Customer Reviews

Jesus: An Experiment in Christology

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Unique in its conception, brilliant in its performance, massive and dense in its actuality--Schillebeeckx is unique among theologians in that his vision of a Christology such as is here is almost overwhelming. I have begun reading his book and am truly amazed at his intellect, his faith, and his spirituality--all of which are evident on each page. Be prepared for a long, pressing journey through this book and the next, but also be prepared for an encounter with him whom we call Lord and Savior.

This is a classic, combining profound faith with profound understanding of the Bible and the Christian tradition (catholic, not just Roman) and life.
The language takes a while to get the hang of, partly because of the translation from Dutch but more because Schillebeeckx approaches most topics from multiple directions, enabling the reader to feel much of the depth and texture of Jesus' ministry and meaning for us. For any educated lay person, the initial effort will be richly repaid in understanding and inspiration.

Edward Schillebeeckx (1914-2009) was a Dutch Catholic theologian and Dominican priest, who wrote a number of important "progressive" books in the Catholic tradition (e.g., Christ the Sacrament of the Encounter With God).

He wrote this book in 1974, and it promptly got him into serious trouble with the Catholic hierarchy. He begins by saying, "Through the movement brought to life by Jesus we are confronted here and now with Jesus of Nazareth. The movement which he set afoot remains the medium for any approach to the historical Jesus event. For me, a believer as well as a thinking person, this fact is one that gives pause for thought; so it is for anyone who reflects without prejudice on what has actually happened in his own intimate history."

Schillebeeckx investigates Jesus on a purely human level, and states that "What the historical Jesus has left us ... was a movement, a living fellowship of believers." He rejects a "biblicist" appeal to Scripture, on the grounds that "Biblicism is unbiblical," and that "It is wrong ... to contend that judgments concerning or involving faith must be completely detached from historical judgments."

He states that "Jesus proclaimed not himself but the coming kingdom of God," and Jesus' cleansing of the Temple was a "prophetic act ... to engender penitence and the conversion of Israel, in the `latter days.'" He rejects Unitarianism, but also states that "our calling the Trinity three divine persons is possible only on the basis of the man Jesus." He adds, "Jesus bore witness to the indestructible certainty he felt regarding the salvation given by God ... which in his case was grounded in an exceptional Abba experience." For Schillebeeckx, The symbol of the empty tomb indicates a "crude and naive realism" which doesn't convey what the "appearances of Jesus" truly meant.

He concludes the book on the note, "Should this book be a warrantable introduction to the recovery of 'a kind of believing that really tells,' to practical and critical effect, because its basis is the abiding and appealing presence in the world of the kingdom of God and the praxis that goes with it, then I count myself a happy man. If that is not so, then for my part the book can be marked down for sale in any 'curio' shop tomorrow."

Schillebeeckx wrote more "orthodox" follow-up volumes (Christ: The Experience of Jesus as Lord and Church: The Human Story of God), that aroused much less controversy (but also led supporters to fail to see their connection with his groundbreaking 1974 book).

For anyone intersted in modern Catholic theology, as well as Christology, and even the life of Jesus, this book is absolutely essential reading.

I still don't have the book I ordered so I am not really able to make a review on it, am I? Like, usually first one has the "view" then the "re-view", ain't that the truth?!

I bought this beautiful copy at a used price and will forever treasure this classic. A beautiful work.

Suppose faithful readers really like to know more about the theology of Jesus the Christ besides reading the Gospels, yet not being knowledgeable in the academic theological terms, and not having the endowment for seminary semesters, this is the book of choice.

The author designs a discussion flow from Jesus the historical figure, to Jesus the Christ and His role in salvation, to His divinity as Son of Man, Son of God. His apologetic focus is more Hellenistic than Roman-Latin. He went back and cited earlier prime Palestinian sources, with profuse Catholic (particularly Dutch French German, his upbringing background) and Judaic bibliography supplements. He would try to present and elaborate his discussions with "environmental" - historical, political, social surroundings, that's one of the reasons that makes it accessible to layman. And Biblical chapter & section references are always present wherever applicable.

A sincere and non-confronting tone to Jewish-Christian faith distributaries is smoothening. Judaism readers are invited to examine the author's rendering and synthesis, his understanding and citation of Judaism knowledge (mostly in Part III),
not necessarily to agree with the author, but to determine if it serves as a source of reference for interfaith dialogue. I hope it helps to serve as a modern addition since the times of Moses Maimonides, Thomas Aquinas. (See also Jacob Neusner's contemporary works.)

A sort of very primitive and limited reflection about "Jesus" and Hans Kung's "On Being a Christian" is that "Jesus" is microcosm, "...Christian" is macrocosm. Micro does not suggest minor, in fact they compliment each other perfectly.

If you have read "On Being a Christian", fine, then soft focus your study to "Jesus"; if you haven't --- even better, start with "Jesus", then "On Being a Christian". The experience will be rewarding.
If you can spare more resource and have access to Bishop Fulton J. Sheen "Life of Christ", consider it a microcosm of Schillebeeckx's. (Again there is no concept of micro-minor.) Thus suggested is the revised reading sequence: "Life of Christ", "Jesus", "On Being a Christian". It is even more congenial.

In recommending this book, I am recommending all 3 books together. Together they make a good and serious layman reading chain. You may have to reserve a reading schedule for them though. And although "Jesus" was already toned down to be more approachable, it is still quite dry. It is not meant for pastime, it is meant for, perhaps, a reader's passion.

After you finish with Hans Kung's and like his openness, continue with Tissa Balasuriya's "Mary and Human Liberation", "Planetary Theology".

Side-by-side readings are John Dominic Crossan "The Historical Jesus", and Frank Yerby "Judas My Brother", a theological book presented as fiction, for a lighter treat.

There are more than 3 books now.