Customer Reviews

Disputed Truth: Memoirs (Volume 2)

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This is a truly fine book.

The second volume of Dr. Hans Kung's memoirs is vintage Kung: encyclopedic, opinionated but fair, quite engaging in style, and fascinating in detail. Bowden's translation brilliantly conveys into English Kung's verve and intensity in German (I have to take this as the case based on opinions of friends who read German fluently) - translator and author are very well matched in talent. Highly recommended (indeed, required) reading for any student of modern religion, theology, Christianity, or the Roman Catholic Church. Kung's courage, honesty, and humanity come through clearly, as in his first volume, but here his style is even more relaxed. He is a towering figure in theology, a scholar of amazing intellect, and a great man, and there is much to take in and benefit from here.

His dedication to the gospel message of Christianity is telling and present throughout the book, and his love for this church is readily apparent - he is an fine example of the value and tenacity of "the loyal opposition."

This does come to the point: many readers will be curious about Kung's treatment of the controversy that has been central to his life, and this book is the one to read if you want his take on the events that made him a hero to those who love intellectual freedom and revere the true message of Christianity. Those people will also be angered by the decades of persecution Kung has suffered. It will also interest, but probably further enrage, those who hold very highly conservative views in the Roman Catholic church. I only hope that those in the latter camp will actually read the entire book and try to keep an open mind while doing so.

Kung's treatment of Dr. Joseph Ratzinger (the current Pope Benedict XVI) is detailed, very fair, and full of insight into this man as a person and a scholar. I can only say that you must read the whole book to appreciate the care Kung took in writing about his changing and complex relationship with Father Ratzinger.

One note: the Amazon Editorial Review is incorrect when it states that "This second volume covers the period following the close of the Second Vatican Council right up to the present day." That was Kung's intent when he closed volume one. But in this book he was only able to describe his life up to about 1980. There are only a few remarks about events after that year, scattered about the book and present in his opening and closing sections. He clearly state that, Deo Volente, he will conclude with a third volume that brings his life up to the present. I am glad that Kung made this decision, since, for historical reasons alone, we need the sort of detail he gives in the present book.

I am basically a Protestant in my orientation as a Christian, which influences my outlook as a person and as a professional scholar of religion; I hasten to add that I have always deeply respected the Roman Catholic Church, and Kung's many writings, including this book, have only increased my respect, admiration, and affection for this great denomination. Kung has fought nobly to return his church to it's true gospel roots and greatness, and for the reuniting of all Christendom, as well as for religious tolerance and religious freedom worldwide. I find this volume, and his life, very moving. May God grant this fine man the health and years to write the third installment of his autobiography, and perhaps other books as well.

This book is in the line of great autobiography, an Apologia Pro Vita Sua for our day. Five stars plus, Father Kung!!!!

Hans Kung's writing is like spending time with a great elder statesman, professor, priest who humbly shares experience, insights,personal history, triumphs, battles, faith, and freedom. In a world that has many who would return to the 1950's as if it were a better time-- Kung has always had the faith and courage to be a progressive thinker who in the slow process of reform does not throw the proverbial baby out with the bath water. That the hierarchy of the Roman Church stripped him of his teaching position for challenging policies like Papal Infallibility-- only makes a stronger case for examining the difference between faith and dogma. Or shall we call that the difference between faith and the snarfy "watchdog-ma" hierarchical system that emphasizes hierarchical power over the servant role of the priesthood. This book is also a wonderful contextual examination of contemporary European history. Wonderfully written-- albeit not a quick "throw away" read-- but well worth the time spent with Hans Kung. I've already bought the autobiography continued-- Disputed Truth: Memoirs II by Hans Kung--

A well thought out book by one of the foremost thinkers in philosophy and religion that I have read out of the last century. What an incredible life! The book makes clear some things about Kueng and his life-long struggle to remain a person of deep and abiding faith in a time when sometimes faith seems impossible. It has never been a disappointment to hear what this great thinker has to say.