As Pope Benedict XVI continues work on the second volume of his book about Jesus of Nazareth, he has asked two Lutheran theologians and some of his former students to discuss with him issues he will be writing about.Martin Hengel and Peter Stuhlmacher, both retired professors of New Testament studies from the Protestant theology faculty at the University of Tubingen, Germany, said they have been invited to lecture Aug. 30 at the meeting at the pope's summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.
The Aug. 29-31 meeting is the annual gathering of the pope's former doctoral students, known as a "schulerkreis" (student circle). Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict, began the annual meetings with his former students in 1978.
Hengel said in Rome Aug. 12 that although he was having health problems he hoped to attend the meeting in Castel Gandolfo. He already has sent participants an outline of his talk, which he titled "Questions About the Historical Jesus of Nazareth: Considerations After Writing a Book on Jesus."
In 2007, Hengel's book, "Jesus and Judaism" was published in Germany.
Stuhlmacher said his task will be to "try to demonstrate how Jesus himself understood his passion and death."
The two scholars are referred to often -- with both positive comments and critical observations -- in the first volume of the pope's book, "Jesus of Nazareth: From the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration."
The 400-page book, published in April 2007, highlights what the Bible says about Jesus, what the moral implications of his teachings are and how reading the Scriptures can lead to a real relationship with Jesus.
During Pope Benedict's 2007 summer vacation and again this year when he headed to the mountains of northern Italy in late July, he was working on the second volume of the book, said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, papal spokesman.
The volume is expected to cover the end of Jesus' public ministry, his passion, death and resurrection.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sacerdos