Tracing the Way [Hardcover]

Hans Küng (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2001 | ISBN-10: 0826456839 | ISBN-13: 978-0826456830

Kung casts an analytical eye over the major world religions and offers a view of the present and what that means when measured against the past. He surveys, as succinctly as possible, the historical stages of each world religion and analyzes their major paradigms and paradigm shifts. "Tracing the Way" attempts to understand the religions, in both text and pictures, as objectively as possible and discusses the social, political and historical contexts of the many forms of belief that exist today.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Hans Kung is Emeritus Professor of Ecumenical Theology at the University of Tubingen and President of the Global Ethic Foundation. He is the author of numerous best selling books including On Being a Christian (Harper Collins).

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group (November 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826456839
• ISBN-13: 978-0826456830
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,648,688 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Text of a Documentary Speaks Clearly, August 1, 2005

By 

B. McIntyre (Little Chute, WI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tracing the Way: Spiritual Dimensions of the World Religions (Paperback)

I teach World Religions at the college level and I have found Kung to be a helpful resource on the world religions. He is, in my view, fair, candid, and balanced, without grinding axes. This book is basically the text of a documentary he did in Germany on the world religions. It seems to flow nicely and hits the major points. Kung also includes his own analyses and opinions. As always, he is "Christian" without being nauseating about it. His years at Tubingen, and his vast experience in ecumenical dialogue, make Kung a seasoned and competent veteran whose insights are usually helpful to me in my classes.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All Along the Way, August 25, 2007

By 

Erik Mansager "emansager" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tracing The Way: Spiritual Dimensions of the World Religions (Paperback)

Kung is at his abbreviated best in "Tracing the Way: Spiritual Dimensions of the World Religions." Having already contributed mightily to the theology of world religions in his "Global Responsibility" series, this smallish volume summarizes his findings on the world religions easily and in a wholly engaging way. Full of wonderful pictures to illustrate what he shares, the book is fast moving and -- dare I say? -- fun. The book covers the religion of native peoples, Hindu, the Chinese religions, Buddhism, Judaism Christianity and Islam. Each section addresses the major personalities, holy sites, scriptures, and -- in vintage Kung -- what the future might bring. Fascinating and thought provoking.

"Tracing the Way" comes from the script of a TV series Kung did and so reads on the popular side. To know Kung's efforts in the arena of world peace by developing dialogues among the religions -- for which he has also been considered as a Nobel recipient -- should assure the reader that the material is impeccably accurate and sympathetic.

The title is a translation out of the German. What Kung seems to mean about the world religions being on "the way" is that humanity is thereby exploring its deeper yearnings to become whole and truthful and fully human.

For what it is intended, a popular introduction to the world religions in a holistic and accurate manner, the book gets top ratings. I'm using it to supplement a psychology course in "Advanced Religious and Spiritual Interventions" and it is doing marvelously among the students.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tracing the Way, May 19, 2009

By 

John-mike S. Rujimora "JohnR" (Miami,Fl) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tracing the Way: Spiritual Dimensions of the World Religions (Paperback)

I had to purchase this book for one of my classes. I got it in a timely manner. I would say over all its an interesting book to pick up and read, but to be honest it isnt a book I would just pick up randomly. Like I said it was for class. But if your into that stuff then you should enjoy this book.