Theological Reading Plan
These books are introductory only, even if some of them are the best introductions we can think of.
Believe it or not, but introductions will take you very far in your studies of the subject. Introductions are less like the foundations, and more like the blueprints of a skyscraper. They give you the subject at a sketch. These books below are some of the best sketches of Catholic theology available.
Aquinas, of course, wrote a book called The Summary of Theology. A “summary,” in his definition of the word, is something different from what we mean by “introduction.”
Aquinas’s Summa theologiae is not an introduction to theology, but a drawn-out systematization of it — which is more or less what summae were to the medievals who wrote them. It is, of course, our view that the best introductions to Catholic theology are those securely grounded in the Thomistic Summa.
You will notice that Pope Benedict XVI, Joseph Ratzinger, forms a significant part of this list. Ratzinger stands out in our minds as the "professor Pope." His teaching is eloquent and easily understood by many even as he expounds on some of the most dearly held subjects within our Faith. A student of Ratzinger is sure to be set on firm theological foundations.
Believe it or not, but introductions will take you very far in your studies of the subject. Introductions are less like the foundations, and more like the blueprints of a skyscraper. They give you the subject at a sketch. These books below are some of the best sketches of Catholic theology available.
Aquinas, of course, wrote a book called The Summary of Theology. A “summary,” in his definition of the word, is something different from what we mean by “introduction.”
Aquinas’s Summa theologiae is not an introduction to theology, but a drawn-out systematization of it — which is more or less what summae were to the medievals who wrote them. It is, of course, our view that the best introductions to Catholic theology are those securely grounded in the Thomistic Summa.
You will notice that Pope Benedict XVI, Joseph Ratzinger, forms a significant part of this list. Ratzinger stands out in our minds as the "professor Pope." His teaching is eloquent and easily understood by many even as he expounds on some of the most dearly held subjects within our Faith. A student of Ratzinger is sure to be set on firm theological foundations.
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Stage 1
1. Frank Sheed’s Theology for Beginners Theology is not always known for being clear. In fact, theology can appear opaque in the extremes. Sheed dispels such an idea through lucid and simple language. Setting forth the basic premises of the Faith with remarkable simplicity, this book is a must have for someone who seeks an introductory understanding of Christian principles and ideas about God. 2. Joseph Ratzinger’s Introduction to Christianity Written as a commentary on The Apostles Creed, this is one of Ratzinger's fundamental texts and it clearly from page 1 articulates how we as Christians and as modern men and women must engage with the faith and with the great struggle between belief and doubt. Narrative in nature the work is easily managed but can also be sat with and read meditatively. Stage 2
1. Matthew Levering’s Introduction to Vatican II This is an introduction to Vatican II with a detailed summary of each of its four central documents―the dogmatic constitutions―followed by explanations of how to interpret them. In contrast to other introductions, which pay little attention to the theological soil in which the documents of Vatican II germinated, Levering offers a reading of each conciliar Constitution in light of a key theological author from the era. With clarity, Levering lays out the key principles of the Council and how it forms the beginning of an ongoing theological event. 2. Joseph Ratzinger’s Nature and Mission of Theology Ratzinger wrote this book in response to the dialogue going concerning theology and the clarification of its methods and mission. Ratzinger reminds us that theology properly speaking must always be done from a and through faith. Without faith we do not have theology we have religious studies which remains insufficient to understand Revelation. Stage 3
1. Joseph Ratzinger’s Truth and Tolerance How can Christianity insist it is true in the face of other religions and philosophies making competing claims? Do truth and tolerance inevitably conflict with each other? Does respect for others mean all religions are equally true? Does the diversity of religions prove there’s no such thing as religious truth? Or do all religions ultimately teach the same thing? Are all religions capable of saving their adherents? Truth and Tolerance is Ratzinger’s careful answers to these important questions. 2. Joseph Ratzinger’s Spirit of the Liturgy Liturgy is not merely a matter of design or aesthetic principles. Liturgy is theology and Ratzinger, perhaps one of the greatest theologians today, makes this clear with this excellent work. The liturgy is one of the most obvious manifestations of our theology and is also one of the most difficult topics within the Church today. Ratzinger provides us with a set of principles or hermeneutics by which we can interpret and understand the liturgy and the theology behind it. Stage 4
1. Herbert McCabe’s God and Evil Our Dominican brother, Fr. Herbert McCabe, OP, was one of the best theologians of his day and his works directly confront some of the pressing questions of both his day and ours. He also explains, working through a Thomistic perspective, how we can rightly think of evil in a world made by God. McCabe's approach to God and evil is refreshingly unconventional given much that has been said about it of late. Yet it is also very traditional. 2. Herbert McCabe’s A New Creation McCabe's study of the sacraments and what it means to live in the Church and the Church's world. This is one book which stands out among the others for the profound clarity and simplicity with which McCabe brings to complex theological concepts. Stage 5
1. Robert Barron’s Exploring Catholic Theology Bishop Barron is one of the foremost evangelists of our day in this series of essays he covers a wide-ranging set of topics. The essays remind us that as a Church we are on mission within the world and as Catholics we must engage thoughtfully, sensitively and faithfully within the world for the sanctification of all things in Christ. 2. R. Cessario’s Introduction to Moral Theology In this book, Cessario depicts in a grand style and well-argued fashion what shape moral theology must take when one embraces moral realism. Cessario does not reduce the moral life to will and obligation, but embraces the totality of the human person made in the imago Dei who seeks Beatitude as part of a created world. |
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