Benedict XVI's new book, "On the Way To Jesus Christ," due in October

The following news release on the first new book by Pope Benedict XVI was released today by Ignatius Press:

Though there has been a rush of books published in the last few months about the new Pope, this is the first one published by Pope Benedict XVI since his election as Holy Father – about the subject of the true Jesus Christ.

Though Jesus Christ is as popular as ever – as evidenced by recent books, films and news articles, many wonder whether this "popular" Jesus is an accurate rendering of the true Jesus of Christianity. So many articles and books ask "Who was Jesus Christ?" And yet, the Jesus they construct seems somehow incongruent with the Jesus of Christianity. The "popular" Jesus makes no demands and never challenges people. Everything and everyone is okay with him, under all circumstances. In fact, even though many see the "pop" Jesus as representing God, they don't perceive him as making any judgment upon their actions or lives.

But this "phantom" Jesus is not a real figure, according to Pope Benedict XVI.

"On The Way To Jesus Christ" – the newest book by Pope Benedict XVI which will be released exclusively by Ignatius Press in October 2005 – is about the true Jesus, the Jesus of the Gospels, who is "quite different, demanding and bold." This Jesus is controversial, inconvenient, and brings an often unpopular – and largely unfollowed – message.

Ignatius Press is releasing a total of four new books by Pope Benedict XVI this year.

"The articles (in 'On The Way To Jesus Christ') ... are all meant to be attempts to approach Jesus," says Pope Benedict XVI. "(They are) a search for his authentic, undiminished figure." He goes on to say, "The crisis of faith in modern times began with a modified way of reading Sacred Scripture – seemingly the sole scientific way. The question of how we should read the Bible is inseparably bound up with the question about Christ. I hope that this book, with all its imperfections, can still be a help on the way to Jesus." The Pope indeed uses Scripture to present an authentic portrait of Jesus Christ.

The book is written for both believer and non-believer alike, across all denominations – who want a better understanding of the true Jesus of the Gospels, the genuine Christ of Christianity.

The 170-page, 5 1/4" x 8" sewn hardcover book (ISBN 1-58617-124- 0) will sell for $19.95, has a publication date of Oct. 3, and is a series of meditations that Pope Benedict wrote while still the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. It also examines other topics like whether Jesus Christ is the only savior, and the Church's role and responsibility to evangelize. Pope Benedict shows how Jesus answers the deepest question of human existence which – whether people admit it or not – keep them on the lookout for God, for a gratification that is limitless, for the infinite.

The book concludes with reflections on Jesus' Presence in the Holy Eucharist, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church's presentation of the Christian mystery as seen through the Catechism's view of Sacred Scripture.

Read entire press release here.

Comments

[Veronica]

Any word on when Benedict's new book (the one released in Italian some weeks ago) will be coming out in English?

Same question goes for the Compendium... is it going to be published by you?

Just asking...