Pope Invites Lutheran Theologians to Discussion About Jesus

(August 16, 2008) As Pope Benedict XVI continues work on the second volume of his book about Jesus of Nazareth, he has asked two Lutheran theologians and some of his former students to discuss with him issues he will be writing about. Martin Hengel and Peter Stuhlmacher, both retired professors of New Testament studies from the Protestant theology faculty at the University of Tubingen, Germany, said they have been invited to lecture Aug. 30 at the meeting at the pope's summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome. The Aug. 29-31 meeting is the annual gathering of the pope's former doctoral students. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict, began the annual meetings with his former students in 1978. Hengel told Catholic News Service in Rome Aug. 12 that although he was having health problems he hoped to attend the meeting in Castel Gandolfo. He already has sent participants an outline of his talk, which he titled "Questions About the Historical Jesus of Nazareth: Considerations After Writing a Book on Jesus." Stuhlmacher told CNS his task will be to "try to demonstrate how Jesus himself understood his passion and death."