The Rule of Benedict: Pope Benedict XVI and His Battle with the Modern World

by David Gibson

Book Overview

Newly Revised and Updated A top religion journalist presents a behind-the-scenes look at the early years of Pope Benedict XVI and what his papacy means for the future. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060858419
• ISBN13: 9780060858414
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: HarperOne
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.3" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Best summary of recent RCC history I've ever read!

Looking for a light summer read? NOT! Looking for something that provides both background and insight into the history of the Roman Catholic Church and its papacy for at least the last 50 years? That reads a little like a mystery novel and calls into question whatever version of the "status quo" you consider to BE the status quo? Then this is the book for you! Over my lifetime, both in and out of the Catholic Church, I'd heard all sorts of rumors and tales about Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI. This book has helped me understand why I find myself on various sides of various issues (in my book, one chooses that leap of faith; faith and doubt are two sides of the same coin, one must take one with the other). If you were going to read one book that summarizes the Vatican II milieu, both the people who shaped it and how it continues to shape Catholic culture, I would highly recommend this book. Mr. Gibson has done his homework. Because of prior employment with the Vatican media arm, he has personal sources within the Vatican itself, as well as around the Roman Catholic world - he gives a first person account of the events of St. Peter's Square, when John Paul II's successor would be elected. Because of his personal conversion to Catholicism, he integrates an outsider's viewpoint with that of confused and educated cradle Catholics, such as myself. In this book, you will see the rise and fall of John Paul II, how then Cardinal Ratzinger carried out the work of the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith, how he has transitioned from the CDF to the papacy, and how various political and religious eddies and currents affect the ocean of world belief in which the Catholic Church finds itself. I like books like this, ones that offer useful insight and overall framework. One is free to disagree with the interpretation of the issues presented, but I think it is good to see the issues on the table, and their historical context. With 8 pages of notes and an 11 page index for a 365-page book, all sources are easily found and cross-referenced. Mr. Gibson has masterfully documented a potential turning point in Church history.

Positive/encouraging critique of Benedict

Comprehensive and extremely well researched, this critique of Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI places him in context of the most important developments in the Catholic Church for the past 50+ years. The presentation is totally enlightening. Gibson is honest and fair, yet calls Benedict to task for some of his failings---but explains where Benedict is coming from in reaction against problems in the Church, especially a few renegade excesses eminating from the Second Vatican Council. Yet so much good resulted from that Council, and Gibson emphasizes that, in its spirit, the opening address to the Council by Pope John XXIII should prevail as the new tone leading to reorientation of Rome toward differing opinions and opposition to error: "the Spouse of Christ prefers to make use of the medicine of mercy rather than that of severity. She considers that she meets the needs of the present day by demonstrating the validity of her teaching rather than by condemnations." (page 184) The title of the book becomes so clear in its last paragraph: "Perhaps the best advice for a pastor today, especially one whose high office can leave him so remote from the lives of his flock, would be to turn back to the very first word of the Rule of Benedict, and the guiding principle of religious obedience. 'Listen,' the Saint counsels, 'with the ear of your heart.'"

Great book for Catholics and Non-Catholics

This book by David Gibson, is a high quality work with an intelligent combination of historical accuracy and artistic description. You can immediately tell that it is written by a true Vatican "insider" with both an American and an Italian heart. It is easy to read, and gives the reader a sense of both the objectiveness of the Catholic Church (and it's newest Pope), and the depth and beautiful mystery of both. As Mr. Gibson is a convert to Catholicism, there are enough explanations that both Catholics and Non-Catholics alike will find this book easy to follow and will be able to form their own opinions. I would highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to familiarize themselves with the hierarchical Church or the role of the Church in International politics.

Lucid, fair though leaning left, truth and principle as reflecting of love

David Gibson does an outstanding job of presenting the core controversy regarding the Ratsinger years of the CDF and fairly presents the principles underlying the actions of Cardinal Ratzinger and the early directions of his papacy. Benedict XVI would say there is a core of truth well established by Scripture and Tradition that is no longer fertile soil for argument. The Roman Catholic Church is obligated out of love to stand firm; as Gibson says as a relflection of Benedict, "divine love finds its most complete expression in absolute truth, and thus the greatest act of love is to stand on principle." Though Gibson reveals his slight reformist bias especially in his treatment of the sacking of Fr. Thomas Reese as editor of the journal "America" (understandable as a fellow journalist), overall Gibson is careful to present the counter views in such a balanced way that one can fairly come away wih the the more conservative opinion after reading this book. A popular treatment of such a controversial area that demonstraits such restraint and balance is a wonderful work of journalism and is rare in the polarizing media. Gibsons work, for med stimulated much though regarding one of the fundamental problems in orthopraxy, how can one act in love and kindness, yet at the same time judge and stand firm. The answer is truth. Determinine the truth is of course our lifelong pursuit, and Gibson has provide insight into how Pope Benedict has arrived at his answers, and how that may effect the course of Catholicism.

The Best on Benedict

This beautifully written book (certainly Gibson is the best writer of solid prose of any of the major religious journalists or present-day religious writers) has force, insight, and deep research, and it moves along with constantly modulated critiques of the best and worst, and middle, in Benedict XVI. It is absurd to say that Gibson's book is partisan, for here he lays out crisp information that ANY papal historian, or any lay observer, simply has to know. This book will challenge those who have grumbled against the Pope from the start, and who will always call him 'Ratzinger' no matter what. And it will test those loyalist Catholics who say "my Pope, right or wrong.' The best book out there on Pope Benedict XVI, and certain to have a long shelf life.