Excellent Biblical approachMarch 13, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is an excellent Bibilical approach to the life of Jesus from a Christian perspective. For those who might have preconceived ideas about Pope Benedict XVI/Cardinal Ratzinger, change the name on the cover of your book and read it with an open mind. It is not easy reading, it requires patience; and a familiarity with the Bible is helpful. This aside, it is very enjoyable reading for anyone seeking a better understanding of the message of Jesus as the foundation of Christianity. I shall probably reread it since there is great depth to his thought.
Richard A. Valdes, Ph.D., J.D.
The Real JesusMarch 10, 2008 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book cuts across much of the present day "re-thinking" about the "historical Jesus" and returns to the reader the Church's understanding of who the real Jesus Christ is, not only from a historical perspective but also who Jesus is as He has been revealed by the Holy Spirit to the Bride of Christ, the Church, over the past 2000 years. The Holy Father's teaching about Jesus is refreshing and encouraging and should be read by all but especially by those who want to know and love Jesus even more.
Jesus of NazarethMarch 10, 2008 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The first chapter seemed a little slow, but the rest of the chapters really caught my attention. The subject matter is treated in a very refreshing, scholarly manner with many new perspectives that are quite engaging. Current modes of thought are compared to straight biblical stories and the reader is drawn into forming a clearer understanding of who Jesus really is, and what was the purpose of his cominging among us.
Jesus - the Kingdom of HeavenMarch 4, 2008 3 out of 4 found this review helpful
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 Cure 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!
Sublime!February 29, 2008 6 out of 6 found this review helpful
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!
