Tracey Rowland's "Ratzinger's Faith: The Theology of Pope Benedict XVI"

Ratzinger's Faith: The Theology of Pope Benedict XVI by Tracy Rowland. Oxford University Press, USA (March 6, 2008). A popular reading of Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) is that he started out as a progressive but had second thoughts after the cultural revolution of the late 1960s. A more negative portrait is that of an ambitious and intellectually precocious young man who changed theological allegiances for the sake of promotion within the Catholic hierarchy. Now, in this probing book, Tracey Rowland offers a third reading, one that situates the thought of Pope Benedict within the intellectual history and academic circles of his time. The first serious assessment of the new Pope's theological vision, this thoughtful volume covers topics such as the interpretations of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Benedict's relations with other important scholars and theologians, and his attitudes on moral and political theology, western culture, the structure of the Catholic Church, liturgy, and love. It has become a commonplace observation that Pope Benedict has been influenced by the thought of St. Augustine in contrast to many of his predecessors in the papacy who were much more strongly influenced by St. Thomas Aquinas. This work therefore addresses the topic of in what way Benedict is an Augustinian. The volume also includes a bibliography arranged thematically for those who want to explore his thought more deeply in a particular area. A penetrating account of the thought of the reigning pontiff, this volume offers a wealth of insight for everyone interested in Pope Benedict and the direction of the modern Catholic Church. Reviews Review: Ratzinger’s Faith: The Theology of Pope Benedict XVI by Thaddeus J. Kozinski. The Catholic Social Science Review Volume XI, 2009. The shy professor bringing Benedict to the masses, by Anna Arco. Catholic Herald July 4, 2008. Theologian of the Heart, by David G. Bonagura, Jr. The University Bookman (Russell Kirk Center) Emerging from the shadow of the ‘Panzerkardinal’ The Catholic Herald April 18, 2008. An assault upon relativism, by Edward Norman. Spectator Book Club. April 8, 2008. Ratzinger's Faith and Reason, by Fr. James V. Schall. Ignatius Insight May 2008. "Gardener with a thirst for beauty", by Fergus Kerr. The Tablet March 20, 2008.