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
From the Publisher
Praise for Stanley Hauerwas from noted academics, clergy, and others:
“Stanley Hauerwas is the theological ethicist of our times. Those who disagree with him need to know why they do and those who agree, as do I, need his splendid case made clear. This reader, the best of his work, is the way for either sort to come to terms with this American master.”—James W. McClendon, Jr., Distinguished Scholar in Residence, Fuller Theological Seminary
“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
“Texans and Christians are troublesome. At odds with enlightened liberal cosmopolitan pretensions, they embrace particularity. One cannot deduce either Texas or Christianity from reason or from human nature. Hauerwas as a Texan Christian has for three decades reminded us forcefully of the importance of taking the troublesome particularity of Christianity seriously. These essays provoke, engage, and instruct. They are a superb selection from the work of one of the most important theologians of our time. Everyone, whether Christian or non-Christian, believer or atheist, should read these essays; they are key to understanding the religious, moral, and metaphysical struggles of our age.”— H. Tristram Engelhardt, Jr., Ph.D., M.D., Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine
“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
“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
“This one-volume Hauerwas reader provides us with a rounded view of one of the greatest theological minds, who is equally one of the greatest ecclesial forces, of the postmodern era.”—John Milbank
“Stanley Hauerwas is an unparalleled force for courage and generative thinking across the spectrum of Christian thought. Sometimes he heals and energizes, sometimes he (deliberatedly) infuriates. Always he claims attention and redefines the theological task. For his allies as well as his adversaries, the publication of his papers is a welcome resource. It makes available much that is needed for continuing work. Hauerwas draws us into the contemporary theological emergency and points us in fresh ways through it.”—Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary
“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
“Stanley Hauerwas is the most prolific and provocative theological ethicist writing in the U.S. I dissent strongly from many, perhaps most, of his conclusions. His arguments and scholarship often strike me as unsound. It is not easy to know whether he is raising or lowering the standards of debate over the ethical significance of Christian commitments. But Hauerwas is too important to be ignored. This volume puts a representative sample of his most interesting and challenging writings between the covers of a single book. The next time I teach my introductory course on Christian ethics, it will be required reading.”—Jeffrey Stout, Princeton University
“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
“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
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
