Nonviolence - A Brief History: The Warsaw Lectures - Hardcover

Yoder, John Howard

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1602582564 ISBN 13: 9781602582569

Publisher: Baylor University Press, 2010

Synopsis

Few theologians have done as much as John Howard Yoder to articulate the case for Christian pacifism. The eleven lectures collected in Nonviolence―A Brief History were presented in 1983 in Warsaw, Poland, and this is their first publication together.

Despite their apparent diversity, the lectures trace a single trajectory: the increasing relevance of nonviolent thought and action. They argue that nonviolence aligns with the inner logic of the world and, therefore, with human social existence. A quarter century after they were delivered, Yoder's remarks seem prophetic, heartfelt, and essential.

For those unfamiliar with the life and thought of John Howard Yoder, these lectures, together with their accompanying brief contextualizing summaries, provide an easily accessible introduction.

About this title

About the Author:

John Howard Yoder (1926-1997), a highly influential Mennonite theologian, was Professor of Theology and Teaching Fellow in the Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame. He is best known for his 1972 magnum opus The Politics of Jesus, as well as The Original Revolution: Essays on Christian Pacifism, The Priestly Kingdom, and The Royal Priesthood, among others.

Review:

"The collection is eminently readable and offers glimpses and insights into Yoder's thought without being too difficult. .. [A] text highly recommended to those interested in the contemporary discussion surrounding questions of Christians and violence, the role of nonviolence and Christianity, and just war theory."―Reviews in Religion and Theology

"These are priceless lectures. Drawing from the spiritual wells of contemporary visionaries, Yoder unmasks the redemptive power of reconciliation."―Daniel G. Groody, Department of Theology, Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame

"These lectures wonderfully convey Yoder's depth and breadth of knowledge and his respectful engagement with the Roman Catholic tradition."―Mark Thiessen Nation, author of John Howard Yoder: Mennonite Patience, Evangelical Witness, Catholic Convictions

"These recently discovered lectures represent a significant addition to our understanding of Yoder's published thought on war and nonviolence."―Ronald J. Sider, Professor of Theology, Holistic Ministry & Public Policy, Palmer Seminary at Eastern University

"[T]his book is a welcome addition to Yoder's published corpus of work."―Paul Doerksen, Canadian Mennonite University, The Mennonite Quarterly Review

"For anyone who wants a cogent defence of non-violence from within the Christian tradition this is as fine a place to start as anywhere."―Tim Gorringe, Exeter, The Journal of Theological Studies

"As a collection these lectures represent a part of Yoder's emerging hope in the natural logic of nonviolence and its potential for effective social change."―Carter Aikin, Hastings College, Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics

"Nonviolence offers a very good introduction for scholars, pastors, and church laity interested in the important challenge of Yoder's call to Christian nonviolence. Nonviolence shines brightest with Yoder's customarily masterful and passionate grasp of scriptural, theological, and religio-historical materials and argument,and somewhat less with his inchoate attempt to articulate alliances among theology and the sciences."―James Logan, Earlham College, Theology Today

About this edition

• Publisher: Baylor University Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1602582564
• ISBN 13: 9781602582569
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 164
• Editor: Martens Paul, Porter Matthew, Werntz Myles