Principles of Catholic Theology: Building Stones for a Fundamental Theology

by Pope Benedict XVI

Publisher:

Ignatius

, 1987

Overview

Principles of Catholic Theology is a collection of articles and talks written around a central theme: the fundamental structure of Christianity. This volume discusses Catholicism, the inter-relationship of other forms of Christianity, and 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.

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Key Features

• Preface by the author
• Bibliographical references

Contents

Top Highlights

“For Thomas Aquinas had, in fact, only reflected anew on an answer already formulated by Irenaeus of Lyons, the real founder of Catholic theology, in his controversies with Gnosticism: The new message of Jesus Christ, he said, consists in the fact that he opened the way to a meeting with him who had until then been the Untouchable, the Unreachable, with the Father himself, and destroyed the insurmountable wall that had separated mankind from the being and truth of God.⁸ This means that we fail to understand the meaning of Christology precisely when it remains locked in a historico-anthropological circle and does not become a real theo-logy, in which the metaphysical reality of God is what is discussed.” (Page 319)

“The seat of all faith is, then, the memoria Ecclesiae, the memory of the Church, the Church as memory” (Page 23)

“creatureliness means having one’s origin, not in a passive idea, but in a creative freedom;” (Page 162)

“Jesus’ message is evangelium, not because it is immediately pleasing to us or comfortable or attractive, but because it comes from him who has the key to true joy. Truth is not always comfortable for man, but it is only truth that makes him free and only freedom that brings him joy.” (Page 79)

“A Christianity that believes it has no other function than to be completely in tune with the spirit of the times has nothing to say and no meaning to offer.” (Page 57)

Product Details

• Title: Principles of Catholic Theology: Building Stones for a Fundamental Theology
• Author: Joseph Ratzinger
• Translator: Sister Mary Frances McCarthy
• Publisher: Ignatius
• Publication Date: 1987
• Pages: 404

About Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI was the 265th pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the head of the Roman Catholic Church. He was elected on 19 April 2005 in a papal conclave, celebrated his Papal Inauguration Mass on 24 April 2005, and took possession of his cathedral, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, on 7 May 2005. A native of Bavaria, Pope Benedict XVI has both German and Vatican citizenship.