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Reborn on the Fourth of July: The Challenge of Faith, Patriotism & Conscience Paperback – June 16, 2012

by Logan Mehl-Laituri (Author), Shane Claiborne (Foreword)

5.0 13 ratings

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For decades now, the United States has proudly claimed the mantle of "the world's only superpower" based on military might and the scope of military interventions throughout the world. As a result, whole generations are growing up with the understanding that war is the norm, that perpetual conflict is a way of life. But is it the way of Christ? Logan Mehl-Laituri grew up in a community that celebrated military service. His faith reinforced his love of country and his sense that that love was best expressed by fighting its battles. Then he went to war, and then he was born again. In Reborn on the Fourth of July you'll learn through Logan's story the real cost of war to military personnel, the real challenges to Christians that are raised by military service on and even off the battlefield, and the real questions that each of us must wrestle with as we hold in tension our love of country with God's love for the world.

Print length

240 pages
Language

English
Publisher

IVP Books
Publication date

June 16, 2012
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.7 x 8.25 inches
ISBN-10

0830836527
ISBN-13

978-0830836529
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Since 1947, InterVarsity Press (IVP) has been publishing thoughtful Christian books that shape both the lives of readers and the cultures they inhabit. Throughout these seventy-five years, our books and authors have established a legacy of speaking boldly into important cultural moments, providing timeless tools for spiritual growth, and equipping Christians for a vibrant life of faith.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Publishers Weekly Starred Review; "A warrior who deeply honors the values of the Army... Mehl-Laituri seamlessly weaves church history and facts. With a well-crafted story and a compelling narrative, this book is well worth reading and rereading." Reviewed 06/18/2012 at publishersweekly.com/978-0-8308-3652-9

About the Author

Logan Mehl-Laituri is an Army veteran. He served in the Iraq War as a forward observer/fire support specialist before applying to change his status to conscientious objector. After his discharge he went to Palestine with Christian Peacemaker Teams, and later returned to Iraq with Shane Claiborne for the documentary film The Gospel of Rutba. He speaks and writes broadly about veterans issues and Christian perspectives on militarism and nationalism.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ IVP Books (June 16, 2012)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0830836527
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0830836529
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #6,228,739 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #12,292 in Christian Social Issues (Books)

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5.0 13 ratings

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Logan Martin Isaac

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Br. Logan M. Isaac, HoSM served in the United States Army as a forward observer in the 82nd Airborne and 25th Infantry (Light) divisions. After six years he was honorably discharged and began using his GI Bill to earn degrees from Hawaii Pacific University (BA, 2010), Duke University (MTS, 2013), and the University of St Andrews (M.Litt, 2015). His work has been featured in the London Sunday Times, Publishers Weekly, The Hill, America Magazine, Religion News Service, Christianity Today, the Armed Forces Radio Network, and more. He has presented his academic research at conferences in the United States, Greece, Italy, Denmark, and Great Britain.

As an author and editor Logan has over 20 publications to his name, including Reborn on the Fourth of July, awarded a Publishers Weekly Starred Review, and “Ponder Christian Soldiers,” named the Best Article Series of 2016 by the Evangelical Press Association. Following several years as a college professor in North Carolina, he moved to DC metropolitan area to form the #GIJustice civil rights campaign for soldiers and veterans.

Logan is a professed member of the Hospitallers of St Martin (HoSM), an ecumenical monastic community in the Episcopal tradition that focuses on Prayer, Hospitality, and Reconciliation for veterans and all those who have been affected by war, poverty, and violence. He lives with his partner and two children in Walkersville, MD.

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JayP

Important Reflection

Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2014

Verified Purchase

This is not just an excellent read and a page turner (even though I needed to wake up early the next morning, I couldn’t go to bed while finishing the last 3rd of the book), it is also an important book. In an era when Christianity is deeply intertwined with right wing politics and when it seems patriotism cannot be divorced from supporting military campaigns, narratives by Christians on the front lines are all the more important. The author’s goal is not to convince the reader to think one way or another about war or military service, but rather to tell a story of what it is like to try to grow as a disciple of Christ while “the military seems to have a kind of monopoly on the language of sacrifice, honor and obedience, among other virtues.” Logan’s story is intense at times, sad at times, and doesn’t always resolve as we want our hero’s journeys to end. However, amidst the confusion, complexity and horror of actual combat and service, in a war founded on ambiguity, Logan’s narrative reveals Christ in the gray area of life, even when the bureaucracy of military, the hierarchies of the church and the zeitgeist of culture only deal in black and white. I’d recommend this book, not only to Christian servicemen and servicewomen, but any Christian who is also an American.

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Jeff Barefoot

This is a story of love and truth; a story that America desperately needs to hear.

Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2013

Verified Purchase

This book is like water in the dessert of American imperialism. Logan Mehl-Laituri, a former Army Sergeant, served 14 months as a Forward Observer in Iraq. His account details the conviction he experienced as the Spirit of God began to impart truth and perspective to him regarding the love of Christ. He recalls the dichotomy of serving both the Cross and the sword, and conveys the struggle he endured trying to reconcile the two. Ultimately, he made the unpopular and often scrutinized decision to apply for "Conscientious Objector" status, citing his spiritual awakening as grounds for his newfound pacifism. Incredibly, Mehl-Laituri still intended to honor his commitment to the military by joining his unit on an additional impending deployment to Iraq; only this time, he would not carry a weapon. This is a story of conversion; a story reminiscent of Joshua's admonition to "choose this day whom you will serve" and of Christ's revelation that "no one can serve two masters." This is a story of a minority opinion that violates the culturally propagated ideology of nationalism and American exceptionalism. A story compelling us, as the writer of Hebrews did, to look forward to "a better country, that is, a heavenly one." This is a story of love and truth; a story that America desperately needs to hear.

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M. Abe

Thoughtful look at patriotism and non-violence.

Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2013

Verified Purchase

Very clear and interesting story of the walk between the demands of war and the demands of patriotism. Can we serve our country non-violently? I very much enjoyed this book, and didn't want to put it down. For those who are seeking to understand why some soldiers decide that war is not for them, this is a must read book. For those who want to hear the thoughts of some one who started eagerly on a life as a soldier and then found it was not for them, this is a must read book.

Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2016

Verified Purchase

recived in shape listed

Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2016

wonderful read

A Necessary Read in the Discussion of War and Pacifism.

Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2012

Is it ever appropriate for Christians to kill in the name of Jesus?

Church history has a long tradition of debating this, with everyone agreeing that mostly the answer is No. We diverge at the question of war: many Christians ascribe to some version of Augustine's Just War theory, which claims that under some circumstances, war may be necessary and good (hence "Just"). Many other Christians follow the more ancient tradition of the earliest Christians in confessing Pacifism. Pacifism holds that it is never appropriate for one who follows Jesus to take the life of another person, and usually entails a complete refusal of violence as an option for resolving conflict.

Increasingly, American Christians cannot dialogue about the justice of war. One must either be a radical pacifist or jingoistic pro-war. Is there a better third way?

Logan Mehl-Laituri's excellent, eye-opening book Reborn on the Fourth of July seeks to chart out that third way. Logan shares his story, his journey from kid to soldier to Christian to conscientious objector to (now) Christian peacemaker. While he doesn't offer his story as a normative example that everyone should follow, his words are a powerful witness to what it means to be a Christian patriot.

Logan's voice offers a picture of someone who loves God and country in that order.

Before his conversion, Logan served a tour in Iraq as an artilleryman. He narrates his journey from the frontlines to the baptismal pool clearly and simply. His journey wasn't a one-time, Damascus-road type moment. Rather it was a series of small steps, of realizing he had domesticated God. But Logan found his pacifism hadn't replaced his patriotism.

When Logan realized that he was more like his enemies than he was like God, everything changed for him. He could no longer kill for God or country. But he still loved his fellow soldiers and his country.

Perhaps the most interesting and well-presented aspect of Logan's journey was his exit from the military. Even though he could no longer in good conscience carry a weapon, Logan wanted to remain a part of his unit. He applied not for the conscientious objector status that would have him withdraw from the Army altogether, but for 1-A-O status, which would allow him to return unarmed to combat with his unit. As Logan explained:

By applying for 1-A-O status, I was actively trying to return to combat. I didn't see Christians as being prohibited from being present in war, only perpetrating it.

Unfortunately, Logan was rejected by both his fellow enlisted soldiers and Christians who objected to his desire to remain in the Army. Despite his earnest desire to continue to serve his country the way his God would permit, Logan was dismissed from the military.

Ironically - and this withering critique is central to Logan's message, the Church had not prepared Logan to dialogue effectively about his desires - both to serve God and his country. Logan wasn't content with an either-or dichotomy. As he says,

I found very little satisfaction in the two ideological extremes - strict obedience or absolute objection - currently available to me. Without any substantive theological training, I didn't know how to respond in faith to the call to love my enemies... All too frequently we fail to engage meaningfully with how church history informs us about war.

Unfortunately, most churches are ill-equipped to help soldiers understand the ramifications of their choices, or to provide them a healthy space to heal from the trauma of war.

Today, Logan serves as a Christian peacemaker, and also works with soldiers and veterans to help them find peace in the wake of their service.

The Church's debate over war and violence has - ironically - never been overly peaceful. Logan's story bears evidence that we're no closer today to being able to come together as brothers and sisters to wrestle together with such an important issue.

Could we find a middle third way to love the country that has undeniably shaped us without uncritically embracing and celebrating everything that country has done? Could we imagine a way to serve our country that does not compromise our first commitment to God?

If Logan's story is any indication, that third way does exist. We would do well to hear his story.

Bottom Line: Logan's story is sure to infuriate and inspire both sides. All the more reason that any Christian who seriously questions the role of violence should read this book. The Church needs this conversation.

YOUR TURN: Do you think violence is ever appropriate for Christians? Is there a place for pacifists in the military?

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review purposes from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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Reborn on the Fourth of July: The Challenge of Faith, Patriotism & Conscience Paperback – June 16, 2012

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