I was utterly delighted to have found a cheap second hand hardback copy, today, of a book that I have wanted for a long, long time: Jüngel's Gott als Geheimnis der Welt– only 18 euro! I skipped home!
I also skimmed through Pope Benedikt XVI's new volume on Jesus (Jesus von Nazareth. Von der Taufe im Jordan bis zur Verklärung). As I mentioned already to Jim, it is an unapologetic mix of biblical scholarship (albeit limited in scope if the index is anything to go on) and confessional prose. While this may put some off, I found it to be a breath of fresh air and I look forward to reading it. I would add that at 24 euro this is a well priced book.
2 comments:
I think that in Benedict we have one of the great synthesizers of our day. This is one thing that the College of Cardinals remarked about him: his ability to understand what everyone is saying and then to synthesize it and reiterate it in a way that gathers it all together, but somehow states it more clearly and sheds more light on the point being discussed. I'm looking forward to seeing more of this in the book.
Your remark that his use of biblical scholarship appears to be "limited in scope" might be only apparent due to his great gift for synthesizing very dense material. At the same time, he has not had much time to engage in the academic life as much as he would like because of his duties at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and now as the Bishop of Rome.
Benedict certainly knows what the issues are in the study of Jesus and where the contentious points lie. I'm not sure how much actual exegesis he's done, but he certainly knows who to use. He has made it clear that he sees bringing together what is good from the modern methods of exegesis and traditional orthodox reading of the Bible as one of the the most essential needs of the Church in our day. His call (in 1988) for historical criticism to be turned upon the critics has helped to give Catholics confidence to approach modern scholarship from a perspective of faith. I think we can expect as much from this book: the "unapologetic blend," as you call it.
My great disappointment is that I don't read in one of the language editions that have already been issued. May 15th can't come too soon!
Jeremy Priest, Detroit, Michigan USA
Now you are really making me want a copy, and right now!
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