The Truth of Christmas:: Beyond the Myths (Studies in Scripture) [Paperback]

Ren Laurentin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1982 | ISBN-10: 0932506348 | ISBN-13: 978-0932506344 | Edition: New edition

A leading scholar revisits the Infancy Narratives of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke to celebrate their meaning. The infancy Gospels are restored to us with new life.- Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, from the Preface

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... a work of genius, opening up paths for which I have been waiting for thirty years." -- Jean Guitton of the French Academy

"...With this book, the Infancy Gospels are restored to us with a new life." -- From the Preface by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith and President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission

"The Holy Father encourages your works which are very aptly oriented to defend the treasures of the Church." -- From Pope John Paul II

Language Notes

Text: English, French (translation)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 569 pages
• Publisher: Fordham University Press; New edition edition (September 1, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0932506348
• ISBN-13: 978-0932506344
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,039,235 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE NATIVITY TEXTS BY A CATHOLIC SCHOLAR, December 12, 2011

By 

Steven H. Propp (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Truth of Christmas:: Beyond the Myths (Studies in Scripture) (Paperback)

Father René Laurentin (born 1917) is a French theologian who is considered an expert in Mariology; he has written more than fifty books.

He wrote in the Introduction to this 1982 book that he was returning once more to the infancy gospels (despite writing two previous books on the general subject) because the earlier books dealt with Luke without treating Matthew 1-2, or their historicity. He adds the fifteen further years of study have also yielded some new facts, conclusions, and methods.

He refers to the notion that Jesus was born in a cave as a "respectable tradition." (Pg. 182)

He frankly admits that the narratives of Matthew and Luke differ by about 99% of the text. (Pg. 302-303)

He finds that the details which Matthew preserves---notably, the virgin conception and the Nazarean origin of Jesus---support his credibility, since he did not feel free to not include them. (Pg. 324)

In dealing with the census of Quirinius, he suggests that Luke might have meant to indicate that it PRECEDED the one which Quirinius had taken as governor of Syria. (Pg. 329)

He rejects the suggestion the Luke gives the genealogy of Mary. (Pg. 343)

This is a detailed, critical study of the birth/infancy narratives, which will be of great interest to those interested in serious biblical studies.

5.0 out of 5 stars heady, detailed... worth it!, January 18, 2011

By 

Carl Brown (Cincinnati, Ohio) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Truth of Christmas:: Beyond the Myths (Studies in Scripture) (Paperback)

I read this book 12 years ago, but never had a copy. Some of the detailed work done here by Laurentin cannot be found elsewhere. I thought it would be worth adding to my bookshelf and pulling out every Christmas.

I ONLY recommend this for people who are serious about their love of Sacred Scripture.