I have finally decided to set this book aside in acknowledged defeat. The parts I could understand were very interesting--Ratzinger has an exciting and sparkling intellect. However, I lack the necessary background in philosophy and theology to enjoy the book. I slogged through the first hundred-and-so pages before giving up. (The title, "introduction", seems a little misleading!) The reprinted prefaces are excellent: his comments from 1968 are just as relevant today, if not more so.

Joesph Ratzinger's (Pope Benedict)Introduction to Christianity should more aptly be named a Philosopher's Introduction to Christianity. Ratzinger set's out to explain the apostles creed but spends his time focusing on 2 main sentences "I believe in God the Father," "I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord." In fact he breaks the first sentence down into two portions I believe and God the Father.
The first portion of Ratzinger's book develops a meaning and basis for belief, specifically in God the Father. He discusses the option and means of faith in the modern world. The second portion focuses on the person of God the Father and modern belief in Him. The second major section focuses on the person Jesus Christ and his character as an "I" (a man) and messiah (God). There is a third major portion covering the last section of the creed, Holy Spirit and the Church.

Overall Ratzinger's book reads like many of the writings of the Early Church Fathers, heady, philosophical and full of meaning. He focuses on philosophy and logic while assuming the Bible. He is as quick to find support from Karl Marx and Charles Darwin as he is from Ignatius and Augustine. The books shows a well read scholar who isn't afraid to interact with the less approved characters of history. This willingness brings the book out of the realm of Christian only into the realm of books for everyone. The book is to deep and long for a simple introduction and to philosophical to be of interest to many but it is good for learning where faith stands within the modern context. ( )

http://www.craigburrell.ca/BookNotes/... ( )

Not what you think. It should have been titled "Introduction to Christianity from the point of view of continental philosophy." Sorry, but I don't think Hegel or Kant have any relevance to an understanding of Christianity. I know that Pope Benedict and his mentor John Paul II were quite fond of this sort of stuff. (John Paul II was seen reading a Marxist philosophy journal while waiting for the results of his papal vote.) But sometimes smart people think too much. ( )