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Jesus Becoming Jesus
A Theological Interpretation of the Synoptic Gospels
Foreword by John C. Cavadini
Imprint: Catholic University of America Press
Jesus Becoming Jesus presents a theological interpretation of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Unlike many conventional biblical commentaries, Weinandy concentrates on the theological content contained within the Synoptic Gospels. He does this in the light of the Church’s doctrinal and theological tradition, particularly in keeping with the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution, Dei Verbum. Weinandy accomplishes this through a close reading of the individual Gospels themselves as well as observing their theological relationship to one another. His interpretation of the Gospels also brings to the fore the theological significance of God’s revelation that is contained within the Old Testament which, likewise, shows how theological themes contained within Matthew, Mark, and Luke are found and developed within the Gospel of John, the Pauline Corpus and other New Testament writings. This original theological interpretation focuses primarily on the events narrated with the Synoptic Gospels – the conception and birth of John the Baptist and Jesus, Jesus’s baptism and temptations, his miracles, Peter’s profession of faith and Jesus’ transfiguration, Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem with the subsequent passion and resurrection narratives. Within the theological examination of these salvific events, Jesus teaching is likewise discussed, particularly concerning the Beatitudes and his relationship to the Father and the Holy Spirit. The overarching theme of this book, as the title suggests, is that Jesus, being named Jesus, throughout his public ministry and particularly in his passion, death, and resurrection, is enacting his name and so becoming who he is – YHWH-Saves. Jesus Becoming Jesus offers a singular, vibrant, and luminous reading of the Synoptic Gospels; one that reveals the theological depth and doctrinal sophistication contained within Matthew, Mark and Luke.
"A significant new work of Christology. Few in the modern era have sought to write a full-scale systematic study of the mysteries of the life of Jesus. This is what Thomas Weinandy has provided. The Incarnation, Mariology, the virginal conception, the apostolic life and teaching, transfiguration and miracles, the atoning death and glorification of Christ: there is a wealth of original theological analysis in this book, presented in clear and accessible form. The author's longstanding study of historical exegesis, classical patristic doctrine, and modern Christological controversies is present in the background and gives rise to a deeply integrated theological portrait. This book is the fruit of a lifetime of learning and teaching but also of meditating profoundly on the mystery of Jesus Christ. Anyone interested in seeing Catholic systematic theology practiced at its best should read it."
~Thomas Joseph White, OP, Dominican House of Studies, and author of The Light of Christ: An Introduction to Catholicism (CUA Press)
"In sum, this book is a success in the discipline it aims at – and maybe the discipline that is most fundamental. That is, it is a conceptually careful, canonically minded and classically oriented theological exposition of the life, death, resurrection and Ascension of Christ as articulated in the Gospels. As such, it is a gift to the theologian who also wants to attend to the sacred page, to the parishioner seeking theological consolation, and to the pastor who opens the Gospels to proclaim the word of God."
~Theology
" Jesus Becoming Jesus is a masterwork by one of America's finest theologians -- a brilliant, profoundly Catholic act of scholarship, scrupulously thorough, beautifully written, faithful to Vatican II's Dei Verbum, and in service to the 'sacred page' as the Word of God. Father Weinandy has offered us yet another superb contribution to the life of the Church."
~Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia
"We are fortunate to have this excellent interpretation of the person of Jesus as presented in the Gospels. Many persons have longed for a more serious engagement between the study of the biblical text and the development of Christian doctrine. Fr. Weinandy provides the reader with an outstanding model for this classic--but too often neglected--spiritual discipline."
~Gary Anderson, University of Notre Dame
"This book is refreshingly--and also challengingly--different from most commentaries on the Gospels. Thomas Weinandy is a theologian for whom the church's doctrinal tradition is a living source of inspiration and insight. His reading of the Gospels is informed on every page by a fully incarnational and trinitarian faith. By focusing on the events of the Gospel narrative he forges a sophisticated and attractive theology of the saving acts of God. In these acts Jesus, he maintains, enters into his own identity as 'YHWH saves.' They are acts of the triune God, enacted in the humanity of Jesus so that humans can enter into communion with the triune God."
~Richard Bauckham, Emeritus Professor of New Testament, St. Andrews University, Scotland
"In the very depth and freshness of insight, Weinandy's book offers an implicit argument for a reading of Scripture that foregrounds doctrinal concern."
~International Journal of Systematic Theology
"In his Jesus Becoming Jesus series, Capuchin Father Thomas Weinandy follows the path renewed by Pope Benedict and urged by the Council. Like Benedict, he deliberately sets aside the Scripture commentaries and historical-critical debates. He confines himself to the text and applies his theological mind to the Scriptures. The result is a wonderful work that draws out the theological meaning and import of the Gospels and is true scriptural theology… He brings out the saving truths of our faith from the pages of Scripture but, unlike many theologians, without shattering the wonder of the Word-Made-Flesh. By way of piety and thought, he deepens our knowledge of how Jesus is Jesus to us."
~National Catholic Register
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