The Hauerwas Reader

“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