| War, Peace, and Nonresistance: A Classic Statement of a Mennonite Peace Position in Faith and Practice Contributor(s): Hershberger, Guy Franklin (Author) |
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ISBN: 0836195035 ISBN-13: 9780836195033 Publisher: Herald Press (VA) OUR PRICE: $22.49 Product Type: Paperback Published: January 2010 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Religion | Christianity - Mennonite - Religion | Christian Theology - Ethics - Religion | Religion, Politics & State |
| Physical Information: 0.83" H x 5.5" W x 8.5" (1.03 lbs) 300 pages |
| Themes: - Religious Orientation - Christian |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Guy Hershberger made a significant contribution to the development of peace theology in the (Old) Mennonite Church. Perhaps the greatest service of this book is to explain clearly the centuries-old doctrine of nonresistance as understood by Mennonites in the mid-1900s. Although nonresistance was held as a doctrine since the early days of Anabaptism in the sixteenth century, Hershberger helped expand the concept. Many of the new ideas that Hershberger posed were explorations of the social implications of nonresistance. Particularly as Mennonites assimilated into society, their neighbors pressed them with questions about social responsibility. At the time when Hershberger penned this volume, nonresistance and nonconformity were intimately linked. Together they formed the two primary distinctives of the Mennonite Church at mid-century. As nonresistance and nonconformity faded into the background, peace and justice took their place. Today, peace and justice as a rubric is spoken of as the primary distinctive in the Mennonite Church. Unlike the doctrines of nonresistance and nonconformity, which were founded on peculiarly biblical logic, peace and justice may be touted as ideals by even secular groups. In this vein, Hershberger's clear delineation of the differences between biblical nonresistance and liberal pacifism will be of particular interest to contemporary readers. Convictions about peace seem oddly out of place in a world where dictators rule with an iron fist and terrorists snuff out innocent lives in pursuit of a cause. We can thank God that Hershberger joined his voice with other faithful leaders who pointed to a better way. May we too be stewards of the charism of peace which Jesus gave to his disciples. For more about the life and thought of Guy F. Hershberger, take a look at War, Peace, and Social Conscience: Guy F. Hershberger and Mennonite Ethics Also check out these Hershberger classics:The Mennonite Church in the Second World War The Way of the Cross in Human Relations |
Contributor Bio(s): Hershberger, Guy: - Guy F. Hershberger (1896-1989) was an American Mennonite theologian, educator, historian, and author. He earned a BA at Hesston College, and an MA and PhD at the University of Iowa. He was professor history, sociology, and ethics at Goshen College from 1925-1966. Hershberger served as chairman of the Mennonite Church Committee on Economic and Social Relations from 1939-1965. He played a pivotal role in founding Mennonite Mutual Aid and the Mennonite Community Association and helped to found The Mennonite Quarterly Review. His major work War, Peace, and Nonresistance appeared in 1944. |