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The Meaning of Christian Brotherhood
Written over three decades ago, Cardinal Ratzinger's profound treatise on the true meaning of Christian brotherhood is perhaps even more timely and important now as a clear statement on the biblical grounds for cooperation among believing Christians. In treating Christian brotherhood from the perspective of salvation history, Ratzinger opens up the meaning of both the Old and New Testament in this most essential area. After establishing the distinctively Christian sense of brotherhood (vis-a-vis Judaism, Hellenism, Stoicism, the Enlightenment, and Marxism), he shows how fraternal charity can only be perfected through God's fatherhood, Christ's divine sonship, and our brotherhood in Christ.
115 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1960
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About the author
Pope Benedict XVI
942 books938 followersOriginally
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...)
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...)
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 4, 2021
Is there anything that he has written that does not deserve five stars. This little book is astounding in revealing the breathtaking extent of his familiarity with scriptural scholarship and all that it connects with as well as its interface with modernity. It is a short book, indeed hardly a book at all - just a gathering together of his thoughts of over 50 years ago, but as enlightening in our time as they were then.
August 8, 2025
A compact volume with many points to meditate on. The main things I took away from the text—Catholic brotherhood is unique, made real by our real relationship to the Father and the Son, strengthened by the sacraments, and it should be for the good of others.
June 15, 2019
Just spectacular.
Read it.
Read it.
July 28, 2019
A pretty heady book — but good points were made and gave me good questions to consider.
December 11, 2025
A must read for everyone who desires to grow in discipleship with Christ and to grow as an ecclesial man or woman.
December 11, 2023
For something I never thought about, this book now has me thinking about the concept all the time. Benedict lays out his ideas so clearly and logically.
July 7, 2012
Pope Benedict XVI’s book “The Meaning of Christian Brotherhood” is divided into two sections:
Part One is “A Historical Analysis” of the meaning of brotherhood as expressed in some of the great cultures that most directly and profoundly influenced modern Christianity. This section is also divided into a further two sections, the first having to do with “the idea of brotherhood before and outside Christianity”, which is a survey of the meaning of brotherhood as cultivated by Ancient Greece, Old Testament believers, Hellenism, and Enlightenment and Marxist thought and the second portion having to do with “the development and the idea of brotherhood in early Christianity” which includes a treatment of brotherhood in the words of Christ, New Testaments writings, especially the Pauline texts, and the Fathers of the Church.
The first part is obviously necessary if Pope Benedict XVI (at the time of writing: Father and Professor Ratzinger) is to give a just nod to the historical development of this idea. Indeed, I think he does this very well and his use of historical events and cultural customs is particularly helpful for developing an understanding of a historical meaning. However, I must admit, I found this part of the book to be very dry reading.
Part Two, “An Attempt at Synthesis”, is a treatment of “the basis of Christian brotherhood: faith”, “the removal of barriers within the brotherhood of Christians”, “the limits of brotherly community”, and “true universalism.” This is by far the most engaging and helpful portion of the book as it is essentially a call for the restoration of and the living out of this basic Christian idea of brotherhood. The weaving of the historical meaning with the needed remedies both in how we think of the issue and how we is fascinating and easily countered the dry portions of the book.
If you want to know what brotherhood has meant historically and, perhaps, what is should look like now, this book is a great place to start.
Part One is “A Historical Analysis” of the meaning of brotherhood as expressed in some of the great cultures that most directly and profoundly influenced modern Christianity. This section is also divided into a further two sections, the first having to do with “the idea of brotherhood before and outside Christianity”, which is a survey of the meaning of brotherhood as cultivated by Ancient Greece, Old Testament believers, Hellenism, and Enlightenment and Marxist thought and the second portion having to do with “the development and the idea of brotherhood in early Christianity” which includes a treatment of brotherhood in the words of Christ, New Testaments writings, especially the Pauline texts, and the Fathers of the Church.
The first part is obviously necessary if Pope Benedict XVI (at the time of writing: Father and Professor Ratzinger) is to give a just nod to the historical development of this idea. Indeed, I think he does this very well and his use of historical events and cultural customs is particularly helpful for developing an understanding of a historical meaning. However, I must admit, I found this part of the book to be very dry reading.
Part Two, “An Attempt at Synthesis”, is a treatment of “the basis of Christian brotherhood: faith”, “the removal of barriers within the brotherhood of Christians”, “the limits of brotherly community”, and “true universalism.” This is by far the most engaging and helpful portion of the book as it is essentially a call for the restoration of and the living out of this basic Christian idea of brotherhood. The weaving of the historical meaning with the needed remedies both in how we think of the issue and how we is fascinating and easily countered the dry portions of the book.
If you want to know what brotherhood has meant historically and, perhaps, what is should look like now, this book is a great place to start.
June 24, 2010
Brother's, make sure to read this book!
April 7, 2017
An absolutely stunning short book. My only complaint is that Ratzinger seems to shy away from some of the radical logical conclusions one can hint throughout the book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews