Without Apology, by Stanley Hauerwas

Does it preach? That’s the question sometimes asked of theology by people who believe it should be an ecclesial, rather than just an academic, discipline. Hauerwas, a layman, answers that question affirmatively in this collection of sermons, most of which were preached in Episcopal churches, including the one where he is a member. “I find preaching to be theologically the most fertile work that I do,” Hauerwas says in the introduction. “As far as I’m concerned I can discern no difference in the work I do as an academic theologian and when I am writing a sermon.” An appendix includes “An Open Letter to Christians Be­ginning College,” an essay that should be given to every college-bound high school graduate.