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The Nature and Mission of Theology: Approaches to Understanding Its Role in the Light of Present Controversy
As Cardinal, Joseph Ratzinger wrote this book in response to the dialogue going on today concerning theology and the clarification of its methods, its mission and its limits which he thinks has become urgent. Ratzinger "To do theology-as the Magisterium understands theology-it is not sufficient merely to calculate how much religion can reasonably be expected of man and to utilize bits and pieces of the Christian tradition accordingly. Theology is born when the arbitrary judgment of reason encounters a limit, in that we discover something which we have not excogitated ourselves but which has been revealed to us. For this reason, not every religious theory has the right to label itself as Christian or Catholic theology simply because it wishes to do so; whoever would lay claim to this title is obligated to accept as meaningful the prior given which goes along with it."
130 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1995
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About the author
Pope Benedict XVI
943 books946 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 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 11, 2018
What is theology?
One traditional understanding of the term is "faith seeking understanding." For Ratzinger, theology begins where the human intellect, while important, is not sufficient. Theology is not meant for academic theologians alone, but for everyone. For Catholic theology to retain its character, its Catholicity, and not to merely comprise the content of any theologian's own thoughts, the Church and her Magisterium are necessary safeguards.
As one reviewer put it, a book like this is not a devotional manual. Joseph Ratzinger wrote a good deal, and some of his work can be more accessible than others, depending on what it is and the audience (his general audiences and encyclicals, for example, are more accessible than, say, the likes of Introduction to Christianity or The Spirit of the Liturgy). That said, what Ratzinger has always been about is the "why" of the Catholic faith-- in other words, what undergirds, focuses, and ultimately guides any devotion or prayer unto its proper end.
One traditional understanding of the term is "faith seeking understanding." For Ratzinger, theology begins where the human intellect, while important, is not sufficient. Theology is not meant for academic theologians alone, but for everyone. For Catholic theology to retain its character, its Catholicity, and not to merely comprise the content of any theologian's own thoughts, the Church and her Magisterium are necessary safeguards.
As one reviewer put it, a book like this is not a devotional manual. Joseph Ratzinger wrote a good deal, and some of his work can be more accessible than others, depending on what it is and the audience (his general audiences and encyclicals, for example, are more accessible than, say, the likes of Introduction to Christianity or The Spirit of the Liturgy). That said, what Ratzinger has always been about is the "why" of the Catholic faith-- in other words, what undergirds, focuses, and ultimately guides any devotion or prayer unto its proper end.
February 5, 2015
Scholarly and the man speaks philosophy like a philosopher. Gives a very good look at how the former pope thinks. Much, much more sophisticated than something like the Fr. Dubay book I read last week.
This book is written about what it is to be a theologian, but the preconditions for that are not a lot different than those required for other Catholics involved in the Church's public sphere.
Recommended for those who are willing to take their time with it. A lot of people read this stuff devotionally. It's NOT a devotional book and to read it that way is to abuse it.
Some looking things up may be required. A familiarity with Guardini, Ratzinger's touchstone, is helpful and some knowledge of philosophical argument and major philosophical movements of the last 100 years is helpful for fully understanding the book.
This book is written about what it is to be a theologian, but the preconditions for that are not a lot different than those required for other Catholics involved in the Church's public sphere.
Recommended for those who are willing to take their time with it. A lot of people read this stuff devotionally. It's NOT a devotional book and to read it that way is to abuse it.
Some looking things up may be required. A familiarity with Guardini, Ratzinger's touchstone, is helpful and some knowledge of philosophical argument and major philosophical movements of the last 100 years is helpful for fully understanding the book.
October 3, 2017
The man is a genius!
November 14, 2025
A dense and technical book that sometimes left my head spinning—but with so many moments that really spoke to me. Ratzinger critiques methods and assumptions of modern theological scholarship that we still see persist to an even greater degree today. I especially appreciated his commentary on Biblical exegesis. “But how exciting exegesis becomes when it dares to read the Bible as a unified whole.” Yes!!
November 19, 2012
Benedict with surprising equanimity and poise tackles several issues germane to contemporary thinkers: the relationship between faith and philosophy, the role of freedom in the Academy, the ecclesial basis for theology, the true need and origin of pluralism in the Church and theology, as well as the theologians relationship to the Magisterium (in response to criticisms of Donum Veritatis). Informative, not overly dense, useful for fashioning a catholic approach to theology, but not all encompassing (as Ratzinger admits was not possible given his limited time for writing).
Worth the read.
Worth the read.
February 3, 2017
Timely meditations.
June 21, 2013
The former Pontiff sharing his thoughts on the place of theology in the modern world.
Read
April 6, 2018The first two chapters are pure gold. Very much needed: "Faith, Philosophy, and Theology" and "On the Essence of the Academy and Its Freedom."
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews