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EphelDuath
Guest
I’ve read Rerum Novarum and other Papal encyclicals. What other texts are important? I’ve heard Aquinas wrote about it, in which texts are these contained?
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Hastrman
Guest
Well, I’d say “On Kingship” is where Aquinas discusses politics; there might be some in one of the Summas, too, I’m not sure.
There’s also Chesterton’s “Utopia of Usurers” (not a good intro to GKC, since he was very angry when he wrote it) and “Outline of Sanity,” both, I think, available on Gutenberg, and Belloc’s “Servile State”.
Warning, though: read all with an open mind, and don’t assume they’re using the terms in the same sense we do–they use “capitalism” in a very, very restricted, technical sense.
There’s also Chesterton’s “Utopia of Usurers” (not a good intro to GKC, since he was very angry when he wrote it) and “Outline of Sanity,” both, I think, available on Gutenberg, and Belloc’s “Servile State”.
Warning, though: read all with an open mind, and don’t assume they’re using the terms in the same sense we do–they use “capitalism” in a very, very restricted, technical sense.
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Genesis315
Guest
I think St. Thomas Aquinas’ book “On Kingship” has some about it, but I’m not sure. I have a book with a collection of his writings on politics and ethics so I can’t be totally sure where it came from–but I think it was “On Kingship” but it could be in his “Summa Contra Gentiles.”
Leo XIII’s “Diuturnum” has some good things in it, as well as “Immortale Dei.” Bl. John XXIII’s “Pacem en Terris” is also good and it takes into account the more diverse democratic societies we see in recent times.
Finally, St. Robert Bellarmine’s treatise “De Laicis” (On Civil Government) also has interesting things. He actually says authority is given by God to the people, and they delegate it to rulers whereas Aquinas, Leo, John, etc. say the people choose who wields the authority, but God bestows it on the wielder. It’s a subtle distinction, but one that can (but doesn’t always) lead to a different result given particular circumstances.
Leo XIII’s “Diuturnum” has some good things in it, as well as “Immortale Dei.” Bl. John XXIII’s “Pacem en Terris” is also good and it takes into account the more diverse democratic societies we see in recent times.
Finally, St. Robert Bellarmine’s treatise “De Laicis” (On Civil Government) also has interesting things. He actually says authority is given by God to the people, and they delegate it to rulers whereas Aquinas, Leo, John, etc. say the people choose who wields the authority, but God bestows it on the wielder. It’s a subtle distinction, but one that can (but doesn’t always) lead to a different result given particular circumstances.
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markomalley
Guest
I understand you’ve read Rerum Novarum.
HOW about Graves De Communi Re (On Christian Democracy)? Or Inscrutabili dei Consilio (On the Evils of Society)? Libertas (On the Nature of Human Liberty)? Or Quod Apostolici Muneris (On Socialism)?
Those are overlooked a LOT.
Pius XII, Summi Pontificatus and Pius XI, Divini Redemptoris, are also very important documents – as timely now as when they were written.
Or the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church?
The point is that there are a lot of authoritative documents that actually represent Magesterial teachings. I would refer to them and consider them prior to reading non-Magesterial documents (which, a lot of times, reflect a core materialistic attitude that, although they have the surface appearance of holiness, will lead somebody away from the actual teachings of the Church).
HOW about Graves De Communi Re (On Christian Democracy)? Or Inscrutabili dei Consilio (On the Evils of Society)? Libertas (On the Nature of Human Liberty)? Or Quod Apostolici Muneris (On Socialism)?
Those are overlooked a LOT.
Pius XII, Summi Pontificatus and Pius XI, Divini Redemptoris, are also very important documents – as timely now as when they were written.
Or the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church?
The point is that there are a lot of authoritative documents that actually represent Magesterial teachings. I would refer to them and consider them prior to reading non-Magesterial documents (which, a lot of times, reflect a core materialistic attitude that, although they have the surface appearance of holiness, will lead somebody away from the actual teachings of the Church).
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EphelDuath
Guest
Thanks.
Any place I could read “On Kingship” online?
Any place I could read “On Kingship” online?
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markomalley
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EphelDuath
Guest
Thanks. Any political theorists (Angela Merkel, for example) worth reading of?
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bengal_fan
Guest
how about Acts chapter 2? oh wait, that is about Christian socialism!!
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Hastrman
Guest
No it’s not. Nothing can be about Christian socialism anymore than it can be about square circles–contradictions in terms are grammatically valid but actually meaningless.how about Acts chapter 2? oh wait, that is about Christian socialism!!
It’s about how a tiny religious community that was far from mainstream ought to apportion its wealth. Not how the whole of society ought to.
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CathFaith1
Guest
I do find the writings of Leo XIII strong. Especially being reminded of who is the author of righful governance is, Diuturnum (On The Origin Of Civil Power). (A good start)
I also found some comments on the question of religious freedom of Cardinal Ratzinger interesting as well, Cardinal Ratzinger Commends U.S. Model of Laicism
I also found some comments on the question of religious freedom of Cardinal Ratzinger interesting as well, Cardinal Ratzinger Commends U.S. Model of Laicism
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bengal_fan
Guest
it’s actually about the ideal society. it’s how it is supposed to be. which is why, just through the living out of this ideal, “the Lord added to their number daily, those who were being saved.” Christian socialism is not an oxymoron. Catholic democracy is.
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