Revisiting Benedict XVI's three encyclicals

The good folks at Catholic Pulse asked me to write an essay reflecting on the three encyclicals of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, and that essay has now been posted. Rather than just recap the three texts, I reflected on some of the significant themes developed through each and indicate how those themes demonstrate the cohesive theological vision of the encyclicals and, of course, of Benedict. Here are the opening paragraphs of my essay:

Putting the pontificate of Benedict XVI into context and making judgments about the nebulous creature named “legacy” is a difficult task, especially just weeks after his pontificate concluded. Although I tend to be a “glass half empty” type of person and generally try to avoid hyperbole, I do believe we are living in a golden age of the papacy, at least in terms of popes who are holy and brilliant, a combination not to be taken for granted.

If Blessed John Paul II is, as many (including myself) think he is, the greatest philosopher-pope in the history of the Church, then Benedict is, I think, the greatest theologian-pope, whose theological corpus was already quite impressive in both scope and depth prior to his election. Equally remarkable is the body of work produced during his relatively short, eight-year-long pontificate, notably (but not limited to) the three Jesus of Nazareth volumes; the audiences on the apostles, saints, fathers, mystics, and doctors of the Church; the audiences on prayer; apostolic exhortations on the Eucharist and Scripture; and, of course, the three encyclicals: Deus Caritas Est (on Christian love), Spe Salvi (on Christian hope), and Caritas in Veritate (on integral human development).

Entire books could be written about each encyclical and, in fact, some have already been written. My modest goal here is to consider how these three significant texts provide a cohesive, integrated understanding of the person of Jesus Christ (Christology), the nature and mission of the Church (ecclesiology), and salvation and the last things (soteriology and eschatology).

Read the entire essay, "Love, Hope, and Truth: Benedict XVI’s Three Encyclicals", at CatholicPulse.com.

The three encyclicals are available online on the Vatican site, and are also available in handsome hardcover editions from Ignatius Press:

• God is Love: Deus Caritas Est (Hardcover)
• Saved in Hope: Spe Salvi (Hardcover)
• Charity in Truth: Caritas in Veritate (Hardcover)

Comments

[Agnieszka]

A very excellent article, thank you, Carl!
Benedict has been very generous to us (with his life/teaching/understanding, and otherworldly wisdom), and his pontificate has been very spiritually rewarding for many (myself).
Benedict the Beloved and Brilliant, I miss him so!

[Dan]

I have long thought that much of what Pope Benedict has written is for all time. Many note that he is brilliant but that does not begin to capture him and his work. He is brilliant and extraordinarily erudite, yes, but what sets him apart is that he has devoted all of his extraordinary talents to the service of God, to the service of Christ. This makes his brilliance and erudition not only impressive but also beautiful.

[Titus]

I'm a huge admirer of Benedict XVI's. But the assertion, without consideration or analysis of any of his 264 predecessors, that he is "the greatest theologian-pope" is simply hyperbolic. It's not outside the realm of possibility, but folks like, say, Leo the Great at least deserve consideration.

[fredx20]

I agree - the last two popes have been two of the most intelligent, thoughtful men. We are very lucky. As time goes on, people are going to realize that in Benedict, we had a giant in our midst. There is so much Benedict did, during his pontificate and that of JP II. As people uncover the magnificent breadth and depth of it, they will be amazed. I suspect he will be esteemed much more highly in the future than he is now.

JP II and Benedict have set the stage so that the church can be revived. The deep philosophical basis is now there. That philosophical basis has been translated into workable theology that every day people and clergy can understand. Now, we have the next step - a charismatic and gifted man (Francis) who just may spread the gospel like never before.