The Legacy of Pope John Paul II: The Central Teaching of His 14 Encyclical Letters
Overview
Popes are the Church’s chief shepherds. While some focused on governing the Church and addressing challenges from the world, others recognized their primary responsibility to proclaim and teach the Gospel. Alan Schreck calls these the “teaching popes” and John Paul II was such a pope, leading the Church and impacting the world with his witness and his teaching.
The encyclical letter has been, in modern times, the instrument for popes to express their most important teaching—teachings that have lasting value for the Church, and often for the whole world. Schreck invites the reader to become familiar with the encyclical letters of Pope John Paul II. In The Legacy of Pope John Paul II, Schreck breaks down more scholarly writing into accessible language. The reflection questions and suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter help facilitate a systematic study of the central teachings of this brilliant but pastoral pope, who conveyed the truth in love.
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
This volume is part of the Catholic Church and Ecclesiology Collection (6 vols.).
- Presents the encyclical letters of John Paul II
- Offers insight into the teaching of the Church
- Interprets papal encyclicals in a more accessible way
- Redemptor Hominis “The Redeemer of Man”: The First Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II
- Dives in Misericordia “Rich in Mercy”: The Second Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II
- Laborem Exercens “On Human Work”: The Third Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II
- Slavorum Apostoli “On Sts. Cyril and Methodius”: The Fourth Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II
- Dominum et Vivificantem “Lord and Giver of Life”: The Fifth Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II
- Redemptoris Mater “Mother of the Redeemer”: The Sixth Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II
- Sollicitudo Rei Socialis “On Social Concerns”: The Seventh Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II
- Redemptoris Missio “The Mission of the Redeemer”: The Eighth Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II
- Centesimus Annus “On the Centenary of Rerum Novarum”: The Ninth Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II
- Veritatis Splendor “The Splendor of Truth”: The Tenth Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II
- Evangelium Vitae “The Gospel of Life”: The Eleventh Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II
- Ut Unum Sint “That They May Be One. . .”: The Twelfth Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II
- Fides et Ratio “Faith and Reason”: The Thirteenth Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II
- Ecclesia de Eucharistia “The Eucharistic Church”: The Fourteenth Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II
Top Highlights
“‘If you continue in my word, … you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free’ (Jn. 8:31–32) (cf. 34.3). In short, true freedom is freedom to discover the truth and to live according to it once it is found.” (Page 89)
“our greatest help in forming our consciences is the Church and her Magisterium” (Page 92)
“Freedom is not freedom from the truth, but freedom in the truth,” (Page 92)
“Pope John Paul takes up this issue in detail, arguing that there is a human nature that God created ‘in the beginning’ with a specific moral dimension that is not determined by humans: there is a human nature that is not dependent on peoples’ culture nor upbringing, nor psychological or sociological factors. There are, he argues, ‘objective norms of morality’ (53.1; cf. GS 16). This means that human freedom can either be used properly (observing and following these norms) or improperly (ignoring or rejecting these norms).” (Page 90)
“Conscience, in Scripture, is a ‘witness,’ which ‘in a certain sense confronts man with the law’ showing him either his faithfulness or unfaithfulness to it (57.2). Furthermore, he points out that conscience is not just an interior ‘dialogue’ within a person about what is right or wrong, but ‘it is also a dialogue of man with God, the author of the law.… Moral conscience … opens [the person] to the call, the voice of God’ (58).” (Page 91)
Not many people have the time or background to read and understand all of John Paul II’s encyclicals. Alan Schreck has done us all a great service in clearly and carefully bringing out the essential points of all the encyclicals.
—Ralph Martin, Sacred Heart Major Seminary
As one who prepares people to be catechists and religious educators, I really appreciate this recent work of Alan Schreck. Here again in The Legacy of Pope John Paul II, he breaks down more scholarly writing into accessible language. The reflection questions and suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter help facilitate a systematic study of the central teachings of this brilliant but pastoral pope, who conveyed the truth in love.
—M. Johanna Paruch, professor of catechetics, Franciscan University of Steubenville
This book is a treasury for research, reflection, and meditation. Keep it available, read it, and use it regularly.
—Michael Scanlon, TOR, president emeritus, Franciscan University of Steubenville
- Title: The Legacy of Pope John Paul II: The Central Teaching of His 14 Encyclical Letters
- Author: Alan Schreck
- Publisher: Emmaus Road
- Print Publication Date: 2012
- Logos Release Date: 2013
- Pages: 174
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: John Paul II, Pope, 1920-2005 › Criticism and interpretation; Encyclicals, Papal
- Resource ID: LLS:LGCYPPJHNPL
- Resource Type: text.monograph.study-guide
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T20:13:37Z