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Alexander J. Burke
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John the Baptist: Prophet and Disciple Paperback – January 1, 2006

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 15 ratings
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For the first time in nearly 50 years, a casual yet informative method to learn about John the Baptist…

"Why did each of the four evangelists make John the gateway to the Gospel, the first preacher of Good News? What were the reasons for the early Church's intense interest in a desert hermit whose public ministry lasted two years or less? Why in early Christian tradition was John the Baptist accorded an exalted religious stature, almost equal to that of Mary? The irony is that most modern scholarship on John has missed the true sources of his religious significance…in his links to Christ and to the very earliest beginnings of the Christian religion."—from the Introduction

Alexander Burke pieces together the mystery of this well-known disciple of Jesus one chapter at a time, covering John's preaching, arrest and execution, his role in Eastern and Western Christian Tradition, and the many paradoxes surrounding him.

An excellent resource for group or individual study, John the Baptist offers questions for reflection at the end of each chapter.

Discover a fresh perspective of John the Baptist. Let him rise to the top of the beadroll of Christian heroes where Jesus believed he belonged. Step back and see the beautiful mosaic of mysteries that made up this fascinating saint's life.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    232 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    St. Anthony Messenger Press
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 2006
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.65 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0867167378
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0867167375
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Burke s book will stimulate interest in, and renewed devotion to, John the Baptist and, one hopes, even further research into the person and heritage of this glorious saint. --Fr. Joseph T. Leinhard, S.J., professor of theology, managing editor, Traditio, Fordham University

Burke argues convincingly that is our guide to Christ and the master of the spiritual life. John the Baptist makes an excellent choice for Scripture study groups, prayer groups, faith-based reading clubs and personal reflection. --Susan M. Timoney, S.T.D., Education Parish Service Network

Burke argues convincingly that is our guide to Christ and the master of the spiritual life. John the Baptist makes an excellent choice for Scripture study groups, prayer groups, faith-based reading clubs and personal reflection. --Susan M. Timoney, S.T.D., Education Parish Service Network

About the Author

ALEXANDER J. BURKE, JR., is professor of English and freshmen composition at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. He has a Ph.D. in theology from Fordham University. He also wrote Raising Lazarus and the Passion of Jesus in John 11 and 12: A Study of John’s Literary Structure and His Narrative Theology (Edwin Mellen Press). He lives in Manhasset, New York.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Anthony Messenger Press (January 1, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 232 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0867167378
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0867167375
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.65 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 15 ratings

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Alexander J. Burke

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
15 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Harmonious
5.0 out of 5 stars John the Baptist: a worthy forerunner and spiritual partner of Jesus.
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2016
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This book, besides being a work of erudition, is inspirational. The author brings to our attention how much of a towering figure John the Baptist was in early Christianity, and remained so, up to the Renaissance. The author made use, not only of the Bible, but of a great array of sources like the accounts of Josephus, Christian Apocryphal works and the Koran because, yes, just as Jesus, John the Baptist is revered in Islam. The author argues that John the Baptist fulfilled his Divine Mission by first living a worthy life before the eyes of God, then preaching a Gospel of Repentance and, finally, by giving an up to then little known Jesus a rousing endorsement through baptism and the witnessing of the Holy Spirit's anointment of the said Jesus, our Lord. The author even suggests that Jesus may have fashioned His message after John's. If indeed this was the case, then John the Baptist deserves the accolades that Jesus bestowed on him as recorded in the Bible. This book provides the reader with sound history, inspired exegesis, and an artful exposition of ideas. This book is a long overdue tribute to John the Baptist, precursor of our Lord.
7 people found this helpful
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Layla Harrington
4.0 out of 5 stars Sparks Investigation!
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2016
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Although I disagree with the author on some points (major ones), the book is informative and well-written. This book will spark further investigation and study.
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Research Text
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2007
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I needed to write a biography on John the Baptist for class. I didn't think it would be so hard, but finding a good book on John the Baptist wasn't so easy. This is the best one I found anywhere. This is the most exhaustive text on John I found anywhere and it takes everything into consideration. I highly recommend it for research, but it is written so well that it is good for even a curious reader.
28 people found this helpful
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Snert
5.0 out of 5 stars John the Baptist was the man who was both old and new testament.
Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2015
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading Burke's book. Rather than the same drab thesis on the historical John the Baptist he is the historians critic and delivers a well documented Biblical John. He was the first follower of Christ.
3 people found this helpful
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Terrell L. Bowers
3.0 out of 5 stars so-so
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2016
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Didn't care for the 'Bible study' formula. I prefer to read a story, rather than dissect every paragraph.
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Private
5.0 out of 5 stars I highly recommend this work
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2016
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Outstanding work. This text examines St. John the Baptist from multiple perspectives while remaining a spiritual text. Tremendous insight, recommendations, and perspective. I highly recommend this work.
2 people found this helpful
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Dawn Hiatt
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2013
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My husband loves this book. He wanted to study John the Baptist and we can not find many books on him. I would recommend this to everyone.
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John Campbell
5.0 out of 5 stars Superior work on John the Baptist
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2014
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An excellent work on the ministry of John the Baptist. Burke places him in the proper context in history and theology.
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Top reviews from other countries

Edith Theis-Nielsen
5.0 out of 5 stars A deeply inspiring Christian role model
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 5, 2016
Verified Purchase
Alexander Burke conveys extremely well John the Baptist as a role model for Christian mission today. The background and lifestyle of “desert discipline” from an early age with prayer, fasting and self-denial (clothes, food, and chastity) prepared John the Baptist for his mission. Interestingly the book shows many parallels between John the Baptist and Jesus.

John the Baptist was the first to experience the Trinity and introduced baptism as a new rite differing from Jewish purity rites. He was the last of the Old Testament prophets, but also breaking new theological ground as a forerunner pointing to Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”, as Son of God, as pre-existent. Thus, John the Baptist becomes the first of the New Testament prophets.

As a Levite and son of a priest John the Baptist had good knowledge of Scripture. He was clear in his mission and messages with the courage to speak against sinful living. He was a teacher and eloquent speaker, since people from all walks of life flocked to hear him in the desert away from the center of power. This even led some to question whether John the Baptist was the Messiah, yet he was able to stay humble and point away from himself towards Jesus.

John the Baptist has been venerated both in the early Eastern and Western church, and we need to return to that attitude, learn from his life and “desert discipline” as a potential to walking the road to mission in humility. Burke’s account of John the Baptist is fascinating reading backed up by Scripture, the Jewish historian Josephus Flavius and you can take it further with studies, since each chapter has questions to reflect on and a literature list.
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars good solid expo of the life of John the Baptist
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 29, 2014
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The book very quickly you get to grips with who the subject is an the later the doom goes into depth.
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Elliott Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 19, 2012
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This book helped me through my Theology Degree, biblical studies module. My power point presentation was heavily influenced by this book. All aspects of the life of Saint John was taken into account. It is my assumption that a lot of research has been put in. The bible has been put into good use within this book. Comparisons are made between old and new testaments. Comparisons between Christ and the Baptist are helpful. Must buy for researching St John, with good information from various traditions, and sources other than the bible.
2 people found this helpful
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