Stanley Hauerwas’s Baptist project

This article examines the influence of Stanley Hauerwas on Baptists. It describes the nature and scope of Hauerwas’ Baptist project. Specifically, it provides a chronological narrative that explores his critique of Baptists as linked to the modern habits and patterns of fundamentalism-liberalism, enlightenment rationality and individualism, biblical literalism and historicism, and the secular ways of learning in the university. It examines his speeches, sermons, and published works specifically addressed to Baptist audiences. The article analyses not only on his published works, but draws upon the primary sources of original speeches, letters, and other unpublished materials contained in Hauerwas’ personal and academic papers in the archival collection at the Rubenstein Library of Duke University.