Great Christian Thinkers: Paul, Origen, Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Schleiermacher, Barth [Paperback]

Hans Küng (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0826408486 | ISBN-13: 978-0826408488 | Publication Date: May 1, 1994

"[S]olidly researched, informative description and evaluation of seven monumental Christian thinkers groupedand related incisively by a brilliant contemporary theological mind. A treat not to be missed." -National Catholic Reporter"[A]s insightful as it is penetrating. The essays can indeed serve as introductions in and of themselves, each with a short biigraphy, a delineation of the theological positions held, and a concluding assessment of what lies ahead." -Anglican Theological Review>

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Kung, the director of the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Tubingen, Germany, is a prominent but independent Catholic theologian and prolific author. Here, he attempts a new approach to the introduction-to-theology genre by critically tracing the developing thought of key, usually "paradigm-shifting," theologians (Paul, Origen, Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Schleiermacher, and Karl Barth) in relation to their social, intellectual, and religious environment. He explores the significance of their life and work for the Christian world in an interesting, quite understandable manner. The translation is a smooth, lively English. Readers of this fair and thought-provoking survey, whether curious lay readers or beginning seminary students, will be inspired to delve into the well-chosen chapter bibliographies and extensive references.
Eugene O. Bowser, Univ. of Northern Colorado, Greeley
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 236 pages
• Publisher: Continuum (May 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826408486
• ISBN-13: 978-0826408488
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #313,331 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book About 7 Great Thinkers--Written by #8!, October 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Great Christian Thinkers: Paul, Origen, Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Schleiermacher, Barth (Paperback)

This book is a shortened, more accessible version of Kung's mammoth work "Christianity: Essence, History, and Future." Kung highlights the careers of 7 Christian theologians: Paul, Origen, Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Schleiermacher, and Barth. I agree with Feltz's comment that the book gives a skewed portrayal of Barth's theology, and does not go into any real depth on any of them. However, one must remember that it is not his aim to give an exhaustive overview of their theologies. He is attempting to present these 7 thinkers as the initiators of new paradigms in church history. Therefore, Kung only emphasizes those aspects of their life and thought that represents this. Kung's analysis of the theological ideas that have moved Church History is first rate. As always, he is intellectually honest and responsible...never dogmatic or reactionary. In the end, he admits that all theologians (including himself) must be judged by their adherence to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and for this positive Christian witness, I salute him!

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply a great introduction and overview, September 3, 2003

By 

B. F. Mooney "biologist" (Mooresville, NC USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Great Christian Thinkers: Paul, Origen, Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Schleiermacher, Barth (Paperback)

Few theologians have the great, magisterial grasp of history or theology that Kung evidences here. He summarizes fairly the theology - shortcomings and strong points - of 7 major figures in Christian theology. At all times, his mastery of their works and his critical mind are strongly on display. Given what is communicated, it is an economically written book as well. These essays are like listening to the riveting lectures of a first-class teacher, and I think that is the mode Kung is in here, teaching. He does not expect to be the final word - it is clearly a short but comprehensive introduction - one can find more in depth treatments of each of his subjects. But for the space and time invested, the payoff for the small effort to read this book is great, and any reader will come away better educated, more insightful, and perhaps even inspired.

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good over view, but lacking in depth., August 18, 1999

By 

Adam Feltz ([e-mail]) (Columbia, SC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Christian Thinkers: Paul, Origen, Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Schleiermacher, Barth (Paperback)

In this work by Mr. Kung attempts to give an overview of the history of Christian thought. As is the case with any overview, it tends to lack depth due to the immense scope of the project, so it seems one cannot really fault him on that account. But near the end of the book, Kung seems to get too attached to that last figure, Barth. In his discussion of Barth, Kung takes too much liberty with his own personal convictions about Barth, and seems to skew the portrayal. This is not the case in the earlier discussions of Origen through Luther. One can see the onset of this personalization in the discussion of Schleiermacher. Overall I would rate this an adequate overview, especially the discussions of the earlier figures in which Kung does make some interesting comments.