The Luminaries series is a collection of interviews with premier thinkers working in the theological academy and the church.

Dr. William T. Cavanaugh is a prolific theologian, professor at Depaul University in Chicago, and is known especially for his work in political theology. He is also a husband and father of three sons.

In this interview, Professor Cavanaugh and I talk about a whole host of subjects, including Cavanaugh’s mentor, Stanley Hauerwas, the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade, and the dangers of Donald Trump and the Republican Party.

Apologies for the glitches and poor sound quality in parts of the episode. We are actively working to strengthen WiFi signals and microphone quality.

PODCAST LINKS:

Blog post: https://wipfandstock.com/blog/2022/07/11/he-did-not-take-revenge-on-the-torturers-an-interview-with-william-t-cavanaugh/

Author page: https://wipfandstock.com/author/william-t-cavanaugh/

CONNECT:

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SOURCES MENTIONED:

Cavanaugh, William T. Being Consumed: Economics and Christian Desire. 

———. “Electing Republicans has not reversed Roe v. Wade. It’s time to change our strategy.”

———. Field Hospital: The Church’s Engagement with a Wounded World. 

———, ed. Fragile World: Ecology and the Church.

———, ed. Gathered in my Name: Ecumenism in the World Church.

———. “I had to learn to love the church; then I had to learn to love God.” How My Mind Has Changed.

———. The Myth of Religious Violence: Secular Ideology and the Roots of Modern Conflict.

———. Theopolitical Imagination: Discovering the Liturgy as a Political Act in an Age of Global Consumerism.

———. Torture and Eucharist: Theology, Politics, and the Body of Christ. 

Center for World Catholicism & Intercultural Theology.

Coolman, Holly Taylor. “The 12 things pro-lifers must do if Roe v. Wade is overturned.”

Francis, Pope. Laudato si’. 

Hartch, Todd. The Rebirth of Latin American Christianity. 

Hauerwas, Stanley. The Hauerwas Reader. 

Radner, Ephraim. A Brutal Unity: The Spiritual Politics of the Christian Church. 

Zizioulas, John D. The Eucharistic Communion and the World.

OUTLINE:

(01:21) - Stanley Hauerwas

(06:11) - Partisanship

(10:11) - Roe v. Wade, Abortion, and the Church

(15:12) - Church as Field Hospital

(18:49) - The Church's Witness, or Lack Thereof

(22:17) - The Eucharist

(25:09) - The Church and Violence

(29:35) - Theology through a Global Lens

(34:57) - Ecumenism on the Global Stage

(39:03) - The Church's Role in Ecological Issues

(42:48) - Pope Francis Compared to His Papal Predecessors

(47:23) - Changing Your Mind