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| | Description | Through the Apostles, we come to Jesus himself." -- Pope Benedict XVIIn this fascinating and inspirational journey with the chosen disciples of Jesus, Pope Benedict XVI demonstrates a profound, unbreakable continuity -- built upon the foundation of the Apostles and alive in the succession of the Apostles -- by which Christ is present today in His Church. "At the start of the third millennium, my beloved predecessor John Paul II invited the Church to contemplate the Face of Christ (cf. Novo Millennio Ineunte, n. 16 ff.). Continuing in the same direction, I would like to show in this book how it is precisely the light of that Face that is reflected on the face of the Church (cf. Lumen Gentium, n. 1), notwithstanding the limits and shadows of our fragile and sinful humanity. After Mary, a pure reflection of the light of Christ, it is from the Apostles, through their word and witness, that we receive the truth of Christ. Their mission is not isolated, however, but is situated wthin a mystery of communion that involves the entire People of God and is carried out in stages from the Old to the New Covenant." -- From The Apostles | |
| | Product Details | | Author: | Pope Benedict XVI | | Hardcover: | 176 pages | | Publisher: | Our Sunday Visitor | | Publication Date: | July 20, 2007 | | Language: | English | | ISBN: | 1592764053 | | Package Length: | 7.8 inches | | Package Width: | 5.4 inches | | Package Height: | 0.7 inches | | Package Weight: | 0.65 pounds | | Average Customer Rating: |  based on 25 reviews |
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 A good read. Apr 25, 2010
I liked this book very much. It was a little difficult reading some of the early chapters, but I was very interested in the biographies on the twelve Apostles. Pope Benedict uses the Gospels themselves to provide the details on these important Church figures as well as traditional information that has been handed down. I had to laugh after reading some of the negative reviews here. I find it hard to understand why people seemed surprised that Pope Benedict is not going to write his book using the Protestant's interpretation of the Bible as the basis of his book. If they think that the Pope of the Catholic Church is going to forsake the Churches two thousand years of understanding, study and interpretation of the Gospels for the 500 year old re-interpretations of them, they're balmy. This book is printed up from writings that the Pope read to audiences over a period of weeks. It is comprised of the Roman Catholic understanding of the Gospels. I found them very enlightening especially since there are now so many interpretations and theories out there. For Catholics this book can be helpful and informative.
Solid and Illuminating Apr 11, 2010
A wonderful work by the Holy Father. There are several other very well-written reviews, so this one will be kept brief.
The Pope gives us an enlightened teaching on the Church in the first two chapters. Building a chain link by link, he explains how the Church along with its Magisterium and Tradition, are rooted directly in the first generations of Catholics who in turn are rooted in the work of the Apostles, who received their authority and direction from Christ himself, and through Him, the Will of the Father.
The following chapters give us sketches on each of the Apostles, The Apostle (Paul), and the prominent co-workers (Timothy, Titus, Stephen, etc.) The teachings are pulled from scripture, the early writings of the Fathers (Clement of Rome, for example, the first Apostolic Father of the Church), and clearly labeled Gospel traditions.
My only criticism is that the language does not flow in some passages, and I'm sure this is due to translation choices. But the sense and most of the beauty of the teaching is captured.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
New Insights Apr 14, 2009
This is another in the series that allows the simple (like me) to gain a deeper understanding of Christian topics. In "The Apostles" there are numerous jewels of information (like the ethnic derivation of St. Andrew's name). I learned something new (and believable) about every Apostle mentioned in the book. Most might have the same result. With this style of writing by the Holy Father, I get the impression I am listening to him talk to me directly in a church setting rather than as a letter. This setting allowed me to quickly complete the book and to enjoy every page while adding to my knowledge base. It was also an inspiring work for me in that it seemed to call me to follow Jesus more closely and to look at how important "friends" are to the work of salvation.
4 of 26 found the following review helpful:
 Misleading on Vital Topc Dec 04, 2008
A Lutheran must take this position, that the current Pope's depiction of the apostles starting the Visible Succession is more to tradition, if anything, than Scripture. The argument over petra and petros in Mt. 16 is major. Confession or office? Has to be confession.
This leads to second concern with this volume. Pope repeatedly speaks of the ultimate reason of the beloved apostles was to speak the gospel. But of what gospel, we must inquire, and what does this gospel do? Here we can see the Papal error, that the gospel alone is not sufficient to save. Works of grace and love must be added. So, the major theological split is centered squarely here, as it has been for centuries. Lutherans would easily agree to be under a Pope if he would speak the gospel truthfully and faithfully. This book gives evidence against that, as also his previous volume on Jesus testifies.
This does not add any significant insights on the apostles as have been previously been published. There is also chapters on Paul's associate circles, i.e. Priscilla and Aquila, etc.
Not for those who want a true picture of this important connection we have in the apostolic church to the Christ.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Meditations on the Apostles Nov 21, 2008
Our Sunday Visitor has complied a year of Pope Benedict XVI's public talks and assembled them as a book. If you are looking for detailed and scholarly biographies of the Apostles, look elsewhere. But if you are looking for inspirational meditations on the Apostles and their role in the founding of the Church, this book by the Holy Father certainly delivers. The Holy Father generally stays close to the sources from the New Testament and only rarely does he bring in traditional stories and legends. Too often, Pope Benedict sighs that we simply do not know that much about a number of them (and so Simon and Jude are lumped together and a paragraph on Matthias is added to the chapter on Judas). Still, Benedict is able to make due and breathes some life into some of the lesser known Apostles (Philip for instance). Once Benedict leaves the "portrait gallery" (a charming description that the Pope uses a few times in the book) of the Apostles and starts pondering Paul's companions, the book loses its momentum and the descriptions of the likes of Timothy, Silus and Titus come off as an afterthought. On the whole, "The Apostles" is more a hagiography than a biography but it remains inspiring nonetheless.
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