A Retreat With John the Evangelist: That You May Have Life (Retreat with)

Rating:
Summary: Practical and Prayerful
Review: The last book published by Raymond E Brown prior to his death, it combines serious scholarship and prayerful reflection on the author of the Fourth gospel. The reader gets the feeling that Brown knew the "beloved disciple" on a personal basis. Many of the insights he shares about the community of the beloved disciple and the significance of the Fourth Gospel are profound and deeply moving. A book that is a real page turner.

Rating:
Summary: Satisfying but with Concerns
Review: This is the second "A Retreat With" book I have read (the first being Matthew).

Although Fr. Brown brings out the points of the Gospel of John with clarity, I can see where many more orthodox Catholics have trouble with his writings.

Historically, the Apostle John was author of the Gospel and referred himself as the "Beloved Disciple". Fr. Brown seems to want to hammer home that he only does not believe this, but the author of the Gospel, the Apostle John, and the "Beloved Disciple" are actually three distinct persons.

If you can get past the personal bias, this book can help in your spiritual development.