Working with Words: On Learning to Speak Christian

by Stanley Hauerwas

The crucial challenge for theology is that when it is read the reader thinks, "This is true" Recognizing claims that are "true" enables readers to identify an honest expression of life's complexities. The trick is to show that theological claims-the words that must be used to speak of God-are necessary if the theologian is to speak honestly of the complexities of life. The worst betrayal of the task of theology comes when the theologian fears that the words he or she must use are not necessary. This new collection of essays, lectures, and sermons by Stanley Hauerwas is focused on the central challenge, risk, and difficulty of this necessity-working with words about God. The task of theology is to help us do things with words. "God" is not a word peculiar to theology, but if "God" is a word to be properly used by Christians, the word must be disciplined by Christian practice. It should, therefore, not be surprising that, like any word, we must learn how to say "God"

Genres: Theology, Religion

340 pages, Paperback

First published February 16, 2011

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

[Pastor2112 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though sometimes controversial, Hauerwas is always provocative and engaging. In this book, he demonstrates the importance and slipperyness of language. For example: "Those who believe in God and those who do not believe in God too often assume that they are using the same word." Words we bandy about without thought for how these words can be misunderstood and abused include: "God", "sin", "evil", "peace", "virtue", "happiness" and more. Along the way, he argues that the Christian view of God must be shaped by our worship of Jesus as God's "Face" - the second Person of the Trinity. Otherwise, we are left with a "god" that is merely transcendent, which is saying very little at all about God. Hauerwas writes, "You know you are on your way to deism when the most important thing you can say about God is that God is transcendent." Even worse, "to the extent Christians think they can say 'god' more easily than they can say 'Jesus' they are underwriting the legitimating violence of the nation-state." Hauerwas provides compelling and challenging reflections for those who desire to think deeply about the Christian faith.

[Paul Klitzke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book, Hauerwas addresses an important topic, through past sermons, lectures and some new content too.

[Daniel Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

challenging. thought provoking. not a layman's read. at times confusing. helpful. worth the time.