and themes, which makes it easy to go back to for deeper reflection. A final point which makes this book a great read is that the editors inserted a glossary at the back for those who might not be so familiar with some of the terminology Pope Benedict uses.
Through expressing his knowledge and love for Christ, Pope Benedict here gives us an example of study and love to follow in our own journey towards Christ.