What Is Christianity?: The Last Writings

by Pope Benedict XVI, Elio Guerriero (Editor), Georg Gänswein (Editor)

After Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI resigned from the papacy in 2013, he never stopped thinking or writing. Near the end of his life, he and editor Elio Guerriero gathered together a whole volume of new material, dealing with the themes closest to his heart. The pope asked that it be published upon his death. This final work is What Is Christianity? It takes up a kaleidoscopic array of the Christian faith's relationship with other religions, especially Judaism and Islam; the theology and reform of the liturgy; the priesthood; the saints; the Eucharist; the tragedy of abuse; the beauty of nature; Italian and German culture; and much more. With prophetic insight into our times, Benedict warns of a "radical manipulation of man" in the name of tolerance, insisting that the only "authentic counterweight to every form of intolerance" is Christ himself—and Christ crucified. A lifelong Catholic, the late pope pays tribute to some of the giant figures of Christianity who have served him through the years as guiding his predecessor Pope John Paul II, the twentieth-century German Jesuit martyr Alfred Delp, and the silent carpenter Joseph, his patron saint. What Is Christianity? is a frank spiritual testament from a theological master, a churchman who loved the faith of simple Christians but who always stood ready, even in his last days, to dialogue about every aspect of human life—in love and in truth.

Genres: Theology, Catholic, Religion, Christianity, Nonfiction

232 pages, Hardcover

Published August 1, 2023

About the author

Originally Joseph Ratzinger , a noted conservative theologian before his election in 2005, Benedict XVI strove against the influence of secularism during his papacy to defend traditional Catholic teachings but since medieval times first resigned in 2013.

After Joseph Ratzinger served a long career as an academic and a professor at the University of Regensburg, Pope Paul VI appointed him as archbishop of Munich and Freising and cardinal in 1977. In 1981, he settled in Rome as prefect of the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, one most important office of the Roman curia. He also served as dean of the college of cardinals.

Benedict XVI reigned 265th in virtue of his office of bishop of Rome, the sovereign of the state of Vatican City and the head of the Church. A conclave named him on 19 April 2005; he celebrated his inaugural Mass on 24 April 2005 and took possession of his Lateran cathedral basilica of Saint John on 7 May 2005.

Benedict XVI succeeded Saint John Paul II, predecessor and his prolific writings on doctrine and values. Benedict XVI advocated a return to fundamental Christian values to counter the increase of many developed countries. Relativism denied objective truth and moral truths in particular; he viewed this central problem of the 21st century. With the importance of the Church, he understood redemptive love of God. He reaffirmed the "importance of prayer in the face of the activism" "of many Christians engaged in charitable work." Benedict also revived a number and elevated the Tridentine Mass to a more prominent position.

Benedict founded and patronized of the Ratzinger foundation, a charitable organization, which from the sale of books and essays makes money to fund scholarships and bursaries for students across the world.

Due to advanced age on 11 February 2013, Benedict announced in a speech in Latin and cited a "lack of strength of mind and body" before the cardinals. He effectively left on 28 February 2013.As emeritus, Benedict retained the style of His Holiness, and the title and continued to dress in the color of white. He moved into the newly renovated monastery of Mater Ecclesiae for his retirement. Pope Francis succeeded him on 13 March 2013.

(more info on Ratzinger Foundation: https://www.ewtn.com/library/Theology...)

Reviews

[Cecilia Cicone · Rating 4 out of 5]

A full review will be coming later, but mostly this book serves as an exegesis of Vatican II by one of the leading scholars of our time. My main criticism is that the chapter on the abuse crisis was so cold and unemotional that it should have been left out altogether.

[Richard Grebenc · Rating 5 out of 5]

The five stars are mainly because the pope wished his unpublished and scatteringly published words to be available widely upon his death. The Benedict scholar will want this to round out his collection. But for the average interested follower of this pope, there is much else of his works that you will want to get to before this. Nothing in here is particularly long, and it is diverse (no underlying theme, just a compilation). As always with this great man, you will pick up profound nuggets, but again, look for other works that you have not yet gotten to.

[Ruben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice collection of his final writings. Some better than others. The very last one was particularly heartwarming.

Great theologian and man.

[Marc Mason]

I didn’t read this book for awhile because it took me some time to get over the feeling of betrayal I felt from Benedict’s abdication. But he’s one of the greatest theologians to have ever lived and regardless of my feelings re: the abdication and what came next his pastoral heart especially for those who find faith difficult in the current age won out. I’m sure glad it did.

His views on Protestantism are maybe the sharpest I’ve seen in his writing. Maybe privately he’s expressed these views before. In short, he believes they are Christians but have done away with vital aspects of how the faith has always been practiced since the time of the apostles.

He also soberly discusses the sex abuse crisis, and event that left me me cynical. He doesn’t flinch in his condemnation of it or his explanation of what led to it but he ends on a note of hope:

“If we look around with an attentive heart and listen, we can find everywhere today- among uneducated people, but also in the high ranks of the Church- witnesses who testify to God by their life and suffering. Unwillingness to notice them is a symptom of a slothful heart. One of the great essential tasks of our evangelization is, to the best of our ability, to create habitats of faith and above all to find and recognize them.”

“I live in a house in which a small community continually discovers, in the everyday routine, similar testimonies to the living God and gladly points them out to me. To see and to find the Church alive is a wonderful task that strengthens us, again and again making us glad in our faith.”

[Peter James · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a compilation of speeches and unpublished works of Ratzinger. It was really good! A lot of variety with the different chapters, and Pope Benedict XVI was insightful and cogent as usual.

The chapter on the sexual abuse crisis was really good. I found it to be very spiritually fulfilling, and it reminded me what’s at stake in the world— meaning itself. Scandal has a real effect, and it is highly important for the Church to confront it. The chapter spoke on the importance of faith and had wonderful exegesis. Yet, if someone was trying to come back to the Church after the abuse crisis, I’m sure the chapter would come across as coldhearted and abstract. But the exegesis of that chapter blew me away.

Good book overall.

[Connor Curts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this book 4 stars primarily because it is probably not what most would expect from a book entitled “What Is Christianity?” I am not sure it really answers the question, though some chapters work towards an answer. But it is a random assortment of essays, speeches, etc given by Pope Benedict XVI which often don’t relate to one another. For these reasons the title is misleading, however, as another reviewer mentioned, if you are a scholar or fond of Ratzinger in general, then you will enjoy it. It is not a long read, either.

[Eduardo Garcia-Gaspar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una vacuna contra quienes creen que las cosas en estos temas son simples y pueden exponerse con frases hechas y citas breves, eso tan propio de las redes sociales. Es un placer leer a una mente brillantes escribiendo sobre asuntos complejos y hacerlo con razonamientos y claridad. En fin, recomendable en extremo.

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find myself drifting more and more to taker a deeper dive into my faith. I continue to be a great admirer of Pope Benedict, we will well served by him and I am grateful for his writings. I can't wait to read more from him. God Bless!

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I miss him so much. It was so good reading him again.
Benedict XVI, pray for us!

[John W. Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christianity

Great read by His Holiness. I enjoyed the contrasts of different faiths which the Father explored. A page turner for sure

[Damian North · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read this book as part of my daily spiritual reading and found a depth like no other in such a long time

Pope Benedict XVI was perhaps the greatest mind to sit on the chair of Peter in many years, and sadly he was greatly misunderstood and pillared by the media during his pontificate. To get to know Benedict you need to read his writings, or listen to to his sermons as they contain the core element of his faith and mission within the Church, and it will become quickly apparent that he was indeed a man of great love and personal connection through his life and prayer to Jesus Christ.

His focus on Islamic dialogue, along with liturgical practices were for me the most insightful chapters, especially in the current influences within the world - for Benedict XVI brings to the discussion a calm and prevailing argument.

If you are looking a good read for your spiritual journey then I highly recommend this book by the late Pope Benedict, who one day will be viewed as one of the great doctors of the Church.

Damian North
Author

[Jerry Young · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great book. I particularly enjoyed the section of the former Pope explaining the Christian relationship with Judaism & Islam, the Eucharist section, and his take on the sex abuse scandals that plagued the Catholic Church in the past.