Jesus of Nazareth
34. Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth: From the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration
In this book, the current pope explores the nature of Jesus as He is revealed through the Gospels. The book is partly a response to modern scholars who claim that the “historical Jesus” and the “Jesus of faith” are two radically distinct concepts that cannot be reconciled. The pope argues that the two concepts describe one and the same person: Jesus as He is portrayed by the four Gospels of the New Testament. The book explores many aspects of Jesus’ life and teaching, from the temptations in the desert to the Sermon on the Mount to the parable of the prodigal son.
This book is definitely geared toward the believing Christian, and I doubt that non-Christians would get very much out of it. At the very least, readers should be familiar with the basic tenets of Christian doctrine and with the four Gospels. The book is not an argument for Christianity; rather, it is a theological inquiry into who Jesus is, based on Biblical accounts. One of the biggest strengths of the book, in my opinion, is its use of the Old Testament to elucidate the Gospel message. I also especially liked the section on the Sermon on the Mount. I found the book fascinating, and it certainly left me with a lot to think about. While there are a few references to specifically Catholic doctrines, I think that most Christians would find a lot to agree with in this book.