Well, break is over and I’m back at good ole MVNU. I had decided even before break that I want to do a lot of reading during J-term. I made a good start at this during break, I finished two books: Red Moon Rising by Pete Grieg and Dave Roberts (which you really ought to read) and Scarlet by Stephen Lawhead(2nd part of a trilogy retelling the story of Robin Hood)
I emailed Professor Beutel a few weeks before the end of break and asked him for some book recommendations concerning war and peace and pacifism or non-violent activism (as I’ve been scolded for using the word pacifist). I decided that I needed to do some research on this topic. I feel at the very core of my being that war is wrong and there is never an excuse for it, but I’m very poor sometimes at defending my position on this. Professor Beutel recommended a few different books and when I got back today I went to the library, and after doing a crossword puzzle with Walter I looked up The Politics of Jesus and What Would You Do both by John H. Yoder. The former I will be starting as soon as I finish this post. Unfortunately, he didn’t give me any books that support the just war theory. I not only want to read things which support the position which I already hold (which would be very easy and I would stay nice and comfortable), but I also want to read some books by people from the opposite opinion, which will challenge my thinking and bring me closer to the truth. So, what I want from you is some good books by intelligent people who believe in the just war theory. The reason I specify intelligent people is because there are a lot of ignorant people out there that support that theory and say ignorant things like “Let’s Nuke ‘em”. So now you have your assignment. J-term is pretty short so get on it.
Aside from that topic, I also want to read A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis. My Friend Paul (who will be coming to MVNU in the spring) bought me it for Christmas. I also want to find some good books about prayer. I want to really work on my prayer life. So I’m open to suggestions on this topic too.
3 comments:
You might try Just War Against Terror: The Burden of American Power in a Violent World
by Jean Bethke Elshtain.
Glad to hear you are exploring non-violence. I would love to talk with you about it sometime. I myself don't believe in war and also have a difficult time explaining my position. Glad to hear you are reading so much. Reading is a very good thing
kevin peterson
Thanks. I'm having a hard time making it through "The politics of Jesus" its written on a very intellectual level.
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