Christians and society (Hauerwas)

Stanley Hauerwas is one of those Christian thinkers that looms on the horizon as someone I must read more extensively when I get the time. Alas, too many books, too little time! Each time I come across some short article or snippet from Hauerwas I'm provoked and/or inspired. For example. . .

The most interesting, creative, political solutions we Christians have to offer our troubled society are not new laws, advice to Congress, or increased funding for social programs—although we may find ourselves supporting such national efforts. The most creative social strategy we have to offer is the church. Here we show the world a manner of life the world can never achieve through social coercion or governmental action. We serve the world by showing it something that it is not, namely, a place where God is forming a family out of strangers.

Quote from Stanley Hauerwas and William H. Willimon, Resident Aliens (Abingdon Press, 1989)