Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives

By Pope Benedict XVI

The New York Times bestselling final volume in the Pope’s Jesus of Nazareth series, 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 affirmations 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 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Nov 21, 2012
• ISBN: 9780385346412

Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI is widely recognized as one of the most brilliant theologians and spiritual leaders of our age. As Pope he authored the best-selling Jesus of Nazareth; and prior to his pontificate, he wrote many influential books that continue to remain important for the contemporary Church, such as Introduction to Christianity and The Spirit of the Liturgy.

Reviews for Jesus of Nazareth

[davidpwithun_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An excellent answer by the most prominent figure in Christendom to the proponents of the historical-critical method and their false assumptions. Powerful.

[wilhelm_weber_3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very readable and highly recommendable, incorporating scholarly precision with down-to-earth Christian faith. A pleasure and a blessing to read! Thank God for biblical scholars and Churchmen like Benedikt XVI. It reminds me a lot of the Roman Catholic, who in Worms judged: "Then the Lutherans are in the Bible and we are outside." Well, I think Pope Benedikt XVI is doing his fair share of getting RC right back into the Holy Bible and the Holy Bible into RC. If you are looking for a good present for Thanksgiving or Christmas - here is a good choice!

[mramos_710291 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Pope Benedict pens a biography of the flesh-and-blood Jesus as revealed in the Gospels. The pope shares his understanding of Jesus of Nazareth as the central figure of Christianity, who brough God to Earth along with faith, hope and love.

[dvulcano_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As a Roman Catholic, the content of this book is perfect. It was written to seemingly "set the record straight" due to so many interpretations of Jesus's life and his teachings in modern literature. The book studies the authenticity of the Gospels and analyzes major parables and events (Sermon on the Mount, the meaning of the "Our Father" etc).While not disputing any of the content of the book, I offer a warning to those who may wish to read it. This is not a book for beginners. It's not even a book for "mid-levels". The book mostly offers an advanced look at the life and teachings of Jesus taking for granted that the reader understands many movements with and against the Roman Catholic understanding. Many proper names and movements over the past 2000 years are referenced by name without any further elaboration on their background, assuming the reader already knows or will pursue knowledge. When Pope Benedict XVI was elected, he was dubbed "the thinking man's pope" to contrast his sytle to that of John Paul II who was able to appreciate the vernacular. Pope John Paul II was right for his time as he could work with the television media and understood the importance of sound bites. Pope Benedict XIV is perfect for his time as the prevalence of the internet facilitates the ease of communication, reading and research. This book reflects that style by offering a very complex look at the life and teachings of Jesus and his critics over the past 2000 years.I will read this again as I'm sure I will get something out of it every time I read it.

[laudemgloriae · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Marvelous! The insights of the Holy Father about who Jesus Christ is, against what the world says He is or should be are so sincere, and timeless. He has an amazing way of making difficult theological concepts understandable... and just making you think.

[maxernst11 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Duidelijk de prof die spreekt: exegetisch verhaal, met hier en daar de puntjes op de i. Fijne formulering: discussie met andere exegeten. Terugkerende these: "Jezus is God, dat is de enige sleutel tot zijn verstaan; hij kon maar de dingen doen die hij deed en zeggen zoals hij ze zei, omdat hij God was!", dit ruikt naar een cirkelredenering!

[jcbrunner · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When I read this booklet over Christmas 2012, I thought multiple times that the author was willing to drop the towel. Presenting the numerous inconsistencies in the accounts about Jesus' birth and youth, Benedict XVI at multiple times has to opt for a Deus ex machina. While the inconsistencies point towards other interpretations, Benedict has only the weak claim of dogma. It is so because it says so (or has been interpreted so). At the core, theology is not scientific and also only vaguely related to the humanities. A system of belief is at its heart incomprehensible with reason. This realization might have broken Inspecteur Javert's heart and mind. He might no longer have been willing to live with the inconsistency.

[the_awesome_opossum · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm very impressed with the Pope right now. Jesus of Nazareth is a very thoughtful and elegant exegesis of the Gospels, in search of the reconciliation of the historical Jesus with the Christ Jesus. Benedict works chronologically through Jesus' life, beginning with his baptism and working through the Transfiguration. While he refers to a variety of scholars for historical contexts and interpretations, often he prefers to keep the exegesis insulated - he refers back to other parts of the Bible, the Torah or the prophets for example, to interpret the Gospel. It's a very sophisticated and often innovative look at who exactly Jesus was

[yvonnevoninnes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Jesus of Nazareth is very scholarly work. Knowing a little of Ratzinger?s background and passion I expected nothing less. It is not the easiest read or organized in a smorgasbord fashion where you can pick, choose and skip. And I have to admit that I would not have been able to tackle it without having read a couple of other theology books first. Despite its academic structure, I couldn?t put it down and will read it again. Ratzinger is concerned that many people have lost sight of Jesus?s true nature. That Jesus and his purpose have often been misconstrued or over simplified. Jesus?s image has been stripped down to that of a liberal rabbi or ?moralist? who preaches ?individualistic morality.? I have personally witnessed how this type of ?impoverished? vision in family and friends has regrettably devolved into a form of secular relativism. The purpose of Ratzinger?s book it is to help reveal Jesus?s true purpose and therein our own. His progression is both insightful and logical. He accomplishes this not only by drawing attention to the various foretellings and prefigures in the Old Testament but, more importantly, also through Jesus?s own words. He shows us Jesus?s personal prophetic recollections of the Old Testament and his foreshadowings.I really valued his compassionate analysis of the ?Our Father?. It is my favorite prayer and it means even more to me now that I understand it better. Although it is a challenging read, I would recommend this powerful resource, just not as a first read. Familiarity with the bible and some theological background is necessary to comprehend the progression of logic. You don?t, however, have to be an expert. While I did have to look up a couple of terms, I didn?t have to read all the mentioned theologians? theories to benefit from its underlying message.