Infallible? An Unresolved Enquiry

by Hans Küng

When it first appeared, in 1971, this book caused its author to lose his license from the church to teach. Long unavailable, the book now appears with a new preface and a survey of the discussion of papal infallibility.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Catholic, Philosophy

289 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Hans Küng was a Swiss Catholic priest, controversial theologian, and prolific author. Since 1995 he had been President of the Foundation for a Global Ethic (Stiftung Weltethos). Küng is "a Catholic priest in good standing," but the Vatican has rescinded his authority to teach Catholic theology. Though he had to leave the Catholic faculty, he remained at the University of Tübingen as a professor of Ecumenical Theology and served as Emeritus Professor since 1996. In spite of not being allowed to teach Catholic theology, neither his bishop nor the Holy See had revoked his priestly faculties.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly one of the best books I have read this year. The initial section, heavy on clerical lingo, was tough - but worth it given the weight and incision of the later chapters. I was astounded by the clarity of his overall argument that the authority of the church is better described as 'indefectibility' and is derived not ultimately from the magisterium or pope alone, the ecumenical councils alone, or the Bible alone. In one grand stroke Kung has undermined the authoritarianism of the Catholic Church, the conciliarism of the Orthodox, and the Biblicism of most Protestants. In the end, the infallibility of the church is found only in the triune God who revealed Himself in space-time and incarnated himself as good news, gospel. The Holy Spirit, whom Christ sends, is the authority who leads the church into truth, infallible truth - not construed in a Cartesian sense - but in the sense in which Jesus is truth... And this is what all the various streams of Christianity must return to. Christ at the centre - not the fallible ways of men.

[Harry Allagree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though written in 1970, this book couldn't be more relevant than for today. Küng's writing isn't easy to get through. He often interrupts a thought with a parenthesis or clarifying phrase. He's passionate, even a little frenetically enthusiastic! He keeps very consistently to his basic theme, articulated simply in the very title. He backs it up with A-1 Scriptural evidence and clear reasoned explanation. For me the best chapter was the last: "An Answer", especially his section "Outlook: the Pope as he might be". I'd be interested to hear his observations of the new Pope Francis. For myself, the latter appears, so far, as one with the potential to approach becoming what a Pope might be. Nevertheless, I have to go with Küng in at least wondering "whether this will not once again be too late and therefore with too heavy losses." Only time will tell.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE BOOK FOR WHICH KÜNG WAS CENSURED

Hans Küng wrote in the Preface to this 1970 book, "In this book, then, the complex of questions relating to the ecclesiatical teaching authority and, at the same time, the question of infallibility in particular will be taken up. In our previous book on the Church ('The Church') infallibility was dealt with---for good reason---merely marginally; but... the present developments within the Church make such a treatment imperative."

He states in the first chapter some "classical errors of the ecclesiastical teaching office, now largely admitted," including: the excommunication of Photius (the Patriarch of Constantinople); the prohibition of interest; the condemnation of Galileo; the former rejection of modern critical-historical approaches to the Bible, etc. (Pg. 31-32)

He concludes that "the permissibility of contraception could have been conceded only under the one condition completely unacceptable to the Pope and Curia, of disavowing the traditional teaching of the Church... of admitting an error in this teaching of the Church." (Pg. 50-51)

He summarizes: "(the teaching against contraception) is regarded by a large part of the Church and of theology as false an erroneous... neither Vatican I nor Vatican II... has substantiated... that the Church, her leadership or her theology, can produce propositions which a priori cannot be false... If we are honest, we cannot dispute factual errors of the ecclesiastical 'teaching office,' both ordinary and extraordinary." (Pg. 174) He suggests that "the Church's being true is not absolutely dependent on quite definite infallible propositions, but on her remaining in the truth throughout all---even erroneous---propositions." (Pg. 182)

This is the book for which Küng's "teaching authority" was removed; but it nevertheless seems, more than forty years after the fact, to point out many seemingly obvious truths. It is of considerable interest (and not merely "historical") for anyone interested in modern Catholic theology.

[Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Küng's inquiry raises questions against what he calls a "more or less hopeless situation." Approaching the question by first dissecting both Vatican councils to confront the theological and historical backing for the Petrine succession, Küng challenges the Roman pontiff's powers of proclamation as well as those ascribed to the teaching office of the Catholic church. In examining the philosophical nature of an "inability to err," Küng reassuringly stresses the indefectibility rather than infallibility of the universal church while decidedly focusing on the infallible nature of God himself. Through Orthodox, Reformed and Roman veins of thought, he explores church leadership and the teaching office to ultimately support his rather hopeful vision of what the papacy could be. While Küng's inquiry does come down hard on infallible proclamation, his answer to what the office of pope could look like may come, in his own words, "too late and therefore with too heavy losses."

Admittedly the first half of the book is a bit sluggish. Some redunencies perpetuate the rather firm condemnation of the Vatican councils, but ultimately lend well to the latter half of the book as he consistently roots his argument here. His hesitation to give a firm answer only leaves room for more questions to arise, but Küng's attempts to answer some of them does cast a hopeful light. His thoughts do build remarkably well despite some of his wandering explanations, but overall well organized and clear.

[graceofgod · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed feelings about this.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kung's first couple chapters are an excellent overview of ahistorical and risky nature of Vatican's understanding of its infallibility. The later parts of the book, however, are a bit esoteric, and probably only interesting to the scholar of Vatican I and II. Still, a worthy book that every Catholic should consider.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hans Kung is a clear and thorough writer. Interesting look at why the Catholic Church is institutionally backward on issues like birth control. Vatican II. Silly old men.