Pursuing the Spiritual Roots of Protest: Merton, Berrigan, Yoder, and Muste at the Gethsemani Abbey Peacemakers Retreat

About the Contributor(s): Gordon Oyer is an administrator with the University of Illinois system and has an MA in history from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is the past editor of Illinois Mennonite Heritage Quarterly, has served on different regional Mennonite historical committees, and is the author of various articles on Mennonite history.

Gordon Oyer learned to question priorities that drive Western society early on, reared in the Anabaptist Mennonite tradition. Oyer grew up on a small dairy and grain farm in central Illinois, and received his BS from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His readings in nonviolence introduced him to writings of Thomas Merton, which in turn led him to appreciate Merton's contemplative reflections and social critique. Beyond these influences, his parents' love of history encouraged him to seek insights into faith and culture through historical inquiry. His professional career in University of Illinois administrative offices offered the occasion to complete his MA in history at its Urbana-Champaign campus. These experiences combined to inform his interest in the 1964 Merton-led retreat of peacemakers and their consultation about spiritual roots to challenge America's embrace of violence and related maladies. Parallel to his professional career, he participated in denominational history projects and leadership. This included serving on various regional Mennonite historical committees, assisting with aspects of Illinois Mennonite Heritage Center programming, and serving on the board of the Central District Conference of Mennonite Church USA, including a two-year term as conference president. He served eight years as editor of Illinois Mennonite Heritage Quarterly and has written various articles on Mennonite history. Oyer lives in Champaign, Illinois. His work, Pursuing the Spiritual Roots of Protest, has heightened his desire to "continue the conversation" Merton and thirteen others began fifty years ago at Gethsemani Abbey.

John Dear is priest, pastor, and peacemaker. He has served as the director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, traveled the war zones of the world, and addressed tens of thousands of people in over a thousand lectures around the country. He has two masters in theology from the Graduate Theological Union in California. His many books include "Living Peace," "Jesus the Rebel," "Disarming the Heart," and "The Questions of Jesus." He lives in the desert of New Mexico.