Choosing Against War: A Christian View [Paperback]

John D. Roth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2002

A new book by a leading writer and thinker. How might Christians look on the world differently if they—actually!—believed that God’s love was indeed stronger than our fears?

In fresh, confessional language, Roth shares his convictions about Christian pacifism, inviting others to consider this possibility, all the while humbly admitting the difficulties.

What would happen if Christians assumed that their allegiance to God, their identity with Christ, and their commitment to the church would inevitably lead them to respond to the world’s pain differently because of their faith? In the face of violence, are there any options open to the Christian believer other than the "default" impulse toward patriotic unity and a steely determination to exact "an eye for an eye"?

A must-read for anyone concerned about the endless cycles of wars and violence, and the possibility that God’s love is stronger than our society’s current answers.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Roth wrote this short, simple introduction to Christian pacifism "out of a conviction that the gospel of Jesus Christ does indeed speak to the crises of our day with a perspective that is both distinctive and unique." Very much in the tradition of Christian apology, the book isn't likely to convert readers with Nietzschean inclinations, whom it often seems to be arguing against. But those curious about Christian pacifism and the strains of the Christian tradition, particularly the historic peace churches (Mennonites, Brethren, and Quakers), which understand that nonviolence lies at the heart of the gospel, could do worse than to start their learning here. Steven Schroeder
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From the Publisher

A new book by a leading writer and thinker. How might Christians look on the world differently if they—actually!—believed that God’s love was indeed stronger than our fears? In fresh, confessional language, Roth shares his convictions about Christian pacifism, inviting others to consider this possibility, all the while humbly admitting the difficulties.

What would happen if Christians assumed that their allegiance to God, their identity with Christ, and their commitment to the church would inevitably lead them to respond to the world’s pain differently because of their faith? In the face of violence, are there any options open to the Christian believer other than the "default" impulse toward patriotic unity and a steely determination to exact "an eye for an eye"?

A must-read for anyone concerned about the endless cycles of wars and violence, and the possibility that God’s love is stronger than our society’s current answers.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Good Books (August 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561483591
• ISBN-13: 978-1561483594
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #485,544 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #38 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Theology > Philosophy
  • #47 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Political Science > General

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Timely Response, January 16, 2003

By 

J. Mulholland (Indianapolis, Indiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Choosing Against War: A Christian View (Paperback)

John Roth has written a theologically sophisticated and yet wonderfully readable book about pacifism as a Christian response to war. While John Howard Yoder is probably the most powerful advocate of the pacifist position, his books are not always accessible to the ordinary reader. Roth, on the other hand, has written a book that should be studied by every Sunday School class in America. He invites us to consider an option many of us have ignored.

This book balances careful theological thought, effective stories and illustrations, a historic survey, and questions of practical application. Roth works hard to support pacifism while rejecting the elitism that often colors many anti-war manifestos. He faces head on the difficult question of how to be a Christian and a citizen. While his position is well articluated, he acknowledges other views without ridiculing them.

My hope, in this time of war and rumors of war, is that many will discover this fine book and share it with their friends.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Christians, January 3, 2005

By 

Steve "Soli Deo Gloria" (Palm Desert, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Choosing Against War: A Christian View (Paperback)

This book does to Christian Nonresistance what Stephen Hawkings does to cosmology. It's an easy read laying out important Christian priciples and practical applications. It is a highly challenging topic that I resisted at first, but after reading through my Bible and other authors, I know it's true. This other "review" by someone who hasn't read the book should be ignored, they really ought to read the book themselves, it answers their questions. They make it sound that since some people aren't peacful, we ought not to be either. That contradict's Jesus's teachings. "Blessed are the peacemakers, they are the children of God." This book really is a must read, if you disagree or not. Too many are opposed to pacifism who haven't an understanding of what it really is.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars W. W.J. D., April 30, 2003

By 

Theo D. Beels (Nepal) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Choosing Against War: A Christian View (Paperback)

DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK if you believe that the Bible stops at "an eye for an eye".
If you are willing to be challenged by the way of the cross, this book will give you a powerful challenge and inspire you to further growth, both on a personal level as well as on a social and a political level.
The book bases itself on the Bible, particularly on the words and the life of Jesus, with helpful examples of real life applications of the gospel through the ages.
"The resurrection was the vindication of God's ultimate triumph of love over the forces of violence. It guarantees to all those who follow in the humble way of Christ, that in the end -against all odds and contrary to the logic of human reason- Shalom will indeed prevail."
The book is well written and easy to read and would be a good start for any congregation to look at its own position toward the use of force and violence.
The reader from Canada who wrote the one star review above must not have read the book. John Roth does refer specifically to the Old Testament. " The Old Testament story offers a series of powerful hints regarding God's desire to reconcile humans to each other and Himself. But the fullness of God's revelation to humanity is to be found in Christ and the message of the NT gospel. This may seem like an obvious point for most Christians, but it is especially relevant for those who see in the violence of the OT a justification for Christians to participate in war today."