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

Rating:
Summary: Common Hauerwas Themes
Review: In this collection of essays, which was originally printed in 1988, Hauerwas addresses themes that have become standard fare for him over the years. Just as Barth described the threat of Hitler to Christianity in "Theological Existence Today," Hauerwas here outlines the threats he sees presenting themselves to the church and the appropriate response. Hence he presents a critique of Liberal Democracy in general and America in particular. In response, he sets forth an account of the virtues and character to be found in the church. He also emphasizes the embodied nature of the church's narrative and, of course, peace. Some of the essays are very direct while others are more obscure in their presentation. Since some of the pieces are Hauerwas at his best, they have been reprinted in other books. Also, the themes are repeated in some his later works. Other than the repetition, this is a great collection of essays.

Rating:
Summary: Common Hauerwas Themes
Review: In this collection of essays, which was originally printed in 1988, Hauerwas addresses themes that have become standard fare for him over the years. Just as Barth described the threat of Hitler to Christianity in "Theological Existence Today," Hauerwas here outlines the threats he sees presenting themselves to the church and the appropriate response. Hence he presents a critique of Liberal Democracy in general and America in particular. In response, he sets forth an account of the virtues and character to be found in the church. He also emphasizes the embodied nature of the church's narrative and, of course, peace. Some of the essays are very direct while others are more obscure in their presentation. Since some of the pieces are Hauerwas at his best, they have been reprinted in other books. Also, the themes are repeated in some his later works. Other than the repetition, this is a great collection of essays.

Rating:
Summary: More Great Hauerwas Essays
Review: Like many of Hauerwas's other collections of essays, this one boasts a wide variety of themes and topic, al of which are imporant for the church to consider as we go about attempting to find out what it means to live as God's people. Readers of Hauerwas are certain to find this book essential to understanding many of his oft-misunderstood positions on critical issues, particularly the issue of sectarianism.

The forword to this book is an extended reply to James Gustafson's clumsy accusation of sectarianism against Hauerwas and other postliberal thinkers. Hauerwas deftly counters and, in my opinion shatters Gustafson's liberal bumblings and shows how his ecclesial position does not require the church to withdraw from the world, but rather to learn that the church serves the world best when it strives to fully be the church - living in light of God's peacable kingdom.

There are other important gems in this book, particularly the essay, "The Church as God's New Language." This is a very important and fascinating essay by Hauerwas on the nature of the church and narrative theology. Otehr essays of note include "A Christian Critique of Christian America" and "On Taking Time for Peace: The Ethical Significance of the Trivial."

Like his other collections, this books is a great resource for those who care about the church and its faithfulness. It will be of great use to students, pastors and laypersons.