On Being a Christian

In my 42-year career as a scientist I scarcely had time for religious education, meditation and inspiration. In my so-far 12 years of retirement I have been led to broadening my knowledge and appreciation of religion -- man's attempt to find spiritual meaning in the universe, a universe whose physical side man has so successfully investigated and revealed through science The figure of Jesus has always been of utmost interest to me, particularly his human side -- and now of late, his spiritual significance. Jesus is without a doubt the most influential person who ever lived in Western society, witness the countless buildings and institutions that exist today in his wake. And yet it is extremely difficult to separate the mythical from the factual aspects of his life and death. This is where this book and a previous one I reviewed, "The Gospel of Jesus Christ" by mathematical physicist John Davidson, have come to my sorely-needed rescue. Kung's book is a thorough, brilliant, and ultimately convincing attempt to get at the heart of the motivation and end result of Jesus' short life on earth. I was led to Kung by a sermon I heard a number of years ago at a Unitarian Church in Ft. Collins, CO in which an excerpt from Kung's book described the difference between the end of Jesus' life and the deaths of other religious leaders. That sermon was powerful to me then, and still speaks to me today. It pointed out with Kung that whereas others died in old age, surrounded by their disciples and wives after satisfactorily accomplishing their mission, Jesus' early death was stark, brutal, and utterly cheerless. He was tortured, deserted by his followers -- seemingly even deserted by the personal God of whom he so ardently and sincerely spoke. Is this seeming abandonment at a young age by man and God the ultimate source of his meaning to mankind? A respected Catholic theologian, Kung is unremittingly honest in his attempt to get at the truth of the times. In contrast to Schweitzer's somewhat impersonal theological style in "A Quest for the Historical Jesus", Kung's style results in a much more human narrative, drawing you convincingly into the times and mind of Jesus. The book is almost equally divided into two parts, half before and half after the death of Jesus. I must admit that I have read only the first half; the revelation of the meaning of Jesus' life is yet to be given by Kung. But even at this point I cannot resist encouraging others to pick up this amazingly insightful and thoughtful volume -- to peruse it, to underline and to savor it. Man has learned to fathom many of the secrets of the universe, but they are limited to its non-spiritual aspects. This knowledge can lead either to exaltation and benefit from man's influence on earth, or to our death and destruction. The ultimate outcome of our reign on earth will be determined by spiritual aspects of our search for knowledge that so far, and maybe even in the long run, are inac

This is an excellent book. I first read it 10 or more years ago. My copy is now marked over, underlined, written in and I keep returning to it like an old friend. It is next to my bed and next to my bible, my favorite book. He is an outstanding writer. The book is for believers and nonbelievers. His section on the cross of Christ is one that inspires me each time I read it "The cross of Christ....becomes an appeal to renounce a life steeped in selfishness....It means a brave life, undertaken by innumberable people, without fear even in the face of fatal risks, through struggle, suffering, death, in firm trust and hope in the goal of true freedom, love, humanity, eternal life. The offense, the sheer scandal, was turned into an amazing experience of salvation, the way of the cross into a possible way of life"Read it. You will enjoy it.

Hans Kung writes as one thoroughly committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, unlike some Christian writers, Kung writes with an intellectual depth and honesty that is refreshing. Kung does not shy away from bringing the Christian message into a living dialogue with modern scholarship, the other world religions, and the real challenges facing the human race today. I take issue with his sometimes-unconditional acceptance of higher Biblical criticism. However, as a Christian, I contend that Kung provides a true, relevant, and comprehensive analysis of the Christian faith for our time. A must-read for any serious theologian!

Kung writes very well and made me think a great deal. He opened my mind to seeing christianity in ways I hadn't thought of before. I liked this book a great deal-the author comes across as a deeply caring man of great humanity. While I am still an atheist, this book made me stop and think very respectfully about what was written. Convincing? Not quite. Moving? Yes.

Where Lewis is obviously easier to read, Kung is obviously better informed, more aware, in closer contact with the world religions, ideaologies, and faiths of the planet. Where Lewis is simple and clear, Kung is complex and multiform like the two thousand year old topic he dissects and explores is. Where Lewis is thoroughly right in his little picture of god and jesus and the church, Kung is deeply commited to dialogue, to learning, to challenging and confronting the orthodox and all the so called "pious" theologians and apologetes who are always so "right".