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The Work of Theology
A "how-to" book on theology from a world-renowned theologian
In this book Stanley Hauerwas returns to the basics of "doing" theology. Revisiting some of his earliest philosophical and theological views to better understand and clarify what he has said before, Hauerwas explores how theological reflection can be understood as an exercise in practical reason.
Hauerwas includes chapters on a wide array of topics, including "How I Think I Learned to Think Theologically," "How the Holy Spirit Works," "How to Write a Theological Sentence," and "How to Be Theologically Funny." In a postscript he responds to Nicholas Healy's recent book Hauerwas: A (Very) Critical Introduction.
"What we believe as Christians," says Hauerwas, "is quite basic and even simple. But because it is so basic, we can lose any sense of the extraordinary nature of Christian beliefs and practices." In discussing the work of theology, Hauerwas seeks to recover that "sense of the oddness of what we believe as Christians."
In this book Stanley Hauerwas returns to the basics of "doing" theology. Revisiting some of his earliest philosophical and theological views to better understand and clarify what he has said before, Hauerwas explores how theological reflection can be understood as an exercise in practical reason.
Hauerwas includes chapters on a wide array of topics, including "How I Think I Learned to Think Theologically," "How the Holy Spirit Works," "How to Write a Theological Sentence," and "How to Be Theologically Funny." In a postscript he responds to Nicholas Healy's recent book Hauerwas: A (Very) Critical Introduction.
"What we believe as Christians," says Hauerwas, "is quite basic and even simple. But because it is so basic, we can lose any sense of the extraordinary nature of Christian beliefs and practices." In discussing the work of theology, Hauerwas seeks to recover that "sense of the oddness of what we believe as Christians."
320 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2015
33 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Stanley Hauerwas
168 books287 followersStanley 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."
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 6, 2016
My first encounter with Hauerwas but will not be my last. A brilliant collection of essays.
November 9, 2015
This is an interesting Hauerwas book. Like most of his books, it is a collection of essays composed for various purposes. It does have a formal coherence that is not always true of his prior collections. I have no desire, nor do I think there a need, to provide an essay-by-essay summary of the book. However, I do think it would be beneficial to offer some thematic reflections and express why I find it "interesting," as well as what its merits and demerits are.
First, a thematic observation. The book is titled The Work of Theology, which is a reference both to his understanding of theology as an exercise in practical reason and to his working life, which goes back to his childhood as a bricklayer's son and apprentice (for more on the latter theme, read his Hannah's Child). That he views theology as a task, primarily in practical reason, means that theology, like all regulative analyses of language use, is concerned both with the use of a community's language and the forms of life (a la Wittgenstein) in which the language's meaning emerges. Consequently, there is properly no distinction between theology and ethics (or at least there is no distinct field of ethics that is not theological).
Remembering this theme is extremely important for reading the style and aim of the essays. Each essay bears a title that could easily seem trite or overly self-help-ish -- bearing the pattern "How to ..." These titles are cues that the matter at hand is both a theoretical analysis of formal or material concerns in theology and regulative analysis of the task of theology and Christian ethics.
Now, I find the collection "interesting" because much of it is more self-indulgent than his earlier work. He often spends the bulk of an essay explaining why he's felt it necessary to pursue theology in the manner he has. It tends, then, to be autobiographical at times. There are some great essays, though. "How the Holy Spirit Works" is a delightful essays, both in its discussion of pneumatology proper and the way he connects it with his manner of doing theology. "How to Write a Theological Sentence" and "How to Think Theologically about Rights" are also my favorites. The former draws on Stanley Fish's discussion of sentences to analyze the aim of theological writing. Namely, Hauerwas wants to draw attention to the need for good theological sentences that speak properly of God and do so in a way that spurs on further creative theological reflection. His reflection on Robert Jenson's sentence "God is whoever raised Jesus Christ from the dead, having also raised Israel from Egypt" is a lot of fun, and helpful.
The merits of this book include its light-heartedness and the exploratory character of the essays. They do push the reader to reflect on the task of theology, even when the reader would pursue the task differently. The essay format has the benefit of providing bite-size ideas to play with without the discussion getting too bogged down on polemics or technical details.
In my opinion, the demerits mainly revolve around its self-indulgent character. The same essay that I praised for its analysis of a sentence by Robert Jenson ends up reflecting on Hauerwas's own sentences. While this is helpful to an extent, by clarifying what Hauerwas has intended with different claims here and there -- especially ones that have been provocative -- it is less interesting to hear Hauerwas praise his own sentence construction than it is to hear him praise another theologian's.
Overall the book is worth reading. I have enjoyed many Hauerwas books, and this one was good as well, just not my favorite. I would recommend anyone who is interested in Hauerwas and hearing him respond to some criticisms to read it, but if you've not previously read his work this is not the place to start. For that, Community of Character, Peaceable Kingdom, or Resident Aliens would be better.
First, a thematic observation. The book is titled The Work of Theology, which is a reference both to his understanding of theology as an exercise in practical reason and to his working life, which goes back to his childhood as a bricklayer's son and apprentice (for more on the latter theme, read his Hannah's Child). That he views theology as a task, primarily in practical reason, means that theology, like all regulative analyses of language use, is concerned both with the use of a community's language and the forms of life (a la Wittgenstein) in which the language's meaning emerges. Consequently, there is properly no distinction between theology and ethics (or at least there is no distinct field of ethics that is not theological).
Remembering this theme is extremely important for reading the style and aim of the essays. Each essay bears a title that could easily seem trite or overly self-help-ish -- bearing the pattern "How to ..." These titles are cues that the matter at hand is both a theoretical analysis of formal or material concerns in theology and regulative analysis of the task of theology and Christian ethics.
Now, I find the collection "interesting" because much of it is more self-indulgent than his earlier work. He often spends the bulk of an essay explaining why he's felt it necessary to pursue theology in the manner he has. It tends, then, to be autobiographical at times. There are some great essays, though. "How the Holy Spirit Works" is a delightful essays, both in its discussion of pneumatology proper and the way he connects it with his manner of doing theology. "How to Write a Theological Sentence" and "How to Think Theologically about Rights" are also my favorites. The former draws on Stanley Fish's discussion of sentences to analyze the aim of theological writing. Namely, Hauerwas wants to draw attention to the need for good theological sentences that speak properly of God and do so in a way that spurs on further creative theological reflection. His reflection on Robert Jenson's sentence "God is whoever raised Jesus Christ from the dead, having also raised Israel from Egypt" is a lot of fun, and helpful.
The merits of this book include its light-heartedness and the exploratory character of the essays. They do push the reader to reflect on the task of theology, even when the reader would pursue the task differently. The essay format has the benefit of providing bite-size ideas to play with without the discussion getting too bogged down on polemics or technical details.
In my opinion, the demerits mainly revolve around its self-indulgent character. The same essay that I praised for its analysis of a sentence by Robert Jenson ends up reflecting on Hauerwas's own sentences. While this is helpful to an extent, by clarifying what Hauerwas has intended with different claims here and there -- especially ones that have been provocative -- it is less interesting to hear Hauerwas praise his own sentence construction than it is to hear him praise another theologian's.
Overall the book is worth reading. I have enjoyed many Hauerwas books, and this one was good as well, just not my favorite. I would recommend anyone who is interested in Hauerwas and hearing him respond to some criticisms to read it, but if you've not previously read his work this is not the place to start. For that, Community of Character, Peaceable Kingdom, or Resident Aliens would be better.
November 6, 2015
I do not number myself among the followers of Stanley Hauerwas. I guess I'm too Niebuhrian. That said, my own theological journey has been influenced by Karl Barth, and in this I share spiritual DNA with Hauerwas. So, I read Hauerwas' latest book, "The Work of Theology" with great interest. After all, I consider myself by training and by vocation a theologian, even if I do not abide within the Academy at this point in my life.
"The Work of Theology" is by the author's own admission a collection of essays. There isn't a necessary movement from beginning to end, but each of the thirteen essays reflect in one way or another on the work of theology. Hauerwas writes that if one starts from the beginning, the reader will notice that the early chapters focus on more on methodology than do the later chapters. Whereas the later chapters focus more on the social and political implications of doing theology. Nonetheless, he places his essay "How to be Theologically Funny" near the end of the book as a "present." In many ways this book is written as an answer to critics, not so much defending his positions addressing what he believes are misconceptions. Perhaps that is why I found the book intriguing. It is good to remember that one should not judge the mentor by the work of the students. Students will take and use what they deem appropriate and reuse it in their own way.
Perhaps the reason why I enjoyed the book, even if I don't agree at many points with his positions, is that I believe that theology is important to the life of the church. It is not simply an academic discipline to be practiced in theological institutions. It is something that must be lived. It must be engaged from within the community itself. He also recognizes, with Barth, that theology is not something that has an end point. He writes in the opening essay:
"If theology is understood as something like the writing of letters, then it should be clear that there is no place to begin or end the work of theology. Rather you always begin in the middle" (p. 24).
Hauerwas has a method and he is influenced by Barth and others, but he doesn't embrace a particular method. That appeals to me. I learned theology in seminary as a historical discipline. My teacher didn't believe there is one system. There are simply many attempts to make sense of the biblical story, tradition, and the contemporary situation. Thus, theology is often occasional, and thus a book of essays fulfills that promise.
Hauerwas is known as a teacher and writer on Christian ethics, and so it will not surprise one to find much ethical reflection emerging from the essays. He wrestles with politics, rights, the poor. As noted before he reflects on humor but also on irony. In a final essay (before a postscript in which he responds to Nicholas Healy's critical introduction to Hauerwas' work) he writes abouit "how (not) to retire theologically." While Hauerwas, now in his 70s, has retired from teaching, he doesn't think one can retire from being a theologian. With that I agree. He declares: "The good news, at least for me, is I am not dead yet, so I continue to have good work to do. But even more important is the fact that I have been joined by some who graciously describe themselves as 'my students' who can do the work of theology far better than I have done" (p. 265). Until we die, we continue to do the work of theology. I like that!
It is an intriguing book. It offers much to consider regarding method and more. Perhaps responding to the ongoing debate about whether we should focus on orthopraxis or orthodoxy, he notes that he does indeed conflate the "logic of belief" with the "logic of out our beliefs." While I don't see him conflating the kingdom with the church, he does emphasize the church as the locus of God's work.
It's not an easy book. It is after all a collection of theological essays. Nonetheless it should be a blessing to many who take it up.
"The Work of Theology" is by the author's own admission a collection of essays. There isn't a necessary movement from beginning to end, but each of the thirteen essays reflect in one way or another on the work of theology. Hauerwas writes that if one starts from the beginning, the reader will notice that the early chapters focus on more on methodology than do the later chapters. Whereas the later chapters focus more on the social and political implications of doing theology. Nonetheless, he places his essay "How to be Theologically Funny" near the end of the book as a "present." In many ways this book is written as an answer to critics, not so much defending his positions addressing what he believes are misconceptions. Perhaps that is why I found the book intriguing. It is good to remember that one should not judge the mentor by the work of the students. Students will take and use what they deem appropriate and reuse it in their own way.
Perhaps the reason why I enjoyed the book, even if I don't agree at many points with his positions, is that I believe that theology is important to the life of the church. It is not simply an academic discipline to be practiced in theological institutions. It is something that must be lived. It must be engaged from within the community itself. He also recognizes, with Barth, that theology is not something that has an end point. He writes in the opening essay:
"If theology is understood as something like the writing of letters, then it should be clear that there is no place to begin or end the work of theology. Rather you always begin in the middle" (p. 24).
Hauerwas has a method and he is influenced by Barth and others, but he doesn't embrace a particular method. That appeals to me. I learned theology in seminary as a historical discipline. My teacher didn't believe there is one system. There are simply many attempts to make sense of the biblical story, tradition, and the contemporary situation. Thus, theology is often occasional, and thus a book of essays fulfills that promise.
Hauerwas is known as a teacher and writer on Christian ethics, and so it will not surprise one to find much ethical reflection emerging from the essays. He wrestles with politics, rights, the poor. As noted before he reflects on humor but also on irony. In a final essay (before a postscript in which he responds to Nicholas Healy's critical introduction to Hauerwas' work) he writes abouit "how (not) to retire theologically." While Hauerwas, now in his 70s, has retired from teaching, he doesn't think one can retire from being a theologian. With that I agree. He declares: "The good news, at least for me, is I am not dead yet, so I continue to have good work to do. But even more important is the fact that I have been joined by some who graciously describe themselves as 'my students' who can do the work of theology far better than I have done" (p. 265). Until we die, we continue to do the work of theology. I like that!
It is an intriguing book. It offers much to consider regarding method and more. Perhaps responding to the ongoing debate about whether we should focus on orthopraxis or orthodoxy, he notes that he does indeed conflate the "logic of belief" with the "logic of out our beliefs." While I don't see him conflating the kingdom with the church, he does emphasize the church as the locus of God's work.
It's not an easy book. It is after all a collection of theological essays. Nonetheless it should be a blessing to many who take it up.
September 18, 2015
You will be able to read my review in the fall 2015 print edition of Englewood Review of Books.
December 2, 2018
This was my first Hauerwas exposure, so I don't know if this book is a fair representation of him or not, but if it is, I'm not that interested in reading any others. This book could've (should've) been about 150 pages shorter. All his chapters were about 10 pages too long. He took on a rather arrogant tone in this book, and also seemed quite defensive at times. I did much of the time feel there was a lot I was not understanding because of not having read any other Hauerwas works prior to this one. He made reference to a lot of his previous books and articles throughout the book, and probably only a Hauerwas scholar would truly appreciate this book. But I was required to read it, so I read it. Glad I'm done with it.
January 7, 2017
Pedazo libro - I loved it. This is only the second Hauerwas book I've read, but he is among my favourite theologians and even authors. His writing, even when on the same subjects he is known for being an authority of, is always fresh and new. Most of all, with this book, his humour and delight in what he does is not only evident but clearly perceived. I thought, I laughed, I felt encouraged to study and be challenged - this was good theology.
December 28, 2024
Ja kaut drusciņ gribas saprast “kas ir teologs/teoloģija?”
Lai arī eshatoloģiju attiecina uz “beigu lietām”, tās būtība par to nerunā. Tāpat arī teoloģija ir nebeidzams process. It is ever going dance and spining around (klaigājot un smejot). Vienkārši tāpēc, ka ar vislabāko humora izjūtu apveltīts ir Dievs. (:
Lai arī eshatoloģiju attiecina uz “beigu lietām”, tās būtība par to nerunā. Tāpat arī teoloģija ir nebeidzams process. It is ever going dance and spining around (klaigājot un smejot). Vienkārši tāpēc, ka ar vislabāko humora izjūtu apveltīts ir Dievs. (:
December 31, 2020
this is, as is often the case with Hauerwas, a series of essays.
i got lost in the middle for a bit, but loved the book as a whole. Hauerwas writes clearly and with conviction of a confessional thinker.
i got lost in the middle for a bit, but loved the book as a whole. Hauerwas writes clearly and with conviction of a confessional thinker.
August 26, 2021
This was a fun and engaging encounter with Hauerwas. As you walk with him through a variety of essays on “How to do Theology”, there is much to learn along the way.
January 11, 2022
This isn't my first time reading this book. Every time I read it I remember why I appreciate Hauerwas as a theologian and as a person. In this book specifically, the way in which he traces his theological-thought trajectory draws me in. All this to say, Hauerwas is one of my favorite contemporary theologians--if not my favorite. His cogent and sound arguments, coupled with his wit and prose are always a delight.
DM
DM
September 20, 2016
Sheer brilliance.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews