The Christian Faith in Its Encounter with Cultures and Religions -- The Unity and Diversity of Religions: The Place of Christianity in the History of Religions -- Interlude -- Faith, Religion, and Culture -- Variations on the Theme of Faith, Religion, and Culture -- Inclusivism and Pluralism -- Is Christianity a European Religion? -- Hellenization? -- Abraham and Melchizedek -- Distinguishing What Is Christian -- Multireligious and Interreligious Prayer -- Religions and the Question of Truth -- The New Questions That Arose in the Nineties: The Position of Faith and Theology Today -- The Truth of Christianity? -- Faith between Reason and Feeling -- Christianity–The True Religion? -- Faith, Truth, and Culture -- Reflections by Encyclical Fides et Ratio -- Truth–Tolerance–Freedom -- Faith–Truth–Tolerance --Freedom and Truth -- Individual Chapters Previously Published
Is truth knowable? If we know the truth, must hide it in the name of tolerance? Cardinal Ratzinger engages the problem of truth, tolerance, religion and Culture in the modern world. Describing the vast array of world religions, Ratzinger embraces the difficult challenge of meeting diverse understandings of spiritual truth while defending the Catholic teaching of salvation through Jesus Christ. "But what if it is true?" is the question that he poses to cultures that decry the Christian position on man's redemption. Upholding the notion of religious truth while asserting the right of religious freedom, Cardinal Ratzinger outlines the timeless teaching of the Magisterium in language that resonates with our embattled culture. A work of extreme sensitivity, understanding, and spiritual maturity, This book is an invaluable asset to those who struggle to hear the voice of truth in the modern religious world. "Beyond all particular questions, the real problem lies in the question about truth. Can truth be recognized? Or, is the question about truth simply inappropriate in the realm of religion and belief? But what meaning does belief then have, what positive meaning does religion have, if it cannot be connected with truth?" –Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger From the Preface.