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The Story of Jesus: A History and Theology of Christ
Part history, part theology, part devotional, The Story of Jesus explores the complete life and teachings of Our Lord from before His conception in the womb of Mary until His Ascension. Revered twentieth-century Egyptian elder and scholar Matthew the Poor wrote many volumes on the subject of Christ's significance, life, and teaching, which translator James Helmy has distilled into one highly readable book that will make an essential addition to every Christian's library.
- GenresSpirituality
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 24, 2023
11 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Matthew the Poor
34 books31 followers(Arabic: متى المسكين)
Father Matta El-Meskeen (Maskeen or Maskine ; translated as Matthew the Poor ), born Youssef Eskander (September 20, 1919 - June 8, 2006), was a Coptic Orthodox monk and spiritual father of 130 monks in the Monastery of St. Macarius the Great at Scetis in Wadi Natrun, Egypt. He is considered by many to be a renowned Orthodox theologian, and was an author of voluminous texts on numerous topics, including biblical exegesis, ecclesiastical rites, and other spiritual and theological matters (181 books, besides hundreds of journal articles).
Father Matta is celebrated by many Copts as a reformer and a prominent figure in recent Coptic history. Following the repose of Pope Kyrillos VI in 1971, Father Matta and two others (Bishops Samuel and Shenouda) were considered as candidates for the Patriarchal throne. Bishop Shenouda was chosen to be the Coptic Pope of Alexandria.
Father Matta and Pope Shenouda share some common history. Both participated in the Sunday school movement and Matta was Shenouda's confessor in the 1950s. Pope Shenouda acknowledges his debt to his teacher, Father Matta El-Meskeen, whom he calls 'my father monk' in the introduction to his book Intelaq Al-Rouh (The Release of the Spirit).(Father Matta was also the spiritual guide of the late Alexandrian priest Father Bishoy Kamel, a contemporary Coptic Orthodox saint.)
It is undocumentedly alleged that Father Matta was suspended twice, first by Pope Yousab II in 1955, and then again by Pope Kyrillos VI for nine years from 1960 to 1969[15] for administrative/"political" (e.g., his book about the 'Church and the State', in which he called for total separation of the two) rather than for any truly theological or core dogmatic issues. However this allegation is not true at all and undocumented. Some say undocumentedly that what is called the 1960s suspension was because of Father Matta's objection to the Coptic Church signing of the Catholic Declaration of the Innocence of the Jews from the Blood of Christ. But also this allegation is not true and undocumented. The saintly Pope Kyrillos VI later insisted that Father Matta absolve and forgive him in the presence of H.E. Metropolitan Mikhail of Assiut.
Father Matta El-Meskeen (Maskeen or Maskine ; translated as Matthew the Poor ), born Youssef Eskander (September 20, 1919 - June 8, 2006), was a Coptic Orthodox monk and spiritual father of 130 monks in the Monastery of St. Macarius the Great at Scetis in Wadi Natrun, Egypt. He is considered by many to be a renowned Orthodox theologian, and was an author of voluminous texts on numerous topics, including biblical exegesis, ecclesiastical rites, and other spiritual and theological matters (181 books, besides hundreds of journal articles).
Father Matta is celebrated by many Copts as a reformer and a prominent figure in recent Coptic history. Following the repose of Pope Kyrillos VI in 1971, Father Matta and two others (Bishops Samuel and Shenouda) were considered as candidates for the Patriarchal throne. Bishop Shenouda was chosen to be the Coptic Pope of Alexandria.
Father Matta and Pope Shenouda share some common history. Both participated in the Sunday school movement and Matta was Shenouda's confessor in the 1950s. Pope Shenouda acknowledges his debt to his teacher, Father Matta El-Meskeen, whom he calls 'my father monk' in the introduction to his book Intelaq Al-Rouh (The Release of the Spirit).(Father Matta was also the spiritual guide of the late Alexandrian priest Father Bishoy Kamel, a contemporary Coptic Orthodox saint.)
It is undocumentedly alleged that Father Matta was suspended twice, first by Pope Yousab II in 1955, and then again by Pope Kyrillos VI for nine years from 1960 to 1969[15] for administrative/"political" (e.g., his book about the 'Church and the State', in which he called for total separation of the two) rather than for any truly theological or core dogmatic issues. However this allegation is not true at all and undocumented. Some say undocumentedly that what is called the 1960s suspension was because of Father Matta's objection to the Coptic Church signing of the Catholic Declaration of the Innocence of the Jews from the Blood of Christ. But also this allegation is not true and undocumented. The saintly Pope Kyrillos VI later insisted that Father Matta absolve and forgive him in the presence of H.E. Metropolitan Mikhail of Assiut.
Early life
Father Matta El Meskeen was born in Benha, elKaliobia, Egypt, in 1919. (One source says he was born in Damanhour, Egypt.) In 1944, he graduated in Pharmacy from the University of Cairo. In 1948, after leading a successful life and establishing a wealthy lifestyle for himself--Eskander at the time was the owner of two pharmacies, two villas, and two cars--he renounced his material possessions, and entered the Monastery of St. Samuel the Confessor in Qualmun (roughly near Maghagha, Upper Egypt). In 1951, he was ordained a priest against his will.
Monastic life
After living for a few years in the Monastery of St. Samuel the Confessor, Matta decided to move out into Wadi El Rayan in the late 1950s. There, he lived as a recluse in the spirit of the ancient Desert Fathers for twelve years. By 1960, seven other monks joined him. The community expanded to twelve by 1964. These twelve monks were sent by Pope Kyrillos VI to Wadi El Natroun in 1969 to develop the monastery of St. Macarius the Great. At that time only six elderly, frail fathers lived near the road between Cairo and Alexandria. Matta and his twelve companions cared for them while reconstructing the monastery. The administrative, agricultural, institutional, and printing/publishing developments at the renewed Monastery of St. Macarius the Great were staggering. But the spiritual revolution was much greater. By 1981 Matta had over eighty monks in the monastery.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 14, 2023
The Story of Jesus: A History and Theology of Christ, is a wonderful commentary by Matthew the Poor on the New Testament. Though he had many writings on the subject, this book has been compiled to make a concise and easy to read book for any lay person. The writings do a wonderful job of seamlessly incorporating scripture, theology, exegesis for personal growth, history, and chronology of Christ's life from before his birth to his ascension.
The style of writing was very enjoyable. It was less like reading a study or receiving a lecture and more like having a conversation. The style allowed me to slow down not only the speed at which I read, but also the process of digesting what was written. It also read more like a devotional that focused on contemplation and conversation than a commentary focused on acquisition of understanding. That is not to say one won't learn quite a bit, but the style feels less like a classroom and more like lounging in a living room.
The book states it covers the story of Jesus, but it does more than start at the birth of Christ. Instead it begins with the events that prepared the way for the reception of Christ. He writes on the Old Testament, the spread of Greek culture, the spread of the Roman Empire, and more. He does a wonderful job of speaking about the life of Christ by describing the world he would be born into and interact with throughout his life and ministry.
If you do not own a commentary on the New Testament then this is a great place to start. Even if you already have a commentary, the readability and relaxed style make this a great addition to anyone's home library.
The style of writing was very enjoyable. It was less like reading a study or receiving a lecture and more like having a conversation. The style allowed me to slow down not only the speed at which I read, but also the process of digesting what was written. It also read more like a devotional that focused on contemplation and conversation than a commentary focused on acquisition of understanding. That is not to say one won't learn quite a bit, but the style feels less like a classroom and more like lounging in a living room.
The book states it covers the story of Jesus, but it does more than start at the birth of Christ. Instead it begins with the events that prepared the way for the reception of Christ. He writes on the Old Testament, the spread of Greek culture, the spread of the Roman Empire, and more. He does a wonderful job of speaking about the life of Christ by describing the world he would be born into and interact with throughout his life and ministry.
If you do not own a commentary on the New Testament then this is a great place to start. Even if you already have a commentary, the readability and relaxed style make this a great addition to anyone's home library.
April 7, 2023
If you are not someone who typically enjoys historical/theological books, do not be discouraged by the title! Although I am not someone who easily reads through theological books, I could not put down The Story of Jesus: A History and Theology of Christ by Fr. Matthew the Poor. This book is truly incredible because it weaves the story of Jesus’s life into the historical context in a way that brings the richness of the details in the familiar Bible stories to life. Where were the three wise men from? What context do we have about this star they followed? Why should we care about the water pots in Jesus’s first miracle at the Wedding of Cana of Galilee? How am I supposed to relate the details in all these stories to my own life? Fr. Matthew the Poor answers all these questions in this book and teaches us not just about the story of Jesus, but how to live the story of Jesus with Christ.
The book is written beautifully and expertly, and it flows in a manner that makes it easy to read despite the depth of the concepts contained. While reading, I could not stop telling people in my church about this book, gifted a copy of this book to someone, and even shared passages of the book with my Sunday School kids because of its richness. Please pick up this book and read it. You will not be disappointed.
The book is written beautifully and expertly, and it flows in a manner that makes it easy to read despite the depth of the concepts contained. While reading, I could not stop telling people in my church about this book, gifted a copy of this book to someone, and even shared passages of the book with my Sunday School kids because of its richness. Please pick up this book and read it. You will not be disappointed.
March 7, 2023
The Story of Jesus Christ by Matthew the Poor should be required reading for Christians of any denomination. This wonderful Orthodox work blew me away. I was expecting a nice book filled with meditations on Christ’s life and the lessons He taught us. Instead, I was blown away by an incredible scholarly work that combines academic research from scholars across the centuries with theological truths and historic knowledge of Christ, Judea and the Roman Empire. The book paints an in depth picture of Christ's life on earth. Each chapter gives the reader a lot of new information to digest and consider, but even so Matthew the Poor’s writing is incredibly easy to understand and is poetically readable. Definitely glad I picked it up during the Lenten season so I can grow closer to the Lord as we approach the celebration of His Resurrection!
October 21, 2023
The gospel story interpreted by a very holy man. May his heart of love for Christ to touch there hearts of all who read this book.
March 2, 2025
wonderful read
A great book, easy to read with a lot of insight. I heartily recommend it to all Christian’s. I look forward to the authors other books.
A great book, easy to read with a lot of insight. I heartily recommend it to all Christian’s. I look forward to the authors other books.
March 21, 2025
I chose to read this during Great Lent and I can only say, amazing, what a blessing this book has been to my Lenten journey. One of the best books so far this year. Truly unforgettable!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews