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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Summary: The Greatest Amerian Bible Scholar's greatest book
Review: Raymond Brown ( deceased earlier this year ) is the greatest American Bible scholar. This wonderful book is the best read a serious student of the scriptures could ever make.I also object to Geneva's words, and I am not Catholic.
Rating: 
Summary: It is a piece of excrement
Review: Raymond Brown is one of the top "scholars" Roman Catholicism has to offer. If he is the best they can do I will stay a Protestant. Brown accuses God of being in error. In his piece of excrement "The Birth of the Messiah" he claims that Luke's reference to the census of Quirinius in Luke 2 is erroneous. Mr. Brown says that Luke has a "confused memory". No, you papist reprobate you have the failed memory.
Rating:
Summary: An Infancy Narrative Commentary for Thinking People
Review: Raymond E. Brown has long been one of the finest New Testament scholars. His work in this brilliant commentary is up to his own impeccable standards. In particular his analysis of the visit of the magi, the sect of the Anawim, and the virgin conception make the book worth the purchase price alone. Brown's genius, compassion, and erudition in this work have rarely been surpassed, even by himself.
Rating:
Summary: An Infancy Narrative Commentary for Thinking People
Review: Raymond E. Brown has long been one of the finest New Testament scholars. His work in this brilliant commentary is up to his own impeccable standards. In particular his analysis of the visit of the magi, the sect of the Anawim, and the virgin conception make the book worth the purchase price alone. Brown's genius, compassion, and erudition in this work have rarely been surpassed, even by himself.
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating and enjoyable reading
Review: The Birth of the Messiah will open many Chistians eyes to the possibility that all that is spoken from the pulpit may not be as accurate as presented. This book, like R. Patton's "THE Autobiography of Jesus of Nazareth and the Missing Years" puts forward what we already believe we know with what has been proven to have existed in the time of our Lord Jesus. The sum total of these books is that the Icon of Christianity has become more accessible to the layman without the mediation of trained clerics. Worthy and enjoyable reading.
Rating:
Summary: The Birth of the Messiah
Review: The book is a masterpiece. I recomended for seminars students and Bible teachers. The strongs areas are the exegesis of the Gospels, the information of social context and the literacy paralles of the biblical documents. It is written for any kind of reader. The autor is a respectfull scholar in order to keep and protect the faith of the people. As well as giving great information and performing an outstanding search of the birth narrtives of the Gospels. I do really enjoyed and recomended. For me was a pleasure to read it and help a lot to understand many complicate issues. It is good for the faith.
Rating:
Summary: The Birth of the Messiah
Review: The book is a masterpiece. I recomended for seminars students and Bible teachers. The strongs areas are the exegesis of the Gospels, the information of social context and the literacy paralles of the biblical documents. It is written for any kind of reader. The autor is a respectfull scholar in order to keep and protect the faith of the people. As well as giving great information and performing an outstanding search of the birth narrtives of the Gospels. I do really enjoyed and recomended. For me was a pleasure to read it and help a lot to understand many complicate issues. It is good for the faith.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent reference!
Review: The essential work on the infancy narratives of the Gospels by the scholar internationally recognized as the dean of New Testament scholars.
Rating:
Summary: The best book on the infancy of Christ available.
Review: This book took me months to read. But boy, was it valuable. This may be a little too heavy for some. But there is no better book about the early months of Christ's life than this one.
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