Christianity and World Religions: Paths of Dialogue with Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism

by Hans Küng, Heinrich Von Stietencron (Contributor), Josef van Ess (Contributor)

Kung joins with three esteemed colleagues to address the "Can we break through the barriers of noncommunication, fear, and mistrust that separate the followers of the world's great religions?" The authors analyze the main lines of approach taken by Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, and give Christian responses to the values and challenges each tradition presents.

Genres: Religion, Theology, Christianity, Nonfiction, Islam

480 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1985

Reviews

[Bradley Blaylock · Rating 2 out of 5]

Do not recommend. Did not find this book sufficiently well written or helpful.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rated 5 stars, on the combined strengths of Part A on Islam and Part C on Buddhism. e.g. With such incisive questions from Küng as "where is the basic difference between Jesus and the Buddha to be found?" (p.325)

If Part B on Hinduism were omitted, it would make little difference; the middle section neither adds nor detracts much. e.g. "just as the earthworm can become a Brahman, and a Brahman an earthworm..." (p.257)

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to disagree with Kung. His knowledge of other religions is so extensive, sometimes he seems like he's more of an expert than the experts he dialogues with. Moreover, his theoretical moves are so sophisticated, it's remarkable he hasn't synthesized all the world religions to completion. The biggest payoff is watching Kung do his thing, inspiring hope that adherents of the religions can see adherents of other religions as a part of the very human participation in meaning and morality that we ourselves partake in, all while maintaining the integrity of our own traditions, and even sharpening and being sharpened by others.

The book overall gets a bit pedantic at times, with the flow and well organized layout of Kung's writing largely bearing the load of rhetorical tempo. A downside in my opinion is some unclarity in the writing, partly due to appealing to more philosophical theories in theorizing about the various religions, without clarifying ambiguities in the terms borrowed from the philosophical theories. This makes some of the prose difficult to understand. While the writers obviously have some knowledge of philosophy, the philosophical theories are appealed to often times without argument or reflective scrutiny.

Overall... this is a book for people who already have some knowledge of the religions discussed, even knowledge at the more academic level. For those who find themselves in such a position, and who are interested in the task of seeing both peace between and integrity within the various religions, this is an excellent book.

[Ephrem Arcement · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kung has his finger right on the pulse (and this book was first published in the mid-eighties!) when it comes to what is most important in religion as it relates (and contributes!) to global conflict. This contribution to inter-religious dialogue goes a long way in setting out the trajectories and exploring avenues of similarities and differences between Christianity and Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Kung is as insightful and theologically precise as ever in this important contribution to world peace.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone interested in this topic.