Product Description

“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.”

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1385 in Books
• Published on: 2007-05-15
• Released on: 2007-05-15
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 400 pages

From Publishers Weekly
In this rich, sophisticated introduction to the life of Jesus, the pope argues that Jesus brought to the world neither universal prosperity nor peace, but God. Indeed, Jesus cannot be understood outside of his relationship with God the Father, "which is the true center of his personality." Ratzinger explores the meaning of key moments in the Gospels, such as the temptations of Jesus, the Transfiguration, and the Sermon on the Mount, and points to passages in which Jesus adumbrates Pauline theology. He underscores Jesus' being rooted in the Old Testament, showing, for example, that the Beatitudes participate in a long tradition of blessings, exemplified in Psalms and Jeremiah. Ratzinger draws on historical-critical scholarship of the New Testament, but cautions that the usefulness of strictly historical readings of Scripture is limited: one must also read Scripture theologically, and view each passage of the Bible as part of a larger canonical whole. This learned book cannot be read casually—Ratzinger draws on a vast array of scholarship, and he assumes familiarity with theological categories such as "Christology." But for those who are willing to work through Ratzinger's text slowly, virtually every page will yield fruitful insights.

From AudioFile
Who better to write a book about the proclaimed Son of God than the leader of His largest organized group of followers, the Catholic Church? And who could be a more intimidating author of such a tome? Listeners to Don Leslies presentation of the English translation find any trepidations soon quelled. Leslie reads the Pontiffs work as if he were an educated and caring priest delivering a homily to a beloved congregation. Pope Benedict refrains from obscure theological philosophy in favor of a clear examination of both biblical and scholarly writings on Christ. Together, Leslies sonorous yet personable tones and the Popes scholarly yet conversational writing style create an inviting study. R.L.L. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Booklist
*Starred Review* Begun before his election to the papacy, this is the first volume of a work that Benedict intimates he may not live long enough to complete. Its 10 chapters—on, respectively, Jesus' baptism, his temptation in the desert, the nature of the kingdom of God, the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord's Prayer, the disciples, the parables, the principal images of John's Gospel, Peter's confession and Jesus' Transfiguration, and Jesus' two self-descriptions, "Son of Man" and "Son"—are masterfully cogent and accessible essays in orthodox Christian exegesis. Canonical exegesis, to be precise; that is, the passages discussed in each chapter are interpreted within the prophetic context of the continuous document that contains them, the Bible. The meanings of Jesus' words, deeds, and person are always educed with the aid and understanding of the religious thought and practice of the preceding Hebrew Scriptures. While he aims to respond to the twentieth-century torrent of historical Jesus literature that in general makes Jesus a man of his time and place in Roman Palestine, Benedict doesn't repudiate or even much criticize that literature. Indeed, he accepts and looks forward to more of what archaeological and historical anthropological and sociological research has discovered about Jesus' milieu. As tender as it is erudite and brilliant, this is a book for every religion collection. Olson, Ray
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

Excellent transaction.
Book arrived promptly and in the conditon advertised. I would purchase from this vendor again.

Sublime
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.

Most important book on Jesus
The Holy Father wrote a wonderful book on Jesus.
It is not propaganda.
It is a message of hope.
Now people can understand the teachings of Jesus as a simple and loving human being with divine inspiration.
I am Catholic but I never believed everything my Padre told me. In the book of the Holy Father, the teachings of our Lord are simple but full of hope for people of all faiths.

Content/Subject Quality: Excellent book on the true message of Jesus.

Product quality: Excellent quality. Very distinguished.
Appearance: Excellent. Nicely printed.
Delivery service: Excellent. No delay.Good service from amazon.
Rating: 5 stars and plus.