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Saint Peter: Flawed, Forgiven, and Faithful
If St. Peter had moved in business or political circles, he would have been forgotten millennia ago. In most areas of life, those who make major mistakes are cast out, left to languish in their failure. But Peter, who made more than one major mistake while following Jesus, has been highly revered within the Church since the days when Jesus walked with the disciples. In fact, in holding Peter up so high, we can easily miss the essential lesson his life teaches that when flawed people experience forgiveness through Jesus, they are freed and empowered to be faithful followers of Christ.
In Saint Flawed, Forgiven, and Faithful , biblical scholar Stephen Binz takes readers on a pilgrimage from Galilee to Rome—from the spot where Peter first dropped his nets to follow Jesus to the place where he gave his life out of love for his Lord. Through sound scholarship, first-hand experiences at places of pilgrimage, and spiritual reflection, Binz helps us embrace the reality that God works through broken human beings to accomplish truly beautiful things.
Ultimately, Saint Flawed, Forgiven, and Faithful reminds us that the papacy—from Peter to the present day—has always been filled by imperfect people and, mysteriously and wonderfully, that’s exactly the type of person through whom God advances the Church!
In Saint Flawed, Forgiven, and Faithful , biblical scholar Stephen Binz takes readers on a pilgrimage from Galilee to Rome—from the spot where Peter first dropped his nets to follow Jesus to the place where he gave his life out of love for his Lord. Through sound scholarship, first-hand experiences at places of pilgrimage, and spiritual reflection, Binz helps us embrace the reality that God works through broken human beings to accomplish truly beautiful things.
Ultimately, Saint Flawed, Forgiven, and Faithful reminds us that the papacy—from Peter to the present day—has always been filled by imperfect people and, mysteriously and wonderfully, that’s exactly the type of person through whom God advances the Church!
198 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2015
15 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Stephen J. Binz
108 books20 followersStephen J. Binz is a biblical scholar, writer, and speaker, with graduate studies from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and Jerusalem. He has written over three dozen books in biblical theology and spirituality. His books have earned first and second place awards from the Catholic Press Association and three First Place awards from the Catholic Publishers Association’s Excellence in Publishing Awards.
As a popular speaker, Stephen Binz addresses audiences at national and regional conferences, offering keynotes, seminars, and workshops. His audiences include the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, the National Catholic Education Association, and Fashion Me People. He is also an active member of the Society of Biblical Literature and the Catholic Biblical Association.
He is the founder and author of Threshold Bible Study (Twenty-Third Publications), Ancient-Future Bible Study (Brazos Press), Lectio Divina Bible Study (OSV Publications), and the Conversing with God in Scripture series (Word Among Us Press). All of his books in print may be found at his website: www.Bridge-B.com
He lives in Baton Rouge, LA, where his wife Pamela is a member of the School of Music faculty at Louisiana State University.
As a popular speaker, Stephen Binz addresses audiences at national and regional conferences, offering keynotes, seminars, and workshops. His audiences include the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, the National Catholic Education Association, and Fashion Me People. He is also an active member of the Society of Biblical Literature and the Catholic Biblical Association.
He is the founder and author of Threshold Bible Study (Twenty-Third Publications), Ancient-Future Bible Study (Brazos Press), Lectio Divina Bible Study (OSV Publications), and the Conversing with God in Scripture series (Word Among Us Press). All of his books in print may be found at his website: www.Bridge-B.com
He lives in Baton Rouge, LA, where his wife Pamela is a member of the School of Music faculty at Louisiana State University.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 8, 2021
The author, Stephen J. Binz, takes the reader on an incredible pilgrimage, walking “with Peter to Jesus”. Reading this book was such an enjoyable experience as I too felt like I was walking “with Peter to Jesus”. I felt a very spiritual connection which was very powerful for me. A must read for all Catholics.
May 27, 2024
Reading for an upcoming episode of A Good Story is Hard to Find podcast. My original review is below.
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One of this book's subtitles is "Walking with Peter from Galilee to Rome."
It's the perfect description of this book. When I've read about Peter in scripture I usually tend to relate it to myself. Am I acting like Peter or not? What lessons could I learn from his life? I've never stopped to ask myself what Peter himself experienced every step of the way with Jesus. Or to wonder what he learned as he went on "alone" after the Ascension.
Stephen J. Binz turns the spotlight on Peter so that we remember he was a real person, in unimaginable circumstances, traveling and learning from the Son of God, and then carrying on the ministry after Jesus's ascension. I'll certainly never think of Peter the same way now that Stephan Binz's book made him and his journey come alive.
Binz has us step back from the familiar interpretations of the scripture we often know so well that we have forgotten to think about it. He gives us new ways to understand what it meant to the people who wrote it, read it, and, most importantly, lived it. For example, speaking of Peter witnessing Jesus' transfiguration, Binz points out:
I also especially enjoyed the way Binz would feature actual Holy Land descriptions in his explanations. It made me "feel" the place where these events took place and sometimes that too was important in understanding Peter and his journey.
I've been a long time fan of Stephen Binz's books about lectio divina and bible study, but this one is different. It is far and away my favorite. "Take up and read," as a mysterious voice told St. Augustine. This is a book that will enrich your life.
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One of this book's subtitles is "Walking with Peter from Galilee to Rome."
It's the perfect description of this book. When I've read about Peter in scripture I usually tend to relate it to myself. Am I acting like Peter or not? What lessons could I learn from his life? I've never stopped to ask myself what Peter himself experienced every step of the way with Jesus. Or to wonder what he learned as he went on "alone" after the Ascension.
Stephen J. Binz turns the spotlight on Peter so that we remember he was a real person, in unimaginable circumstances, traveling and learning from the Son of God, and then carrying on the ministry after Jesus's ascension. I'll certainly never think of Peter the same way now that Stephan Binz's book made him and his journey come alive.
Like Capernaum, Bethsaida was a fishing village, and possibly a center for drying and salting fish to export. But unlike Capernaum, Bethsaida was a town in which Jews lived together with Gentiles.
This interesting detail of Peter's background means that he would have associated freely with Greek-speaking Gentiles throughout his early life. It should also be noted that fishing was a profitable business in first-century Galilee, especially for those who owned boats and could hire help. These details indicate that Peter was not necessarily the poor, illiterate Jewish fisherman he is often made out to be. It is more likely that Peter was a middle-class entrepreneur. He certainly spoke Aramaic, probably read Hebrew, and quite possiblty also spoke and read Greek, the language of trade and commerce at the time.
Binz has us step back from the familiar interpretations of the scripture we often know so well that we have forgotten to think about it. He gives us new ways to understand what it meant to the people who wrote it, read it, and, most importantly, lived it. For example, speaking of Peter witnessing Jesus' transfiguration, Binz points out:
Peter, who was unable to conceive of Jesus' suffering and being put to death, is enlightened and uplifted through this vision of Jesus' transfigured glory. Yet Peter has to learn that the moment of glory was not given to him for its own sake; it is to help him seek the presence and the will of God in all things. The vision on the mountain will helps him realize that his own walking the way of the cross can be filled with radiance. ...Weaving together pilgrimage experiences, spiritual reflections, and indepth knowledge of the Bible, Binz made me feel that I really have a personal knowledge, a connection, with Peter the man. He skillfully links this material with what Peter means for Catholics as the first pope and first leader of the Church.
I also especially enjoyed the way Binz would feature actual Holy Land descriptions in his explanations. It made me "feel" the place where these events took place and sometimes that too was important in understanding Peter and his journey.
I've been a long time fan of Stephen Binz's books about lectio divina and bible study, but this one is different. It is far and away my favorite. "Take up and read," as a mysterious voice told St. Augustine. This is a book that will enrich your life.
July 17, 2018
I loved the way Binz takes you on a journey with Peter and jesus, to key places in the Bible where significant events took place. He describes in detail how places looked and felt in jesus' time and how they are kept special today.
May 13, 2022
Marvelous journey
Loved the authentic story of St Peter. The delve into scripture and culture was a wonderful story. Would recommend this book to others interested in the real Peter!
Loved the authentic story of St Peter. The delve into scripture and culture was a wonderful story. Would recommend this book to others interested in the real Peter!
June 15, 2022
Excellent!!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews