BENEDICT XVI ON FAITH, REASON AND SENSE OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

U članku se promišlja o doprinosu teologa i pape Josepha Ratzingera (Benedikta XVI.) na području teologije, filozofije te kršćanskog života. Konkretno se promatra situacija vjernika pred izazovima pluralnog i sekulariziranog društva koje izbjegava dublja pitanja o smislu života jer tu vjera može „nešto reći“, a čovjek često izbjegava istinu života. Cilj je člankom pokazati kako Ratzinger ulazi u sučeljavanje sa znanstvenicima različita svjetonazora s namjerom da argumentira „razloge nade koja je u nama“ (usp. 1 Pt 3, 15) i koji primjećuje da je u znanosti na pomolu „nova antropologija“ koja lišava čovjeka svakog dostojanstva stvarajući ga prema ljudskim mjerilima i željama. Zato je navještaj Boga danas kušnja teologiji te je teolog pozvan prvenstveno biti osobom molitve, tj. Božjeg iskustva kako bi djelovanje teologa bilo plodno i ljudima privlačno, tj. vodilo Bogu. Ako su djela najbolji „dokaz“ autentična svjedočenja Boga, tada je i govor o kršćanskom iskustvu bitan. Stoga članak razmatra i iskustva svetaca koji su bili osobe prokušane i valjano proživljene vjere. Za Josepha Ratzingera (Benedikta XVI.) vjera je onaj pokretač koji nudi smisao i cjelovitost ljudskog života jer čovjek bez Boga ne zna kamo ide, a još manje razumije tko je on sam.The article ponders the contribution of the theologian and pope Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) in the field of theology, philosophy and the Christian life. The situation of the faithful is considered in respect to the challenges of plural and secular society, that often avoids deeper questions regarding the meaning of life, because faith can “say something” while man often avoids the truth of life. The aim of the author is to show how Ratzinger enters into discussion with the scientists of different worldviews, with intention to argue “the reasons for faith in us” (1 Pt 3,15). He notes that in the science a “new anthropology” is being profiled, depriving the man of every dignity, creating it according to human measures and desires. Therefore, the annunciation of God today is a test for theology, and the theologian is invited to be a man of prayer, of God’s experience, in order to render fruitful and appealing the mission of the theologian, and as such - leading to God. Deeds are the best “proof” of an authentic testimony of God, therefore, the discourse of Christian experience is important, so the article ponders the experience of the saints, persons of a tested and soundly lived faith. For Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI), faith is the mover offering sense and wholeness of the human life, because man without God does not know where he is going to, and even less understands who it is