War and the American Difference: Theological Reflections on Violence and National Identity

by Stanley Hauerwas

An esteemed theologian examines how American identity and America's presence in the world are shaped by war.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Politics, History, Christianity, Philosophy, Christian

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 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

[Stephen Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

...still trying to decide if I can be Christian and American at the same time...

Hauerwas obviously doesn't present such a stark either/or in this book, but his position is convicting to say the least. He is a Christian pacifist through and through, and his thought is nuanced and well laid out. This work is synthesized compilation of previous articles or lectures he has given, and it flows together quite seamlessly. It can be divided into essentially into two parts (as the subtitle denotes): Violence. National Identity. But these two overlap, especially in American culture. Hauerwas begins by laying out the presence and unifying power that violence has had in American history; most notably the effects of the Civil War and WWI. He then goes on to expound on the implications of this engrained presupposition that is part of being American.

He discusses the counter arguments to pacifism whether it is Just War Theory or that pacifism is just plain idealistic and irrelevant in today's society. The counterpoints are taken head on and given due respect, but they still fall short especially when placed in light of the Gospel and the cruciform nature of our calling as Christians. Also - he really, really dislikes Reinhold Niebuhr (just a heads up). Martin Luther King and Ghandi are discussed for their use of non-violence for social action but are surpassed (Ghandi especially) in his explanation of a proper understanding of non-violent cultural movements.

He then smoothly transitions to the topic of national identity and how that has distorted our understanding of violence and also our place in society as a "peculiar people". There is extensive writing on the role of the church in this conversation, and it is crucial that we think well and critically on how we are to engage with our surroundings, both locally and globally (both aspects are addressed).

Many, many thinkers are brought into the conversation, and I came to appreciate Hauerwas' dissection of the various topics he was picking up. My only reservation is HOLY FOOTNOTES. I like reference material and extra tangents of thought as much as the next reader, but some of them seemed downright irrelevant. As if he really wanted to say this or that, and couldn't figure out how to put it into the book. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it will take ample contemplation to figure out exactly where it sits in my understanding of reality. I strongly encourage anyone to read this book. It will truly shake your foundations and understandings of this aspect of the Christian Life.

[Russell Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hauerwas definitely isn't everyone's cup of tea. A born essayist--in the most fundamental sense of the term, constantly "essaying" new ideas, rarely completing the one he had before the new one--his radical Christianity isn't developed carefully and consistently, thus leaving any remotely suspicious reader capable of dismissing his arguments as incomplete and unpersuasive. But for any of the tens of millions who can't help but recognize the radical, even absolutist, character of Christian teachings and expectations when it comes to matters of violence and peace, the many kernels of truth spread throughout Hauerwas's explication and explorations of theses basic doctrines are enormously valuable. His points about how we are addicted to violence and war in part because we don't want to cast impurity and guilt upon heroes of the past; about how violence and war is tied up in the very structures of state sovereignty and thus politics as we know of it today; about how American history can't help but associate war with idealistic causes which having been mythologized into the proper, "pure" understanding of our own identity...all of it is first rate. Hauerwas's reflections are, ultimately, an inspiration to Christians who want to understand a way to find in themselves a true conviction of peace, and that's a beautiful thing.

[Drew Banacos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave the book 3 stars because Hauerwas presents his views well in this work on nonviolence, Jesus as the justice of God, and the church as itself mission (with an emphasis on the worshiping community as the mission and witness of the church).

I gave it 3 stars because as a theological work, I find it lacking anything contributive to the theological task. From Hauerwas’s ideological Anabaptism, his overemphasis on Christian identity as distinct and different I find to be unhelpful. I believe that the theological task requires more nuance and improv within one’s local context than Hauerwas is willing to afford. While I appreciate his refusal to universalize and flatten the variety of voices so that we do not lose our distinctions, he seems to wrongly equate this with and then condemn attempts at a common good or peace. His high ecclesiology, if it were to exist in the real world would indeed be a miracle, is irresponsible to hold up as an ideal in tension against “the world,” which he seems bent on as having no prophetic voice. The problem becomes that there is no ability for a prophetic voice from outside the church to criticize it. While this certainly does not seem to be his intention, I find his theological construction to have a number of holes.

1) Can the church ever be wrong? How can we know?
2) Can God speak through those outside the church? If not, why not?

[Luke Magnuson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't like reading theology all that much anymore - I find so much of it to be abstract to the extreme and generally not compelling. And I have 0 interest in the theology as a science (and the bible as a textbook) approach that predominates the tradition I grew up in. But I quite enjoyed this book - this is a good example of how theology ought to be done (in my opinion anyway).

[Sam McCabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I would encourage any believer (especially those who are serious about engaging in political discussion) to pick this one up.

[Noah Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A challenging read both in the sense that Hauerwas and his sources have developed what seems like their own language to discuss political and moral theology, and because his claims in the book are just very challenging. I do wish this was more of a unified work with a central running argument, instead of a collection of essays. I’m too lazy to do the conceptual work of putting all the arguments together neatly.

[Kyla Denae · Rating 3 out of 5]

excellent thoughts, but difficult read.

[Julie Hyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Just couldn't finish because, for me, it was so dense and rich. Will need to buy at some point!

[JonM · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book, but I ended up merely liking it, partly because the point could have been made in half the amount of words and with less verbiage, but also because he props up heroes of American civil liberties and liberal academicians whose verbosity matches the ideals of his pacifism. As much as I abhor violence and agree with his persistent encouragement of non-violence, his charged expression of immutable pacifism has it's major weaknesses in light of unmentioned biblical principles (which Hauerwas doesn't bother addressing). Hauerwas does, however, drive home many important ethical points into the heart of America's obsession for violence. He encourages, as he ought, the long and patient work of cultural transformation by the Christ-like principles of reconciling enemies in Christ, a crucified Savior and Lord

[Rick Lee Lee James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on the Christian mandate to non-violence. Strong arguments that would be difficult to find holes in, each chapter richer than the one before. The last chapter is especially good dealing with the narrative that Christians not only tell but also must embody. I strongly recommend this book to anyone, however it may be a bit daunting to those outside of academic circles, but I would encourage you to challenge yourself and you will be better off for taking the time to understand the content.

[Benjamin Sauers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hauerwas is brilliant. I had trouble following a few of these essays as he interacts with such a range of thinkers and published material. His main thesis is basically Yoder's, whom he repeatedly mentions. "The church, therefore, can only be the alternative to war if Christians refuse to kill. Such a refusal may seem a small gesture given the reality of war. Yet we believe it is a gesture, a truthful gesture, that beckons a future otherwise unimaginable."

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hauerwas does an incredible job tackling topics from Christian perspectives on violence to how war binds an otherwise diverse nation together. i recommend this along with Chris Hedges "War is a Force that Gives us Meaning".

[Matt Cavedon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hauerwas makes a solid case for envisioning the church as modeling non-violent, perfect living immediately, without regard for current political conditions. Not ultimately convincing, but solid. And helpful.

[Glesnertod · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars because he is right. Although, I found that last 3 chapters to be boring somewhat.