The problem with Hans Kung is that, like the rest of that part of the post-Christian world that has been reluctant to let go of its sentimental attachment to Christianity, he wants to change the meaning of Christianity to conform to his post-Christian commitments rather than to admit that his beliefs are no longer, in any traditionally recognizable sense of the term, Christian. In short, Kung wants to belong to the historical Christian community without accepting key historical Christian beliefs. Recently Hans Kung was interviewed by Stephen Crittenden for The Religion Report on Radio National (December 15, 2004). The interview, "A conversation with Number 399/57 i" is named after the file number that Kung keeps for life in the offices of the Inquisition, or Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In the interview, Kung shares his views of Vatican II, Karl Barth, his personal acquaintance with Popes Pius II, John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II, whom he calls a man of "the mediaeval, anti-reformation, anti-modern paradigm of the church." Among other things, he plays to the audience's prejudices with allusions to secret Opus Dei machinations behind the next papal election, and much, much more.
For a more detailed analysis in my Scripture & Catholi Tradition blog, click here.
(Thanks to Al Kimel for his tip concerning the above-mentioned interview.)
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