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A review by leswag97
The original revolution;: Essays on Christian pacifism, by John Howard Yoder, John Howard Yoder
5.0
I cannot recommend this collection of John Yoder's essays and lectures on Christian non-violence/pacifism enough. While Christian non-violence is a unifying theme of these essays, even those that do not adhere to non-violence or pacifism would do well to read these essays. Yoder's biblical, political, and ecumenical perspectives are entirely Christo-centric and cruciform in nature. If God is best revealed in Jesus of Nazareth, the Crucified One, then what are the implications of this Crucified One being our Lord and King? What does this mean for our politics, our notions of justice, and our commitments to the state.
The gospel--the "good news of Jesus the Messiah-King"--is the original revolution. Yet, far too often, the Church has exchanged its distinctive and unique witness to the kingdom of God for a "chaplaincy" of sorts, blessing the efforts of the state and the rebellious "principalities and powers." Alliance between the Church and the state is nothing new in Church history; yet, even in the 21st century, we still believe that "Constantinianism" (or a "neo-Constantinianism") could prove to bring about the results we desire. This misses the mark, however, for the ends--no matter how desirable--do not justify unjust and undesirable means ("Christ the Hope of the World," 172). May the Church recognize that the original revolution begun by Jesus of Nazareth still is normative for his followers today.
The gospel--the "good news of Jesus the Messiah-King"--is the original revolution. Yet, far too often, the Church has exchanged its distinctive and unique witness to the kingdom of God for a "chaplaincy" of sorts, blessing the efforts of the state and the rebellious "principalities and powers." Alliance between the Church and the state is nothing new in Church history; yet, even in the 21st century, we still believe that "Constantinianism" (or a "neo-Constantinianism") could prove to bring about the results we desire. This misses the mark, however, for the ends--no matter how desirable--do not justify unjust and undesirable means ("Christ the Hope of the World," 172). May the Church recognize that the original revolution begun by Jesus of Nazareth still is normative for his followers today.