Principles of Catholic Theology: Building Stones for a Fundamental Theology

by Pope Benedict XVI

A collection of articles and talks written around a central theme the fundamental structure of Catholicism, the inter-relationship of other forms of Christianity, the features that distinguish Catholicism from other Christian theologies. Ratzinger outlines the fundamental principles of theology and the proper relationship of theology to Church teaching and authority.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Catholic, Christian, Christianity

398 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1987

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

[Colin Parrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

The previous gentleman to review this book gave a link to some spurious website concerning the heretical errors contained in this book. Unfortunately that website isn't the best source for determining the orthodox nature of a theological work. However, having said that, this book is very erudite if not dense, yet it is very fruitful. Also, this book is a series of essays written over a ten year period which concern fundamental theology. FT is a branch of theology in the Catholic Church whereby, as a discipline, seeks to muster together the different aspects of revelation and theology and clarify them for those inside the Church and for dialogue with those outside as well. Think of Fundamental Theology as both the State and Defense departments of the tradition of the Catholic Church. Ratzinger was a major contributor to it but it was 'founded' by Henri de Lubac in the mid-1930's. It is still developing and is in its nascent stages.

Some sections of the book to check out:

Part 1:
Tradition, anthropology of.
Baptism
Conversion-metanoia

Part 2:
Ecumenism with Protestantism and ecclesiology.
Sacramental theology including the priesthood as necessary mediator-relationship.

Part 3:
Experience as basis for any faith.
Science in relation to theology.

This book is a very nuanced work and can be dense, so I hope that these sections can be fruitful reads to encourage you to continue through the end.

[Christopher Moellering · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typically brilliant Benedict XVI. Able to survey the theological currents of the 20th Century and separate wheat and chaff.

Not an easy read, but fruitful.

I wish the translator had at least parenthetically translated the frequent Latin.

[David Paternostro, · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, my mind was absolutely blown by Ratzinger’s brilliant yet personal style. Ratzinger is writing on fundamental theology, a branch of theology that asks what it means for God to reveal Himself to us—what is revelation, how does revelation occur, how do humans respond to and think about revelation? Ratzinger’s main concern is the reduction of Christian theology (and Christian faith in general) to abstract formulas and statements. Everything in Ratzinger’s text establishes the personal relationship between God and humans as the primary locus of revelation—we come to know God through personal relationship, and everything flows from there. It was incredible to see how things like the Incarnation, Scripture, and the sacraments emerge from and then contribute to this relationship. A central idea of Ratzinger’s is that everything is changed when we see God’s desire for a relationship with us, and I will certainly be spending a large part of this year thinking through Ratzinger’s words and the relationship he describes.

[Alan · Rating 1 out of 5]

See:
Bro. Peter Dimond, O.S.B.'s analysis of the heresies in this book
and
Bp. Tissier's Faith Imperiled by Reason: Benedict XVI's Hermeneutics

[Jacob Lehmann]

Especially intriguing is Joseph Ratzinger's theological anthropology - it is human nature to create and maintain histories and traditions.