A critical discussion of the incarnation.

Born Before All Time?

Kuschel, Karl-Josef

SCM Press

Theology is not a subject especially noted for its jokes (though one of the chapters in this book has a good collection of them). However, since laughter is such an important element in life, there would be something wrong if it could not be heard in theology: not mocking laughter, but the laughter which indicates delight and joy. And that such laughter cannot be heard today in the Roman Catholic church in its 'wintry season' is an important indication of its problems. Dr Kuschel traces a fascinating story of laughter: from Sarah in the Hebrew Bible through Homer, Plato and Aristotle, Mozart and Kafka, to Umberto Eco and The Name of the Rose. There is a long chapter on Christian laughter and its foundations in the New Testament and there is a discussion of the Christian condemnation of laughter, among the church fathers and the monastic tradition. And sometimes laughter is out of place - a lesson which our modern world has not really learned. Jesus, from whom Christianity arose, was laughed at; and his followers have known what it is to be laughed at too. That recognition, too, is vital; one more strand in what proves to be the rich vein of new theological insights offered here. `How much underlies laughter! This is the kind of theology that we need: the world in all its heights and depths, everything clearly thought through, brilliantly written and at the same time centred on the Christian message' (Hans Kung). Karl-Josef Kuschel teaches ecumenical theology and theological aesthetics in the University of Tubingen.

Laughter: A Theological Reflection

Religion & Spirituality

Christian Books & Bibles

In a world where there is all too much hostility, latent or manifest, between Christians and Muslims, Muslims and Jews, Christians and Jews, and an increase in fundamentalism and extremism, this book sets out to present a new vision for peace between the religions. It centres on Abraham, a figure who has an important place in Jewish, Christian and Muslim tradition, and thus forms a common point of reference. First Karl-Josef Kuschel analyses the role Abraham has been made to play in each of the three great religions in connection with politics, ideals, laws: the non-Jew who was made a Jew, then a Christian and then the model Muslim. Since he is the possession of all these religions, a future relationship between them could be an `Abrahamic ecumenism'. The second part of the book then sets out the presuppositions for such an ecumenism; with a universalistic perspective, and the third section outlines the contribution that this ecumenism could make in the world of our day. In his two previous books, Born Before All Time and Laughter, Karl-Josef Kuschel has shown a rare gift for providing a refreshing, lucid and highly readable approach to important subjects. This new work is no exception and has much to say to Jews, Christians and Muslims alike. Karl-Josef Kuschel teaches ecumenical theology and theological aesthetics in the University of Tubingen.

Abraham: A Symbol of Hope for Jews, Christians and Muslims

Religious Studies

An international journal of theology; a catholic journal in the widest sense: rooted in Roman Catholicism yet open to other Christian traditions and the world's faiths. Promotes discussion in the spirit of Vatican II. Annual subscriptions available.

Concilium 1996/3: Pentecostal Movements as an Ecumencial Challenge

Hymns Ancient & Modern Ltd

Introduction: In search of universal values / Karl-Josef Kuschel, Dietmar Mieth -- Towards a common ethical code for humankind: address to the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences 2001 / John Paul II -- The need for a global ethic: declaration by the eighth General Assembly in Harare 1998 / World Council of Churches -- Global order and global ethic / Konrad Raiser -- The 1993 Chicago global ethic declaration / Christel Hasselmann -- From Chicago to the 1999 Cape Town call / Gu?nther Gebhardt -- Compassion as a global programme for Christianity / Hille Haker -- The challenge of pluralism and globalization to ethical reflection / Francis Schu?ssler Fiorenza -- Global business and the global ethic / Hans Ku?ng -- 'Globalization' from the perspective of business ethics / Friedhlem Hengsbach -- The Global Ethic Project: a challenge for education / Johannes Lahnemann -- The autonomy of the patient and the Muslim patient in a society with pluralist values / Ilhan Ilkilic -- Universal balues or a special ethic?: whither moral theology? / Dietmar Mieth.

Concilium 2001/4 In Search of Universal Values

A critical discussion of the incarnation.

Born Before All Time?: The Dispute over Christ's Origin

As it explores the issues of the pre-existence of Christ--the doctrine found in the New Testament, enshrined in the classic creeds of the Christian Church, and proclaimed in every celebration of the Eucharist--this brilliant work turns back to the origins of the doctrine in Scripture, examines every relevant text in the Old Testament and the New Testament, and identifies inconsistencies, improbabilities, and weak points. Foreword by Hans Kung.

Born Before All Time: The Dispute over Christ's Origin

Crossroad Pub. Co

To mark the occasion of Hans Kung's sixty-fifth birthday, this volume was prepared by various writers, thinkers, and religious leaders to celebrate Kung's life and his theology. The contributors themselves illustrate the extent of Kung's influence, as they come not only from Switzerland and Germany, but from Britain and Ireland, the United States, Latin America, Saudi Arabia, and Russia; and represent not only Christianity, but Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism. Together, these contributors reflect on the many circles of thought that have made up Kung's remarkable intellectual career: ecclesiology, christology, theology, and ecumenicism, first within Christianity and then to the entire world in the form of a global ethic. In spite of Kung's continued expansion into wider horizons of faith and thought, his basic theological insights have remained remarkably constant throughout his long career. He has been less influenced by fashion than many other theologians, demonstrating a constancy of conviction and coherence of theological method. Kung has, however, set the fashion for others, as he has brought and continues to bring attention to highly topical and critical issues of the current day. This volume is a fascinating critical survey of a remarkable theologian's life and thought. It provides a real understanding of Kung's theology, its strengths and weaknesses, its limitations and its riches. Finally, it aims toward rehabilitating Hans Kung as a Catholic theologian. As Heinrich Fries, one of the great figures of Roman Catholic ecumenical theology recently asked: "Is the Catholic church so narrow that it cannot tolerate a man like Kung? Or is it so rich that it can dispense with him?"

Hans Kung: New Horizons for Faith and Thought

Biographies & Memoirs

Continuum Intl Pub Group

In this volume, theologian Kuschel traces a fascinating story of laughter: from Sarah in the Hebrew Bible through Homer, Plato, Aristotle, Mozart, Kafka, and Umberto Eco in The Name of the Rose. Kuschel discusses the foundations of Christian laughter in the New Testament and, in contrast, the Christian condemnation of laughter among the church fathers and in the monastic tradition.

Laughter: A Theological Essay

"Scholarly, but understandable for the educated lay reader as well as the specialist..". -- Library Journal
"A thorough and enlightening discussion, a collection of hope-filled possibilities". -- Booklist

Abraham: Sign of Hope for Jews, Christians and Muslims

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