Comments on: Reason, wonder and Pope Benedict XVI

By: Finding God in 5 Steps | Conversion Diary

Finding God in 5 Steps | Conversion Diary — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 03:49:33 +0000

[...] to realize that seeking God does not mean setting aside logic and reason; as I mentioned in this post, quite the contrary is true. Asking tough questions and hearing what the great Christian thinkers [...]

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 04:05:00 +0000

Every Pope since Paul VI has promoted traditional NFP behavior in marriage. Yet these teachings are avoided in many dioceses, while Catholic OB/Gyns prescribe contraeptives. The holocaust of abortions, AIDS, STDs and also the plague of divorces evidence this failure of local teaching from Humanae Vitae (40th year this month).

By: Philippa

Philippa — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:20:00 +0000

Do you know what the title of the speech from 2005 that you quoted was (sorry if I’m missing something obvious)?
I’d like to read it
Thanks very much!

By: Aimee

Aimee — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:19:00 +0000

For some reason the link to my blog didn't show up on my earlier comment, where I wrote a reflection inspired by your reflection here, Jennifer, so I'm putting it here. Thanks again, and keep up the great work! I'm hoping to ease back into regular blogging soon, now that my grad school studies are finally drawing to a close. I've missed it!

By: Mary Margaret

Mary Margaret — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 02:17:00 +0000

suburbancorrespondent: I think that the most accessible are actually the ones he didn’t write. My recommendation is to start with the “interview” books. Begin with Salt of the Earth, I think. It’s pretty short, but you get a very good idea of who this man is, his theological ideas, and his incredible kindness and humility (My daughter of 16 or so and I read this one together, and she was amazed at how gently he answered questions which were not very gently phrased.) Because he is just answering questions from a former (now revert, Thank God) Catholic in a relatively informal manner, the book is very easy to read. I believe that God and the World is the second of these interviews, both with Peter Seewald. Also, his first encyclical, Deus Caritas Est, is relatively easy to read–and short!

I am still exploring his writing myself, and the Good Lord knows, I am no theologian, I hold no degrees in philosophy, religion, or theology. I find most of his writing fairly accessible, but I know that I get out of my depth when he really gets professorial. Best of luck! He really is a treasure. I suspect that people will still be reading his works long after I’m gone (as well they should)!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:53:00 +0000

This is for Anonymous,
I think you’re working too hard. Prayer works, especially if you enlist the communion of saints on your behalf. If you approach God as your father; asking Him to please give you faith, He will. I know because He did it for me.

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:29:00 +0000

I’ve read about a dozen Pope Benedict/Cardinal Ratzinger books (many are actually collections of essays or speeches) and so I feel that I know him very well. He is, I agree, very good at explaining why Christianity and reason complement each other. But that is just a tiny part of his greatness. He is a unique combination of holiness and erudition, kindness and brilliance. He is devoted not only to truth but also to the love that the Truth teaches and inspires.

By: Jon

Jon — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:26:00 +0000

Amen, Arkanabar, as long as we don’t forget the role of reason in formulating those moral doctrines.

Jon

By: Aimee

Aimee — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:27:00 +0000

Seems like you and I both were really resonating with the Pope, Jennifer! It is an incredible feeling when the reality of it all comes home.

Your post inspired me to write another post of my own; I linked it to your post here. Thank you – and God bless!

By: Arkanabar T'verrick Ilarsadin

Arkanabar T'verrick Ilarsadin — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:27:00 +0000

"he's a lot better than some, even in the Catholic Church, who talk as if God had given them a book of arbitrary rules to enforce on everyone else." -- Jon

Such people are a trial and a cross. The point of moral doctrine is to teach others, but you only enforce it upon yourself.