Introduction to Christianity

Introduction to Christianity

Book cover
Author Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI)
Original title Einführung in das Christentum
Translator J. R. Foster
Cover artist Riz Boncan Marsella
Country United States
Language English
Subject Christology
Theology
Published 1968 Ignatius Press
Media type Print, eBook
Pages 300
ISBN 978-1-58617-029-5
LCCN 2004-103523
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Introduction to Christianity (German: Einführung in das Christentum) is a 1968 book written by Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI). Considered one of his most important and widely read books, it presents a "narrative Christology" that demonstrates the place for faith is in the Church. The book offers a "remarkable elucidation of the Apostle's Creed" and gives an "excellent, modern interpretation of the foundations of Christianity".[1]

Overview

Originally published in German in 1968 under the title, Einführung in das Christentum, Ratzinger restates the Apostles' Creed and the meaning of this foundational text in language that has a greater contemporary resonance than the Creed itself.[N 1] Like the Apostles' Creed, the book presents the doctrines pertaining to the Father, the Son, and the Spirit in sequence.[2]

Contents

Introduction, "I Believe – Amen"
I. Belief in the World of Today
II. The Ecclesiastical Form of Faith
Part One, God
I. Prolegomena to the Subject of God
II. The Biblical Belief in God
III. The God of Faith and the God of the Philosophers
IV. Faith in God Today

which provides an argument for God's existence based upon the intelligibility of being qua thought ("thought-being") and for freedom as the "structural form of all being"[3]

V. Belief in the Triune God
Part Two, Jesus Christ
I. "I Believe in Jesus Christ, His Only Son, Our Lord"
II. The Development of Faith in Christ in the Christological Articles of the Creed
Part Three, The Spirit and the Church
I. The Intrinsic Unity of the Last Statements in the Creed
II. Two Major Questions Posed by the Articles on the Spirit and the Church

Apostle's Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father Almighty.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
Amen.[4]

Editions

The English edition of Introduction to Christianity was revised in 2000 by Ignatius Press with a new preface by Joseph Ratzinger. A second revised edition was released in 2004 by Ignatius Press.

References

Notes
  1. ↑ The Apostles' Creed was based on Christian theological understanding of the Canonical gospels, the letters of the New Testament, and to a lesser extent the Old Testament. Its basis appears to be the old Roman Creed. The name of the Creed may come from the fifth-century tradition that, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit after Pentecost, each of the Twelve Apostles dictated part of it. It is traditionally divided into twelve articles. Saint Ambrose referred to the "Creed of the Apostles" in AD 390.
Citations
  1. ↑ "Introduction to Christianity". Ignatius Press. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  2. ↑ Burrell, Craig. "Introduction to Christianity". Book Notes. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  3. ↑ Joseph Ratzinger, "Introduction to Christianity" (2004: Ignatius Press), pg. 158
  4. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church". Vatican. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
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