Christian Existence Today: Essays on Church, World, and Living in Between

by Stanley Hauerwas

Stanley Hauerwas begins this volume with a vigorous response to the charge of sectarianism leveled against his work by James Gustafson, among others. "Show me where I am wrong about God, Jesus, the limits of liberalism, the nature of the virtues, or the doctrine of the church," Hauerwas replies to his critics, "but do not shortcut that task by calling me a sectarian." The essays that follow explore in a lucid, compelling, firm, and provocative way the church's nature, message, and ministry in the world. Hauerwas writes on the church as God's new language, on clerical character, on the pastor as prophet, on the ministry of the local congregation, on grace and public virtue, and on the relation of church and university. Underlying Hauerwas's argument is his conviction that "the most important knowledge Christian convictions involve, and there is much worth knowing for which Christians have no special claim, requires a transformation of the self. Christianity is no 'world view,' not a form of primitive metaphysics, that can be assessed in comparison to alternative 'world views.' Rather, Christians are people who remain convinced that the truthfulness of their beliefs must be demonstrated in their lives. There is a sense in which Christian convictions are self-referential, but the reference is not to propositions but to lives."

Genres: Theology

282 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Stanley Hauerwas (PhD, Yale University) is the Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Theological Ethics at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. He is the author of numerous books, including Cross-Shattered Christ, A Cross-Shattered Church, War and the American Difference, and Matthew in the Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible.

America's Best Theologian according to Time Magazine (2001), though he rejected the title saying, "Best is not a theological category."

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author of this collection of essays tackles a wide variety of topics from being a Christian Texan to discussions about the role of Christian universities! One of the main themes that dominates his writings is peace. This is expressed in his pacifism in general as well as how the church is to evangelize - by starting from a community of peaceful people who demonstrate peace in tangible ways. Although I do not agree with him on many points, he offers the reader much thought-provoking material. The author is a Christian ethicist, so most of his work is consumed with how Christians ought to live in a fallen world marked by violence and war. He is passionate about the church being a community that not only believes the truth, but lives it as well.