Rating: 
Summary: 592 Pages of Commentary on 180 Verses of Scripture
Review: 592 pages of commentary on 180 verses comes to a little over three pages per verse, and this is not a large print edition. The analysis is exhaustive (and sometimes exhausting), but the serious student of the Gospels will find the book a gold mine of information.Brown followed this book up with a two volume work on "The Death of the Messiah," but cut the trilogy short by declining to write "The Resurrection of the Messiah." Given the quality and depth of analysis shown in "Birth" and "Death," it would have been very interesting had he shared his scholarship in a volume on the resurrection. We can get a hint of what he might have said in that volume by reading his comments on the resurrection narratives in his "Introduction to the New Testament."
Rating:
Summary: 592 Pages of Commentary on 180 Verses of Scripture
Review: 592 pages of commentary on 180 verses comes to a little over three pages per verse, and this is not a large print edition. The analysis is exhaustive (and sometimes exhausting), but the serious student of the Gospels will find the book a gold mine of information. Brown followed this book up with a two volume work on "The Death of the Messiah," but cut the trilogy short by declining to write "The Resurrection of the Messiah." Given the quality and depth of analysis shown in "Birth" and "Death," it would have been very interesting had he shared his scholarship in a volume on the resurrection. We can get a hint of what he might have said in that volume by reading his comments on the resurrection narratives in his "Introduction to the New Testament."
Rating:
Summary: An outstanding work from a great scholar and priest
Review: At the time of its publication, Father Brown's work was regarded by conservative and liberal scholars alike as a masterpiece, and it still is. Perhaps the most helpful part of the book is its arrangement: By placing the commentary immediately after the text and separating it from the notes, people who want more detail (and Father Brown was never at a loss for detail) can read the notes. Father Brown also wrote a wonderful work called "The Death of the Messiah" concerning the Passion Narratives. This, too, is excellent. When asked if he would write a book on the Resurrection Narratives, Father Brown declined, saying, "I'll wait and experience it first." Rest in peace, Father.
Rating:
Summary: Eureka!! Thar's gold in dem dar hills.
Review: Fr. Brown taks an honest hard look at the infancy narrative of Matthew and Luke. It is a struggle to find the truth in these narrative amid all the mythic lore and revisionist speculations. He digs deep down into the mountain of rubble that has accumulated, bringing out the sparkling truth that is contained within. He brings them out into the light of the day, where all speculation and myth are shown for what they are. The historical valure of the infancy narratives are shredded to pieces during the course of this examination. Yet my faith is strengthened not undermined by this work. Why is this? Well, Fr. Brown uncovers the real motivation behind the Evangelists who composed these narratives. The primary motivation is theological. The infancy narratives are perhaps the richest vien of theology in the New Testament. So much is hidden away in the nooks and crannies of the remainder of the Gospels, so much that only comes to light with a close examination of the infancy narratives. Once the myths are tossed aside, the glory of God begins to shine ever more clearly. I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to understand the Gospel without sacrificing intellect for the sake of belief.
Rating:
Summary: Great Christology Research
Review: I HAVE TO DO A RESEARCH PAPER ON THE INFANCY NARRATIVES FOR SCHOOL. THIS BOOK HAS EVERYTHING. PRACTICALLY THE ONLY BOOK I USED BECAUSE IT WAS SO COMPLETE AND THERE WAS SO MUCH INFO I DIDNT EVEN COVER. GOOD BOOK TO HAVE IF YOU'RE INTO HISTORICAL CRITICISM.
Rating:
Summary: I object to the review from the reader in Geneva.
Review: I sincerely wish amazon.com would not print anti-catholic garbage in their reviews. I don't think that sort of biggotry should be published on the web. It is in very poor taste.
Rating:
Summary: Magisterial
Review: I was reluctant when this tome about the infancy narratives had been recommended, and after the first chapter discovered this was no ordinary book. There are myriads of commentaries, but none like this! This book elaborates at length on the short gospel narratives of the birth of Jesus, and how the NT authors had woven OT material into those narratives. It elaborates on the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary: not as some wench who did as God told her, but as the first disciple of Christ to say Yes to the call of God; not merely a mother to Christ, but the Mother of the people of God by her fiat. For those who already believe, and even for those who don't, it elaborates why the incarnation is such an awesome historial event, not only in human history, but in salvation history. Fr. Brown writes with erudition, and, while his audience is scholarly, even novices can read these gems with considerable ease. I initially intended to read the book straight through, but the density and intensity of the material suggested that a more devotional, gradual read would be more beneficial. I admit this is hard to do, because once embarked, these insights propel one to read as much as one can as fast as one can. However you decide to read it, I cannot think of a better introduction, as well as advanced scholarship, that will not leave one unchanged.
Rating:
Summary: John Shelby Spong
Review: John Shelby Spong has referenced in his own fine books the author of this important volume. Raymond Brown is a ground-breaking Catholic theologian. He has documented here the parallels between Gospel stories and the original Hebrew Bible (First, or Old, Testament) writings from which the Gospels were borrowed. See also Brown's Death of the Messiah. For more interesting, intellectually honest - i.e. "controversial" - writings read Bible Review magazine. Thanks.
Rating:
Summary: Eureka!! Thar's gold in dem dar hills.
Review: My spiritual relationship has been strengthened as a result of reading this commentary by Raymond Edward Brown S. S. "The Birth of the Messiah" is an exhaustive analysis of the Infancy Narratives (IN) presented in the Christian Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The self-proclaimed task of this commentary is to "recover the value of the infancy stories as theology." Professor Brown contends that the IN were "written to make Jesus' origins intelligible against the background of the fulfillment of OT [Hebraic Scriptural] expectations". In this light, the Gospel of Matthew was written to make the history of Israel a more intimate preparation by having Jesus relive that history. The remote preparation of the ministry of Jesus was the whole of GOD's activity in Israel as told by the Law of Moses and the Prophets. The Gospel of Luke IN also "stress the intrinsic connection of that birth with what has precede in Israel." In contrast to Matthew, Lucan theology presents a smoother transition from OT to the Gospel message. Even so, "for both evangelists the IN is the place where the OT [i.e. Hebraic Scriptures] and the Gospel most directly meet." The idea of a "backwards developing christology" was introduced to me in this book. "In a pre-Gospel period, as attested by Paul and the sermons in Acts, the resurrection was the chief moment associated with the divine proclamation of the identity of Jesus." The IN are presented here as a progressive step in the understanding of the origin of Jesus. One of the recurrent themes which Professor Brown enunciates is that a reaction to the IN is a reflection of a reaction to the Gospel message. "The gospel is the good news, but that gospel must have a passion and rejection as well as success." Some will accept the Gospel message and rejoice while others will reject the Gospel and those who proclaim it. A second theme which influences me is that the true family of Jesus are those who hear the word of GOD and do it (Mark 3:20-21). Professor Brown demonstrates that Luke presents Mary as one who qualifies and becomes the first disciple. If you are interested in the Gospel message of the Infancy Narratives, this book will interest you. Regardless of your personal position on the Christian Gospels, this is a valuable tool for understanding what they are about, and therefore, can be important in arriving at an informed decision.
Rating:
Summary: decision time
Review: My spiritual relationship has been strengthened as a result of reading this commentary by Raymond Edward Brown S. S. "The Birth of the Messiah" is an exhaustive analysis of the Infancy Narratives (IN) presented in the Christian Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The self-proclaimed task of this commentary is to "recover the value of the infancy stories as theology." Professor Brown contends that the IN were "written to make Jesus' origins intelligible against the background of the fulfillment of OT [Hebraic Scriptural] expectations". In this light, the Gospel of Matthew was written to make the history of Israel a more intimate preparation by having Jesus relive that history. The remote preparation of the ministry of Jesus was the whole of GOD's activity in Israel as told by the Law of Moses and the Prophets. The Gospel of Luke IN also "stress the intrinsic connection of that birth with what has precede in Israel." In contrast to Matthew, Lucan theology presents a smoother transition from OT to the Gospel message. Even so, "for both evangelists the IN is the place where the OT [i.e. Hebraic Scriptures] and the Gospel most directly meet." The idea of a "backwards developing christology" was introduced to me in this book. "In a pre-Gospel period, as attested by Paul and the sermons in Acts, the resurrection was the chief moment associated with the divine proclamation of the identity of Jesus." The IN are presented here as a progressive step in the understanding of the origin of Jesus. One of the recurrent themes which Professor Brown enunciates is that a reaction to the IN is a reflection of a reaction to the Gospel message. "The gospel is the good news, but that gospel must have a passion and rejection as well as success." Some will accept the Gospel message and rejoice while others will reject the Gospel and those who proclaim it. A second theme which influences me is that the true family of Jesus are those who hear the word of GOD and do it (Mark 3:20-21). Professor Brown demonstrates that Luke presents Mary as one who qualifies and becomes the first disciple. If you are interested in the Gospel message of the Infancy Narratives, this book will interest you. Regardless of your personal position on the Christian Gospels, this is a valuable tool for understanding what they are about, and therefore, can be important in arriving at an informed decision.
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