Jesus of Nazareth Study Guide will also available on the same date. Here is the description:Posted on 07/30/2008 9:30:54 AM PDT by NYer
On September 15th the paperback edition of Pope Benedict XVI's Jesus of Nazareth (featuring a new index) will be available from Ignatius Press. The Jesus of Nazareth Study Guide will also available on the same date. Here is the description:
This easy-to-use companion study guide helps the readers who approach Joseph Ratinger/Pope Benedict’s Jesus of Nazareth without the benefit of extensive theological or biblical training. The goal is not to replace Benedict’s book but to make it more accessible, more fruitful for the average reader—whether lay, religious, priest or deacon
Designed for individual study or for group/parish discussion, this guide has the following features for each section and chapter of Jesus of Nazareth:
• a reader-friendly summary
• an outline
• a list of key terms
• questions for understanding, reflection, application and discussion
• a section for readers to include their personal reflections on the readingThe guide also includes an ample introduction explaining the background for understanding Pope Benedict’s approach and how to use this guide as an easy-to-use glossary that defines important terms and identifies key people discussed in Jesus of Nazareth.
• God Made Visible: On the Foreword to Benedict XVI's Jesus of Nazareth | Fr. James V. Schall, S.J.
• "God Is The Issue" | The Temptation in the Desert and the Kingdoms of This World | Fr. James V. Schall, S.J.
• "The Self-Revelation of God's Reality in History": On the Final Chapter of Jesus of Nazareth | Fr. James V. Schall, S.J.
• Further reflections on Benedict's "Jesus of Nazareth" | Various Authors
• Pastoral interpretation in Pope Benedict's Jesus of Nazareth | Dr. Peter S. Williamson
Ping!
HH BXVI writes with limpid clarity -- admittedly I come to his work with a background in English Lit. as well as German, History and (wellspring of obfuscation) the Law. But I have no background to speak of in Theology or Biblical exegesis.
The translator of Jesus of Nazareth also did a splendid job. Where there is a double meaning or significance in German, the translator kindly footnotes or brackets an explanation.
It seems to me that this book is so straightforward and clear that no "translation" is needed. A "study guide" could turn out to be a barrier rather than a bridge -- not to mention that, like Cliff's Notes, such works often entirely miss the point the author is trying to make . . . .
I own the audio book but there are so many footnotes and references that I can’t use it. Maybe if I have a hard copy of the study guide I can listen. I also have an audio of Mere Christianity which I try to listen to once a year. Its awesome!
I too was most impressed with the calibre of the translation.
It seems to me that this book is so straightforward and clear that no "translation" is needed.
Perhaps for you, and possibly for many others, but there are some who can get mired down. Theology is not a 'light' topic. Someone must have felt the need to develop the study guide; perhaps it was based on reader feedback?
LOL! All the evidence supports you:
• a reader-friendly summary
• an outline
• a list of key terms
• questions for understanding, reflection, application and discussion
• a section for readers to include their personal reflections on the reading
Sounds like a Teacher's Manual! Wanna bet there's at least one Ed.D. on the author team (these people always come in teams!)? ;-)
He has the most intriguing voice - very crisp, very masculine, with the Belfast brogue surging up periodically through an Oxford crust.
One man's mistake is another man's profit opportunity! Prob'ly thought it would be tacky to go with "Jesus of Nazareth Action Figures"! Also, the publisher wouldn't go for it . . .
The style of any 'guide' is going to be far inferior to the style of the original. And style matters. It attracts, enchants, supports.
Also, I think in the era of IM and IPods, some folks aren't willing to put in even the minimal effort needed to read an actual book. And I think our expectations tend to be too low. You get out of almost anything only what you are willing to put into it.
Seriously, I am always suspicious of somebody who is purporting to tell me what something "really means". They usually have some sort of agenda.
Now this opens up truly frightening possibilities . . . At best, a "study guide" is likely to be bland and pedestrian. At worst, who knows?
The book itself is a wonder, though it's not easy reading -- but only because each line is so dense with meaning. I found (and I've read it twice -- so far!) I couldn't really read more than a chapter or so at once and be able to digest it.
I like to have it there to review the appropriate sections when I say the Luminous Mysteries (the Eucharist of course will be treated at length in the next volume, but there's plenty in there about it) -- couldn't help imagining B XVI and JP II discussing these things at length and in depth.
I see what you are saying, but this guide is being published by Ignatius Press, not the guys who publish the NatCatDistorter or Commonweal. Not all Catholics are academics or intellectuals. Some may want to read Jesus of Nazareth, but could use a little help in comprehending the content. No one is forcing you to buy a copy.
It's another layer of interpretation. Just read the book!.
I don't think "John and Mary Catholic" (thanks fer nothin', Bishop Trautman) are half so dumb as some people seem to think they are.
I don't think they are, either. Given the significant lack of basic catechesis over the last several decades, it is an aide to "readers who approach Joseph Ratinger/Pope Benedict’s Jesus of Nazareth without the benefit of extensive theological or biblical training. The goal is not to replace Benedict’s book but to make it more accessible, more fruitful for the average reader ..."
The Holy Father writes with great simplicity and clarity without talking down to his audience. But he requires a certain backgound in the topic. At a minimum, reader have to have read the Gospels, and many have not.
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