Jesus of Nazareth
The Infancy Narratives
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4.0 • 1 Rating
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- €12.99
Publisher Description
The momentous third and final volume in the Pope's international bestselling Jesus of Nazareth trilogy, detailing how the stories of Jesus' infancy and childhood are as relevant today as they were two thousand years ago.
In 2007, Joseph Ratzinger published his first book as Pope Benedict XVI in order to 'make known the figure and message of Jesus'. Now the Pope focuses exclusively on the Gospel accounts of Jesus' life as a child.
The root of these stories is the experience of hope found in the birth of Jesus and the affirmation of surrender and service embodied in his parents, Joseph and Mary. This is a story of longing and seeking, as demonstrated by the Magi searching for the redemption offered by the birth of a new king. It is a story of sacrifice and trusting completely in the wisdom of God as seen in the faith of Simeon, the just and the devout man of Jerusalem, when he is in the presence of the Christ child.
Ultimately, Jesus' life and message is a story for today, one that speaks to the restlessness of the human heart searching for the sole truth which alone leads to profound joy and freedom. This ostensibly simple message is also the most profound challenge to the individual human being at a time of unprecedented turbulence and change.
There is no greater vocation for a Pope than to preach the Gospel and this is what in this book Pope Benedict has done with conviction and urgency. This new book is a masterpiece of its kind.
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 casuallyRatzinger 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 Ratzingers text slowly, virtually every page will yield fruitful insights.
Customer Reviews
Very Good
This is an exegesis of The Nativity/Infancy Narratives from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, performed by former Pope Benedict XVI.
While a difficult read at times, I found this to be a very good experience, overall.
Perfect reading for this time of year.