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Pope Benedict XVI

Light of the World: The Pope, The Church and the Signs Of The Times Hardcover – November 24, 2010

by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (Author), Peter Seewald (Author)

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Never has a Pope, in a book-length interview, dealt so directly with such wide-ranging and controversial issues as Pope Benedict XVI does in Light of the World. Taken from a recent week-long series of interviews with veteran journalist Peter Seewald, this book tackles head-on some of the greatest issues facing the world of our time. Twice before these two men held wide-ranging discussions, which became the best-selling books Salt of the Earth and God and the World. Then, Seewald's discussion partner was Joseph Ratzinger, head of the Vatican's chief doctrinal office. Now, Joseph Ratzinger is Pope Benedict XVI, the spiritual leader of the world's over one billion Catholics. Though Seewald now interviews the Pope himself, the journalist pulls no punches, posing some of the thorniest questions any Pope has had to address. Believers and unbelievers will be fascinated to hear Benedict's thoughtful, straightforward and thought-provoking replies. This is no stern preachment or ponderous theological tract, but a lively, fast-paced, challenging, even entertaining exchange.

Print length

219 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Ignatius Press
Publication date

November 24, 2010
Dimensions

5.25 x 1 x 8 inches
ISBN-10

1586176064
ISBN-13

978-1586176068
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

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

Peter Seewald is a veteran German journalist who has done two other internationally best-selling book length interviews with Joseph Ratzinger (now Benedict XVI): Salt of the Earth and God and the World. He is also the author of Benedict XVI : An Intimate Portrait, and the photo-biography, Pope Benedict XVI: Servant of the Truth.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ignatius Press; 1st edition (November 24, 2010)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 219 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1586176064
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1586176068
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.5 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 1 x 8 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,172,302 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,037 in Christian Popes
- #7,601 in Religious Leader Biographies
- #17,093 in Christian Ministry & Church Leadership (Books)

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Educated Consumer

Very thought provoking

Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2020

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I have to admit that I love anything written by Pope Benedict/Joseph Ratzinger. This man is truly a man of God's thoughts. What a blessing to be able to read his knowledge. Some of his work got me through the death of my youngest son. No matter what I read, it always brings me closer to God. I only wish I could sit with him and learn his thoughts even more. I wish I could tell him, "Thank You." I buy and read just about everything I can find with his name attached. I am a better person because of it.

Helpful

Thomas M. Loarie

Has Christianity Simply Played Itself Out?

Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2014

Verified Purchase

Peter Seewald's "Light of the World: The Pope, the Church, and the Signs of the Times" is a gem. In it, the author shares a summary of conversations he had with Pope Benedict XVI on a wide range of issues - the abuse scandal, monogamous marriage, sexual morality, celibacy, ordination of women, politician's hijacking religion for political purpose, priestly ordination, social responsibility, the Regensburg lecture, Ecumenism, Protestantism, Evangelicalism, papal primacy the Vatican Council, contraception, the Curia, world debt, the new intolerance, Truth, and the dictatorship of relativism. As advertised by those who know him best (not the mainstream media), Benedict is a thoughtful and insightful Pope that sees the whole picture, the entirety of the human drama unfolding in today's world through the prism of humanity's origins and humanity's ultimate destiny.

"Light of the World" is well written and is encyclopedic with the range of topics covered. I found the book fascinating, provocative, enlightening, and inspirational. Those who doubted that the Roman Catholic Church was not in good hands with Ratzinger/Benedict would be wise to read this book. He is a brilliant teacher with a kind heart.

Benedict feels the world has lost its story. The world must rediscover the truth about itself as we are losing things that we really cannot do without. This is a time for change, a time for conversion. The world has so many problems that need to be solved but they will not all be solved unless God stands in the center and becomes visible again. The task is to show God to the people to tell them the truth. The truth about the mysteries of creation; the truth about human existence; and the truth about our hope, which goes beyond merely worldly matters. Where did we come from? Where are we going?

The following excerpts may help you to gain an appreciation for the gift Seewald has given us:

On the abuse scandal - "The ecclesiastical penal law functioned until the late 1950s. After the mid-60s it simply was not applied anymore. The prevailing mentality was the church must not be a church of laws but, rather a church in love; she must not punish. The awareness that punishment can be an act of love ceased to exist. This led to an odd darkening of the mind. In this respect, there was a change of mentality about the law and the need for punishment. This also narrowed the concept of love, which in fact is not just being nice and courteous, but in truth is that I must punish someone who sinned against real love"... The abuse scandal should cause us to look at other abuses- abusive relationships, the abuse of our bodies and sexuality, and the abuse of my God given gifts. We simply cannot live in any way we please. God-given freedom is not arbitrary as it comes with an imperative to exercise freedom responsibly.

On intolerance - A new intolerance is spreading. We are basically experiencing the abolition of tolerance. Christian faith is no longer allowed to express itself. We are no longer allowed to live out our identity. This is THE real threat we face.

On progress - Is it progress if I can destroy? Is it progress if I myself can make, select, and dispose of human beings? Today, freedom is understood as the freedom to do anything. We have accepted the basic idea that progress is knowledge yields power. We can now destroy the world and lack the central perspective, namely the aspect of good. What is good? What is power? Is it just a matter of being able

Benedict notes, "today, the Church is the only thing that remains; the only refuge where there is humanity; something is being done for people. She is committed to proposition that life can go on -there can be care for the sick; children can come into the world and be raised. The church is a vital force that again and again creates new enthusiasm. St. Augustine said, ` world history is a battle between two forms of love - Love of self, to the point of destroying the world, and love of others, to the point of renouncing oneself."

This is a very powerful book. Benedict's depth and ability to teach comes through on each page. I recommend this to all Catholics - active or lapsed - and to those who are not and do not understand the Church's role as "Light of the World." And Benedict's answer to "Has Christianity Simply Played Itself Out?" At this time, Christianity, as it has again and again over two millennium, is developing a new creativity that will answer the question of God in new ways.

6 people found this helpful

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Dave

Informative to a Protestant

Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2010

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I'm not exactly sure why I read this book. I'm a die hard Calvinist/Protestant who downloaded this on my kindle on a whim. I just wanted to read something different for a change I guess. Despite my protestantism I really did enjoy reading this book. It was very easy to understand and for someone who knows very little about the Roman Catholic Church (from a Catholic perspective anyway) - I really felt like I learned a lot. Also I got the sense from reading the book that Pope Benedict XVI is a very sincere person who really believes in his faith and honestly believes that his position as Pope is a specific calling from God. To be honest that is quite refreshing to see. Don't get me wrong - nothing in the book has caused me to jump over the Rome but it has picqued my interest to read more works on Catholicism written from a Catholic perspective. I would say that is a good thing.

One thing that I just don't quite understand is the whole Bishop Williamson affair - of which a whole chapter is dedicated. It seems to me that after restoring Bishop Williamson to the Roman Catholic Church that the Pope later regretted his decision because of Williamson's denial of the holocaust. Apparantly the Pope was unaware of this fact until after he was restored. The reason for this is explained and I accept the explanation - the Pope was honest about the fact that Williamson's past wasn't researched thoroughly enough by the church and his position on the holocaust was not known because the man wasn't investigated properly before his restoration. My big question after reading all of this though is: why can't the Pope just excommunicate the man again? For all his regret it seems to me that the Pope could make it right by kicking the man out again. This part of the book just confused me to no end. Perhaps a seasoned Catholic could explain the reasoning behind this to me.

Finally one comment on the whole condom controversy that this book sparked when it first came out. It's a joke. No way - no how does the Pope change his Church's stand on the use of condoms. In fact I felt that the Pope gave a great explanation of why his church condems the use of condoms. A view I had never heard quite frankly - and a view that I can genuinely respect - though I disagree with the Catholic Church's position on birth control. The Pope's comments on condoms and male prostitutes were taken completely out of context. The way the media is painting the scenario is completely off base.

15 people found this helpful

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Truthful Reviews

Wonderful book on the Holy Father

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 23, 2018

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For ALL Pope Benedict fans this book is a must by the time I was only on page 7 Benedict touched my heart , How sad he chose to leave but I respect for it . I tend to hand the books over to the British Heart foundation shop but this one I will keep for my book case just to read again !

Maureen C

Enlightening and surprising too.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 2, 2011

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This book is quite different in style and content from other work by Pope Benedict xvi /Cardinal Ratzinger. It is definitely not a theology book. What it does, via an interview with a German journalist, is give a useful and clear view of the Pope's thoughts on a wide range of current issues and developments and the Church's response. There are also one or two personal insights which give it a human dimension. It is quite short ,easy to read and shows Benedict is more in touch than he is given credit for, and clearly acknowledges where things have gone wrong. The book will be interesting not only to Catholics but to anyone open to a broader and more balanced account of this Pope's personality and views than the one frequently portrayed in the media.

One person found this helpful

Gershonite

Light of the World: The Pope, the Church, and the Signs of the Times

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 21, 2011

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I am not a Catholic but having studied Theology at University, I enjoy reading about the subject from various viewpoints. This book shows Pope Benedict VXI to be an honest and a humble person. The answers given in the interview are heartfelt and above all, honest. I would recommend the reading of it, especially by those who are not of the Catholic "persuasion" This Pope is considered by some to be a controversial figure[given that he served in the German army during the second world war] but this interview shows that he is a deep seated thinking man with much to offer the Church and humanity.

7 people found this helpful

john the scot

Pope Benedict will go down as one of the all time greats

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 14, 2017

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To all who like a thought provoking read for all who like answers on the spot to good questions God bless

Oliver J.J. Broderick

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 18, 2017

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Totally satisfied

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