PHOTO: Manuel Castells

Pablo Blanco, professor at the University of Navarra, has published a book on the theology of Joseph Ratzinger. In it he offers an introduction to his writings as professor, prefect of the Congregation of the Faith and as Pope. It includes both a exhibition of major themes and his position on specific theological concepts.

Joseph Ratzinger is one of the great theologians of our time," says Pablo Blanco. The depth, richness and breadth of his thought, written in the thread of time and eternity, combines the richness of tradition with the needs of the present times. Ratzinger is also a postmodern thinker".

In the first part of The Theology of Joseph Ratzinger the sources of Ratzinger's thought are presented: his teachers, the liturgy, Scripture, the Church and beauty. The presuppositions (second part) deal with the person, understood in terms of truth and love, and the relationship between faith and reason.

The third part comprises the developments of his theology and deals with ecumenism, ministry and preaching, eschatology and Mariology. The fourth and last part presents his pastoral writings with themes such as the revaluation of creation, conscience and natural law, as well as the Eucharistic mystery as the center of the Church, the need for the catechesis, the urgency of proposing anew the Christological faith of the first centuries, the reflection on the Christian roots of Europe, etc.

Pablo Blanco Sarto holds a doctorate in Philosophy and in Theology and graduate at Philology. He is currently professor of Dogmatic Theology at the University of Navarra. He has published essays, articles in journals of his specialization program and monographs. On the life and work of the German theologian he has written Reason and Christianity (2005), Life and Theology (2006) and Benedict XVI, the German Pope (2010), the most complete biography in Spanish. He has also created the programs of study "Joseph Ratzinger" Forum.