Jesus of Nazareth: From the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration by Benedict XVI, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

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(Paperback)

  • Pub. Date: September 2008
  • 415pp
  • Sales Rank: 19,876

    Reader Rating: (4 ratings)

    Detailed Rating: "Inspiring" See All

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    Product Details

    • Pub. Date: September 2008
    • Publisher: Ignatius Press
    • Format: Paperback, 415pp
    • Sales Rank: 19,876

    Synopsis

    "This book is... my personal search ‘for the face of the Lord."
    ---Benedict XVI

    In this bold, momentous work, the pope--in his first book written as Benedict XVI--seeks to salvage the person of Jesus from recent "popular" depictions and to restore Jesus’ true identity as discovered in the Gospels. Through his brilliance as a theologian and his personal conviction as a believer, the pope shares a rich, compelling, flesh-and-blood portrait of Jesus and incites us to encounter, face-to-face, the central figure of the Christian faith.

    From Jesus of Nazareth... "the great question that will be with us throughout this entire book: But what has Jesus really brought, then, if he has not brought world peace, universal prosperity, and a better world? What has he brought? The answer is very simple: God. He has brought God! He has brought the God who once gradually unveiled his countenance first to Abraham, then to Moses and the prophets, and then in the wisdom literature---the God who showed his face only in Israel, even though he was also honored among the pagans in various shadowy guises. It is this God, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, the true God, whom he has brought to the peoples of the earth. He has brought God, and now we know his face, now we can call upon him. Now we know the path that we human beings have to take in this world. Jesus has brought God and with God the truth about where we are going and where we come from: faith, hope, and love."

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    Biography

    On April 19, 2005, CARDINAL JOSEPH RATZINGER was elected POPE BENEDICT XVI and became the 264th successor to Peter as the "Vicar of Jesus Christ." He may well be the most accomplished theologian to be elected Pope in modern times. Beginning in 1981 he spent over 20 years as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, a role often depicted as the “defender of the faith.” Cardinal Ratzinger was also President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission and of the Preparatory Commission that codified the new Catechism of the Catholic Church, published in 1994.

    Customer Reviews

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    • Ratings: 4Reviews: 2

    Thoughtful, Accessible, Scholarlyby eternalstudent

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    July 04, 2009: As a Protestant, Reformation-loving Christian, albeit respectful of the immense contribution of Roman Catholicism to the intellectual framework of Christianity, I had some trepidation at the outset of the reading of this book. I have since read it twice and eagerly look forward to Part II.

    Written while still Cardinal Josef Ratzinger, Benedict undertakes the immense task of examining the life and impact of Jesus of Nazareth, synthesizing the narratives of all four Gospels into a coherent and inspiring Christology, from the Jordan River to the Mount of Transfiguration. Benedict is a consummate scholar, familiar with all of the important historic and contemporary vantage points from which the life of Christ is appreciated. He is unfailingly kind to opposing views as he engages each in turn, but defends the orthodoxy of Christ--fully man, fully God--and the authority of Scripure with rigor and insight.

    This is most evident in his engagement of the ideas of Rabbi Jacob Neusner, himself a repectful dissenter from the claims of Christianity, in his "A Rabbi Talks With Jesus" (copyright 2000, McGill-Queens University Press). This dialogue between the two serves as an example of how those of different faiths might discuss and debate the essentials of their respective traditions without rancor.

    More importantly, Benedict renders both the pericopes (stories about) and parables of Jesus--and the various historic commentarites--accessible to the reader. He embodies in his presentation the characteristics of a true disciple of Christ, presenting both objectives and objections with a gentle and persuasive tone. He sheds light on how one might pierce the veil comprised of confusing interpretations of Jesus and his life, and find Jesus himself in the Gospel narrative. His patient and scholarly renderings of the Sermon on the Mount and the Parables of Christ were, to me, the very best parts of an already excellent work, and with some patience should be understandable to any serious seeker or student of Jesus of Nazareth.

    Finally, a work like this inspires not only a more comprehensive view of the One whom I call Lord, but gives me hope for a greater essential unity of all who go by His name, because Benedict highlights that which all believers share-- the possession of Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man.

    I Also Recommend: Mere Christianity, Basic Christianity, God's Empowering Presence.

    A Thoughtful Approachby tmuet

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    February 23, 2009: It was just as I expected from Pope Benedict . Thorough, fair, cerebral.

    He patiently explains the errors in many of the newest teachings coming from the likes of the "Jesus Seminar". With a thoughtful,professorial tone, he leads the reader to a proper and historical understanding of Jesus the man and Jesus Our Lord. We learn through careful documentation of the historical facts that the two faces of Our Lord are not mutually expclusive. His is man and He is Lord. Pope Benedicts' concern for the faithful to have an accurate understanding of the life of Jesus is apparent as he guides us through the events that shape the gospel stories. Take your time when reading this book. Though not a quick and easy read, the spiritual food is well worth the effort.