The Peaceable Kingdom: A Primer In Christian Ethics (Paperback)

by Stanley Hauerwas (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"A concise and provocative discussion of the nature of ethics. . . ." -- Journal of Religion, No.66, Vol.2, April 1986

"Exciting, provocative, and challenging . . . the value of this excellent book can hardly be overstated." -- Review of Books and Religion, Vol.12, no.9, June 1984

"Hauerwas has written a deeply challenging book that anyone seriously concerned with the authenticity of Christian ethics must read." -- The Christian Century, June 20-27, 1984

"Hauerwas sketches an outline of what Christian ethics should be, including its social dimensions. . . ." -- Review of Metaphysics, June 1984

Product Description
Stanley Hauerwas presents an overall introduction to the themes and method that have distinguished his vision of Christian ethics. Emphasizing the significance of Jesus’ life and teaching in shaping moral life, The Peaceable Kingdom stresses the narrative character of moral rationality and the necessity of a historic community and tradition for morality. Hauerwas systematically develops the importance of character and virtue as elements of decision making and spirituality and stresses nonviolence as critical for shaping our understanding of Christian ethics.

"Hauerwas restores our confidence that at its best theology need not fail those whose vision of the world has the integrity of the best novelists and critics." —Alasdair MacIntyre, America

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Product Details

• Paperback: 179 pages
• Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press; 1 edition (August 31, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0268015546
• ISBN-13: 978-0268015541
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #103,378 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you want to understand Hauerwas, this is the book to read, February 2, 1998

By	[e-mail] (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This book is the best introduction to "Christianity according to Hauerwas." This is not a general survery of different ideas about Christian ethics. But rather a presentation of a distinct way of doing "Christian ethics" (which really means a distinct way of doing Christianity). Hauerwas rejects both "liberal" and "conservative" versions of Christianity because both are ultimately based in the thought patterns of the classical Liberalism, which falsely presents itself as religion based on universal reason. In reality, all reason and religion is based on particular truth claims, embodied in the narratives that shape different communities. Hauerwas presents the truth of the Christian narrative, emphasizing how it must be embodied in the Church, if any one is ever to see that it is true. Particularly important in the demonstation of Christian truth claims is the Church's commitment to peace (a very particular form of Christian non-violence). To grasp the significance of what Hauerwas is saying in this book, is to have commonly accepted understandings of the Church and Christian "ethics" radically challenged, and possibly to have them replaced by a wonderfully compelling account of what it means to be a Christian.

73 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A viable ethic for our post-ethics era., April 20, 1999

By A Customer

For four weeks I resisted the professor who had assigned Hauerwas; I battled Hauerwas on narrative's value and on his "obvious" lack of appreciation for the Brothers Niebuhr. I'd take Augustine's "just war" or Mouw's Divine Command ethics any day. Then it happened. I started doing ethics in the middle; I pitched three fourths of Kant and most of the consequentialists. I saw peace as the singular Christ trait, and I was ashamed and penitent. I read on through more and more Hauerwas to find how to "do church" as just such an authentic--albeit alien community. I don't know if I'm ready to walk over hot coals to march on Kosavo, but if Hauerwas left, I'd follow. To read Hauerwas changes Christians. Others probably won't "get" him because it takes a hefty amount of divine intervention to trust God that much. In the year since I first read this book I have had to re-think and/or re-tool everything about being a Christian. This is authentic Christianity--not the accommodationist Warrior-Christianity of Constantine, Belfast and Belgrade--and dare I say most American "chump-morality" preaching. Go ahead, fight with Hauerwas. I double dare ya! Watch the tools of peaceableness metamorphose you. I know.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Christian Ethics for Christians, February 18, 2006

By	Pilgrim (J Town) - See all my reviews

Stanley Hauerwas is without a doubt one of the most influential theologians if not the most influential of the contemporary theological milieu. The Peaceable Kingdom, is an excellent starting point for those wanting to dive into Hauerwas. This is one of his earlier works and written at an accessible level. Much of what he says is restated in his immensely popular work co-authored with William Willimon in Resident Aliens, which is a must read as well. Hauerwas's engagement with such a variety of disciplines provides a profound work on what it means to be a Christian. His most noticeable influences being Karl Barth, John Howard Yoder, Alasdair MacIntyre, and Ludwig Wittgenstein among others (see xix). Whether or not you agree with Hauerwas you have to engage him. His writing is exceptionally readable and spiritually challenging. If you're not a Christian his work won't make sense, that's part of the point. If you are a Christian after reading this book you will pray.