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clemencybelle's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
3.75
sarahfett's review against another edition
5.0
My review for my church’s newsletter:
I just finished reading the book Jesus: A Pilgrimage by Father James Martin, and it is so excellent that I purchased a copy for the church library before I’d finished reading it. My dad recommended it to me, and I admit that I approached this book with a bit of trepidation because of its length and fear that it would be out of my current theological depth (as a working mom of twin toddlers, my reading list is currently comprised mainly of cozy mystery novels and picture books). I needn’t have worried. It is a long book, but it is completely accessible and it held my interest through the last page. Martin states in the introduction that “this book is meant to introduce you to Jesus Christ… [It] is designed to be accessible to anyone—from those just starting to think about Jesus to those who feel that they may know the topic well.”
In addition to being an author James Martin is a Jesuit priest, spiritual director, editor at large of the Jesuit magazine America, and consultor to the Vatican’s Secretariat for Communication. (He was also a frequent guest on The Colbert Report where he reflected on Christian issues with Stephen Colbert.) He writes with an honest, down to earth, and at times humorous tone. Martin says of the book: “It is a look at Jesus, as he appears in the Gospels, through the lens of my education, experience, prayer, and most recently a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. And through the lens of faith.”
I’ve read books about Jesus of history and books about Christ of faith. I appreciate that this book explores both aspects of Jesus together, and I greatly enjoyed Martin’s journey to though Holy Land (with a witty fellow Jesuit priest) where he explored the places where Jesus lived and ministered. As Martin shares his travels, he also shares his reflections and spiritual insights. He rightly points out that “traveling through the Holy Land is like visiting the family home of a good friend. No matter how well you know the person, you’ll understand your friend better afterward.”
This book is an interesting, thought-provoking, and enjoyable read. It sparked reflection and prayer for me, and conversation with my dad and husband. I feel I know Jesus a bit better after reading it. Of course, I hope to spend the rest of my life continuing to know him better, and I still can’t quite wrap my mind around his coexisting humanity and divinity. Martin says of this, “but although Jesus’s identity as the fully human Son of God remains a mystery, it is a beautiful mystery, the most beautiful one I know, and well worth pondering.” Continue pondering this beautiful mystery by checking out Jesus: A Pilgrimage from our library.
I just finished reading the book Jesus: A Pilgrimage by Father James Martin, and it is so excellent that I purchased a copy for the church library before I’d finished reading it. My dad recommended it to me, and I admit that I approached this book with a bit of trepidation because of its length and fear that it would be out of my current theological depth (as a working mom of twin toddlers, my reading list is currently comprised mainly of cozy mystery novels and picture books). I needn’t have worried. It is a long book, but it is completely accessible and it held my interest through the last page. Martin states in the introduction that “this book is meant to introduce you to Jesus Christ… [It] is designed to be accessible to anyone—from those just starting to think about Jesus to those who feel that they may know the topic well.”
In addition to being an author James Martin is a Jesuit priest, spiritual director, editor at large of the Jesuit magazine America, and consultor to the Vatican’s Secretariat for Communication. (He was also a frequent guest on The Colbert Report where he reflected on Christian issues with Stephen Colbert.) He writes with an honest, down to earth, and at times humorous tone. Martin says of the book: “It is a look at Jesus, as he appears in the Gospels, through the lens of my education, experience, prayer, and most recently a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. And through the lens of faith.”
I’ve read books about Jesus of history and books about Christ of faith. I appreciate that this book explores both aspects of Jesus together, and I greatly enjoyed Martin’s journey to though Holy Land (with a witty fellow Jesuit priest) where he explored the places where Jesus lived and ministered. As Martin shares his travels, he also shares his reflections and spiritual insights. He rightly points out that “traveling through the Holy Land is like visiting the family home of a good friend. No matter how well you know the person, you’ll understand your friend better afterward.”
This book is an interesting, thought-provoking, and enjoyable read. It sparked reflection and prayer for me, and conversation with my dad and husband. I feel I know Jesus a bit better after reading it. Of course, I hope to spend the rest of my life continuing to know him better, and I still can’t quite wrap my mind around his coexisting humanity and divinity. Martin says of this, “but although Jesus’s identity as the fully human Son of God remains a mystery, it is a beautiful mystery, the most beautiful one I know, and well worth pondering.” Continue pondering this beautiful mystery by checking out Jesus: A Pilgrimage from our library.
nadoislandgirl's review
4.0
Would be an excellent book to read in advance of visiting the Holy Land. Lots of good insights and history. Bit of a hefty book - took me a while to get through it, but each chapter is a different Bible story, so it's not necessary to read all in one go.
earlapvaldez's review against another edition
5.0
A friend asked me why I am reading a book on Jesus when my work is supposedly about Jesus and I have read things about Him a million times already. But precisely that is the point!
James Martin,S.J.'s work may not be as insightful as the ones by Lohfink, Johnson, or Rausch (whom he consistently refers to with all the bible scholars), but it provides gems for prayer and reflection that will help those who desire to not only know Him but also and more importantly find Him.
James Martin,S.J.'s work may not be as insightful as the ones by Lohfink, Johnson, or Rausch (whom he consistently refers to with all the bible scholars), but it provides gems for prayer and reflection that will help those who desire to not only know Him but also and more importantly find Him.
byrningup's review
4.0
Look, recommendations from my grandma are often taken with a grain of salt. But I like Father James Martin on Twitter, and it was Lent, so I said what the heck!
This was long, but ultimately very readable, reflective, and not super pushy. I really enjoyed my time with it
This was long, but ultimately very readable, reflective, and not super pushy. I really enjoyed my time with it
lizzythecat's review against another edition
5.0
Whew, this took entirely too long to read but it was worth it. I *intended* to read it daily for Advent but I clearly didn't get that done. Anyway! I've finished it!
I've long been a fan of Father James Martin, ever since he was the official chaplain of the Colbert Report. I grew up in the church (not the Church, but the protestant one) and am very familiar with these stories, almost to the point where they've lost some meaning to me. So it was refreshing to hear them again and study them in detail, a practice that I hope to continue throughout the church calendar.
I've long been a fan of Father James Martin, ever since he was the official chaplain of the Colbert Report. I grew up in the church (not the Church, but the protestant one) and am very familiar with these stories, almost to the point where they've lost some meaning to me. So it was refreshing to hear them again and study them in detail, a practice that I hope to continue throughout the church calendar.