Introduction To Christianity

"In this elucidation of the Apostles' Creed, Joseph Ratzinger gives a modern interpretation of the foundations of Christianity. This treatment of Christianity's basic truths combines a spiritual outlook with a deep knowledge of Scripture and the history of theology. a solid and contemporary discussion of the fundamental Christian mysteries."--BOOK JACKET.

Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI) is recognized as one of the most brilliant theologians and spiritual leaders of our age. As pope he authored the best-selling Jesus of Nazareth. Prior to his pontificate, he wrote many influential books important for the contemporary Church, such as Introduction to Christianity and The Spirit of the Liturgy.

PREFACE TO THE NEW EDITION

11

(20)

PREFACE TO THE 1968 EDITION

31

(4)

PREFACE TO THE 1969 EDITION

35

(4)

INTRODUCTION: "I BELIEVE-AMEN"

I. BELIEF IN THE WORLD OF TODAY

39

(43)

1. Doubt and belief-Man's situation before the question of God

39

(8)

2. The origin of belief Provisional attempt at a definition of belief

47

(5)

3. The dilemma of belief in the world of today

52

(5)

4. The boundary of the modern understanding of reality and the place of belief

57

(12)

5. Faith as standing firm and understanding

69

(5)

6. The rationality of faith

74

(5)

7. "I believe in you"

79

(3)

II. THE ECCLESIASTICAL FORM OF FAITH

82

(21)

1. Introductory remarks on the history and structure of the Apostles' Creed

82

(3)

2. Limits and meaning of the text

85

(2)

3. Creed and dogma

87

(3)

4. The Creed as expression of the structure of faith

90

(13)

PART ONE: GOD

I. PROLEGOMENA TO THE SUBJECT OF GOD

103

(13)

1. The scope of the question

103

(13)

2. The profession of faith in the one God 110

II. THE BIBLICAL BELIEF IN GOD

116

(21)

1. The problem of the story of the burning bush

116

(6)

2. The intrinsic assumption of the belief in Yahweh: The God of [Israel's] fathers

122

(4)

3. Yahweh, the "God of our Fathers" and the God of Jesus Christ

126

(7)

4. The idea of the name

133

(2)

5. The two sides of the biblical concept of God

135

(2)

III. THE GOD OF FAITH AND THE GOD OF THE PHILOSOPHERS

137

(14)

1. The decision of the early Church in favor of philosophy

137

(6)

2. The transformation of the God of the philosophers

143

(5)

3. The reflection of the question in the text of the Creed

148

(3)

IV. FAITH IN GOD TODAY

151

(11)

1. The primacy of the logos

151

(7)

2. The personal God

158

(4)

V. BELIEF IN THE TRIUNE GOD

162

(31)

1. A start at understanding

163

(15)

2. Positive significance

178

(15)

PART TWO: JESUS CHRIST

I. "I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST, HIS ONLY SON, OUR LORD"

193

(50)

A. THE PROBLEM OF FAITH IN JESUS TODAY

193

(3)

B. JESUS THE CHRIST: THE BASIC FORM OF THE CHRISTOLOGICAL PROFESSION OF FAITH

196

(14)

1. The dilemma of modern theology: Jesus or Christ?

196

(6)

2. The Creed's image of Christ

202

(3)

3. The point of departure of faith in Jesus: The Cross

205

(2)

4. Jesus the Christ

207

(3)

C. JESUS CHRIST-TRUE GOD AND TRUE MAN

210

(18)

1. The formulation of the question

210

(2)

2. A modern stock idea of the "historical Jesus"

212

(3)

3. The claim of christological dogma

215

(13)

D. THE DIFFERENT PATHS TAKEN BY CHRISTOLOGY

228

(43)

1. Theology of the Incarnation and theology of the Cross

228

(2)

2. Christology and the doctrine of redemption

230

(4)

3. Christ, "the last man"

234

(9)

EXCURSUS: CHRISTIAN STRUCTURES

243

(28)

II. THE DEVELOPMENT OF FAITH IN CHRIST IN THE CHRISTOLOGICAL ARTICLES OF THE CREED

271

(60)

1. "Conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary"

271

(10)

2. "Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried"

281

(12)

3. "Descended into hell"

293

(8)

4. "Rose again [from the dead]"

301

(9)

5. "He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father"

310

(8)

6. "He will come again to judge the living and the dead"

318

(13)

PART THREE: THE SPIRIT AND THE CHURCH

I. THE INTRINSIC UNITY OF THE LAST STATEMENTS IN THE CREED

331

(7)

II. TWO MAJOR QUESTIONS POSED BY THE ARTICLES ON THE SPIRIT AND THE CHURCH

338

(23)

1. "The holy, catholic Church"

338

(9)

2. "The resurrection of the body"

347

(14)

GENERAL INDEX

361

(16)

SCRIPTURE INDEX

377

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Introduction To Christianity

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials