Politics of the Cross, The: The Theology and Social Ethics of John Howard Yoder [Paperback]

Craig A. Carter (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

In this first systematic treatment of John Howard Yoder's extensive writings, Craig Carter argues that Yoder's radical social ethic, centered on pacifism, is derived from a classically orthodox Christianity.

"We are in Carter's debt for this carefully researched and thorough study of Yoder's theology and social ethics. The Politics of the Cross has set the standard for excellence for what a theological assessment of Yoder's body of work should be." -Dr. Michael G. Cartwright, University of Indianapolis

"There are no doubt going to be many books in the future published on Yoder, but this will surely be one of the best." -Stanley Hauerwas, Duke University

"A brilliant, probing analysis of one of the most important Christian theologians of the twentieth century. Yoder's central Christological argument-precisely because Jesus of Nazareth is true God he is also normative man-challenges both liberal peace and justice activists and traditional evangelicals." -Ronald J. Sider, Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary

"Careful, irenic, and argued with intellectual vigour, Carter's study gives a coherent reading of Yoder's Christocentric moral vision which will provoke debate and renewed appreciation for its subject." -John Webster, University of Oxford

"Craig Carter has done a splendid job of analyzing and presenting the theology of John Howard Yoder. He has given us a carefully crafted systematic view of Yoder's 'conversational and occasional writings.' " -C. Norman Kraus, Professor Emeritus, Goshen College

Craig A. Carter (Ph.D. University of St. Michael's College, Toronto School of Theology) is the Vice President and Academic Dean at Tyndale College in Toronto, Ontario, where he teaches theology and ethics.

About the Author

Craig A. Carter is the vice president and academic dean at Tyndale College in Toronto, Ontario, where he also teaches theology and ethics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Brazos Press (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158743010X
• ISBN-13: 978-1587430107
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,151,646 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pacifism Is the Christian Gospel, Not Just an Add-On, May 21, 2010

By 

Jeremy Garber "urbanmenno" (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Politics of the Cross, The: The Theology and Social Ethics of John Howard Yoder (Paperback)

Pacifism is the heart of the Christian gospel, not an add-on by a strange fringe sect of believers. John Howard Yoder spent his entire life patiently and excellently explaining that essential truth to the entire Christian church. Craig Carter does an admirable job setting Yoder's thought in an easily readable context, seeing the strains of Yoder's argument both in his Anabaptist Mennonite roots and in his theological training with Karl Barth. Carter especially takes great pains to establish that Yoder's vision of a concrete call to radical political discipleship is both fundamentally biblical and more Nicene and Chalcedonian than the Constantinian establishment government church ever was - or is.

The primary problem with systematically presenting Yoder's thought is that Yoder rejected systematization itself as Constantinian. Carter remarks on page 18, "Yoder wrote no major systematic treatise in which the comprehensiveness, logical rigor, and originality of his theology could be readily ascertained," and later on the same page says, "Although Yoder considered the possibility of writing a basic introduction to ethics or to his thought as a whole, he rejected the idea as being inconsistent with his firm rejection of foundationalism or methodologism." So why write a methodical/systematic treatise of his thought? I am reminded of the conversation I had a young Mennonite student a few years ago where he said he was interested in writing a systematic theology of Mennonites so that they could be more effective in ecumenical dialogue. I think the primary gift that Mennonites - and Yoder - provide to ecumenical dialogue is the refusal to write systematic theologies. Yoder wrote specific essays to specific people for specific purposes, as Carter notes, in full line with the Anabaptist commitment to Christ that he admired. Why don't we keep doing the same thing today? Carter presents a helpful guide to begin to read Yoder - but its main draw is not to summarize Yoder so one can stop there, but to entice all Christians into reading Yoder himself - and to entering into a life of true discipleship.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must read for any christians!, December 27, 2001

By 

Chris Pak (Cambridge, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Politics of the Cross, The: The Theology and Social Ethics of John Howard Yoder (Paperback)

This is the best place to begin if you are not familiar with Yoder. My only gripe with the book is that it is bit too technical for anyone not trained in theology. But again, definitely easier to read than "Politics of Jesus."

Higly recommended!