Stanley Hauerwas
Full Name and Common Aliases
Stanley Martin Hauerwas, often referred to simply as Stanley Hauerwas, is a prominent figure in contemporary theology and ethics. Known for his provocative and insightful contributions to Christian ethics, Hauerwas has been a significant voice in theological circles for decades.
Birth and Death Dates
Stanley Hauerwas was born on July 24, 1940. As of the latest available information, he is still living and continues to influence theological thought and discourse.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Stanley Hauerwas is an American theologian and ethicist. He has held various academic positions throughout his career, most notably as a professor at Duke University. His work spans across theology, ethics, and philosophy, making him a versatile and influential scholar in these fields.
Early Life and Background
Born in Pleasant Grove, Texas, Stanley Hauerwas grew up in a working-class family. His father was a bricklayer, a trade that Hauerwas himself learned and practiced during his youth. This background instilled in him a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for the practical aspects of life, which later influenced his theological perspectives. Hauerwas pursued his undergraduate studies at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, where he developed an interest in philosophy and theology. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Divinity, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Yale University, where he was deeply influenced by the theological and philosophical currents of the time.
Major Accomplishments
Stanley Hauerwas is widely recognized for his contributions to the field of Christian ethics. In 2001, he was named "America's Best Theologian" by Time Magazine, a testament to his influence and the respect he commands in theological circles. Hauerwas has been a prolific writer, with numerous books and articles to his name. His work often challenges conventional thinking and encourages a return to the core tenets of Christian faith and practice. He has held prestigious academic positions, including the Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Theological Ethics at Duke Divinity School, where he has mentored countless students and scholars.
Notable Works or Actions
Among Stanley Hauerwas's most notable works is "A Community of Character: Toward a Constructive Christian Social Ethic", published in 1981. This book is considered a seminal text in Christian ethics, advocating for the importance of community and character in ethical decision-making. Another significant work is "Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony", co-authored with William H. Willimon, which critiques the accommodation of Christianity to secular culture and calls for a distinct Christian identity. Hauerwas's writings often emphasize the narrative nature of Christian ethics, the role of the church as a community of character, and the importance of nonviolence.
Impact and Legacy
Stanley Hauerwas's impact on theology and ethics is profound. He has been a leading voice in the post-liberal theological movement, which seeks to reclaim the narrative and communal aspects of Christian faith. His emphasis on the church as a counter-cultural community has resonated with many who seek a more authentic expression of Christian faith in a secular world. Hauerwas's work has influenced a generation of theologians, ethicists, and pastors, encouraging them to think critically about the role of faith in public life and the importance of living out Christian values in community.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Stanley Hauerwas is widely quoted and remembered for his incisive critiques of modern culture and his passionate advocacy for a robust Christian ethic. His ability to articulate complex theological ideas in an accessible and often provocative manner has made his work appealing to a broad audience. Hauerwas's emphasis on the importance of narrative, community, and character in ethical decision-making challenges individuals and communities to live out their faith in meaningful ways. His writings continue to inspire and provoke thought, making him a significant figure in contemporary theological discourse.
Quotes by Stanley Hauerwas
Stanley Hauerwas's insights on:
I do not put much stock in “believing in God.” The grammar of “belief” invites a far too rationalistic account of what it means to be a Christian. “Belief” implies propositions about which you get to make up your mind before you know the work they are meant to do.
America is Rome, by which I mean we are a country that is so powerful that we can do what we want to do to other people and not fear the consequences. Americans are extremely frightened to live in a world in which we are so powerful, which is why we’ll go to any length to make ourselves feel safe. So America has gone to war in Afghanistan and Iraq. I fear your generation will harvest the result.
Jesus is Lord’ is not my personal opinion. I take it to be a determinative political claim.
Rather than helping us to judge our needs, to have the right needs which we exercise in right ways, our society becomes a vast supermarket of desire under the assumption that if we are free enough to assert and to choose whatever we want we can defer eternally the question of what needs are worth having and on what basis right choices are made. What we call “freedom” becomes the tyranny of our own desires.
I need to be clear. I am not suggesting that the individual wealthy person is dull. Rather I am suggesting that a social order bent on producing wealth as an end in itself cannot avoid producing people whose souls are superficial and whose daily lives are captured by sentimentalities. They ask questions like, “Why does a good god let bad things happen to good people?” Such a people cannot imagine what kind of people would write and sing the Psalms.
We would like a church that again asserts that God, not nations, rules the world, that the boundaries of God’s kingdom transcend those of Caesar, and that the main political task of the church is the formation of people who see clearly the cost of discipleship and are willing to pay the price.
The church does not exist to provide an ethos for democracy or any other form of social organization, but stands as a political alternative to every nation, witnessing to the kind of social life possible for those that have been formed by the story of Christ.
No wonder modern humanity, even as it loudly proclaims its freedom and power to choose, is really an impotent herd drive this way and that, paralyzed by the disconnectedness of it all. It’s just one damn thing after another.
From my perspective, ‘postmodernism’ merely names an interesting set of developments in the social order that is based on the presumption that God does not matter.
From the perspective of the one committing suicide, his or her act can be one of the most perverse forms of moral manipulation, as it abandons those left behind to their shame, guilt, and grief. Suicide is something like a metaphysical “I gotcha!” It is often an attempt to kill or wound others.