Judaism: Between Yesterday and Tomorrow

by Hans Küng

Swiss-German theologian Kung planned this massive synthesis of Christian history and systematic theology as a sequel to his On Being Christian (1976) and as a companion to Judaism (Crossroad, 1992). Ever the Catholic Church's "faithful critic," Kung displays a dazzling breadth of scholarship. Professor of ecumenical theology at the University of Tubingen, he bases his approach on five historical paradigm Jewish apocalyptic Christianity, early church ecumenism, the Roman system in the medieval papal church, the Reformation, and modern democracy. He notes dominant influences in each, presenting his convictions on the essence of Christianity and moving toward a polycentrism where Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical traditions are not mutually exclusive. Over 30 diagrams and many stimulating "questions for the future" sidebars are included. Not all readers will accept the views of this Vatican II peritus (nor did the Vatican in 1973). But the work is a remarkable achievement for a church always in need of reform and reformers. Recommended for all theology collections

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Judaism, History, Jewish

782 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

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 Küng is "a Catholic priest in good standing," but the Vatican has rescinded his authority to teach Catholic theology.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

[Eve Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hans Kung, a Catholic theologian who was at one time on the outs with the Catholic Church for his honesty and his critical thinking, has completed a masterpiece of Jewish history, including its influence over Western Civilization and the development of Christianity and Islam. This is a must read book for anyone interested in Jewish history.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have read twice.

[TiEsse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magnificent work, part of an even more magnificent project that aims to be a pillar for interreligious dialogue. Kung's approach is always wonderfully kind, he's never dogmatic or prejudicial. And provides always new, brilliant frames for well-known themes.

[нєνєℓ ¢ανα · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!