Hauerwas Reader

Hauerwas Stanley Hauerwas

Description

Stanley 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." Yet despite his prominence and the esteem reserved for his thought, his work has never before been collected in a single volume that provides a sense of the totality of his vision.The editors of The Hauerwas Reader, therefore, have compiled and edited a volume that represents all the different periods and phases of Hauerwas's work. Highlighting both his constructive goals and penchant for polemic, the collection reflects the enormous variety of subjects he has engaged, the different genres in which he has written, and the diverse audiences he has addressed. It offers Hauerwas on ethics, virtue, medicine, and suffering; on euthanasia, abortion, and sexuality; and on war in relation to Catholic and Protestant thought. His essays on the role of religion in liberal democracies, the place of the family in capitalist societies, the inseparability of Christianity and Judaism, and on many other topics are included as well.Perhaps more than any other author writing on religious topics today, Hauerwas speaks across lines of religious traditions, appealing to Methodists, Jews, Anabaptists or Mennonites, Catholics, Episcopalians, and others.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• Christian theology
• Theology

Informations

• Publié par: Duke University Press
• Date de parution: 23 juillet 2001
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780822380368
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

Advance praise forThe Hauerwas Reader

‘‘Stanley Hauerwas is an unparalleled force for courage and generative think- ing across the spectrum of Christian thought. Sometimes he heals and ener- gizes, sometimes he (deliberately) infuriates. Always he claims attention and redefines the theological task. For his allies as well as his adversaries, the pub- lication of his papers is a welcome resource. It makes available much that is needed for continuing work. Hauerwas draws us into the contemporary theo- logical emergency and points us in fresh ways through it.’’ —walter brueggemann,Columbia Theological Seminary

‘‘The God met through the Jewish and Christian scriptures is always good but rarely safe. No other living theologian—and not many throughout history— has grasped that truth more excitingly than Stanley Hauerwas. This invaluable guide will help varied readers see the Christian tradition through Hauerwas’s eyes and discover it is a treasure chest spiked with political, social, and spiri- tual dynamite.’’—rodney clapp, author ofBorder Crossings andA Peculiar People

‘‘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

‘‘Texans and Christians are troublesome. At odds with enlightened liberal cos- mopolitan 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 pro- voke, 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 Col- lege of Medicine

‘‘Stanley Hauerwas challenges, informs, provokes, and inspires anyone who reflects seriously on faith and life.The Hauerwas Readeran invitation to is accompany one of today’s most provocative and creative thinkers on a trans- forming 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 pro- claiming the morality of particularism and the immorality of universalism. In a liberal culture that voice is heard as both alien and unreasonable, accusa- tions Hauerwas no doubt cherishes.’’—stanley fish,author ofThe Trouble with Principle

‘‘It would be hard to overestimate the value of Stanley Hauerwas’s contribu- tions 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 available.’’—robert n. bellah,coauthor ofHabits of the Heart

‘‘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

‘‘The editors have made a happy and extensive selection from the mercurial essayist-theologian, which allows us to come to grips with his thought on a broad front. Stanley Hauerwas could not and would not accommodate him- self to the ponderous demands of a Systematic Ethics; but if we think that we can see here a possible shape for that impossible book, it is a measure of how closely the editors have come to their author and discerned the ordered struc- tures of his apparently disorderly mind. If somebody asks you why this man has been important to the moral thinking of a generation, thrust this collec- tion at him. Then he will understand.’’—the reverend oliver o’donovan, Canon of Christ Church

‘‘Stanley Hauerwas is the most prolific and provocative theological ethicist writing in the United States. 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 re- quired reading.’’—jeffrey stout,Princeton University

‘‘This book might be called ‘‘The Essential Hauerwas,’’ in both meanings of the term: It captures the gist of the person and enterprise, and understanding Hauerwas is necessary to understanding theological ethics in our time. No- body writing today o√ers a more bracing mix of piquancy, outrageousness, erudition, and intellectual intensity in proposing that we get serious about being Christians.’’—(the reverend) richard john neuhaus,Editor-in- chief, First Things

‘‘For many years Stanley Hauerwas has been lobbing peaceable bombs into the moral theologians’ playground, awakening them from their undogmatic slum- bers 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 chal- lenging, provocative, illuminating, exasperating, disturbing, and fresh.’’ —duncan forrester,New College, The University of Edinburgh

‘‘The Hauerwas Readeris 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 tradi- tion 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 amustfor European ethicists.’’ —hans g. ulrich,Institut für Systematische Theologie, University Erlangen- Nuernberg

‘‘This collection is obviously a labor of love. Fortunately, it is also a labor of editorial care and precision. In addition to first-rate introductory material, the writings of a master provocateur are gathered here in a fresh, synthetic format. Re-reading these essays was humbling.’’—jean bethke elshtain, Laura Spelman Rockefeller Professor of Social and Political Ethics, University of Chicago

‘‘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 contempo- rary 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’s work. If you do know him, well, then, you already know that each reading and rereading will bring surprises. And blessings.’’ —peter ochs,Bronfman Professor of Modern Judaic Studies, University of Virginia

The Hauerwas Reader

The Hauerwas Reader

Stanley Hauerwas

Edited by John Berkman and Michael Cartwright

duke university press Durham and London2001

∫2001 Duke University Press

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper$ Designed by Amy Ruth Buchanan Typeset in Minion by Keystone Typesetting, Inc. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data appear on the last printed page of this book. Essay 12 is used by permission of Abington Press.

Contents

List of Abbreviations, ix Acknowledgments, xi

part i: Editorial Introductions

john berkman, An Introduction toThe 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 onWatership Down(1981), 171