The Cock Crowed Once Again
The critical history of the Church The Cock Crowed Once Again first appeared in 1962 and has been considered for many years a standard work, essential to any discussion of Christianity. The new edition, unchanged and authorized by the author, meets the wishes of numerous readers, both scholars and others, to use the work again in a durable form. In this book Deschner places emphasis on an account of the ancient Church, which is the most interesting and important Christian period in terms of evolutionary development. At the same time he frequently draws connections to developments in medieval and modern times. In the last part of the book especially, which treats of the Church and society, antisemitism and the problem of tolerance, Deschner leads the reader from Jesus of Nazareth up to the First and Second World Wars, to Franco, Mussolini, Hitler, Adenauer and Pius XII. Thanks to its clear arrangement, astonishing abundance of factual information, irrefutable foundation on source materials and also to its intrepid spirit, The Cock Crowed Once Again is an intellectual event of undeniable significance and relevance, “a contemporary phenomenon of the first order.” (Friedrich Heer)
No other history of the Church intended for the reading public offers such a rich, convincing and clearly presented historical narrative, encompassing throughout the results of modern, historical-critical Christian theology.
Preface by the Author
This history of the Church, written by a layman for laypeople, is accessible to all readers and presupposes only an interest in, and a love for, historical truth.
The book contains mainly an account of the ancient Church,
which is the most interesting and important Christian period in terms
of evolutionary development. Nevertheless, in many contexts this history
provides connections to the medieval and modern periods. In the last part
of the book especially, which treats of the Church and society, antisemitism
and the problem of tolerance, the reader is led from Jesus of Nazareth
up to the First and Second World Wars, to Franco, Mussolini, Hitler, Adenauer
and Pius XII. The reader who is not particularly interested in the historical
foundations of Christianity, outlined in considerable detail at the beginning
of the book, is encouraged to first read the sections of more contemporary
relevance which close the book. Numerous chapters in fact can be profitably
read on their own, such as those relating to Buddha, Asclepius, Hercules,
Dionysus, the Essenes, celibacy, Mary, the period of martyrs, the origins
of the cult of sainthood, the Inquisition, the Witch Trials, etc.
The book is based for the most part on the results of modern historical-critical Christian theology. At my request moreover, several experts have read the manuscript for historical accuracy. The main part of the book underwent a detailed examination by one of the leading theological experts on ancient Christianity. Another well-known theologian checked the chapter devoted to the Middle Ages, while the sections dealing with the First World War, fascism, and the behavior of the Vatican in the Second World War and beyond were found to be “extraordinarily important and necessary” by two leading secular historians.
A third theologian, meanwhile, a well-known church historian, wrote after reading the manuscript that that he was spell-bound but that he perceived bias and a danger to the laity in the last part. “If the book were intended only for bishops, priests and theologians,” wrote this scholar, “then I would say ‘Excellent!’” But my intention in writing the book was to share above all with the laity the information which at least the scholars among the clergy have known for a long time.
I thank all those who made possible the writing of this book and all those who, for the sake of the true and the good, contribute to its circulation. May it provide many people the same clarity provided to me by its preparation.
Afterword by the Author
A son of a Protestant pastor, converted through the efforts of his wife who has since left the Catholic Church and not wanting to fall away again, said to me recently: “You can look at things this way or that.” Yes, you can. But you can also read the sources and you can compare the arguments of one side to those of the other side.
That’s what I’m asking for.
First to study the literature of primitive Christianity, especially the Bible, whose reading by the laity was prohibited for centuries by the Church and for good reason, although today it will deny that. It was Nietzsche meanwhile who wrote of the Gospels that you cannot read them cautiously enough.
Then to study the secondary literature, both that of a historical-critical perspective as well as that of Catholic and traditional Protestant theologians. I’m encouraging hereby not just the study of antichristian scholarship. It will suffice the reader who doubts my portrayal to read just one or two book by historical-critical Christian theologians, perhaps Rudolf Bultmann, Martin Dibelius, Martin Werner, Carl Schneider, Hans Conzelmann or Fritz Buri, and to compare that with the many more accounts given by conservative theologians and church historians. I especially recommend the reading of Catholic writings, assuming that the reader compares them to a few works of their opponents. There is no better way to convince yourself of historical truth than by such an exercise.
To my knowledge there is no non-denominational or atheistic community which prohibits their members from reading Catholic or Protestant writings. Why then the prohibitions of the Catholic Church? Why the Index? Why the oath against modernism? Why the ecclesiastical permission to print? Are their followers and theologians less spiritually independent than the followers of their opponents? No. History, logic, and ethics are too clearly opposed to the teachings and practice of the Church, which is why it eschews the Enlightenment and must forbid the reading of critical works, while its opponents on the other hand can even afford to promote the study of Church writings.
That is a distinction which in conclusion I recommend to the reader’s reflection.
Karlheinz Deschner (Afterword to the revised edition,
This page was last updated on 12/23/03 - subject to alterations -