Description: The first serious assessment of the Pope's theological vision, this thoughtful volume situates the thought of Benedict XVI within the intellectual history and academic circles of his time, exploring topics such as the interpretations of the Second Vatican Council, 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 is a common 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.
Review Quotes: "The pope's deep and passionate love for the adventure of theology shines through this text, which is geared to the reasonably educated lay reader. Not only papal enthusiasts but also libraries and professional theologians will want to have this book." --Theological Studies
"I have never read an author who identifies and explains all the essential questions with such intelligence and clarity...It should be the number one choice of anyone who wants to understand more fully the contemporary predicament in which both Church and culture find themselves...It is not too much to say that if you haven't read this book-as the best way to understand the thought of Pope Benedict XVI-you are doomed to have significant gaps in your own analysis of how things are. So if you can read only one more intellectually serious book this year, read Tracey Rowland's Ratzinger's Faith." -- Dr. Jeff Mirus, CatholicCulture.org"Tracey Rowland's excellent exposition of his thought...Ratzinger's Faith is meant to be an exploration of the Pope's thinking, not a thematic biography. But Professor Rowland treats Benedict's ideas with a keen eye to his life, and she largely succeeds in giving us a well developed theology-in-history." -- Jeremy Lott, Catholic World Report