Select Works of James K.A. Smith (2 vols.)

It is often observed that one of the most important and revealing questions you can ask someone identified as a ‘thinker’ is ‘What are you afraid of?’ Writing with clarity and great sympathy, Smith helps us see that Christian theologians have betrayed their best insights by being afraid of relativism. He helps us see that the challenge is not relativism itself but rather the epistemological concerns that produced relativism. As is usually the case with Smith’s work, this book is both clear and constructive: he not only provides a clear account of the work of Wittgenstein, Rorty, and Brandom but also develops an account of why and how Christians should navigate the contingent character of our lives.

—Stanley Hauerwas, Gilbert T. Rowe Emeritus Professor of Theological Ethics, Duke Divinity School

In very readable and reliable expositions of Wittgenstein, Rorty, and Brandom, Smith builds an extremely attractive case philosophically for recognizing the place of contingency, finitude, and dependence in human life. From a Christian perspective, this actually reaffirms an acceptance of creaturely existence and thus of a properly orthodox version of relativism, which there is no reason to fear. A wonderful thesis.

—Fergus Kerr, honorary fellow, School of Divinity and Religious Studies, University of Edinburgh

In Who’s Afraid of Relativism? Smith takes a beautiful risk, boldly and successfully making a case for the relevance of pragmatism for contemporary Christian self-understanding. In this remarkable book, he not only succeeds in making the difficult and enigmatic work of complicated thinkers like Wittgenstein, Rorty, and Brandom accessible to the uninitiated (no small task in itself) but also argues convincingly that the pragmatist emphases on contingency and fallibility should play a key role in a Christian understanding of humans as dependent creatures. The mutual hostility between religious thinkers and pragmatists like Rorty is well known; Smith has the wisdom to see past this impasse in a timely and radical effort to encourage contemporary Christians to think differently about themselves.

—Ronald A. Kuipers, author, Richard Rorty

My friend Jamie Smith is never boring. Most of the time I cheered ‘Amen!’ as I read these letters, but even when I disagreed, I appreciated Jamie’s model of charity and humility as well as conviction. In the midst of all the encouraging energy of the ‘New Calvinism’ movement, it is also important to say that being Reformed is more than TULIP. These are rewarding and creatively written letters for all of us.

—Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Theology, Westminster Seminary California

I wish there had been a Jamie Smith to write letters like these to me when I was a young Calvinist. But, hey, I'm glad to get them today! This is a wise and delightfully written portrayal of a robust Calvinism for the twenty-first century.

—Richard J. Mouw, president and professor of Christian philosophy, Fuller Theological Seminary

Letters to a Young Calvinist is a splendid book that speaks to both head and heart, counseling the ‘young, restless, and Reformed’ toward growth into a wider and deeper Reformed tradition. . . . [T]he journey with Smith into the spacious and expansive Reformed tradition is well worth the ride. This wise and witty book is a delight to read!

—J. Todd Billings, associate professor of Reformed theology, Western Theological Seminary, Holland, Michigan

Although Letters to a Young Calvinist may not please everyone in the Reformed camp (it is a big and diverse family after all), Jamie Smith has done a fabulous job articulating a winsome and engaging account of the depth, splendor, and joy of the Reformed tradition. I found much of what I hold dear about Calvinism reaffirmed in these interesting letters and at the same time was delighted to learn new insights that got me excited about the tradition all over again. I hope this book introduces a whole new generation to the richness of the Reformed understanding of the faith.

—Jim Belcher, author, Deep Church: A Third Way Beyond Emerging and Traditional

James K.A. Smith winsomely steps into one of the most fascinating conversations in contemporary evangelicalism—the surprising resurgence of Calvinism among younger Christians. Letters to a Young Calvinist is thoughtful, nuanced, provocative, relational, and informed. No one will agree with everything here, but what I appreciated most was Smith’s careful insistence that there's much more to being theologically Reformed than believing in the famous (and fabulous!) five points of Calvinism. He shows that the Reformed tradition is covenantal and cosmic in scope, big and bright in scale, doctrinal and devotional in spirit. A thoroughly engaging read!

—Tullian Tchividjian, pastor, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church; author, Surprised by Grace: God’s Relentless Pursuit of Rebels