"In the Beginning..." - A Catholic Understanding of the Story of Creation and the Fall

by Joseph Ratzinger, Boniface Ramsey, OP (Tradutor)

Genres: Theology, Religion, Catholic, Christianity

Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 1995

About the author

See also Pope Benedict XVI

Reviews

[Meredith Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is where it all began (i mean this as a pun and also personally)!!! I read this senior year for class and it lit me UP and got me started on the importance of our vocation to worship, inherent relationality, and creatureliness, which I have since written 2 capstone papers about :)
I also love how Ratzinger refutes modern intellectual errors by exposing specific people for being wrong.

[Chandler Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The doctrine of creation is, therefore, inseparably included within the doctrine of redemption. The doctrine of redemption is based on the doctrine of creation, on an irrevocable Yes to creation.”

“Faith is reasonable. The reasonableness of creation derives from God’s reason, and there is no other really convincing explanation.”

This is a work of theology that will make the heart rejoice in worship! This book contains the four homilies of Pope Benedict XVI, Joseph Ratzinger, on Genesis 1-3. He delivered these homilies out of concern for the diminishment of the doctrine of creation during his day. He writes with such great and thorough knowledge about the philosophical and scientific developments that led to such a diminishment in the reasonableness of the Christian creation account. The homilies function as a way of catechizing hearers in the doctrine of creation, humanity, and sin. There is also an appendix that delves a little more into the reason for the eclipse of the doctrine of creation, but it is a little dense compared to the rest of the book. Ratzinger also starts off with an important Christological observation about reading the Old Testament, and specifically, the creation account not as a particular story, but looking to Christ and his creative work as the normative understanding of creation. Ratzinger also explores the comparability of creationism and evolution and gives a traditional positive Roman Catholic evaluation of the two concepts. He also delivers a low opinion of Galileo and the renowned scientist’s contribution to a diminished understanding of creation. I do strongly disagree with Ratzinger’s evaluation of Galileo as well as his philosophy of art. Ratzinger also defends the Christian doctrine of creation against the skeptical argument that the Christian religion justifies exploitation of world and its resources. This book can function as a great starting point for reading Catholic theologians!

[Clare Ryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was given a copy by a family member and I’ve conscientiously read it. Mea culpa: I’ve always dispised and disliked Ratzinger🤦 I was mollified by Deis Caritas Est (which seemed out of character) and understandable when I learned about George - we teach what we know! You can only speak authentically about love when you have experienced it😊 STILL DON’T LIKE BENEDICT😳 and ‘In The Beginning’ betrayed all my hopes for Conservative Catholicism. Yes women are mentioned: at the start of the Fourth Homily on Sin and Salvation where Genesis 3:1-12,17-19,23-24 illustrate the female role in bringing sin to humanity 🤦 Benedict’s preferred pronouns are him, he, I. Can I just say Benedict is not a disciple of the mystic tradition of Catholicism😐 and to me it seems that he is doing adventurous gymnastics to justify outdated and redundant thinking - we’ve moved on! Tbh Pope Francis and Laudato Si, anything by Richard Rohr, lots by JoanChittester etc leave Benedict for dead. If you can’t move past anthroprocentric obsession with ‘man’s’ place at the centre of the universe then Benedict is for you👍👍 with historical justification 😊

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book on theology, and tackles one of the more difficult topics to explain, Creation. The format is very interesting, as it is broken down in four homilies and then a final essay, which in my opinion wrapped things up very nicely. It is quite beautiful that despite the dense content and the intricate subject matter, Ratzinger manages to drive home the point that God is love (as he always does): "God is the Lord of all things because he is their creator, and only therefore can we pray to him. For this means that freedom and love are not ineffectual ideas but rather that they are sustaining forces of reality" (pg. 18).

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always enjoy Pope Benedict's insight.

[Brother Gregory Rice, SOLT · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of the few Ratzingers I read recently. Essential, I think.

[Derek · Rating 5 out of 5]

In typical fashion, Ratzinger offers brilliant insight into the major themes of the creation account.

[Hank Esker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ez Read

[therese gasser · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was so beautiful???? great day to have traddy parents 😍

[Julie Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid gold.

[VictorianSarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A central theme: You are greatly loved by a good Creator. An excellent theme to focus on!