The Church Maintained in Truth

by Hans Küng

Investigates the nature of Christian truth and how it is determined, the way the Church is guided by the Holy Spirit, and whether or not the Church is protected from serious errors in faith and morals

Genres: Theology

87 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

KÜNG's LAST BOOK BEFORE HIS CENSURE

Hans Küng (born 1928) is a Swiss Catholic priest, theologian, and author, who was famously censured by the Vatican in 1979 (see 'Kung in Conflict,' 'The New Inquisition? The Case of Edward Schillebeeckx and Hans Kung,' 'The Kung Dialogue: Facts and Documents') and declared no longer authorized to teach "Catholic theology," though he remains a priest in good standing. He has written many other books, such as 'On Being a Christian,' 'Does God Exist?: An Answer for Today,' 'Eternal Life?: Life After Death as a Medical, Philosophical and Theological Problem,' etc.

He wrote in the Preface of this 1979 book, "Why should there be a Church in the third millennium and even later? Why should its truth not ultimately come to an end once and for all? Why should the Church remain indefinitely in the truth? Is there to be a Church perpetually maintained in truth, despite all errors? These are questions to which an answer will be presented here... It is meant to be a 'theological reflection' in the light of the Christian message itself."

After quoting several New Testament texts about the Church, he observes, "these 'classical' statements about the Church and truth do not a priori exclude errors either of certain persons or in certain statements." (Pg. 14) He asserts that "there is no need at all for panic. Error on the part of the Church's magisterium in serious definitions of faith or morals is in any case a fact---and we are still alive." (Pg. 33) In response to the question of why the Holy Spirit did not prevent such errors, he replies, "God's Spirit does not nullify man's humanity: to err is human." (Pg. 37)

He argues that "faith is not expressed in propositions. True faith is maintained even through untrue propositions... Christian faith, like love, can be wholly real, even if one of its propositions is not correct." (Pg. 46) The value of a council such as Vatican II "lies in making a constructive contribution, without any claim to infallibility... to the solution of the great problems of the Church, of Christendom, of society, and of humanity today." (Pg. 53)

Küng's censure came shortly after this book was published, and was the only one specifically cited by Vatican officials as support for their actions. While not "Catholic theology," it remains a thought-provoking CHRISTIAN meditation on the meaning of the church in the modern world.

[C. John Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. This work attempts to show the way in which the church can continue to be truthful in its teachings. It shows what needs to be retained and what needs to be jettisoned. Kung argues that certain concepts, such as Papal infallibility actually are harmful to the church’s work. Although primarily aimed at the Roman Catholic Church these arguments can be applied to other denominations as well. This is a book that should be read by every Christian, especially those who are not prepared to accept the argument from authorities that say do or believe such and such because I told you so, never a valid argument/reason for anything.
One historical note, when the Roman Catholic hierarchy stripped Kung of his capability to teach as a Roman Catholic this was the only work of his cited. One amusing aspect was that although the position he held, Professor of Ecumenical Theology, was part of the Roman Catholic side of Tubingen University the position was one where the German government held the right to appoint the holder, and they refused to remove Kung from the position.