Benedict XVI's Theological Vision: An Introduction

Benedict XVI's Theological Vision: An Introduction | Monsignor Joseph Murphy | From the introduction to Christ Our Joy: The Theological Vision of Pope Benedict XVI

Although this book refers on occasion to what Joseph Ratzinger has written or said following his election as successor of Peter, for the most part it is based on his theological, spiritual, and pastoral writings as professor in various German universities (Bonn, Münster, Tubingen, and Regensburg) and later as Archbishop  of Munich and Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. A deeper understanding of Pope Benedict's Magisterium requires constant reference to his earlier writings, in which the same themes are treated in considerable depth, in the light of Scripture and the Church's tradition and in dialogue with contemporary concerns. In this regard, it may prove both useful and illuminating to say something about the kind of theological reflection we shall encounter in the course of this book. Although the list is certainly incomplete, a number of characteristics come to mind:

1. All of Joseph Ratzinger's writings are solidly scriptural. Scripture is, of course, the soul of all theology, [8] but not all theologians make such widespread use of Scripture as the primary source and inspiration of their reflections as Ratzinger does. While he makes judicious use of the most reliable findings of modern exegesis, he is careful to read Scripture within the tradition of the Church and as a unity, centered on the person and saving work of Jesus Christ.

2. Ratzinger's work is also firmly grounded in tradition, for he is convinced that the truth gradually unfolds itself in the life of the Church under the direction of the Holy Spirit (cf. Jn 16:13). [9] His theology is shaped by long familiarity with the Fathers of the Church, especially St. Augustine, whose understanding of the Church was the subject of his doctoral thesis People of God and House of God in St. Augustine's Doctrine of the Church, defended in 1951 and first published in 1954. [10]

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Comments

[MarkAA]

Those two points #1 and #2, primarily, and #7, #8 and #10 make Benedict the ideal pope to speak with Protestants, especially Anglicans and Lutherans, the only large Protestant bodies (that I'm aware of anyway) that honor the Church Fathers. All Protestants place scripture as essentially the lone primary and direct source of all theology. Benedict at this time and place is a wonderful thing; a pontiff who has solid Catholic doctrinal bona fides but can speak to sincere Christians who are not Catholic with a clear understanding of where they are coming from.

[LJ]

I have never tried to create a system of my own, an individual theology. What is specific, if you want to call it that, is that I simply want to think in communion with the faith of the Church, and that means above all to think in communion with the great thinkers of the faith. (Quoted from Peter Seewald's interview, Salt of the Earth)

Two things;

Praise God for Joseph Ratzinger and heaven preserve us from theologians that want to create a new theology. A new approach, yes, a new spirituality perhaps, but the same faith. That is precisely why I am Catholic, because I am assured that the faith is the same faith handed on by the Apostles themselves. (You might call that Assurance of Faith)

Also, I love that expression, "thinking in communion". He does have a way of using language that expresses things in a fresh way and also gives a deeper message. How does one "think in communion?" It seems to me we would find the answer to be very spiritual. That is to say that we can be highly rational and deeply spiritual not only simultaneously, but integrally; so that our thinking is done not just with the mind of the Church but in the mind, heart and soul of the Church. Then not only our actions but our whole being, mind and all, are being conformed to Jesus.

It is not often asserted or aspired to; to think like Jesus. For some of us, our thinking can be the last bastion of our percieved independence, the glowing ember of rebellion, the one corner of our heart that we haven't relinquished to Christ. The fruit of that final capitulation we note from the article, and is what we all can see in Benedict XVI; joy in service of Christ's Church.

[W.]

"How does one 'think in communion?'"

The Hermeneutic of Continuity.

[David]

Why hasn't Ratzinger's "Dogma and Preaching" been entirely translated?

The German text is 458 pages long.