Born from Above: A Commentary on John's Gospel

By Eduardo P. Olaguer Jr.

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0964643936
• ISBN13: 9780964643932
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Ambassador Books Inc
• Length: 88 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 0.3" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

Insights From Above

A rare gem, very deep and very clear. Born From Above consists of fifteen short chapters, each just a few pages, organized according to St. John's major themes rather than the more familiar chapter-by-chapter sequence.Dr. Olaguer begins with Nicodemus. Jesus told him, "...unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." (Jn 3:5) Ruach, the Hebrew word for "spirit," has overtones of wind, breath and soul. Nicodemus, steeped in the Old Testament, should have thought at once of the Creation, "...and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters." (Gn 1:2) He should have reflected on God's creation of man, "...a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground - then the Lord God ...breathed into his nostrils the breath of life." (Gn 2:6) He should have considered God's renewal of the creation of man through Noah. "God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided." (Gn 8:1) No wonder Jesus said to him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this?" Dr. Olaguer continues in this remarkable opening of St. John's Gospel for 14 more insightful chapters. Each opens the reader's eyes, then his mind, and finally his heart.Born From Above is wonderful contemplative reading. In particular, active Catholics who ride public transit will enjoy this excellent book as the train or bus proceeds along the familiar route. Sooner or later the rider in the next seat surreptitiously reading Born From Above will ask, "Excuse me. Are you Catholic?"Dr. Olaguer is Catholic, and Born From Above is completely faithful to the Catholic Church, but he addresses areas on which Catholics and Protestants agree. This is a book that I would give to any Catholic as a birthday present. I was pleased and surprised to discover that I can also give it to Protestant friends on their birthdays.