Jesus of Nazareth: From the Entrance into Jerusalem to the Resurrection

The second book in the much acclaimed ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ trilogy continues with the insight and clarity that is anticipated of the writings of Benedict XVI. Whilst written for a non-academic audience, this is an intellectually substantial book, and most readers will finish with a new insight into the familiar Gospel accounts of the sacred events that make up Holy Week. Relying upon the Scriptures, the Church Fathers, and contemporary scholarship, Benedict guides the reader into a deeper awareness of the Passion narrative, beginning at the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem and through to His crucifixion and resurrection. The approach adopted by Benedict towards the Gospel narratives is conservative but not fundamentalist, agreeing that there are benefits to the historical-critical method of reading Scripture whilst also recognizing its limitations. In contrast to those exegetes who prefer to spiritualize the account, particularly that of the bodily resurrection to the extent of reducing it to mere metaphor, Benedict recognises the historical accuracy of the Biblical narrative, whilst emphasizing the importance of viewing sacred history through the lens of theology. The Gospel writers were not simply presenting an historical account, but were writing to demonstrate the Messianic character of Jesus for the people of Israel and beyond. Details noted by the Evangelists that may seem of little consequence frequently take on an entire new significance when viewed with such perspective. It had never occurred to me, for example, that the seamless garment stripped from Christ had such priestly significance. A minor detail in the narrative, but one that will now be rich with meaning whenever I hear or read the Passion. Benedict’s theology is thoroughly Christocentric, and this radiates from these pages. The significance of Holy Week is the universal redemption of mankind by the outpouring of love from Christ on the Cross. The trend of liberal theologians to downplay the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus as relatively insignificant compared to His ministry is firmly resisted. Related to this is Benedict’s small but important section on who bears the responsibility for the death of Christ, sharply rebuking those who have through the centuries held the Jewish people responsible for the sin of Deicide. It is the sins of humanity which nailed Christ to the cross, and His blood, far from being a curse on any group, is the salvation for all. As noted, a minor section, but one that is significant in countering a particularly ugly form of antisemitism that has found perverse justification in the Holy Week texts. Benedict XVI has described the Jesus of Nazareth trilogy as his own ‘personal search for the face of the Lord’. I have little doubt that these books will be of enormous spiritual help for Christians seeking to do the same for many years to come. I chose to read ‘Holy Week’, appropriately, as part of my own Holy Week reflection and found to be extremely beneficial in entering deeper into the sacred week. It is a book that I intend to come back to in future years, and I have no doubt that I will encounter much more with each reading.

This is the Pope's second book on Jesus of Nazareth. It is perhaps a fitting book for Easter given that it focuses on the passion narratives. A brief summary of each chapter is as follows: 1. Considers Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and the `temple' incident. Most noticeably it considers how this narrative fits the Davidic prophetic narratives. 2. Jesus' eschatology - i.e. the destruction of the temple, and the new temple in his body. 3. The washing of the feet - i.e. how Jesus becomes the servant of everyone. This is considered in the light of the parable of the suffering servant. 4. Chapter 17 of John's Gospel, i.e. the prayer of forgiveness. This is the moment when Jesus finally says, `my time has come'. This chapter considers what this meant and what Jesus saw his mission as being. 5. Considers the last supper and the Eucharist rite which was given through it. It then considers how this rite has been passed on and has evolved throughout the church's history. 6. Considers the garden of Gethsemane narratives - i.e. that in the garden suffering, God becomes one with man's suffering. This chapter really focuses on the suffering of Jesus, knowing that he was approaching his final hours. In this way he comes to share in everyone's `fear' of dying. 7. The trial of Jesus - i.e. that the crime was not political and therefore Jesus was not just a failed political leader, but rather that the crime was religious, i.e. one of blasphemy. The blasphemy was that Jesus alluded to himself being God and his anti-temple talk. 8. Crucifixion and burial - i.e. the prayers which Jesus offers during his crucifixion. For example, `my God, my god, why have you forsaken me', is psalm 22, which is the prayer for Israel's forgiveness. Even in his final hours he still offers himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. 9. Considers resurrection - i.e. if it's just bodily resuscitation then it's not that impressive. This chapter argues that the resurrection was an `evolutionary leap' in which something wholly new occurred. 10. The second coming - is this in the future, or does has it already happened, daily... this chapter is actually truly and wholly heart warmly inspiring. Its focus is on how Jesus indwells in the individual and lights their heart with his presence. In this way he becomes the bridge between God and man. In the intro the Pope specifically says that his book is intended to offer a new historico-theological, rather than strictly historical, look at the passion narratives. The outcome is frankly amazing. I have read a lot of books on theology and actually this book ranks up there in the top brackets. Rarely do I sit back and think: this book makes me think completely different about Jesus, this book has really deepened my understanding - well, this book did it, and more than once. Usually I would offer a word of criticism on a book but in this books case it's positively difficult to do this - it really is that good a book. I terms of the book itself; it's possibly one of the Pope's better written books. The language style is easy to read and the print is nicely spaced not being too small or close together. The cover is a nice white cover with the papal crescent imprinted on the front - obviously it has a dust jacket which goes over this also. In total I couldn't recommend this book enough. It made me think in a new way and deepened my understanding of the last days of Jesus. I can only thank the Pope for actually taking the time to write this book because it truly was a great pleasure and experience to read. Overall, I couldn't recommend it enough. At the time of writing, Easter fast approaches and I would highly recommend this book to deepen your understanding of Easter and what it's deeper meaning is.

Press reports have tended to concentrate on the obvious 'headlines': Pope says Jesus not a revolutionary; Pope says "need for unity"; Pope says "Jews not to blame for crucifixion"; Pope says resurrection is real; and so on and so forth. All of these things you will certainly find in this book, but they are only part, and not I suspect, the most interesting and lasting thing about this book; so what is? It is the technique. For some years the Pope has been writing about what he (not terribly helpfully for most of us) calls the 'hermeneutic of continuity', or, reading the Bible according to the light of the tradition of Holy Mother Church. If you ever wondered what that means you'll find out by reading this book - the result is a whole new version of theological scholarship. Since the Tubingen school in the early nineteenth century we have been used to the pace in Bible studies and theology being set by those outside the Church; form-criticism, redaction theory, the historical-critical method, and so on; all these have brought insights from the secular world of scholarship to bear on the Bible - often with results which have disturbed the faithful. Well, wait, for it - here the Church strikes back. Here, one of the foremost theologians of the age, who just happens to have been the choice of the Holy Spirit for Pope (some coincidence!) brings the insights of religious scholarship into play to correct, modify and use aright the insights from other disciplines. He can do form-criticism and redaction theory with the best of them, but, as he shows triumphantly, these are merely instruments for understanding - if you want to understand fully, you need to bring the insights of the tradition of the Church to bear. The historical-critical method, with its claims to some kind of scientific accuracy, has led to many dead-ends - here the Pope shows how, when allied to the hermeneutic of continuity, it can yield results. One example must suffice. Writing about St. Matthew's account of the trial of Christ where 'the Jews' say 'His blood be on us and on our children' (Mtt. 27:25), the Pope reminds us that for the Christian Jesus' bollod speaks a different language from the blood of Abel (Hebrews 12:24); it does not cry out for vengeance and punishment - it is poured out 'for you and for many' in atonement and reconciliation. Read in the light of faith, Matthew means, the Pope tells us, that we all stand in need of the purifying power of love which is His blood; the words are not a curse - they offer the chance of redemption to those who will hear His word. We have here a book which combines the insights of the Catholic tradition with those offered by secular scholarship, and which triumphantly shows us how reading in the light of faith gives us the deepest meaning of Scripture. I read the book in the English translation, so whether the slightly bland prose-style is there in the original or is the result of the (excellent) translation I can't say. But, unlike parts of volume 1, this book reads easily enough for the general reader. If you want something to read this week-end which will deepen your understanding of the mysteries of Holy Week, then go for it here. The Pope has written a book which redefines theological methodology, and he's done it by showing how, read through the eyes of faith, the full and deepest message of the Scriptures can be properly read. So, thank you, Pope Benedict for showing us why your 'hermeneutic of continuity' matters.

This is the second of the Pope's trilogy on the life of Jesus. I loved the first and this one is even better. I learnt so much from it - it is scholarly, devotional, biblical and Christ-centred. The section on Jesus saying 'this is my body' was particularly helpful to me. I am not a Roman Catholic and do not accept traditional catholic teaching on the mass - but what is said in this book makes a lot of sense and was personally very helpful to me. There is also one section where he teaches justification by faith (which was a bit of a surprise!). I highlighted so much of this book - that it looks like a rainbow! Highly highly recommended. Can't wait to get the third one.... "The New Testament message is not simply an idea; essential to it is the fact that these events occurred in the history of this world; biblical faith does not recount stories as symbols of meta-historical truths; rather, it bases itself upon history that unfolded upon this earth."

The second part of a very important work. Pope Benedict is in the top flight of Christian scholarship, and this distillation of a lifetime's thought, meditation and no doubt prayer is a "must-have" for anyone wanting to know all that is needful about Jesus of Nazareth. Like many great scholars, Benedict has the ability to express very profound ideas in very accessible language, without any "talking-down". Not all the brief quotations in Greek have been fully translated, but the context makes their meaning clear. It isn't always an easy read, for it demands intelligent thought; but it is always worth the effort.

Benedict's monumental work on Jesus' Passion has helped me prepare adequately for Lent. Using his usual crystal-clear style, the Pope Emeritus delves deeply into the theological meaning of the various events between and including Palm Sunday and the Resurrection. After reading it, one becomes aware of the many hidden meanings of Jesus' life that are not apparent when simply reading the Gospel. I reccomend this book to anyone who wants to find out more about the incredibly deep meaning of Jesus' journey to the Cross.

Deepened my understanding of Jesus. Easy reading.

Pope Benedict set out to explain in detail the events of the holy week, that is Christ's suffering and crucifixion and his resurrection. The book addresses the historical events in their theological interpretation and links them up with the Scriptures. It resolves all issues concerning the coming of the Word to take onto Himself the sins of the world, and what it means to mankind. The book also emphasizes the Lord's resurrection, what it actually means in terms of a physical event, and how those events not just fulfill the Scriptures but also prove the christian faith and all its foundations, and more so the reaching out of God the Creator to mankind through his manifested Word. Pope Benedict' book is an enlightment to all christians and a must have for strengthening the christian faith and message.