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Covenant and Communion: The Biblical Theology of Pope Benedict XVI
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger's election as Pope Benedict XVI brought a world-class biblical theologian to the papacy. There is an intensely biblical quality to his pastoral teaching and he has demonstrated a keen concern for the authentic interpretation of sacred Scripture.
Here a foremost interpreter of Catholic thought and life offers a probing look at Benedict's biblical theology and provides a clear and concise introduction to his life and work. Bestselling author and theologian Scott Hahn argues that the heart of Benedict's theology is salvation history and the Bible and shows how Benedict accepts historical criticism but recognizes its limits. The author also explains how Benedict reads the overall narrative of Scripture and how he puts it to work in theology, liturgy, and Christian discipleship.
Here a foremost interpreter of Catholic thought and life offers a probing look at Benedict's biblical theology and provides a clear and concise introduction to his life and work. Bestselling author and theologian Scott Hahn argues that the heart of Benedict's theology is salvation history and the Bible and shows how Benedict accepts historical criticism but recognizes its limits. The author also explains how Benedict reads the overall narrative of Scripture and how he puts it to work in theology, liturgy, and Christian discipleship.
208 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2009
30 people are currently reading
312 people want to read
About the author
Scott Hahn
415 books1,326 followersScott Hahn is a renowned Catholic theologian, apologist, speaker, and bestselling author whose work has had a profound impact on contemporary biblical theology and Catholic thought. A former Presbyterian minister, Hahn converted to Catholicism in 1986 after an intense personal and theological journey, which he details in his popular book Rome Sweet Home, co-written with his wife, Kimberly Hahn. Their story of conversion has inspired countless readers around the world and remains a landmark in modern Catholic apologetics.
Hahn holds the Father Michael Scanlan Chair of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990. He is also the founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biblical literacy among the laity and biblical fluency among clergy. Through the Center, Hahn leads a wide range of initiatives, including publications, pilgrimages, Bible studies, and the scholarly journal Letter and Spirit.
Educated at Grove City College (B.A.), Gordon–Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Marquette University (Ph.D. in Systematic Theology), Hahn brings a deep academic foundation to his work. His dissertation, Kinship by Covenant, was later published by Yale University Press and received praise for its theological insight and scholarly rigor.
Throughout his career, Hahn has emphasized the covenant as the key to understanding salvation history, showing how the biblical narrative reveals a divine plan that unites all of humanity into God's family. His works explore themes such as the Eucharist, the role of Mary, the sacraments, and the authority of the Church, often drawing on the writings of the early Church Fathers to bridge the ancient faith with modern understanding.
He is the author or editor of over forty books, including The Lamb’s Supper, Hail, Holy Queen, First Comes Love, Letter and Spirit, Swear to God, Reasons to Believe, The Creed, The Fourth Cup, and Holy Is His Name. Many of his books have become staples in Catholic households, study groups, and seminaries.
In addition to his writing, Hahn is a highly sought-after speaker, having delivered thousands of lectures across the United States and abroad. He appears regularly on EWTN and has collaborated with Lighthouse Catholic Media to bring his teachings to an even broader audience.
Scott Hahn lives in Ohio with his wife Kimberly. They have six children and numerous grandchildren. Together, the Hahns continue to lead efforts in evangelization and Catholic education, embodying a lifelong commitment to deepening faith and understanding through Scripture and tradition.
Hahn holds the Father Michael Scanlan Chair of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990. He is also the founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biblical literacy among the laity and biblical fluency among clergy. Through the Center, Hahn leads a wide range of initiatives, including publications, pilgrimages, Bible studies, and the scholarly journal Letter and Spirit.
Educated at Grove City College (B.A.), Gordon–Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Marquette University (Ph.D. in Systematic Theology), Hahn brings a deep academic foundation to his work. His dissertation, Kinship by Covenant, was later published by Yale University Press and received praise for its theological insight and scholarly rigor.
Throughout his career, Hahn has emphasized the covenant as the key to understanding salvation history, showing how the biblical narrative reveals a divine plan that unites all of humanity into God's family. His works explore themes such as the Eucharist, the role of Mary, the sacraments, and the authority of the Church, often drawing on the writings of the early Church Fathers to bridge the ancient faith with modern understanding.
He is the author or editor of over forty books, including The Lamb’s Supper, Hail, Holy Queen, First Comes Love, Letter and Spirit, Swear to God, Reasons to Believe, The Creed, The Fourth Cup, and Holy Is His Name. Many of his books have become staples in Catholic households, study groups, and seminaries.
In addition to his writing, Hahn is a highly sought-after speaker, having delivered thousands of lectures across the United States and abroad. He appears regularly on EWTN and has collaborated with Lighthouse Catholic Media to bring his teachings to an even broader audience.
Scott Hahn lives in Ohio with his wife Kimberly. They have six children and numerous grandchildren. Together, the Hahns continue to lead efforts in evangelization and Catholic education, embodying a lifelong commitment to deepening faith and understanding through Scripture and tradition.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 6, 2023
Some have wondered how or why Pope Benedict's last major work was the three-volume 'Jesus of Nazareth' trilogy. "I thought Benedict was a world class theologian, why is he trying his hand at being at exegete?" However, Scott Hahn explains how 'Jesus of Nazareth' was not a deviation but instead the culmination and fulfillment of a lifetime of Benedict's work.
Benedict has always been an exegete and engaged with contemporary Biblical studies. Although, as Hahn shows in his chapter 'Critique of criticism', Benedict has been very critical of much of the methods of the 20th century, namely the historical-critical method. While Benedict sees the value of these methods, even their neccesity for interpreting the Bible, he sees gross excesses and great faults in method that have resulted in a sterile, unhelpful, even secular theology.
Hahn explains in chapter 3 the 'Hermeneutic of Faith' which Benedict proposes as a neccesary exegetical tool for the study of Scripture. We must view Scripture as the Inspired Word of God, as part of the Church, the People of God, we must view Scripture with the eyes of faith, which is something modern critical scholars fail to do, instead preferring a 'hermeneutic of suspicion' which Benedict decries.
Scott Hahn quotes Benedict from his 'Principles of Catholic Theology' in chapter 4 with what he calls his programmatic statement, summarising his approach to theology: "Theology is a spiritual science. The normative theologians are the authors of Holy Scripture. This statement is valid not only with reference to the objective written document they left behind but also with reference to their manner of speaking, in which it is God himself who speaks. I think this fact has great significance for our present situation." Hahn then explains what this means for Benedict's Biblical theology.
Rather than summarise the whole text I will let you read, having given you a taste of the content. Scott Hahn masterfully blends together over two dozen works of Benedict from over a 40 year period, continually citing and quoting them and sporadically quoting certain other works of Benedict. This is only an introduction, as Hahn will repeatedly mention, he does not have time to go in depth in many aspects of Benedicts theology and even main works of Benedict like 'Introduction to Christianity' are barely cited. That is because Hahn is exploring one major aspect of Benedict's theology, its thoroughly Biblical character, by exploring a main thread throughout much of his work covering many of the ubiquitous themes of his work, such as Liturgy, Tradition, Ecclesiology, Eschatology and Scripture itself.
This book is far from exhaustive but is a great little journey through the heart of Benedict's theology by someone who is clearly an expert with an encyclopedic knowledge of Benedict's work. Hahn explores the themes which are close to his own heart and his own theology and occasionally cites some of his own books for further reading.
Benedict has always been an exegete and engaged with contemporary Biblical studies. Although, as Hahn shows in his chapter 'Critique of criticism', Benedict has been very critical of much of the methods of the 20th century, namely the historical-critical method. While Benedict sees the value of these methods, even their neccesity for interpreting the Bible, he sees gross excesses and great faults in method that have resulted in a sterile, unhelpful, even secular theology.
Hahn explains in chapter 3 the 'Hermeneutic of Faith' which Benedict proposes as a neccesary exegetical tool for the study of Scripture. We must view Scripture as the Inspired Word of God, as part of the Church, the People of God, we must view Scripture with the eyes of faith, which is something modern critical scholars fail to do, instead preferring a 'hermeneutic of suspicion' which Benedict decries.
Scott Hahn quotes Benedict from his 'Principles of Catholic Theology' in chapter 4 with what he calls his programmatic statement, summarising his approach to theology: "Theology is a spiritual science. The normative theologians are the authors of Holy Scripture. This statement is valid not only with reference to the objective written document they left behind but also with reference to their manner of speaking, in which it is God himself who speaks. I think this fact has great significance for our present situation." Hahn then explains what this means for Benedict's Biblical theology.
Rather than summarise the whole text I will let you read, having given you a taste of the content. Scott Hahn masterfully blends together over two dozen works of Benedict from over a 40 year period, continually citing and quoting them and sporadically quoting certain other works of Benedict. This is only an introduction, as Hahn will repeatedly mention, he does not have time to go in depth in many aspects of Benedicts theology and even main works of Benedict like 'Introduction to Christianity' are barely cited. That is because Hahn is exploring one major aspect of Benedict's theology, its thoroughly Biblical character, by exploring a main thread throughout much of his work covering many of the ubiquitous themes of his work, such as Liturgy, Tradition, Ecclesiology, Eschatology and Scripture itself.
This book is far from exhaustive but is a great little journey through the heart of Benedict's theology by someone who is clearly an expert with an encyclopedic knowledge of Benedict's work. Hahn explores the themes which are close to his own heart and his own theology and occasionally cites some of his own books for further reading.
October 8, 2013
Scott Hahn analyzes Pope Benedict’s biblical theology which includes material on the bible, the church and the cross. Underlying his theology is the question of death. This brings an urgency to his theology which Hahn captures. Benedict wants to draw us back to the bible. To interpret it as the early Fathers did and not wholly with the contemporary historical- critical method. Hahn suggests that Benedict feels that method takes away from the cosmic nature of faith, the church, Jesus words and deeds and the bible. Benedict unites the old testament and the new testament pointing to their deliverance of salvation history. Hahn highlights the fact that Benedict sees the church as fundamental, as pre-existing humanity. The Church exists to bring the sacraments to the whole earth, bringing all into God’s kingdom. For Benedict, the church’s sacramental liturgy – the new covenants worship – is the goal and consummation of the biblical story and history of salvation. The cross is seen as the most pivotal event in human history. A turning point. His sacrifice is unprecedented. Benedict perceives that sacrifice as killing death and enabling true worship. By his death on the cross Jesus transformed death into a life – giving word. He suggests that when we glorify God by becoming one body with Christ, he draws us to the cross. Ultimately , for Benedict, he sees the reason for humanity as culminating in the world being all in all with God.
May 15, 2010
This book is an important read for those who want to understand biblical theology; especially the biblical theology of our current Pope, Benedict XVI. This is not an easy read, it is very technical and academic. Mr. Hahn does a good job of summarizing the Pope's thoughts and lets the Pope speak in his own words as much as possible. Very important topics covered are the unity of the scriptures, the culmination of the scriptures in the sacrifice of the mass, and the authenticity and normative theology of the scriptures.
December 12, 2012
Absolutely incredible. I have hope again!
Scott Hahn explains the heart of Pope Benedict and the purpose of his pontificate in terms of his theological undertakings. Useful read for protestants, nondenominational Christians, Messianic Jews, Catholics, Orthodox, everybody!
He covers every topic of interest to me: from the Jewish roots of the Gospel mysteries to the de-Hellenization of society, the problematic results of using the historical-critical method, and so so much more.
OH, that Catholics would listen to their pope! That all would be one. Maybe we can be if we all read this.
Scott Hahn explains the heart of Pope Benedict and the purpose of his pontificate in terms of his theological undertakings. Useful read for protestants, nondenominational Christians, Messianic Jews, Catholics, Orthodox, everybody!
He covers every topic of interest to me: from the Jewish roots of the Gospel mysteries to the de-Hellenization of society, the problematic results of using the historical-critical method, and so so much more.
OH, that Catholics would listen to their pope! That all would be one. Maybe we can be if we all read this.
September 15, 2010
Great summary of the Holy Father's biblical theology. It demonstrates how he goes back over the rich teachings of the Church from the ante-Nicene fathers to the Ressourcement to teach and preach the Gospel.
May 28, 2010
Excellent overview of PB16's writings/teachings.
July 1, 2020
A very interesting book! Despite the differences I have with Scott Hahn in the areas of Soteriology and Ecclesiology, I think this was an enlightening book that showed me what a healthy criticism of modern critics looked like from a Catholic Pope with a heart for scripture and renewing its place in the Catholic Church. There is much we agree upon at the base of the Christian faith that is worth celebrating despite our differences, and losing sight of that can cloud our attempts to ministry to our Catholic brothers and sisters. The value of this book especially to Protestants who seek to understand more the commonalities they share with Catholicism at its best can be seen be the kind reviews by prolific Protestant biblical scholars the beginning of the book. I think Tremper Longman III’s review sums up my experience well:
“As a Protestant biblical scholar, I found Hahn’s exposition of Pope Benedict’s biblical theology both informative and inspiring. In spite of differences, Protestants need to read this book to understand how deeply we can agree on the primacy of Christ and the Word. Through Hahn, I have a new appreciation for the mind and heart of Pope Benedict.”
“As a Protestant biblical scholar, I found Hahn’s exposition of Pope Benedict’s biblical theology both informative and inspiring. In spite of differences, Protestants need to read this book to understand how deeply we can agree on the primacy of Christ and the Word. Through Hahn, I have a new appreciation for the mind and heart of Pope Benedict.”
June 13, 2023
I always love Dr. Hahn’s writings, this essay being no exception, but it seemed rather repetitive in places.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews