Rating: 
Summary: A devastating deconstruction of the Papacy
Review:
Kung is usually referred in conservative Catholic circles as the crazy uncle in the attic. So, not having read him before, I was quite surprised at the effectiveness of his argument(s) in "The Catholic Church, A Short History." The title is somewhat misleading. Yes, church history is discussed, and Kung's grasp of that history is amazing. But this little book - 200 pages or so - is a diamond sharp assault on the papacy as it currently exists. And the bull's eye - is Infallibility. (Though other questionable doctrines, such as the Immaculate Conception, are also discussed.) After reading Kung's argument, and earlier, Garry Wills' "Papal Sins," I come away thinking there is simply no intellectual, or spiritual, leg on which to support this doctrine. To support it is to deny having a brain, and arguably, a soul. A good exercise after reading both books would be to run to the "Brothers Karamazov", and read "The Grand Inquisitor" chapter. Dostoevksy could see through the murk of argument, to the spiritual heart of the matter. With the insistence on infallibility, there can be no Christ, in fact, it insures ultimately, a rejection of Christ.
Wills' book however focuses on the historical efforts of Pius IX to put this doctrine in place - as well as those who fought against it. What Kung does is to trace this development, in stunning economy backed up with fact, all the way back to the eleventh century. For example, Kung's discussion regarding the Medieval use of forgeries to cement the notion of Roman primacy is particularly revealing. Kung does point out, however, that this chain did not necessarily have to lead to this doctrine. Choices still have to be made - unfortunately, historically most of them have been the wrong ones. But there is, according to Kung, hope, and he sees it in the improbable papacy of John XXIII. John's run was short, but it did set in motion Vatican II. But since then, the door for change has been shut again under John Paul II. Personally, I'm less hopeful than Kung regarding the future of the institutional Church. The elevation of groups like Opus Dei, the questionable saint making (Pius IX & Pius XII (Hitler's pope)), the reaction to the pedophile scandals, show an office that will do anything to hold onto authority. You cannot defend lies and proclaim yourself the Church of Christ.
Rating: 
Summary: Romantic and unbalanced
Review: While Kung may provide a well-placed theological insight now and again, overall his history is marked by a romantic view of the early church community that is at times erroneous or exaggerated best. He is a good story teller who, at times, is not honest about his topic and unbalanced in his judgments. I never will disuade anyone from reading any book. Therefore this book should be read with a critical eye and a running list of challenges that compel the reader to deeper study and explanation of often generalized and under-argued conclusions.
Rating: 
Summary: Claims to be Catholic, but...
Review: ...he is pro-abortion!! It was his obstinate denial of the 2000-year-old basic tenets of the Catholic faith that got his teachings banned by the Church. Just remember that obstinate denial of what he denies incurs a latae sententiae excommunication--an automatic excommuncation.If you like him, then that's fine. But don't be fooled: he is not a Catholic.
Rating: 
Summary: An honest, if disquieting, look at the great Catholic Church
Review: This is a book worth reading. The number of reviews (48 as I write) demonstrates the controversial nature of this book; the high average rating (in stars) is evidence for its excellence. Some of the criticisms lodged here are quite unfair - while Kung is a rebel within the modern church, the history he writes is accurate if unblinking, and written from a deep love of Christ, and of the true, core church which is biblically-based. Kung is deeply Catholic. The story of papal power is very much at the center of church history, and emphasis on that fact is especially relevant these days. Kung writes his history about what actually was and is, and not history as some people would like to percieve it. So yes, this is a disquieting book. But Kung is part of the "loyal opposition," like Garry Wills (Papal Sin, Why I am a Catholic). In writing this and his other books, in his amazing erudition, passion and deep faith, Kung is one of the theologians who best demonstrates what is great about the Catholic Church. The book is short, and its brevity and controversial nature fit well within the format of this series, although it must then share the faults of all short books on large topics - and some criticisms presented here are actually just reflecting this inevitability. Turn to one of his larger books, and you will see very well-documented treatment of all the topics touched on in this brief history. Don't criticise Kung for what the book had to be to fit into the series. One reviewer wrote, that Kung merely summarizes what Protestants have said since the Reformation." Well in some senses . . . exactly. And the Church still hasn't listened! If the Church had responded to these issues, the Reformation would never have happened. The issues are still there, and the Church is still wrong, encrusted as it is in non-biblically-based dogma and practice. It is untrue to Christ in these respects. Kung does more than summarize, of course, but this and other, similar crticisms (e.g. that Kung is a sexually deprived old man -if so only by living according to his church!- on a vendetta, etc.) are more self-revealing comments than solid criticisms. What they mostly reveal is how uncomfortable reading this book is for many Catholics. That Kung wrote the bulk of this volume prior to the most recent scandals about child abuse by priests validates his critical approach. There are some things very wrong with the church, and this is a church in trouble. Witness not only this scandal but declining participation by laity, and the drastic drop in recruitment of priests and nuns. My advice is, read the book and make up your own mind. But if you do not approach it with an open mind, don't expect to be instructed or swayed by Kung's points.
Rating:
Summary: thought provoking, informative, but light on details
Review: this was a well written, very interesting book that gave me a pretty good overview of the history of post-Jesus Christianity and the Catholic Church. i still see myself looking for a more traditional history book on this topic, though, as the author focussed more on the effects of actions and events on the church more so than the actions and events themselves. the author also assumes a certain level of understanding of the Catholic Church and it's structure, which made some of the passages tough to navigate. one warning- have a dictionary at hand- i've never even seen some of the words he uses!
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