Awaiting the King: Reforming Public Theology (Cultural Liturgies)

Overall, despite the rather glaring issue of Smith’s point regarding the Christian “foundations” of modern liberal democratic nation-states, Awaiting the King is a helpful read for Christians in the modern political age and an inventive way to close the Cultural Liturgies project. Though Smith’s use of footnotes borders on the obscene (491 mostly citational footnotes across 224 pages), his main points come forward in a way that advances the entire thesis of the Cultural Liturgies project while also investigating how the notions of the Church as formational community and the sacraments and creeds as formational acts relate to the notion of politics as an inescapable (and equally formational) way of life. Awaiting the King, therefore, is yet another intriguing read bearing the name of James K.A. Smith and is worth the effort to trudge through the excessive footnotes and often academic language. However, while Awaiting the King is an intriguing read that I would by all means recommend, I ultimately side more with Hauerwas and the neo-Anabaptists on the notion of the church as alternative community than with Smith. I certainly appreciate the fact that Smith wishes to push back on the reclusive tendencies of the neo-Anabaptist model of ecclesial community, but I believe that Smith has high aspirations for the power of national government in bringing about the common good. At the end of the day, it appears as though Smith wishes to have his cake and eat it too. However, one who is supposedly formed in the Christian story should readily understand that a person cannot serve two masters. Smith hopes to allow the Church and the state to work together equally for the common good; while this conjoined work between church and state may result in something common, it will by no means result in anything good.

I read and enjoyed another of Smith's books, and am now dutifully slogging through this one. I will continually update the review, but wanted to weigh in immediately, given the limited number of reviews(8 as of today). Five stars, so far, for studiously avoiding taking sides in the debate between “Government will solve everything” and “It’s hopeless, give up.” (For readers of Niebuhr’s “Christ and Culture,” my previous sentence refers to “The Christ of Culture” vs. “Christ against culture.”) Smith, of course, is a philosopher not a political reporter, so this approach is fitting. I’ve only given the book four stars, since the writing, though earnest and precise, has not been particularly lively or engaging (apart from the introduction, which is superb). Perhaps more material should be moved to the footnotes, or an appendix. Yes, the publisher is Baker Academic, but I’ve read other books written at this level, and would like to give the perspective of an avid, non-academic reader.

One of the brilliant insights of Smith’s book (and others in the trilogy) is that we are worshiping creatures whose hearts are formed and deformed by the million competing liturgies to which we are exposed. In the past, I've envisioned myself as keeping politics at arm's length. I had no use for its "liturgies." I've come to realize, more and more, not only the impossibility of such insular living but the abdication of my responsibility in doing so. What this books calls for is an awareness and critique of those political liturgies, which all too often are idolatrous in their goals, and the need for the liturgy of the church to (re)shape our hearts so that we are prepared to live and work and vote in the world as Christian citizens. This liturgy of the Gospel, in recalibrating our hearts toward the love of God and neighbor, prepares us to engage politically in such a way that, remaining faithful to our King, we endeavor also to shape culture and politics to reflect, however feebly, God's design for creatures made in his image.

This is a good book, yet for the most part this is a condensed version of Oliver O'donavan. Very choppy- probably to get it through the publishing quick. Yet- i do think it is a good read, and worth it. Ive read through this twice now and even as a condensation of O'donavan it is worth it if you are into public theology or political philosophy as a Christian.

Great read on a reformed relationship between church and state.

This book lacks the sheer wonder of the first two books in this trilogy.Whatever James Smith's writes is worth reading but I found Awaiting the King rather hard work.I suspect many readers will feel like giving up after the first few pages.

Fantastic book, great author, accurately described in excellent condition, and at a good price, promptly received!

A must read for the thoughtful Christian.

Great theologically but utterly incomprehensible and unreadable without at least a masters in theology

An interesting book, but like too many theologians, Smith spends far too much time trying to be clever in use of language, and too little time on trying to be clear.Theology is relevant to one hundred out of one hundred people. So if we write in such a way that only one out of a thousand can easily follow what we're saying, that's a problem. Compare the style of writing in this book with something like Surprised By Hope by Wright and you can see how egregious the use of language is.Another reviewer commented that you would need an M.A. Theology to read it—indeed, but even then it is quite painful.

James K.A. Smith has done it again! This book is a difficult but amazing read. Recommended for those who want a deeper understanding of politics and the church.

amazing book

Book arrive on time, no issues.