Who is Jesus Christ?

Catholic blogger Eric Sammons of The Divine Life has written a book now released titled Who Is Jesus Christ? Unlocking the Mystery in the Gospel of Matthew.  Eric was kind enough to send me a copy.

This book uses the Gospel of Matthew as a guide, but it is not a sequential reading of themes and passages from this Gospel.  The book is arranged into groups of  major themes  which included incomplete perceptions of Jesus as shaped in the Old Testament, major roles Jesus fulfilled, fulfillment of Old Testament types, and finally his role as Son.

Eric is quite a capable writer who presents information in a way that is easily readable while also passing more technical information in that same easily accessible manner.  The chapters of the book cover the themes involved while using scripture, the Church Fathers, and other sources to bring out the information.  The book also presents some interesting information and teases out some interesting passages as to their meaning.  At the same time he does not present any scriptural exegesis as the only possible interpretation and correctly leaves plenty of room for a deeper understanding of themes covered.

I found this book an excellent presentation on who Jesus is as seen through the lens of the Gospel of Matthew and one I would happily recommend and I say this despite the fact that the dastardly Eric Sammons left me off the list of the 200 most popular bloggers.

The book also includes an introduction by Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R.  Though you have to wonder what solid Catholic book does not seem to have an introduction or review snippet from the good Friar.  I see his name so often in books I read I have to wonder if he has some form of bi or trilocation that allows him to read so many books and not only read them but write cogent forewords for these books while putting in his own worthwhile spiritual nuggets.