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Light of the World: The Pope, the Church, and the Signs of the Times - A Conversation with Peter Seewald
Taken from a recent week-long series of interviews Pope Benedict XVI had with veteran journalist Peter Seewald, this book tackles head-on some of the greatest issues facing the world of our time. This is no stern preachment or ponderous theological tract, but a lively, fast-paced, challenging, even entertaining exchange.
219 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
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891 people want to read
About the author
Pope Benedict XVI
943 books935 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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November 26, 2010
I have sometimes wondered as a convert what it would be like to have been a cradle Catholic and to have studied and lived the faith throughout my life. To have fully interiorized the faith. Oh and If I were a lot more intelligent I would get a idea of this what this would be like by the Pope’s latest book Light of the World: The Pope, The Church and The Signs Of The Times by the answers he gives.
This is the third interview book he has done with Journalist Peter Seevald who talked with the pope for an hour each time over six weeks and the book is made up by his questions, follow up questions and the answers the Pope spoke to him. There has been much controversy over one of the Pope’s answer to one question and they focused on a word. Catholic convert Marshall McLuhan said “The Media is the Message” and I would add often that the “Media misses the message.”
Having read the previous to Seevald books along with the large majority of Cardinal Ratzinger’s writings you defiantly get a sense of the man and a man who has in no important ways changed as pope. His honesty and humility is shown throughout the book and he does not allow the interviewer to maker larger claims on what he has achieved than is warranted. Seevald would make factual claims about the size of the Church numerically and the Pope in terms of Power and Pope Benedict wold remind him that while the number of members is numerically large that the number of people living the Catholic faith is much smaller and of course would also dismiss things in term of power. While Pope Benedict XVI has great gifts, he realizes who those gifts are from. Throughout the book the Pope’s replies are very direct and at the same time fully eloquent in reply to the questions. While reading this book I often wished that others would imitate the pope in his honesty in replying to question without the slightest hint of spin or building themselves up.
There are also very human and funny moments in the book. His reply to why he wore the Camauro was hilarious and a warning to those who would give too much meaning to what the Pope wears at times. His talking about his small community in the papal household and their watching of DVDs together was nice look into his life that is so busy. Some of his feelings of becoming Pope have been released before, but this book goes more into those questions and his feelings at the time. He really was surprised to be elected Pope and like so much of his life once again turned himself over fully to Christ and not his predilection of living a quiet intellectual life with his brother for the rest of his days. Also very interesting was his talking about his relationship with Pope John Paul II and that it was his book “Introduction to Christianity” that was a factor in him seeking Josef Ratzinger as head of the CDF. His answers like much of Catholicism are of the both/and type. When it comes to the Church and secularism his answer was about where we could learn from secularism and what we must oppose.
Peter Seewald as interviewer though is also a major part of what makes the book enjoyable. He asks a range of often astute questions that enables us to hear what the Pope thinks about something. Seewald as always has done his homework and has been a close watcher of the Pope and what he has written and said. This brings out a range of topics and important questions that a less skilled interviewer could not even approach. Though the only negative would be that Seewald has a view of Global Warming almost apocalyptic which almost ruins some questions. Though the Pope in answering them does not reply in the same tones and his answers are well-worth reading. Though it certainly seems to be true as evidenced by what the Pope has previously said that he has some belief in human caused global warming.
While the interview considers several controversies this is a book mostly about Jesus and his Church. Of following Christ closely and seeing Jesus as the one who comes. These sections of the book won’t generate any headlines, but they are meant to generate saints. The Pope is first off a disciple of Jesus and one who sees his very life as bringing Jesus to others and in his role as Pope to the world.
When he does address various controversies again you see his discipleship. The sexual abuse crisis is certainly not lost on him and he sees directly this evil and what has been done by those in the church and most of all to the victims. There is an empathy in his tone in no way faked. On women’s ordination and the idea that Jesus couldn’t ordain women because of cultural concerns he directly labeled “nonsense” and that the cultures of the time were filled with priestesses. The issue of lifting the excommunication on the four SSXP bishops and the reason why was a fuller answer than I have seen before and he also addressed that somebody should have checked the internet to have determined the type of man Williamson was since it would have been treated much differently then. Oh and the Pope said something about condoms.
This book was a wonderful read which I admit to binge reading the moment it came in the mail. I though I could hardly love the Pope more, but now there is even more I love about him.
It is almost silly to review a book from our Pope. Really the review should be just go out and buy it or obtain immediately from a library, etc. For those with ebook readers you can buy a DRM-free version of the book from Ignatius Press, along with downloading the audio version, and of course get the book itself.
This is the third interview book he has done with Journalist Peter Seevald who talked with the pope for an hour each time over six weeks and the book is made up by his questions, follow up questions and the answers the Pope spoke to him. There has been much controversy over one of the Pope’s answer to one question and they focused on a word. Catholic convert Marshall McLuhan said “The Media is the Message” and I would add often that the “Media misses the message.”
Having read the previous to Seevald books along with the large majority of Cardinal Ratzinger’s writings you defiantly get a sense of the man and a man who has in no important ways changed as pope. His honesty and humility is shown throughout the book and he does not allow the interviewer to maker larger claims on what he has achieved than is warranted. Seevald would make factual claims about the size of the Church numerically and the Pope in terms of Power and Pope Benedict wold remind him that while the number of members is numerically large that the number of people living the Catholic faith is much smaller and of course would also dismiss things in term of power. While Pope Benedict XVI has great gifts, he realizes who those gifts are from. Throughout the book the Pope’s replies are very direct and at the same time fully eloquent in reply to the questions. While reading this book I often wished that others would imitate the pope in his honesty in replying to question without the slightest hint of spin or building themselves up.
There are also very human and funny moments in the book. His reply to why he wore the Camauro was hilarious and a warning to those who would give too much meaning to what the Pope wears at times. His talking about his small community in the papal household and their watching of DVDs together was nice look into his life that is so busy. Some of his feelings of becoming Pope have been released before, but this book goes more into those questions and his feelings at the time. He really was surprised to be elected Pope and like so much of his life once again turned himself over fully to Christ and not his predilection of living a quiet intellectual life with his brother for the rest of his days. Also very interesting was his talking about his relationship with Pope John Paul II and that it was his book “Introduction to Christianity” that was a factor in him seeking Josef Ratzinger as head of the CDF. His answers like much of Catholicism are of the both/and type. When it comes to the Church and secularism his answer was about where we could learn from secularism and what we must oppose.
Peter Seewald as interviewer though is also a major part of what makes the book enjoyable. He asks a range of often astute questions that enables us to hear what the Pope thinks about something. Seewald as always has done his homework and has been a close watcher of the Pope and what he has written and said. This brings out a range of topics and important questions that a less skilled interviewer could not even approach. Though the only negative would be that Seewald has a view of Global Warming almost apocalyptic which almost ruins some questions. Though the Pope in answering them does not reply in the same tones and his answers are well-worth reading. Though it certainly seems to be true as evidenced by what the Pope has previously said that he has some belief in human caused global warming.
While the interview considers several controversies this is a book mostly about Jesus and his Church. Of following Christ closely and seeing Jesus as the one who comes. These sections of the book won’t generate any headlines, but they are meant to generate saints. The Pope is first off a disciple of Jesus and one who sees his very life as bringing Jesus to others and in his role as Pope to the world.
When he does address various controversies again you see his discipleship. The sexual abuse crisis is certainly not lost on him and he sees directly this evil and what has been done by those in the church and most of all to the victims. There is an empathy in his tone in no way faked. On women’s ordination and the idea that Jesus couldn’t ordain women because of cultural concerns he directly labeled “nonsense” and that the cultures of the time were filled with priestesses. The issue of lifting the excommunication on the four SSXP bishops and the reason why was a fuller answer than I have seen before and he also addressed that somebody should have checked the internet to have determined the type of man Williamson was since it would have been treated much differently then. Oh and the Pope said something about condoms.
This book was a wonderful read which I admit to binge reading the moment it came in the mail. I though I could hardly love the Pope more, but now there is even more I love about him.
It is almost silly to review a book from our Pope. Really the review should be just go out and buy it or obtain immediately from a library, etc. For those with ebook readers you can buy a DRM-free version of the book from Ignatius Press, along with downloading the audio version, and of course get the book itself.
November 28, 2023
Leído porque me quedó debiendo el libro anterior que leí sobre el debate entre el entonces cardenal Joseph Ratzinger y el filósofo ateo Paolo Flores D'Arcais. Quise saber más del pensamiento de Ratzinger, cosa en la que ya estaba interesada desde hace un buen tiempo. Esta entrevista es un buen punto para empezar, es ligera y trata sobre todo temas relacionados con los desafíos de la Iglesia católica y la fe en el mundo contemporáneo, el problema de la constante y acelerada secularización de la sociedad occidental, la relativización moral, el discurso individualista centrado en las apetencias y satisfacciones inmediatas de los deseos, y la pérdida de valores que esto conlleva. También habla sobre los escándalos de pederastia en la Iglesia, sobre todo los casos en Irlanda, EEUU y Australia, en los que, además de hacer un mea culpa y pedir perdón a las víctimas y sus familias, analiza las posibles causas de que esto suceda, causas todas relacionadas directamente con la Iglesia, la formación de los sacerdotes, las instituciones eclesiales, la falta adecuada de controles y también el espíritu de cuerpo reinante en la institución o en algunas instituciones. No hay lavado de manos y hay asunción completa de la culpa, lo cual es muy decidor de su labor como Papa. Con todo, creo que me atreveré a leer algún libro más teológico y especializado de Ratzinger.
March 26, 2011
You've got to love an interviewee, who, when asked if he still believed what he believed as a child, gives this answer:
This interviewee is the Pope! His answers to questions ranging from the various scandals in the Church to the experience of being elected Pope to the role of Mary in faith and to many other issues show much reflection and insight into the issues involved. Additionally, they have a warmth and sincerity that I didn't expect. I found the book easy and inspiring to read and recommend it highly.
I would say: Simplicity is truth--and truth is simple. Our problem is that we no longer see the forest for the trees; that for all our knowledge, we have lost the path to wisdom. This is also the idea behind Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince, which shows how the cleverness of our age causes us, ironically, to overlook the essential, while the Little Prince, who hasn't the faintest idea about all this cleverness, ultimately sees more and better.
This interviewee is the Pope! His answers to questions ranging from the various scandals in the Church to the experience of being elected Pope to the role of Mary in faith and to many other issues show much reflection and insight into the issues involved. Additionally, they have a warmth and sincerity that I didn't expect. I found the book easy and inspiring to read and recommend it highly.
March 12, 2013
This is an excellent view of one of the most astute theologians of the 20th century. It reveals a face of Pope Benedict the media often ignores, that of a caring pastor
December 3, 2010
The Better to See The Pope With: Reviewing Light of the World
I remember reading Salt of the Earth, Seewald's first book of interviews with the Pope when he was Cardinal Ratzinger. At the time I was impressed by the straight forward honesty, clear sight, and mixture of common sense with intellectualism that characterized Cardinal Ratzinger. This is in spite of the fact that I am not fond of reading about question and answer questions or interviews in general. Because of that previous good experience, I jumped at a chance to read a review copy of Seewald's latest interview with Pope Benedict, Light of the World, although I really wasn't sure what sort of topics might be covered.
As most people know by now, Light of the World covers questions about modern times including, but not limited to, the sex scandals, relativism, the Church and Islam, ecumenism, global warming, contraception, AIDS, women priests, homosexuality, and relativism. In other words, if there has been bad press about it lately, Seewald asked about it.
The Holy Father gives honest and candid answers. If any reader ever wanted to ask the Pope questions ripped from the headlines, then this is just the book for them. More than anything I was impressed with the Pope's realism. He answered in a way that let us know he is completely aware of what people think about various issues for the most part. As he continually pointed out, he does not exist in a vacuum, and has meetings every day with people from around the world.
I was also impressed with Pope Benedict's thoroughness and balance when discussing issues. When faced with questions about negatives he would usually end by gently reminding Seewald that there is much good about the Church that is not taken into consideration for just one topic. Conversely, when Seewald was praising the Church highly, the Pope rarely failed to point out others who deserved much credit or that the Church could do with improvement in various areas. All round, we see a well-balanced, thoughtful man who is thoroughly down to earth.
Unfortunately, I was fairly disinterested in the topics which comprised the first two-thirds of the book. Perhaps this is because I have read enough of John Allen's commentary, GetReligion's analysis of bad news reporting, and Sandro Magister's reporting/analysis that I was not seeing much new information, other than to round out my impressions of Pope Benedict. Although the Pope's insights were interesting to a degree, once one absorbs a few key outlooks, then one sees them repeated for different topics. This is as it should be, of course, as we don't want someone who is capricious in attitude.
However, I was much more taken with the last third of the book which dealt with more general questions of life and faith. Again, this is simply where my interests lie. When the issues were raised about more general everyday issues like contraception, marriage after divorce, and whether the Pope believes what he believed as a child then I was captivated by the Pope's humanity, warmth, and honesty. Also, I was impressed that sometimes he simply admitted he didn't have an answer for a problem. Too, I admired him for saying that he knew he didn't have the capacity to be Pope. That he had to let Jesus lead him because God was the only one who could fill such an overwhelming role. These were all qualities seen in the first part of the book as well, but it was here that they struck me with the most force.
I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in seeing more of the Pope's nature, of hearing his direct answers to the tough questions of modern times, and for his thoughts on how to handle everyday issues. There were many answers that I mentally marked, thinking that those were approaches which I would try to reflect when asked questions about the Church. The things that I didn't warm to were only reflections of my own interests and not of the openness and excellence of this book ... which I recommend unreservedly.
... We are sinners. But we should not take the failure to live up to this high moral standard as an authoritative objection to the truth. We should try to do as much good as we can and to support and put up with each other. ...
I remember reading Salt of the Earth, Seewald's first book of interviews with the Pope when he was Cardinal Ratzinger. At the time I was impressed by the straight forward honesty, clear sight, and mixture of common sense with intellectualism that characterized Cardinal Ratzinger. This is in spite of the fact that I am not fond of reading about question and answer questions or interviews in general. Because of that previous good experience, I jumped at a chance to read a review copy of Seewald's latest interview with Pope Benedict, Light of the World, although I really wasn't sure what sort of topics might be covered.
As most people know by now, Light of the World covers questions about modern times including, but not limited to, the sex scandals, relativism, the Church and Islam, ecumenism, global warming, contraception, AIDS, women priests, homosexuality, and relativism. In other words, if there has been bad press about it lately, Seewald asked about it.
The Holy Father gives honest and candid answers. If any reader ever wanted to ask the Pope questions ripped from the headlines, then this is just the book for them. More than anything I was impressed with the Pope's realism. He answered in a way that let us know he is completely aware of what people think about various issues for the most part. As he continually pointed out, he does not exist in a vacuum, and has meetings every day with people from around the world.
I was also impressed with Pope Benedict's thoroughness and balance when discussing issues. When faced with questions about negatives he would usually end by gently reminding Seewald that there is much good about the Church that is not taken into consideration for just one topic. Conversely, when Seewald was praising the Church highly, the Pope rarely failed to point out others who deserved much credit or that the Church could do with improvement in various areas. All round, we see a well-balanced, thoughtful man who is thoroughly down to earth.
... Pastoral care, for its part, has to seek ways of staying close to individuals and of helping them, even in, shall we say, their irregular situation, to believe in Christ as the Savior, to believe in his goodness, because he is always there for them, even though they cannot receive communion. And of helping them to remain in the Church, even though their situation is canonically irregular. Pastoral care has to help them accept that, yes, I do not live up to what I should as a Christian, but I do not cease to be a Christian, to be loved by Christ, and the more I remain in the Church, the more I am sustained by him.
Unfortunately, I was fairly disinterested in the topics which comprised the first two-thirds of the book. Perhaps this is because I have read enough of John Allen's commentary, GetReligion's analysis of bad news reporting, and Sandro Magister's reporting/analysis that I was not seeing much new information, other than to round out my impressions of Pope Benedict. Although the Pope's insights were interesting to a degree, once one absorbs a few key outlooks, then one sees them repeated for different topics. This is as it should be, of course, as we don't want someone who is capricious in attitude.
However, I was much more taken with the last third of the book which dealt with more general questions of life and faith. Again, this is simply where my interests lie. When the issues were raised about more general everyday issues like contraception, marriage after divorce, and whether the Pope believes what he believed as a child then I was captivated by the Pope's humanity, warmth, and honesty. Also, I was impressed that sometimes he simply admitted he didn't have an answer for a problem. Too, I admired him for saying that he knew he didn't have the capacity to be Pope. That he had to let Jesus lead him because God was the only one who could fill such an overwhelming role. These were all qualities seen in the first part of the book as well, but it was here that they struck me with the most force.
I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in seeing more of the Pope's nature, of hearing his direct answers to the tough questions of modern times, and for his thoughts on how to handle everyday issues. There were many answers that I mentally marked, thinking that those were approaches which I would try to reflect when asked questions about the Church. The things that I didn't warm to were only reflections of my own interests and not of the openness and excellence of this book ... which I recommend unreservedly.
So there are by nature many issues in which, so to speak, morality suits modernity. The modern world, after all, is not built solely out of the negative. If that were the case, it could not exist for long. It bears within itself great moral values, which also come precisely from Christianity, which through Christianity first emerged as values in the consciousness of mankind. Where they are supported—and they must be supported by the Pope—there is agreement in broad areas. We are happy about that. But that cannot blind us to the fact that there are other issues that cause controversy.
January 7, 2011
This is an absolutely beautiful and profound book. This book is the third interview between Peter Seewald, a German journalist whose interactions with then-Cardinal Ratzinger helped bring him back to the Church, and Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict. The book is full of wonderful insights, penetrating analysis, and the words of one who has come to know and love Jesus. The man revealed in this interview is at once warm, pastoral, funny, humble, and inspiring. Pope Benedict is the consummate teacher who is able to take the very dense and complex and make it accessible to all. This would be a great book for those who have misguided notions about Pope Benedict or who would just like to know more about the Pope and the Church.
There are so many nuggets in this book, but I want to share just one, the answer to the question of how Pope Benedict prays:
As far as the Pope is concerned, he too is a simple beggar before God -- even more than all other people. Naturally I always pray first and foremost to our Lord, with whom I am united simply by old acquaintance, so to speak. But I also invoke the saints. I am friends with Augustine, with Bonaventure, with Thomas Aquinas. Then one says to such saints also: Help me! And the Mother of God is, in any case, always a major point of reference. In this sense I commend myself to the communion of saints. With them, strengthened by them, I then talk with the dear Lord also, begging, for the most part, but also in thanksgiving -- or quite simply being joyful.
In that short passage, one gets a sense of this man and his faith. The faith is not an abstraction for him. It is as real as the chair upon which he sits. Throughout the book, the Pope constantly points us to this concreteness of faith and helps us on our own journeys. I cannot recommend this book more highly. Do yourself a favor and read it and buy copies for your friends.
There are so many nuggets in this book, but I want to share just one, the answer to the question of how Pope Benedict prays:
As far as the Pope is concerned, he too is a simple beggar before God -- even more than all other people. Naturally I always pray first and foremost to our Lord, with whom I am united simply by old acquaintance, so to speak. But I also invoke the saints. I am friends with Augustine, with Bonaventure, with Thomas Aquinas. Then one says to such saints also: Help me! And the Mother of God is, in any case, always a major point of reference. In this sense I commend myself to the communion of saints. With them, strengthened by them, I then talk with the dear Lord also, begging, for the most part, but also in thanksgiving -- or quite simply being joyful.
In that short passage, one gets a sense of this man and his faith. The faith is not an abstraction for him. It is as real as the chair upon which he sits. Throughout the book, the Pope constantly points us to this concreteness of faith and helps us on our own journeys. I cannot recommend this book more highly. Do yourself a favor and read it and buy copies for your friends.
April 11, 2012
In his most recent book-length interview, Papa talks about contemporary issues and the Faith from his own perspective. His view from the summit of the hierarchy of the Roman Church he describes as unique, receiving as he does the experience of the Church from all over the globe. This allows him to make clear statements about, for example, the futility of trying to solve the AIDS problem by throwing millions of dollars of prophylactics at it. The book is valuable as a portrayal of a gentle and very human man, a stark contrast to the almost menacing figure that has been constructed by the popular media as someone quite out-of-touch with the times. Discover the real Pope; read his statements and his work.
August 5, 2014
For the condom discussion and SO MUCH MORE. Both Peter Seewald and Pope Benedict are impressive.
July 6, 2019
No se puede decir que este Papa no diga las cosas claras. Me gusta porque responde a cualquier pregunta, por incómoda que sea.
September 4, 2019
Though I am not Catholic, Pope Benedict intrigues me because of his background, reputation, and public statements. He is conservative theologically, very Christocentric, brilliant and, I think, humble. How often do Popes ever resign their office? I also thought it would be interesting to read a Catholic perspective on various issues straight from the Bishop of Rome himself.
Unfortunately this short book fell short of my expectations. This was partly due to the rather uneven job done by Peter Seewald, who decided on the questions posed to the Pope and how they were constructed. Often, there was too much Peter Seewald and not enough Benedict XVI. At other times Seewald's opinions and biases leaked through in the body of his questions, both "cardinal" (ahem) sins in a format such as this.
As a Protestant, I can find much to appreciate and agree with Ratzinger on, while still being very clear on the wide gulf of theological differences that exist between the Catholic Church and Protestantism. As far as Popes go, I do believe Benedict XVI to be one of the better ones, particularly in contrast to the current Pope Francis, who is frankly a living example of exactly why it is unwise to place any one man in such a position in the church.
I will end with 2 selections from this book that I found compelling, and which I feel provide a window through which to view this Pope.
Excerpt from page 139-140:
Seewald: In the last decades, many dioceses have tried almost every pastoral experiment in an effort to "modernize" the Church. This has garnered the criticism of German philosopher Rudiger Safranski, who says the Christianity has become a "cold religious project," a mix of social ethics, institutional power thinking, psychotherapy, techniques of meditation, museum curation, cultural project management, and social work." Critics observe that a widespread desire to be like everyone else has robbed ordinary Catholics of their awareness that faith grows from roots entirely different from those of the pleasure-oriented societies of the West. In the meantime, however, so many theologians and priests have themselves gone so far off the rails that it's only with great difficulty that we can still discern a Catholic profile anywhere. What went wrong?
Benedict XVI: Well, it has to do with the forces of disintegration that are present in the human soul. And additional factor is the urge to win public acceptance; or else to discover some island where there is virgin soil and we still have a chance to shape things independently. The development then takes either one of two directions. Either one engages in political moralism, as happened in liberation theology and in other experiments (I note: current Pope Francis), as a way of giving Christianity what you might call a relevance for the present. Or there is a transformation in the direction of psychotherapy and wellness, in other words, of forms where religion is identified with my possession of some sort of holistic well-being. All of these attempts come from having set aside the real root, faith. What is left- as your citations correctly describe- are self-made projects. They may have a limited vitality, but they do not establish any communion with God worthy of the name and are also incapable of binding men together in any enduring fashion. They are islands where only certain people settle, and these islands are short-lived, since fashions obviously change.
...and this excellent observation from Benedict on pg. 146, concerning in this case both contraception and sexual ethics, but having wide application: "...and I would insist that statistics do not suffice as a criterion for morality." Amen.
Unfortunately this short book fell short of my expectations. This was partly due to the rather uneven job done by Peter Seewald, who decided on the questions posed to the Pope and how they were constructed. Often, there was too much Peter Seewald and not enough Benedict XVI. At other times Seewald's opinions and biases leaked through in the body of his questions, both "cardinal" (ahem) sins in a format such as this.
As a Protestant, I can find much to appreciate and agree with Ratzinger on, while still being very clear on the wide gulf of theological differences that exist between the Catholic Church and Protestantism. As far as Popes go, I do believe Benedict XVI to be one of the better ones, particularly in contrast to the current Pope Francis, who is frankly a living example of exactly why it is unwise to place any one man in such a position in the church.
I will end with 2 selections from this book that I found compelling, and which I feel provide a window through which to view this Pope.
Excerpt from page 139-140:
Seewald: In the last decades, many dioceses have tried almost every pastoral experiment in an effort to "modernize" the Church. This has garnered the criticism of German philosopher Rudiger Safranski, who says the Christianity has become a "cold religious project," a mix of social ethics, institutional power thinking, psychotherapy, techniques of meditation, museum curation, cultural project management, and social work." Critics observe that a widespread desire to be like everyone else has robbed ordinary Catholics of their awareness that faith grows from roots entirely different from those of the pleasure-oriented societies of the West. In the meantime, however, so many theologians and priests have themselves gone so far off the rails that it's only with great difficulty that we can still discern a Catholic profile anywhere. What went wrong?
Benedict XVI: Well, it has to do with the forces of disintegration that are present in the human soul. And additional factor is the urge to win public acceptance; or else to discover some island where there is virgin soil and we still have a chance to shape things independently. The development then takes either one of two directions. Either one engages in political moralism, as happened in liberation theology and in other experiments (I note: current Pope Francis), as a way of giving Christianity what you might call a relevance for the present. Or there is a transformation in the direction of psychotherapy and wellness, in other words, of forms where religion is identified with my possession of some sort of holistic well-being. All of these attempts come from having set aside the real root, faith. What is left- as your citations correctly describe- are self-made projects. They may have a limited vitality, but they do not establish any communion with God worthy of the name and are also incapable of binding men together in any enduring fashion. They are islands where only certain people settle, and these islands are short-lived, since fashions obviously change.
...and this excellent observation from Benedict on pg. 146, concerning in this case both contraception and sexual ethics, but having wide application: "...and I would insist that statistics do not suffice as a criterion for morality." Amen.
November 27, 2010
This was a great book. It is not often that we get this close to the Pope. We are given here a rare opportunity to listen to the Pope speaking to us about the things that we would ask him ourselves.
Having read the other interview books that then Cardinal Ratzinger did, I was greatly looking forward to reading this book. I have always been a big fan of Joseph Ratzinger now Pope Benedict XVI. I have read most of his books. He has a rare gift of being able to take complicated things and make them accessible to an average person. In this book we are treated with a great many insights into his mind. He speaks about Jesus and His Church with clarity and love that is hard to dismiss. It is quite evident that this Pope has a deep love for God. I was deeply moved at how he refers to God calling him several times "our dear Lord".
There is a ton of interesting things in this book. It covers a wide range of topics. The Pope speaks openly about the good and the bad things in the life of the Church. He speaks about the sexual abuse scandal, the issues of woman ordination, and the challenges that are facing the Church in this ever more hostile secular world.
I highly recommend this book. It was a joy to read.
August 6, 2011
Posiblemente pudo no haber pedido perdón por situaciones que son enteramente humanas, llenas de respetos humanos, y sin embargo lo ha hecho, se ha puesto al nivel de los lastimados, los heridos ha llorado y empatizado con ellos.
El diálogo que sostiene Peter Seewald con Benedicto XVI sobre los signos de los tiempos, fe, sociedad, amor, y temas varios de suma importancia para no solo los católicos nos da un ápice de lo que significa la labor de tan gran líder moral para muchas religiones. Habrá los que ataquen ya sea por ignorancia o por su condición humana, lo que es cierto es que Benedicto XVI cuenta con algo más que una opinión, cuenta con la gracia que apoya la verdad y el conocimiento del mundo temporal y su realidad.
Maravilloso libro que más que dar por sentado situaciones abre más cuestiones que deben de ser contestadas, pero ¿no debe de ser un gran libro eso, una ventana a nuevas y mejores preguntas?
El diálogo que sostiene Peter Seewald con Benedicto XVI sobre los signos de los tiempos, fe, sociedad, amor, y temas varios de suma importancia para no solo los católicos nos da un ápice de lo que significa la labor de tan gran líder moral para muchas religiones. Habrá los que ataquen ya sea por ignorancia o por su condición humana, lo que es cierto es que Benedicto XVI cuenta con algo más que una opinión, cuenta con la gracia que apoya la verdad y el conocimiento del mundo temporal y su realidad.
Maravilloso libro que más que dar por sentado situaciones abre más cuestiones que deben de ser contestadas, pero ¿no debe de ser un gran libro eso, una ventana a nuevas y mejores preguntas?
January 31, 2011
El sueño de todo reportero: poder entrevistar a un papa sin un guión escrito. Es la primera vez que un papa concede una entrevista informal tan larga. En ella se tratan los temas que más polémica han causado en el pontificado del papa alemán: el escándalo de la malinterpretación de la lección de Regensburg entre los musulmanes, las críticas a la posición del papa respecto a los condones a propósito de una visita a África, la crisis de los abusos sexuales y el levantamiento de la excomunión a algunos tradicionalistas católicos.
También se tratan temas que, sin tener el tono escandaloso de los anteriores, resultan fundamentales para el futuro de la Iglesia, como la aproximación a otras comunidades cristianas, notablemente a ortodoxos y anglicanos.
La perspectiva general del papa es esperanzadora, aunque no deja de reconocer que la tendencia mundial es contraria a la Iglesia católica.
También se tratan temas que, sin tener el tono escandaloso de los anteriores, resultan fundamentales para el futuro de la Iglesia, como la aproximación a otras comunidades cristianas, notablemente a ortodoxos y anglicanos.
La perspectiva general del papa es esperanzadora, aunque no deja de reconocer que la tendencia mundial es contraria a la Iglesia católica.
December 23, 2010
I knew little about our current Pope, so was curious to read. I was surprised how accessible it was. The Q & A format made it an easy and quick read.
There were some quotes I liked.
"Simplicity is truth -- and truth is simple. Our problem is that we no longer see the forest for trees; that for all our knowledge, we have lost the path to wisdom" (p. 167). Also,
"There needs to be a new realization that being human is something great, a great challenge, to which the banality of just drifting along doesn't do justice. There needs to be a sense that being human is like a mountain-climbing expedition that includes some arduous slopes. But it is by them that we reach the summit and are able to experience for the first time how beautiful it is to be" (p. 104).
There were some quotes I liked.
"Simplicity is truth -- and truth is simple. Our problem is that we no longer see the forest for trees; that for all our knowledge, we have lost the path to wisdom" (p. 167). Also,
"There needs to be a new realization that being human is something great, a great challenge, to which the banality of just drifting along doesn't do justice. There needs to be a sense that being human is like a mountain-climbing expedition that includes some arduous slopes. But it is by them that we reach the summit and are able to experience for the first time how beautiful it is to be" (p. 104).
March 19, 2011
Pope Benedict's willingness to openly discuss any topic is unprecedented. This is his 3rd book-length interview with Peter Seewald, and it includes beautiful passages on many topics... all off the top of his head, of course. However, compared to "Salt of the Earth" or "The Ratzinger Report," this book didn't give my highlighter quite as much of a work-out.
This book also includes the passage about condoms that sent the mainstream media into a frenzy of wishful thinking (that he "approved the use of condoms"). Read his entire answer and you will see the absurdity of the media's interpretation. Sorry NY Times and company. Using any form of contraception is a mortal sin and changing Church doctrine is impossible.
This book also includes the passage about condoms that sent the mainstream media into a frenzy of wishful thinking (that he "approved the use of condoms"). Read his entire answer and you will see the absurdity of the media's interpretation. Sorry NY Times and company. Using any form of contraception is a mortal sin and changing Church doctrine is impossible.
February 2, 2013
Friends with saints, begging and thankfulness, joyful, 1% scandals, obscure God’s love, dismiss truth, opinion of majority, new intolerance in name of tolerance, simplicity is truth and truth is simple, 25% support to aids victims, holy hour, 500yr cycles, a hunger of spirit, not what they say but why they say it, 21 councils, man tragic actor of own plays, lecture add story to change pace, silence is wisdom’s first reply, know cross is to know self, faith/reason, world losing standards and values, radical atheism, oppose diminished morals decisively, age of relativism ending, live faith authentically.
April 5, 2013
De verdad no hay párrafo sin despendicio de la conversación con Joseph Ratzinger, porque ayuda a tener un conocimiento de la persona, el intelectual y el jerarca. Me queda un gran sabor de boca sobre los planteamientos como el relativismo dentro de occidente, la verdad, el espíritu, la iglesia como comunidad no como institución, el plantar cara ante la crisis interna y sus posibles soluciones, en como de la adversidad o crisis se ve el lado positivo de la renovación, cambio y fortalezas. De verdad es un maestro en toda la extensión de la palabra, planteamientos claros con sustancia desde diversos puntos de vista: político, humano, espiritual. Lectura altamente recomendable.
February 6, 2013
I feel really close to Pope Benedict as I am reading his thoughts on numerous topics. Peter Seewald asks penetrating and thought provoking questions. He doesn't hold back any punches, yet Pope Benedict doesn't hesitate to respond respectfully and thoughtfully.
My favorite answer is when Peter Seewald asks: How does Pope Benedict pray?
".....Naturally, I always pray first and foremost to our Lord, with whom I am united simply by old acquaintance, so to speak......"
My favorite answer is when Peter Seewald asks: How does Pope Benedict pray?
".....Naturally, I always pray first and foremost to our Lord, with whom I am united simply by old acquaintance, so to speak......"
February 9, 2012
Light of the World was a surprisingly easy read. Compared to much of Pope Benedict XVI's (Joseph Ratzinger) much more scholarly works, this was a personal encounter with him. I thought the range of questions asked by Peter Seewald covered the necessary and relevant topics, plus a few in there for fun (about clothes and movies). Many times I found myself coming across such succinct yet informative answers, that I wanted to buy the book for many friends who had questioned me on those same things.
June 24, 2012
This was a great book. It gives great insight into the Pope's thinking. He is a very thoughtful man. He makes decisions with grace. The best quote of the book is on page 52 "With that we are basically experiencing the abolition of tolerance, for it mean, after all, that religion, that the Christian faith is no longer allowed to express itself visibly." How true!
January 1, 2011
I found B16 to be open and warm in this interview. I think you get to peer into the heart and mind of a very spiritual and wise man who is close to God. I have a different view of B16 after reading this.
December 10, 2014
Nice little book... I enjoyed getting to know the pope a little bit. Nothing groundbreaking, though.
February 18, 2011
Unbelievable the amount of wisdom expressed by the Pope in such a few words. Long live the Pope.
June 2, 2011
Overall, it was pretty good. Some of the questions/answers were especially illuminating.
July 12, 2025
Nicht uninteressant. Es kommt ein anderer Benedikt hervor, der - anders als die öffentliche Wahrnehmung ja stets war - sehr intensiv über die Probleme der Moderne nachdenkt und im Kern keine Wagenburg propagiert. Inhaltlich natürlich gerade in Deutschland durchaus kontrovers.
Read
December 23, 2025This is journalist Peter Sewald's second book-length interview with Pope Benedict. Again, an honest and open discussion between both men. Highly recommend as a follow-up to the first interview, Salt of the Earth.
September 18, 2013
Unglaublich schlecht. Der Ex-Papst ist ein Meister der schwammigen Formulierungen, der substanzlosen Begriffe und Verdrehungen von historischen Entwicklungen.
Auf die Frage, wie beispielweise die notwendige Umkehr konkret (!) erfolgen soll, antwortet er, dass "man Gott wieder an die erste Stelle" setzen und seine Worte "als Realitäten in das eigene Leben hereinleuchten" lassen sollte (S.83). So konkret kann Benedikt werden. Und das wohlgemerkt im Jahr 2010, als von den Worten Gottes schon so vieles selbst von Christen als menschliche Fehler angesehen und unter den Teppich gekehrt werden, weil sie entweder den ethischen Maßstäben einer halbwegs zivilisierten Gesellschaften nicht mehr genügen (z.B. die Forderung nach Ermordung von Homosexuellen und Hexen, Elias Massaker an 450 Andersgläubigen, von Gott geplante und geforderte Völkermorde durch das Volkes Israel), oder einfach nicht mehr plausibel sind (z.B. die Schöpfungsgeschichte, die nicht einmal die einfachsten Grundlagen des Kosmos halbwegs richtig darstellen konnte, stattdessen behauptet, dass die Erde vor der Sonne erschaffen wurde etc). Es ist so weit gegangen, dass Christen selbst die zehn Gebote nicht mehr vollständig widergeben, sondern Gottes barbarische Drohung an Ungläubige im ersten Gebot einfach weglassen. Was von Gottes Wort übrig bleibt soll jetzt die Welt retten.
Wenn sich progressive Menschen jetzt gegenüber der katholischen Kirche für Toleranz gegenüber Homosexuellen und ein Ende der Diskrimierung von Frauen einsetzen, tut Benedikt das als "abstrakte Negativreligion" ab, die zu einem "tyrannischen Maßstab" gemacht wird und der armen Kirche ihre Identität nehmen will. Noch weigert sich die Kirche, die Todesstrafe für Homosexuelle in Afrika vor den Vereinten Nationen zu verurteilen, aber vielleicht wird sie sich irgendwann im Sinne der Menschenrechte doch noch ändern. Und sie wird es überleben, wie sie auch das Ende der Kreuzzüge, der Folterung und Verbrennung von unschuldigen Frauen als Hexen und der Verfolgung und Ermordung von Andersdenkenden (z.B. Leuten, die es gewagt haben, zu behaupten, die Erde sei rund und drehe sich um die Sonne) überlebt haben. All diese und viele andere Dinge waren für die Identität der Kirche mit Sicherheit auch wichtig, wurden aber auf Druck der Aufklärung letzten Endes doch durchgesetzt. Und all diese Dinge hätte ein Papst mit den selben Worten wie den oben zitierten verteidigen können.
Dass eine Institution, die eine solche Kriminalgeschichte hat und sich erst in den 1960er Jahren zu den Menschenrechten bekannt hat, sich jetzt als Quelle der Ethik darstellt, ist grotesk. Es ist auch nicht verwunderlich, dass Benedikt und andere Christen nicht konkret werden können, wenn es um die so oft gelobten christlichen Werte geht. Die Kirchen haben in Sachen Ethik einfach nicht viel zu bieten.
Auf die Frage, wie beispielweise die notwendige Umkehr konkret (!) erfolgen soll, antwortet er, dass "man Gott wieder an die erste Stelle" setzen und seine Worte "als Realitäten in das eigene Leben hereinleuchten" lassen sollte (S.83). So konkret kann Benedikt werden. Und das wohlgemerkt im Jahr 2010, als von den Worten Gottes schon so vieles selbst von Christen als menschliche Fehler angesehen und unter den Teppich gekehrt werden, weil sie entweder den ethischen Maßstäben einer halbwegs zivilisierten Gesellschaften nicht mehr genügen (z.B. die Forderung nach Ermordung von Homosexuellen und Hexen, Elias Massaker an 450 Andersgläubigen, von Gott geplante und geforderte Völkermorde durch das Volkes Israel), oder einfach nicht mehr plausibel sind (z.B. die Schöpfungsgeschichte, die nicht einmal die einfachsten Grundlagen des Kosmos halbwegs richtig darstellen konnte, stattdessen behauptet, dass die Erde vor der Sonne erschaffen wurde etc). Es ist so weit gegangen, dass Christen selbst die zehn Gebote nicht mehr vollständig widergeben, sondern Gottes barbarische Drohung an Ungläubige im ersten Gebot einfach weglassen. Was von Gottes Wort übrig bleibt soll jetzt die Welt retten.
Wenn sich progressive Menschen jetzt gegenüber der katholischen Kirche für Toleranz gegenüber Homosexuellen und ein Ende der Diskrimierung von Frauen einsetzen, tut Benedikt das als "abstrakte Negativreligion" ab, die zu einem "tyrannischen Maßstab" gemacht wird und der armen Kirche ihre Identität nehmen will. Noch weigert sich die Kirche, die Todesstrafe für Homosexuelle in Afrika vor den Vereinten Nationen zu verurteilen, aber vielleicht wird sie sich irgendwann im Sinne der Menschenrechte doch noch ändern. Und sie wird es überleben, wie sie auch das Ende der Kreuzzüge, der Folterung und Verbrennung von unschuldigen Frauen als Hexen und der Verfolgung und Ermordung von Andersdenkenden (z.B. Leuten, die es gewagt haben, zu behaupten, die Erde sei rund und drehe sich um die Sonne) überlebt haben. All diese und viele andere Dinge waren für die Identität der Kirche mit Sicherheit auch wichtig, wurden aber auf Druck der Aufklärung letzten Endes doch durchgesetzt. Und all diese Dinge hätte ein Papst mit den selben Worten wie den oben zitierten verteidigen können.
Dass eine Institution, die eine solche Kriminalgeschichte hat und sich erst in den 1960er Jahren zu den Menschenrechten bekannt hat, sich jetzt als Quelle der Ethik darstellt, ist grotesk. Es ist auch nicht verwunderlich, dass Benedikt und andere Christen nicht konkret werden können, wenn es um die so oft gelobten christlichen Werte geht. Die Kirchen haben in Sachen Ethik einfach nicht viel zu bieten.
November 11, 2016
L'uomo Papa
Ho appena finito di leggere questo libro che è una lunga intervista ad un Uomo che oltre ad essere un prete è anche uno scrittore, uno studioso, un teologo che si trova anche ad essere il Capo di una delle più grandi comunità religiose del mondo in veste di Papa.
Divisa in tre parti questa "conversazione", come l'ha sottotitolato l'editore, il libro si legge in maniera scorrevole, come una qualsiasi intervista-conversazione nella forma di scrittura di comunicazione moderna. L'intervistatore è un compatriota dell'intervistato e sembra che i due si comprendano abbastanza bene. Non è il primo libro intervista che Peter Seevald ha scritto con il Cardinale Joseph Ratzinger.
A lettura ultimata devo confessare che istintivamente ho sentito il bisogno di ricominciare daccapo. Non perché non mi siano state chiare le domande o le risposte, né tanto meno perché abbia forse potuto procedere troppo velocemente nella lettura di argomenti non sempre facili da digerire. La ragione, forse, è quella di avere avvertita necessità di rimettere ordine a quanto il comune lettore ha letto e compreso, anche uno sprovveduto come, non lo nascondo affatto, posso essere io.
A dire il vero, le domande che pone il Seewald non sono sempre coerenti e conseguenziali, secondo un sistema logico che metta in condizione chi legge di trarre e ricevere un impatto organico e sistematico, in maniera da fissarne il ricordo, in modo armonico e creativo. Si alternano argomenti teologicamente alti, altri di genuina quotidianità e semplicità personale. La grande storia della Chiesa e del Cristianesimo scorre davanti agli occhi del lettore nelle parole puntuali e sintetiche dell'intervistato il quale, in più di una occasione, fa fatica, com'è ovvio che sia, a distinguersi in quale veste Egli stia rispondendo, se come Uomo o come Papa. Ma non solo questo. Anche i grandi problemi che la Chiesa deve fronteggiare, e non da oggi, ma da sempre. Oggi più che mai in un mondo sempre più aperto e discutibile, visibilmente aggressivo, spesso improponibile e inaccettabile. Fatica degli uomini e fatica di un Papa!
In questo senso l'intervistatore non è sempre corretto e coerente nelle sue domande, perché mette a disagio il lettore che non recepisce in maniera ottimale il messaggio che proviene dallo sconfinato sapere dell'intervistato.
Così mi spiego il bisogno di una rilettura, una revisione con relativi approfondimenti. Il libro resta comunque una esperienza di lettura importante sia per chi crede come per chi non crede.
Ho appena finito di leggere questo libro che è una lunga intervista ad un Uomo che oltre ad essere un prete è anche uno scrittore, uno studioso, un teologo che si trova anche ad essere il Capo di una delle più grandi comunità religiose del mondo in veste di Papa.
Divisa in tre parti questa "conversazione", come l'ha sottotitolato l'editore, il libro si legge in maniera scorrevole, come una qualsiasi intervista-conversazione nella forma di scrittura di comunicazione moderna. L'intervistatore è un compatriota dell'intervistato e sembra che i due si comprendano abbastanza bene. Non è il primo libro intervista che Peter Seevald ha scritto con il Cardinale Joseph Ratzinger.
A lettura ultimata devo confessare che istintivamente ho sentito il bisogno di ricominciare daccapo. Non perché non mi siano state chiare le domande o le risposte, né tanto meno perché abbia forse potuto procedere troppo velocemente nella lettura di argomenti non sempre facili da digerire. La ragione, forse, è quella di avere avvertita necessità di rimettere ordine a quanto il comune lettore ha letto e compreso, anche uno sprovveduto come, non lo nascondo affatto, posso essere io.
A dire il vero, le domande che pone il Seewald non sono sempre coerenti e conseguenziali, secondo un sistema logico che metta in condizione chi legge di trarre e ricevere un impatto organico e sistematico, in maniera da fissarne il ricordo, in modo armonico e creativo. Si alternano argomenti teologicamente alti, altri di genuina quotidianità e semplicità personale. La grande storia della Chiesa e del Cristianesimo scorre davanti agli occhi del lettore nelle parole puntuali e sintetiche dell'intervistato il quale, in più di una occasione, fa fatica, com'è ovvio che sia, a distinguersi in quale veste Egli stia rispondendo, se come Uomo o come Papa. Ma non solo questo. Anche i grandi problemi che la Chiesa deve fronteggiare, e non da oggi, ma da sempre. Oggi più che mai in un mondo sempre più aperto e discutibile, visibilmente aggressivo, spesso improponibile e inaccettabile. Fatica degli uomini e fatica di un Papa!
In questo senso l'intervistatore non è sempre corretto e coerente nelle sue domande, perché mette a disagio il lettore che non recepisce in maniera ottimale il messaggio che proviene dallo sconfinato sapere dell'intervistato.
Così mi spiego il bisogno di una rilettura, una revisione con relativi approfondimenti. Il libro resta comunque una esperienza di lettura importante sia per chi crede come per chi non crede.
January 9, 2015
I find Joseph Ratzinger to be the best kind of Church leader. He has the courage to communicate (gently) difficult messages about western culture as well as to own up to the even more difficult shortcomings of the Church (that exist to the same degree in my protestant tradition, but are more invisible due to its congregational structure). I find his more quiet but thoughtful demeanor perhaps much more approachable than his "rock star" predecessor who I also greatly respected. I came back from my last trip to Powell's Bookstore with a couple Joseph Ratzinger books that I am looking forward to reading.
I found the following selection from the book thought provoking. It was at the center of his visit to the UK a few months back when he spoke about the quickly shrinking public space that exists for religion in Europe and particularly in the UK: " In the name of tolerance, tolerance is being abolished; this is a real thereat we face. The danger is that reason-so-called western reason-claims that it has now really recognized what is right and thus makes a claim to totality that is inimical to freedom. I believe that we must very emphatically delineate this danger. No one is forced to be a Christian. But no one should be forced to live in accordance to the "new religion" as though it alone were definitive and obligatory for all mankind."
Also found intriguing the discussion of what has come to be known as 10 40. This is the reality that the locus of the Church has moved south and east (i.e. Africa, Asia, and Latin America). That is, the west no longer equals the Church. Indeed , It is the mission field to which-for example-African evangelism is focused.
I found the following selection from the book thought provoking. It was at the center of his visit to the UK a few months back when he spoke about the quickly shrinking public space that exists for religion in Europe and particularly in the UK: " In the name of tolerance, tolerance is being abolished; this is a real thereat we face. The danger is that reason-so-called western reason-claims that it has now really recognized what is right and thus makes a claim to totality that is inimical to freedom. I believe that we must very emphatically delineate this danger. No one is forced to be a Christian. But no one should be forced to live in accordance to the "new religion" as though it alone were definitive and obligatory for all mankind."
Also found intriguing the discussion of what has come to be known as 10 40. This is the reality that the locus of the Church has moved south and east (i.e. Africa, Asia, and Latin America). That is, the west no longer equals the Church. Indeed , It is the mission field to which-for example-African evangelism is focused.
May 10, 2013
This is one of the books I've read so far. This gives insight not only to the great mind of Cardinal Ratzinger (who later became Pope Benedict XVI) but also to the beauty of the faith that is founded on reason and love. This honest conversation speaks of the need for and the basis for seeking the truth -- of an enriching the faith by seeking understanding, but most of all, of the basis for the Christian hope.
Being a Catholic who had once lost the fervor for living the faith, basically because I didn't understand it well enough, I would recommend this to readers who want to at least converse about the basis of our beliefs. Once I even thought that religion was merely inherited, that it was superstitious, and outdated. How very wrong I was! This interview was apparently central also to Seewald's conversion, and Tis is not surprising. The pope speaks of his faith with clarity, humility and good reason.
Being a Catholic who had once lost the fervor for living the faith, basically because I didn't understand it well enough, I would recommend this to readers who want to at least converse about the basis of our beliefs. Once I even thought that religion was merely inherited, that it was superstitious, and outdated. How very wrong I was! This interview was apparently central also to Seewald's conversion, and Tis is not surprising. The pope speaks of his faith with clarity, humility and good reason.
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