Those looking for insights into the theological thought of Pope Benedict XVI will need to set aside the Summa Theologica and dust off their copies of The City of God. While reading George Weigel’s biography of John Paul II, Witness to Hope, I came across the interesting tidbit that Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger was the first prefect in centuries of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith who was not a Thomist. Weigel didn’t specifically mention who Ratzinger’s theological inspiration was, but I assumed it was Augustine of Hippo; an assumption that appears to have been on target:
"Joseph Ratzinger describes how he prefers Augustine to Thomas Aquinas, ‘whose crystal-clear logic seemed to me to be too closed in on itself, too impersonal and ready-made.’ Anyone familiar with Augustine and Aquinas would at least pause to reflect on this remark from a man characterized in the press as an inquisitor, rottweiler, enforcer.
"Augustine is the more mystical personality, closer in some ways to the ‘new age’ impulses of our times. In the writings of Augustine, arguably the most complex mind Christianity has produced, the exercise of deep faith carries with it the possibility of what I would call a ‘high’ experience in one’s pursuit of and relationship to God. That was the Church of the 5th century. In our time, religion has become freighted with correct politics (the Left) or correct morality (the Right), rather than the substance of one’s relationship with God."
Expound please…
I’m intrigued, please continue…
When I read the headline “Son of Augustine” I thought the post was about St. Augustine’s son, Godsend. In “The Teacher” Augustine recorded a dialogue with his teenage son which I found delightful. It is especially poignant in that his son died shortly after their discussion.
“Godsend,” a.k.a. Adeodatus.
i love augustine but, no offense, aquinas rules!
I like ’em both.
Excellent. I read City of God a few years back. That doesn’t mean I remember a whole lot of it, but I did read the darned thing. Next I need to read Augustine’s Confessions.
Trained in Thomas, but prefer Augustine.
St. Thomas loved St. Augustine, too. 😀
I recall Fr. Groeschel once saying that Thomists and Augustinians are born, not made. I’m still trying to figure out which I am!
Can anyone recommend a good text for the layperson that explores the differences between the two doctors’ approaches?
Sine Augustine, Thoma mutus esset
Perhaps a good translation of Confessions will tell you whether you like Augustine.
the left is correct politics????!
political correctness, maybe. are they equivalent?