A Cross-Shattered Church: Reclaiming the Theological Heart of Preaching - Softcover

Hauerwas, Stanley

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1587432587 ISBN 13: 9781587432583

Publisher: Brazos Press, 2009

Synopsis

In this work, eminent theologian Stanley Hauerwas shows how the sermon is the best context for doing good theology. He writes, "I am convinced that the recovery of the sermon as the context for theological reflection is crucial if Christians are to negotiate the world in which we find ourselves." The book includes seventeen sermons preached by Hauerwas, which he considers his best theological work and hopes exemplify the work of theology. The sermons are divided into four sections: seeing, saying, living, and events. Titles range from Believing Is Seeing and Was It Fitting for Jesus to Die on a Cross? to Only Fear Can Drive Out Fear and To Be Made Human. Each sermon includes where and when it was preached and references relevant Scripture passages. Excerpt I have increasingly come to the recognition that one of the most satisfying contexts for doing the work of theology is in sermons. That should not be surprising because throughout Christian history, at least until recently, the sermon was one of the primary places in which the work of theology was done. For the work of theology is first and foremost to exposit scripture. That modern theology has become less and less scriptural, that modern theology has often tried to appear as a form of philosophy, is but an indication of its alienation from its proper work. I am, therefore, making these sermons available because I think they are not only my best theological work, but because I hope they exemplify the work of theology.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

"One of the most satisfying contexts for doing the work of theology is in sermons. That should not be surprising because throughout Christian history, at least until recently, the sermon was one of the primary places in which the work of theology was done. For the work of theology is first and foremost to exposit Scripture. That modern theology has become less and less scriptural, that modern theology has often tried to appear as a form of philosophy, is but an indication of its alienation from its proper work. I am, therefore, making these sermons available not only because I think they are my best theological work, but because I hope they exemplify the work of theology."--From the Introduction

Stanley Hauerwas has established himself as one of today's most exciting theologians. Here he shows how the sermon is the best context for doing good theology. According to Hauerwas, recovering the sermon as the context for theological reflection is crucial if Christians are to negotiate the world in which they find themselves.

A Cross-Shattered Church includes seventeen sermons, divided into four sections: Seeing, Saying, Living, and Events.

Sermon titles include:
Believing Is Seeing
The Glory of the Trinity
The End of Sacrifice
Was It Fitting for Jesus to Die on a Cross?
Only Fear Can Drive Out Fear
The Appeal of Judas
Slavery as Salvation
To Be Made Human
Water Is Thicker than Blood

Professors and students of theology, pastors, and all who are interested in what Hauerwas has to say about theology and preaching will value this work.

About the Author:

Stanley Hauer was (Ph.D., Yale University) is the Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Theological Ethics at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. His previous books include Cross Shattered Christ, The Peaceable Kingdom, With the Grain of the Universe, A Better Hope, and Christian Existence Today.

About this edition

• Publisher: Brazos Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1587432587
• ISBN 13: 9781587432583
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160