A Portrait of Jesus

by Joseph F. Girzone

There are countless paths to follow when seeking spiritual guidance, but thousands of years of religion and theology cannot replace the premier example that Jesus himself set. In A Portrait of Jesus, bestselling writer Joseph Girzone recaptures the truth of Jesus that is presented in the Gospels and gives a compelling vision of the person Jesus' contemporaries must have known. In his most powerful work yet, Girzone seeks to personify Christ in the minds of readers by asking some simple "What did people see in Jesus as he walked down the street? How did he approach others and what would these people take away from meeting him? What do his actions tell us about how we can live our lives today?" It is Girzone's empowering and loving understanding of the heart of Christianity that will make A Portrait of Jesus a groundbreaking classic in the tradition of his bestselling books, Joshua and Never Alone.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality, History, Biography, Christian, Faith

179 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 1998

About the author

FROM PUBLISHER:
JOSEPH F. GIRZONE retired from the active priesthood in 1981 due to health reasons, and embarked on a second career as a writer and speaker.

In 1995 he established the Joshua Foundation, an organization dedicated to making Jesus better known throughout the world.

His bestselling books include Joshua, A Portrait of Jesus, and Never Alone. He lives in Altamont, New York.

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Girzone's point of view. Reading his Catholic perspective is refreshing. His love of Jesus drips off of every page.

However, I do not enjoy all of his assertions, as I find some of them out of line with what is plain in Scripture.

For that reason, I won't recommend this work to newer believers, and therefore I can only give it a 3 out of 5.

[Tarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m really really glad that I read this book! Girzone explores Jesus’ life and ministry with an almost childlike wonder that was so refreshing. Even with that tone, this book did not lack substance. The book depicts sometimes controversial issues with the worldwide church, including whether Catholic priests should be banned from marriage and unity with international denominations and even other faiths. Reading with my Protestant Evangelical lense, that was such a foreign perspective to me, but Girzone presented it in a very readable, story-based format.

That said, my theological differences with the author were really hard to overcome. First and most obviously, Girzone used very few scriptural references, and he almost never gave chapter and verse citations for the mentions he did make. He also claims that we have to adapt laws to fit cultural context (progressive interpretation), but gives no suggestion as to what standard we should base that on other than subjective “love.” He frequently says things to the effect of, “Jesus accepts us as we are,” when the Bible clearly says that we are dead in sin and inherently evil (Mat 12:34, Mat 15:19, Jer 17:9). While he never used this acceptance as a pardon for sin, he glossed over the importance of repentance and a new life.

Even with my disagreements, this was a wonderful reminder of Jesus’ love and grace that was perfect for the Christmas season when I read it!

I'd recommend this to readers that:
•need a fresh reminder of Jesus' gentleness
•struggle with legalism
•want clarification on Jesus' modern relevance
•seek to know Jesus more personally

[Gabriella Gabriel Dillmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book literally changed my life! I read it shortly before deciding to return to church. Joseph Girzone introduces the reader to Jesus in a way that makes Him completely accessible. As a man that was truly a Savior to all and spread the message of tolerance and love and acceptance not only in words but by actions as well. I think for me, seeing Jesus in a more human way made me feel closer to Him on a spiritual level.

[Stan Blackburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe Girzone writes this thought-provoking, accessible account of "the gentle message of this simple Man who happened to be God" (179). Culled from the Gospel accounts, this book presents the story of Jesus from his humble beginnings through the offering of his life and resurrection. Girzone focuses on the message of love, forgiveness, acceptance, and understanding that may fundamentalists -- Catholic and Protestant alike -- downplay for the sake of "orthodoxy." There are many sections of this "portrait" that I love, but one that resonates well is in chapter 3. Here, Girzone presents Jesus as a sign of contradiction. Many religious leaders rejected Jesus because of their rigidity and adherence to the Law. Jesus, however, contradicted much of the strict orthodoxy of his time. And the Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes would have none of it. The Gospels are rife with examples, each pointing to Jesus' acceptance, invitation, and love of sinners where there are in the world. And when addressing antiquated religious doctrines that oppose and close-off love, Girzone writes,"One cannot help but think of religious laws and customs today that may have had a meaning at one time but have become a hindrance to the healthy practice of spirituality in our time" (43). Finally, one paramount theme that echoes throughout this "portrait" is something from which all readers can benefit: What is pleasing to God is not necessarily tradition, religion, practices, and accurate understanding of catechesis; instead, it is "the person who cultivates passion and love towards others, including God" (32). This was a spiritually-awakening read that put my faith into perspective. Highly recommended!

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding explanation of the character and kindness of God as expressed through the life of Jesus. This book is so well written, I actually wept during some passages explaining the loving kindness of God toward people. Girzone's depiction of God as expressed through Christ is the God I choose to worship, and the God I know exists. This God merits my obedience, my devotion, and my commitment.

Note: Just read this book again in February of 2016. Loved it again. I plan on reading this book every year...its that good!

[عدنان العبار · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not only a book that documents the story of Jesus (not meticulously though to be a biography), but also a note on how we veered from the teachings of the Christ. How Christ came because of the overburdened Jewry and the gentiles with laws from either the Romans or the Scribes and Pharisees; how many priests, both Catholic and Protestant, behave in ways that Jesus have come to rectify. It's a very nice and loving book. It is filled with love and understanding. But I found one strange issue with this.

This is not a rant, nor a protest, simply a question: How can I tell those others who overburden the people with judgments and expectations to stop doing that and accept people as they are, when I am doing that to them now by demanding from them (as those not-so-innocent people might be overly expectant of me and them as well) and not expect that I am breaking the same law?

[BlackbirdFrenzy Meagher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great little book giving us a glimpse into what day to day life w Jesus may have been like. I appreciate that the author emphasized the importance of getting back to Jesus roots and away from the judgement the church has become known for. Back to love and welcome; away from judgement and guilt. I agree that Jesus did not have denominations and would probably be visiting each of them gently guiding and redirecting as needed. I do not however, agree with the idea that the church needs to conform itself to modern times. The beauty of the Catholic and orthodox churches is their constancy and traditions in a world gone mad.

[Abigail G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this book a hundred stars if that was an option! Joseph Girzone has been given a special gift to truly see the heart of Jesus. The information he shares touched deep in my heart filling me with joy and sorrow. Jesus is central to our faith but so often he can seem distant as if he wasn't able to understand the full scope of being human. This book goes in and shows how human Jesus was while reinforcing his divinity!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gave me fresh perspective on Jesus’ character and my responsibilities as His disciple. Even though some of his theories about Christ’s gospel are not doctrinally sound.

[Candy Shepard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful and prose-like; full of strong (experienced) opinion, I enjoyed reading about Jesus from this perspective. I can’t say I agreed with everything, and sometimes the opinions dragged on and on, but I still enjoyed the insightfulness of the book.

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Published in 1999.

Retired Catholic priest Joseph F. Girzone is most famous for his 1983 book Joshua (which also became a movie) which features Jesus coming to a modern-day American small town and the influence he has just be being himself - no great announcements, just Jesus being Jesus.

A Portrait of Jesus builds on that same idea but it looks at what the New Testament records about the life of Jesus and how he related to everyone around him. Girzone writes movingly about how Jesus preached compassion above all and he demonstrates it again and again this book. His description of Jesus and his emphasis on relationships over law and the descriptions of how that worked then and how it can work now were profound when I first read them 10 years ago. I re-read the book after doing a deep cleaning of the book shelves. I was considering selling it to a used book store but I decided that the book was so powerful that I would keep it on the shelf and re-read it again in 10 years or so.

Check out my review site with more than 1,000 book, audio and movie reviews: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/

[Ty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don’t expect to learn anything theological about Jesus from this book. Although it gives an interesting perspective of Jesus, it leaves one wondering if Jesus was more than just a nice guy. Because the book is called ‘A Portrait of Christ’, I suppose Joseph Girzone was trying only to ‘portray’ Jesus’ compassion and kindness. Obviously compassion and kindness are important characteristic of Jesus, however, without emphasizing somewhere in the book (in a forward or preface at least) that Jesus is the Son of God and Redeemer of our sins, it leaves us wondering if Jesus is no more important than Mother Teresa or Bono –who are both great humanitarians. With that set aside, Joseph Girzone does do a stupendous job portraying Jesus’ the compassion and kindness.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief book, kind and soothing, which is the hallmark of Fr. Girzone. In this nonfiction rumination, Fr. Grizone tries to imagine what Jesus must have been like to those who knew him 2,000 years ago. Unsurprisingly, this Jesus is peaceful, serene, humorous, and very human. Jesus is a Rorschach Test: people see in him what they would like to see, and for Fr. Girzone, Jesus is compassionate, loving, wise, and more interesting in healing people than following laws. I have to say, having now read about twelve of this man's books, he has truly changed my way of viewing Jesus.

[ShareStories · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't really the Portrait of Jesus I expected. Fr. Girzone meanders down side paths and talks a lot about the current state of things in various churches, but he does manage to paint a rather subtle watercolor of a kind and compassionate Jesus who preferred the company of sinners and had a sense of humor. In this portrait, Jesus saves his condemnation for the religious leaders of the time. (The "Magisterium" as Girzone interestingly calls them.)

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are interested in the Teachings of Jesus and acquiring a deeper and more personal understanding of what He was like, how he lived ... this is a must read. An exquisite writing, heartfelt and touching. Girzone writes the most simple, but eloquent books about Jesus, His life, and His teachings. This is a book to read over and over. I love every book I've ever read by Joseph Girzone (and I've read most of them) -- but this is my favorite.

[Eben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liberal interpretation of Jesus life. Good for looking at the compassion his life was modeled on. Presented in a very un-theologian type manner!

[Mizbooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very boring book. Not what I'd expected.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A whole new way to look at Jesus and his interaction with the people around Him.

[Sheridan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It gave me some interesting insights into Jesus' life and ministry.

[Jeremiah Herbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Girzone adds a powerful dose of reality to the story of Jesus that makes Him accessible.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

who cares what brand of Christianity you are!

[Mona Randall]

My favorite of all Joseph Girzone's books and they are all great.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like everything I have read by Girzone (and so has my mom)