Book Review: Hospitality as Holiness

Luke Bretherton, Hospitality as Holiness: Christian Witness Amid Moral Diversity (Ashgate, 2006), 215pp (with thanks to Ashgate for a review copy)

In this book Luke Bretherton seeks to explore how Christians can relate and resolve ethical disputes with non-Christians. In our pluralist society how can we determine or discern the right or just moral action when we don't all share the same beliefs and/or traditions.  This is an important discussion as we continue to respond to new science (e.g. stem-cell research) and new religious questions (how can the Christian, the Muslim and the non-religious live side by side?). The first half of the book sees Bretherton interact and explore the proposals of MacIntyre, Grisez and O'Donovan. The second half Bretherton argues for the practice of Christian hospitality (against the often cited notion of tolerance) as a means of dialogue and resolution. The final chapter situates this in the particular issue of hospice care and euthanasia.

Bretherton argues that MacIntyre's (and also Hauerwas') claim that any relationship between Christians and non-Christians will consist of rivalry and conflict is mistaken, however, neither can we assume that Christians and non-Christians will find agreement (contrary to Grisez's natural ethic). Bretherton claims (in part following O'Donovan) that 'the line between Christians and non-Christians is fluid' (p.115). For Christians it is not about competing traditions (so MacIntyre), but about the church and its distinctive witness. 'The church develops specific patterns and thought' writes Bretherton, which means 'some of its neighbours will participate in a church's response to the issue, some will reject it, some will ignore it, and some will actively oppose it' (p.197). It is the practice of Christian hospitality that allows the relationship between Christians and non-Christians to be fluid, because 'within the Christian practice of hospitality there is the imperative to enter into relationship with, and accommodate those who are different' (p.148).  Hospitality demands that the Christian welcomes and listens to the poor, the vulnerable, the stranger and in the 'other' see Christ. Bretherton concludes:

'Mediating disputes over moral problems which confront Christians and non-Christians is never simply a question of each accommodating the other's view, nor of compromise between two positions, nor of rivalry as one tradition seeks  to vindicate its answer against the answer given by other traditions. The only criterion by which the church can accept or reject the thought and action of its neighbours is whether such action accords with thought and action directed to God.' (p.151)

The practice of hospitality means the church must be open to recognising that the thoughts and actions of non-Christians might in some cases might bear a more truthful witness to Jesus Christ (p.151).

With new moral, social and political questions emerging every day, the Christian church must find ways to live among its neighbours and retain its distinctive witness. The temptation of the church is also two-fold, to accommodate and water-down its witness or to retreat from the public square and so disengage from the world. In presenting the biblical and theological practice of hospitality Bretherton offers the church a way to live within the plural world, that follows the example of Jesus Christ. I think the church has much to learn or perhaps relearn about hospitality, it is not a simple practice. Bretherton accepts the tensions involved in how we practice hospitality.

This is a well-written book, which makes an important contribution to how the church should relate to and live in the world. I hope it gets widely read.

 

Comments

[Alan Wilson]

Thanks, Andy for a great review. Luke Bretherton is certainly exploring the Big Issue for all of us who want a viable and coherent non-Imperialistic post-Christendom model for Church. He's got his work cut out, in terms of the growing attraction of ghetto mentalities among Christians, but he's got to be right that there is a moral and theological significance not only in what we assert, but how we assert and enact it. Many thanks for reminding me of LB's significance, and giving me encouragement to re-read his book.