Recovering Christian Vocabulary: A Conversation with Stanley Hauerwas

When Time magazine named Stanley Hauerwas “America’s Best Theologian” in 2001, Hauerwas replied, “‘Best’ is not a theological category.”

This response encapsulates the work and conversational style of Hauerwas, who joined Moore to discuss his new collection of essays, Jesus Changes Everything: A New World Made Possible. With his signature approach that prompts the audience to wonder if there’s another way to think about a topic, Hauerwas talks about the books that shaped him, how he came to be a theologian, and why he believes that being a Christian is the most interesting thing that could happen to a person.

Moore and Hauerwas consider the importance of Christian friendship, the person of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and the life-changing power of the truth. The two offer poignant, practical insights for reclaiming Christian vocabulary and better understanding our lives as narrated by Christ.

Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include:

Jesus Changes Everything: A New World Made Possible by Stanley Hauerwas
Stanley Hauerwas
“America’s Best Theologian: Christian Contrarian”
The Sun and the Umbrella by Nels F. S. Ferre
Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Comedy, Tragedy, and Fairy Tale by Frederick Buechner
Discipleship in a World Full of Nazis: Recovering the True Legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Mark Nation
Theological Existence To-Day!: (A Plea for Theological Freedom) by Karl Barth
Bruderhof Communities
“David Brooks on How to Know a Person”
War and the American Difference: Theological Reflections on Violence and National Identity by Stanley Hauerwas

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“The Russell Moore Show” is a production of Christianity Today
Executive Producers: Erik Petrik, Russell Moore, and Mike Cosper
Host: Russell Moore
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Associate Producers: Abby Perry and McKenzie Hill
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Audio engineering by Dan Phelps
Video producer: Abby Egan
Theme Song: “Dusty Delta Day” by Lennon Hutton

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