Reviews for Jesus of Nazareth: From the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration

The average rating for Jesus of Nazareth: From the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2017-05-22 00:00:00 Wayne Leskosky I read this trilogy not in order (doesn't make it confusing), so this is my last one of the three, and I think it's not a bad way to end. Whatever I may think of the author now, it's true that he can write, calmly, clearly and bringing new things up for us to realise. He also brings up other writer's points of view about certain subjects. This book focuses on Jesus' active preaching part of life, from the Baptism to the Transfiguration, with the Passion left for another book, and the childhood times likewise. At the end is glossary and small bibliography; the main text is in 10 chapters. I made a load of notes on this one, which I guess shows the book's quality :) I talk below of some of the bits in each chapter, not everything but some of what I noticed. I think the first chapter made the most impression on me, partly at least because I could see a film of the Baptism running in my head, at various speeds so that the scene lasted quite long *lol* A point of saying 'yes' to God's path, of first time of Jesus going down to depths, then up again - the Passion's first sign (though of course many things that happened, including this, can be seen the best way afterwards - doesn't make it lesser either). Then the desert temptations, some things that people think and say about and to Jesus already here: demand for food (see miracles of the loaves and last supper) - wrong charity asked; asking proof through "grant us now your protection"; using power to secure faith, Barabbas the resistance leader 'doing it now', Jesus is no bringer of worldly better-world. Earthly kingdoms fade, Jesus "has brought God" to all nations. Third chapter talks about the Kingdom of God. It's not empty talk of an emperor, but a good, saving message. The Kingdom is in person (Jesus) or located in man's inner self (mystic), or with the Church (closeness). OT text moving towards Jesus' existence, then things go beyond. God acting through Jesus. Images of the mustard seed, leaven, field-treasure and pearl of great price. Sermon of the Mount (being like a new Mount Sinai): beautitudes and a new version of Torah. Blessed are not what the world wount want, joy already before the glorious future. The sermon is a map for disciples. Poverty, humility, openness towards God, to be given outwards, compassion for others, knowing persecution is ahead, purity of heart. The woes: what not to do, the path of ruin, Earthly joys and 'independence'. Law of Christ, preaching as one with authority which causes alarm since it goes beyond safety and boundaries of Jewish faith (but doesn't really destroy the law). Lord's prayer, line by line. Not showy, no 'chatter'. Formulaic prayers are needed sometimes. A picture of Jesus' inner attitude for us to imitate. "Our" not "I". To not be stretched beyong our strength, to never lose God and be able to endure in affliction. About the disciples, the 12. Jesus gave them inner knowledge, skills (to heal, exorcise etc.) and preparation talks. God gives of freedom from the demons we saw before in nature and such. There is also a bigger circle of 70/72 disciples, with similar mission, plus the women followers, mentioned by Luke (who in general is quite women-positive in my opinion). The parables, especially Luke's examples: the good Samaritan, the prodigal son, rich man and Lazarus, the heart of Jesus' preaching. They point towards the Cross and are part of it. Non-apostle people can fail to find the angle to get 'inside' these saying, or refuse to leave reality, preferring proofs. The good Samaritan: charity outside one's community, risking it to be charity like Jesus, also image of Adam being rescued by Christ and brough to Church. In prodigal son: the faraway land as earthly 'freedom', father giving back the 'first robe' of innocence and the feast as Eucharist. Older son's reaction as envy of what younger has been able to do, yet should come and share the joy which is better. The Lazarus story: the real good is the future good and present charity; Lazarus as Jesus; rich man asking for sending of proof. Eight: principal images in John's gospel (water, vine and wine, bread and the shepherd). John is more Jerusalem-centric and visual. Shows signs of knowing Jesus' world and Hellenistic Jewishness. Lots of things happen during Jewish festivals. New idea (for me) about the writer: first a lesser disciple of Jesus who let Peter where Jesus was taken from the garden, then a disciple of John the Apostle. The images are talked of thoroughly, but I'm leaving them out of this review. Peter's confession and Transfiguration: having them happen close to each other deepens both and connects them to the Passion. On the way to Jerusalem comes the confession: outsider have used prophet names, past-figures. The scandal about Jesus is his equality with jesus (but to Pilate the accusation is given as political one). Transfiguration happens 6-8 days afterwards and is like Moses' ascent to Sinai. We see Moses (law) and Elijah (prophets). Jesus going all bright-white is a connection to God, and the mountain bit conncets to the 'mountain' of Passion. Last chapter: Jesus declaring his identity, the titles he mentions about himself (the son, son of man, and use of "I Am"). "Son Of Man" is in NT used by Jesus only (quoted by Stephen once), in OT it appears in Daniel's 'four beasts' vision. "Son": kings have used it as being sons of divinity (Egypt, Babylon, Rome); image of Israel as firstborn nation of God with eternal king promised, who actually rules by faith and love. And then the "I Am" - in Exodus from the burning bush (also can be seen later as Jesus' cross) - God just "IS". Jesus saying "I am He", meaning I am YHWH. And many recognise what he means, especially during his interrogation, no wonder the troubles after. But the book ends in bright, hopeful manner... the next book would be the one about the Passion. This book is a surprising, comforting and uplifting kind of book about active-Jesus, and very much worth reading (no matter what order you choose to read the series).

Review # 2 was written on 2008-04-21 00:00:00 Brian Nichols Undoubtedly the most profound book I've read in 2008 and the best book on Jesus - outside of the Gospels - I've ever encountered. Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI claims, "this book is . . . my personal search 'for the face of the Lord.'" It can be yours too. It is alternately poetical, mystical, scholarly, exegetical and meditative. It is always erudite, challenging, thoughtful and catholic, i.e., universal. It is never preachy or pedantic. Jesus of Nazareth is not for the faint-hearted, nor casual reader. I read every chapter except the last a minimum of three times, often more and mostly because it was necessary. On my first read throughs I found it impossible to take in the depth of his theology while keeping up with him. Paragraphs are packed with references. In order to do this book justice, you need to sit with a good bible translation beside you at all times. I only wish I'd had access to more of the books and authors the Pope quoted. He drew heavily from Holy Scripture, Scripture scholars (from different denominations), Church Fathers'east and west, saints and their writings and biographies, historical figures, philosophers, atheists, and numerous modern exegetes. In fact, it was the depth and breadth of the Holy Father's sources which first surprised, then amazed and finally thrilled me; here was a true Shepherd for all of humanity. Any one human being who could command such a vast storehouse of the world's knowledge is nothing short of a genius. And yet, it wasn't his brilliance in the end that mattered, but his humility and simplicity. Over and over again in Jesus of Nazareth, Pope Benedict XVI shows himself to be the world's true Christian shepherd. He speaks of Jesus with such love, born of long years of relationship, which can never emerge from books, no matter how many, nor how well they are written. Joseph Ratzinger, the man, knows Jesus of Nazareth, Our Lord. It is He that this book is about. As an Evangelical Protestant pastor observes in this blog post, 'whatever your image may be of Joseph Ratzinger, this book will change it. In it you see deeply into his own heart, and what is there is a humble and gentle spirit, and a deep godliness. He deals gently with those who object to the traditional view of Jesus, and his interaction with the arguments in Jewish scholar Jacob Neusner's "A Rabbi Talks with Jesus" is worth the price of the book. It should be archetypal for how Christians should interact with their Jewish neighbors, and their Jewish critics.' Read, Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict XVI by Joel Gillespie, Tuesday, June 12, 2007 The book's dust jacket claims that PBXVI is seeking to salvage the person of Jesus from recent "popular" depictions and restore Jesus' true identity as discovered in the Gospels.' As if Our Lord needs "salvaging" or "restoration"! If in fact that was his intention when he began the book, he surpassed that simple objective and left it far behind in what he ultimately created. However, since PBXVI does address recent 'scholarship' which seeks to quantify every aspect of faith, even this issue is dealt with in a straightforward and factual manner. Each chapter in JoN is a scholarly, yet spiritual, treatment of one aspect of Jesus and/or His ministry. The book is ten chapters, begins with Our Lord's Baptism and covers a number of significant events/issues relevant to the God-man Jesus Christ, concluding with the revelation of His identity. Tantalizingly - if you glean as much from the book as I did - the Holy Father promises a sequel, or rather, the second half of this book. An important thing this book did for me was remind me how much there still is to learn about Jesus of Nazareth, and I don't just mean facts, although there were plenty of those, but in terms of one's personal relationship with Him'and how much spiritual 'growing up' I still have to do, or do I mean 'growing down'? PBXVI gave me new perspectives on parables I thought I knew inside out. He connected symbols and figures from the Old and New Testaments - many of which I'd seen and heard before - but in ways stunningly innovative. He introduced me to numerous authors and scripture scholars completely unknown to me before. In the middle of a piece of text, there would be a sentence which would reach out and literally grab my attention like a hand jumping out at me from the page. My faith life has been re-energized by this book in ways I could never have dreamed possible. But mostly, I have come to see Him, Jesus, through the eyes of his servant, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI. I am in awe. ><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< On Chapter 8 now. Not sure but I think that may end up being my favorite chapter. Up until two days ago, it was Chapter 2, The Temptations of Jesus. Then I stayed up until 3 in the morning reading Chapter 7, The Message of the Parables. Absolutely AWESOME! It only covers three Parables, sadly but then it is only a chapter. PBXVI would need a whole book to do justice to all the parables. (Pray he writes one!) Prior to reading Chapter 7, I thought Henri Nowen's book, "The Parable of the Prodigal Son" the very last word on that parable, but I should have known that when it comes to Our Lord's parables there will never be a "last word"! Thanks be to God! Anyway...the Holy Father has plenty more to say on three more parables and it makes fascinating reading, not too mention great material for reflection! However, as John's Gospel is my personal favorite, Chapter 8 is looking like it may complete with a good night's sleep very soon! ><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< Can't believe I hadn't updated my entry to reflect that I'm currently reading this! It is excellent by the way. Why have I waited so long to read his writing? ><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< Laine says this is excellent. It's both historical and a personal journey to know Jesus. She's read it twice and will read it again for a class she's taking.