Author

Benedict XVI

1927-2022 · German theologian, born Joseph Ratzinger, pope of the Catholic Church from 2005 to 2013

About Benedict XVI

Benedict XVI, born Joseph Ratzinger, was a German theologian, cardinal, and pope from 2005 to 2013. His writings emphasize the relation of faith and reason, liturgy, revelation, conscience, and the intellectual continuity of Christian tradition.

Notable works

  • Introduction to Christianity (1968)
  • The Spirit of the Liturgy (2000)
  • Deus Caritas Est (2005)
  • Regensburg Lecture (2006)
  • Spe Salvi (2007)
  • Jesus of Nazareth (2007-2012)
  • Caritas in Veritate (2009)

On this site

Regensburg Lecture

Benedict XVI

2006 · Postwar Contemporary · Essays

The Regensburg Lecture, delivered by Benedict XVI in 2006 at the University of Regensburg, argues that Christian faith is intrinsically bound to reason and that the modern narrowing of reason endangers both theology and culture. Benedict begins with a contested quotation from a dialogue between the Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus and a Persian interlocutor, then uses the controversy over faith and violence to introduce his larger claim: acting against reason is contrary to the nature of God.

medium medical relevanceFaith / ReligionScience / KnowledgeDoubt Meaning