To Know Christ Jesus

Essential to understanding the Gospel of Jesus Christ is an understaning if the times in which He lived. There are a lot of unanswered questions as you read any of the Gospel authors. What ever happened to Joseph? Frank Sheed doesn't know for sure but he speculates and reasons. There is a lot of this in this book but he's always careful to warn you when he's doing so. Reading this book you get a feeling for the times and customs of this period of time. Part theology. Part history. Part archeological. This book brings a fullness of experience to Gospel reading. A warning though, its not a quick read. And at times the theological discussion can get a little deep, but Sheed is careful not to let these sections drag on. Take your time and read this book.

Any person who wants to grow in devotion to Christ should read this book. Sheed relates a picture of Christ in his social, political, and religious environment without all the stuffiness that you might find in a history book. Also, Sheed writes extremely well, and you won't get bogged down in detail by reading this book.In reading this book, you will get to know and understand Jesus better. I've read it twice, and I'm planning on picking it up again real soon because I need Sheed to remind of Christ's love just once more.

Frank Sheed's brilliance shines through in "To Know Christ Jesus". Mr. Sheed not only tells the story of Christ's life beautifully by weaving the four gospels together seamlessly, but does so in a profoundly sound theological way. Let me share with you a typical passage from the book, yet one which shows the tremendous insight that Mr. Sheed brings to his writing: "Let us look steadily at him. He was a carpenter in a town which, even in insignificant Galilee, was despised as insignificant. He was not playing at being a carpenter, as Marie Antoinette and her ladies played at being shepherdesses at Versailles. He was a carpenter; the household depended on what he made; if trade was bad his mother had to go without. The locals hired him to make and mend in wood. He would name the price and it would be a just price. They would haggle as is the way of the East, beating him down, asking doubtless if he thought they were made of money. In a better mood (having got the price down, perhaps) they might offer him a drink." "And he was omnipotent God, the second person the blessed Trinity, by whom all things were made, including the wood of his carpentry, and the drink, and the customer who was arguing with him about the price: including his own human body and human soul -- that human soul which had to sustain the wonder of his divine self and not be blinded by it."One should be able to see from this small passage, not only the joy with which Mr. Sheed writes about Christ, but also the love and the reverence he feels for Him. It may be subtle in the passage I quoted, but Mr. Sheed also deftly injects a little humor to round this book out and make it a truly brilliant work.

Sheed's work makes the life of Jesus very real to the reader. Not just a read for Catholics, but a good read for any person who wants to get to know the Son of God. Sheed does an excellent job of placing Jesus in his social and cultural context. The goal of the book? To Know Christ Jesus. I know Christ Jesus a lot better now that I've read Sheed.

Frank Sheed was possibly the greatest lay Catholic apologist of our century and has used his extensive knowledge of the Sacred Scriptures and the Catholic faith to help us seek the Face of God, Jesus Christ. After reading this life of Christ, you'll never doubt that there is no difference between the Jesus of history and the Christ of faith. They are one and the same divine Person. With extraordinary powers of synthesis, Sheed weaves together the Gospels into chronological order, then uses them to expound on the truths of Christianity such as the Incarnation and the Redemption. Must reading for any Christian seeking to know Christ Jesus.