Description
Book SynopsisStanley Hauerwas is one of the most widely read and oft-cited theologians writing today. A prolific lecturer and author, he has been at the forefront of key developments in contemporary theology, ranging from narrative theology to the "recovery of virtue." This book represents all the different periods and phases of Hauerwas' work.
Trade Review“
The Hauerwas Reader is of specific importance for the ethical discourses in the European context. Hauerwas forcefully presents a church-oriented social ethics in ways that help to rediscover the critical impact of a forgotten tradition on mainstream protestant ethics. Because of his innovative theological revision of the moral issues in the ethical discourse of our present time, the serious engagement of Hauerwas’s work is a must for European ethicists.”—Hans G. Ulrich, Institut für Systematische Theologie, University Erlangen-Nuernberg
“Covering a range of ethical concerns from healthcare to warfare, these essays show again how Stanley Hauerwas brings together Evangelical and Catholic foundations for an ethics based on faith. The articles ring true, which is to say they speak first of Christ and only then of life in Him.”—Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago
“For decades now Stanley Hauerwas has been the most eloquent voice proclaiming the morality of particularism and the immorality of universalism. In a liberal culture that voice is heard as both alien and unreasonable, accusations Hauerwas no doubt cherishes.”—Stanley Fish, author of
The Trouble with Principle“For many years Stanley Hauerwas has been lobbing peaceable bombs into the moral theologians’ playground, awakening them from their undogmatic slumbers to the importance of truthful action. The best of these bombs are here, in a wonderful arsenal of Hauerwas’s essays. Beware! Hauerwas is always challenging, provocative, illuminating, exasperating, disturbing, and fresh.”—Duncan Forrester, New College, The University of Edinburgh
“If Kierkegaard knew Hauerwas, he would have seen that it is possible, after all, for one person to be a close friend of Jesus and of Socrates‚ at the same time. On behalf of all of us in the Abrahamite traditions, Hauerwas cracks open modern society’s lazy moral speech and lets us see, lying neglected inside it, God’s commanding word. In this way, he helps clear a space in contemporary America for Jews, and I trust Muslims, as well as Christians to narrate their stories of what God wants of us. If you don’t know Hauerwas yet, this fine collection is the way to begin, along with its wonderful introductions and guides to Hauerwas‚ work. If you do know him, well, then, you already know that each reading and re-reading will bring surprises. And blessings.”—Peter Ochs, Bronfman Professor of Modern Judaic Studies, University of Virginia
“If you don’t know Hauerwas yet, this fine collection is the way to begin, along with its wonderful introductions and guides to Hauerwas’s work. If you do know him, well, then, you already know that each reading and re-reading will bring surprises. And blessings.”—Peter Ochs, Bronfman Professor of Modern Judaic Studies, University of Virginia
“It would be hard to overestimate the value of Stanley Hauerwas’s contributions to theological conversation and religious life in today’s world. Alternately brilliant and exasperating, his work is indispensable in helping us find our way in a dark time. This wonderful reader is the best introduction to Hauerwas currently available.”—Robert N. Bellah, coauthor of
Habits of the Heart“Stanley Hauerwas challenges, informs, provokes, and inspires anyone who reflects seriously on faith and life.
The Hauerwas Reader is an invitation to accompany one of today’s most provocative and creative thinkers on a transforming theological journey beyond our comfortable idolatries.”—Bishop Kenneth L. Carder, Mississippi Episcopal Area, The United Methodist Church
Table of ContentsList of Abbreviations ix
Acknowledgments xi
Part I: Editorial Introductions
John Berkman, An Introduction to
The Hauerwas Reader 3
William Cavanaugh, Stan the Man: A Thoroughly Biased Account of a completely Unobjective Person 17
Part II: Reframing Theological Ethics
Who Are Christians? The Christian Story
1. How "Christian Ethics" Came to Be (1997) 37
2. On Keeping Theological Ethics Theological (1983) 51
3. A Retrospective Assessment of an "Ethics of Character": The Development of Hauerwas's Theological Project (1985, 2001) 75
4. Why the "Sectarian Temptation" Is a Misrepresentation: A Response to James Gustafson (1988) 90
5. Reforming Christian Social Ethics: Ten Theses (1981) 111
6. Jesus and the Social Embodiment of the Peaceable Kingdom (1983) 116
7. The Church as God's New Language (1986) 142
What Are Christians to Be? Christian Discipleship
8. Vision, Stories, and Character (1973, 2001) 165
9. A Story-Formed Community: Reflections on
Watership Down (1981) 171
10. Self-Deception and Autobiography: Reflections on Speer's
Inside the Third Reich, with David B. Burrell (1974) 200
11. Character, Narrative, and Growth in the Christian Life (1980) 221
12. The Interpretation of Scripture: Why Discipleship is Required (1993) 255
13. Casuistry in Context: The Need for Tradition (1995) 267
How Are Christians to Live? Discipleship Exemplified
14. Courage Exemplified, with Charles Pinches (1993) 287
15. Why Truthfulness Requires Forgiveness: A Commencement Address for Graduates of a College of the Church of the Second Chance (1992) 307
16. Peacemaking: The Virtue of the Church (1985) 318
17. Remembering as a Moral Task: The Challenge of the Holocaust (1981) 327
18. Practicing Patience: How Christians Should Be Sick, with Charles Pinches (1997) 348
Part III: New Intersections in Theological Ethics
The Church's Witness: Christian Ethics after "Public Theology"
19. The Servant Community: Christian Social Ethics (1983) 371
20. Should War Be Eliminated? A Thought Experiment (1984) 392
21. On Being a Church Capable of Addressing a World at War: A Pacifist Response to the United Methodist Bishops' Pastoral
In Defense of Creation (1988) 426
22. A Christian Critique of Christian America (1986) 459
23. Sex in Public: How Adventurous Christians Are Doing It (1978) 481
24. The Radical Hope in the Annunciation: Why Both Single and Married Christians Welcome Children (1998) 505
25. Why Gays (as a Group) Are Morally Superior to Christians (as a Group) (1993) 519
26. Christianity: It's Not a Religion, It's an Adventure (1991) 522
The Church's Hospitality: Christian Ethics after "Medical Ethics"
27. Salvation and Health: Why Medicine Needs the Church (1985) 539
28. Should Suffering Be Eliminated? What the Retarded Have to Teach Us (1984) 556
29. Memory, Community, and the Reasons for Living: Reflections on Suicide and Euthanasia, with Richard Bondi (1976) 577
30. Must a Patient Be a Person to Be a Patient? Or, My Uncle Charlie Is Not Much of a Person, But He Is Still My Uncle Charlie (1975) 596
31. Abortion, Theologically Understood (1991) 603
Michael G. Cartwright, Stanley Hauerwas's Essays in Theological Ethics: A Reader's Guide 623
Selected Annotated Bibliography 673
Scripture References 699
Name Index 701
Subject Index 709
