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These Twelve: The Gospel Through the Apostle's Eyes
The apostles weren’t random, interchangeable parts―mere pawns that Jesus exploited to accomplish his mission. No, these men were the mission. In this riveting re-examination of familiar Gospel events from the ground-floor perspective of Christ’s hand-picked heirs, author Rod Bennett takes you on a journey through the eyes of the apostles. Re-discover the true meaning of apostleship established by Jesus over 2000 years ago, and why it’s an essential mark of the one Church that Jesus founded to make the whole world his Chosen People.
173 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2022
27 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Rod Bennett
20 books21 followersMy first published writing appeared when I was 15 years old in the pages of the legendary Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine. Since then, I've been featured in other national publications, ranging from Rutherford and Gadfly to Catholic Exchange and Our Sunday Visitor. I spoke on film and television topics for 10 years at Jesus People USA's Cornerstone Rock Festival, leading seminars on the cinema of Frank Capra, John Ford, and the Star Wars films of George Lucas. In 2006 I was invited by the Archbishop of Pittsburgh to address more than 300 teachers on the role pop culture can play in the religious education of teenagers. Recently, I've had the chance to discuss my work on radio and television programs such as The Journey Home and Bookmark. My first book,
Four Witnesses The Early Church in Her Own Words
, including an account of my conversion to the Catholic Faith in 1996, is a best seller from Ignatius Press.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 5, 2022
I haven't yet read a Rod Bennett book that I didn't like. In this book, he helps you to see the twelve apostles and Christ's interaction with them in a new light, even if you've "known" them for years by reading scripture. Knowing them better makes knowing yourself easier.
February 1, 2023
If I could use half stars, I would give it 3 1/2 stars. Theology presented largely through the disciples, which is an unusual way to present theology and which I liked. Thought provoking. The criticism I have is that Rob Bennett, the author, is a Roman Catholic and some of his theology is presented as unerring. The final chapter about what happened to each of the disciples is very touching.
April 30, 2022
April 15, 2022
A review by Anthony T. Riggio of the book: The Twelve (The Gospel Through the Apostles’ Eyes) by Rod Bennett.
I purchased this book through Amazon in its printed, soft cover, format. It is a short book, readable in a couple of days, even with slow concentrated reading. The author has written several other books on Apologetics, including: “The Early Church in Her Own Words”, in print for over twenty years, and now added to my list of books to read. Rod Bennett, was a convert from Evangelical Churches and he became a Catholic in 1996.
The approach taken by Bennett is that the Gospels cited were the mission of the Apostles who after Christs death and the receiving of The Holy Spirit. They went out to the praise the Good News of Jesus Christs message to the “World”. Considering that Jesus conducted his ministry for only three years, His apostles had a daunting task to convert the populations about the Christs message. In fact, the author refers to the Apostles as “Christs” mission. I have to agree, given that they converted well over a billion, people to his teachings.
A fair portion of this book enlightened a “cradle” Catholic, like myself to a greater understanding of some of the thoughts contained in the Gospel messages cited, in this delightful book.
The book starts out with the chapter the “Fig Tree” which is related to Nathaniel by Christ. Nathaniel was a highly educated Jew who was studying to be a Scribe which was a lofty position among the Pharisees and was well steeped in the “Old Testament” and was an ardent scholar and anticipant in the coming of the Messiah. He o0ften studied and prayed under the Fig tree. He was a follower of John the Baptist and was closely aligned with Phillip one of the first chosen by Jesus. When Phillip introduced Nathaniel to Jesus, Nathanial remarked, “How can you know me?”. Jesus remarked “when you were underneath that fig-tree, Before Phillip called you, I saw you”. Nathaniel fell down at Jesus feet and said “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel”. The Messiah gained another Apostle,
The author then continues and outlines the royalty of Jesus in the second and longest chapter in the book followed by the Miracles Jesus performed and how he selected the. Twelve and explains why Twelve was so significant. He subsequently explains why Jesus talked in Parables. Of great interest to me was the explanation of why there always seemed to be such discordant exchanges between Jesus and the Pharisees and that was Jesus explaining that he was the new Word and that the Pharisees had preached and subscribed to a great number of hypocritical ideas that Jesus was sent to correct. Without giving too much away, any prior readings of the Gospels will become clearer on several key points cited in this book. I especially enjoyed the chapter on the change of the Priesthood.
This was a most interesting book that makes me want to re-read the four gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. I gave this book five Stars and highly recommend this book to all Christians.
A review by Anthony T. Riggio of the book: The Twelve (The Gospel Through the Apostles’ Eyes) by Rod Bennett.
I purchased this book through Amazon in its printed, soft cover, format. It is a short book, readable in a couple of days, even with slow concentrated reading. The author has written several other books on Apologetics, including: “The Early Church in Her Own Words”, in print for over twenty years, and now added to my list of books to read. Rod Bennett, was a convert from Evangelical Churches and he became a Catholic in 1996.
The approach taken by Bennett is that the Gospels cited were the mission of the Apostles who after Christs death and the receiving of The Holy Spirit. They went out to the praise the Good News of Jesus Christs message to the “World”. Considering that Jesus conducted his ministry for only three years, His apostles had a daunting task to convert the populations about the Christs message. In fact, the author refers to the Apostles as “Christs” mission. I have to agree, given that they converted well over a billion, people to his teachings.
A fair portion of this book enlightened a “cradle” Catholic, like myself to a greater understanding of some of the thoughts contained in the Gospel messages cited, in this delightful book.
The book starts out with the chapter the “Fig Tree” which is related to Nathaniel by Christ. Nathaniel was a highly educated Jew who was studying to be a Scribe which was a lofty position among the Pharisees and was well steeped in the “Old Testament” and was an ardent scholar and anticipant in the coming of the Messiah. He o0ften studied and prayed under the Fig tree. He was a follower of John the Baptist and was closely aligned with Phillip one of the first chosen by Jesus. When Phillip introduced Nathaniel to Jesus, Nathanial remarked, “How can you know me?”. Jesus remarked “when you were underneath that fig-tree, Before Phillip called you, I saw you”. Nathaniel fell down at Jesus feet and said “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel”. The Messiah gained another Apostle,
The author then continues and outlines the royalty of Jesus in the second and longest chapter in the book followed by the Miracles Jesus performed and how he selected the. Twelve and explains why Twelve was so significant. He subsequently explains why Jesus talked in Parables. Of great interest to me was the explanation of why there always seemed to be such discordant exchanges between Jesus and the Pharisees and that was Jesus explaining that he was the new Word and that the Pharisees had preached and subscribed to a great number of hypocritical ideas that Jesus was sent to correct. Without giving too much away, any prior readings of the Gospels will become clearer on several key points cited in this book. I especially enjoyed the chapter on the change of the Priesthood.
This was a most interesting book that makes me want to re-read the four gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. I gave this book five Stars and highly recommend this book to all Christians.
March 2, 2023
This book wasn’t what I was expecting, but it’s still a great read for someone who wants to understand more about the faith. It has very detailed footnotes and is a wonderful starting point for study. I will probably read back through with my bible and a highlighter.
If you’re looking for an easy read about the apostles this isn’t it. Bennett explains extensively why the twelve were so important and what their purpose was. The majority of the text is spent discussing the societal, cultural, and political context of Christ’s ministries and passion, and apostolic succession rather than the apostles themselves.
If you’re looking for an easy read about the apostles this isn’t it. Bennett explains extensively why the twelve were so important and what their purpose was. The majority of the text is spent discussing the societal, cultural, and political context of Christ’s ministries and passion, and apostolic succession rather than the apostles themselves.
June 20, 2023
good background
The gospels do not add very much information about the apostles personality and background. It helps to give more understanding to the gospels. I couldn’t put it down.
The gospels do not add very much information about the apostles personality and background. It helps to give more understanding to the gospels. I couldn’t put it down.
June 19, 2024
love Rod Bennett
As he did in “Four Witnesses” Bennett takes us back into the world of the Apostles and the early Church through scholarly research and, sometimes, inspired imagination to to make those times accessible to us. Highly recommended!
As he did in “Four Witnesses” Bennett takes us back into the world of the Apostles and the early Church through scholarly research and, sometimes, inspired imagination to to make those times accessible to us. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews