Book Reviews and More: Paul of Tarsus - Pope Benedict XVI

Thursday, 27 April 2023

Paul of Tarsus - Pope Benedict XVI - CTS Biographies

Paul of Tarsus

Pope Benedict XVI

Catholic Truth Society

ISBN 9781860825774

CTS Booklet B718

Over the last few years I have read a number of books by and about Pope Benedict XVI. Of the popes in my lifetime I find his writings of immense spiritual benefit. I would state that I underappreciated him until his resignation. And since then I have read much. And with each piece I read I appreciate his wisdom, faith, and stand against modernism. This volume was of special interest to me. I hold a Religious Studies Degree with a focus on Roman Catholic Thought. The first course I did when I returned to University was Paul’s Life and Letters, taught by Dr. Peter Frick, the course was transformative for me spiritually and academically. I enjoyed the course so much that I did a fourth year directed readings in Pauline Studies as one of my final courses to graduate, again with Dr. Frick. I try and read a book on Pauline Theology and thought almost every year. Some of the academic works are out of my price point. This was an excellent read. There are two editions of this work and they are nearly identical. In Europe this volume was published by the Catholic Truth Society. In North America Ignatius Press published once called Saint Paul. I had tracked down this volume and was reading it when I picked up the eBook from Ignatius. Thus I read about half the book in each edition.

The description of the edition of the book is:

“Pope Benedict turns his attention as a theologian and Scripture scholar to one of the most important figures in the history of the Church. Reflecting on St Paul's life and times, his indefatigable missionary activity and the most important events of his life, the Holy Father then goes on to explore the most important themes and theologies of St Paul's writings including the incarnation, the cross, works, faith, and the sacraments.”

The volume is compiled from a collection of General Audiences given between July 2, 2008 and February 4, 2009, during the Jubilee year of Saint Paul which ran from June 28, 2008 to June 29th, 2009. The CTS has several booklets from the Year of Saint Paul. I could have used this volume and some of the ones from that Year for that final I did a year after the fact.

And the chapters are:

1. Religious and Cultural Environment

2. Life of Saint Paul before and after Damascus

3. Saint Paul’s “Conversion”

4. Saint Paul’s Concept of Apostolate

5. Paul, the Twelve and the Pre-Pauline Church

6. The “Council” of Jerusalem and the Incident in Antioch

7. The Relationship with the Historical Jesus

8. Paul’s Ecclesiological Dimension

9. The Importance of Christology: Pre-existence and Incarnation

10. The Importance of Christology: The Theology of the Cross

11. The Importance of Christology: The Decisiveness of the Resurrection

12. Eschatology: The Expectation of the Parousia

13. The Doctrine of Justification: From Works to Faith

14. The Doctrine of Justification: The Apostle’s Teaching on Faith and Works

15. The Apostle’s Teaching on the Relation between Adam and Christ

16. The Theology of the Sacraments

17. Spiritual Worship

18. Letters to the Colossians and Ephesians

19. Pastoral Epistles: Letters to Timothy and Titus

20. Saint Paul’s Life and Legacy

Each chapter is from a specific General Audience. Because this is a collection for talks given there is no introduction or conclusion. I really enjoyed reading this volume. I read it just a few months after the passing of Pope Benedict XVI. And reading books by him at this time is helping me process my feelings on his passing. I once heard a theologian say that without Saint Paul there would be no Christianity. And I do not doubt that statement. This book gives a rich and deep look into the man, his life and his message. I really enjoyed the format of the CTS Edition of this book. It had wide margins for notes. Clear clean font. And perfect size for personal study. I gave my physical copy to Dr. Frick who is working on his own Paul book after teaching about Paul for 30 years.

This is an excellent read, one any Catholic, any Christian would benefit from reading. It is another excellent volume from Pope Benedict XVI, and I can easily recommend it.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2023 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.