Great writing Meic. I recently read your contribution in War, Peace, and Violence: Four Christian Views. I feel it was my favorite of the bunch as you have a very realist approach. The criticism of pacifism (in its modern form) is damning, as I myself thought about its inherent hypocrisy to want clean hands from violence, and yet throw its voice in the public arena of policy, which isn't possible without force and violence. Many modern pacifists don't want to hold the gun, but they want their ideas to pull the trigger. The just war tradition also, from failing to be able to meets its own demands. Its disheartening, for I feel that Scripture complicates the issue, since its writers never expected our world or say the world of Constantine. The scruples in me want to find a certain answer, but yet finds no certainty (either in Scripture or tradition). Apart, I feel scriptures' ethical demands fail to even answer many of our own moral conundrums. Scriptures' commands are direct, but when we ask, "But what about?", we get no answer. I feel the church abandoned in her moral and ethical development. I ask, "What is God's will?" and feel there is little answer.
Oh, you're not to blame (at least not by yourself).
But this question has thrown me around asking what ethical guide God has given us. Is it there, and if so, can we find it? Its not the direct commands that concern me but the "What about's?"
Thank you! As an Anabaptist I found this to be very helpful in understanding my own history and spirit. As a parent of a prospective Houghton University student I found myself rooting for her to choose Houghton so that she has an opportunity to take one of your classes! For an article with such a pessimistic tone it left me feeling strangely encouraged....
Sadly, I retired from Houghton a few years ago, and am now living in Croatia.
This article is a (very slightly adapted) section from my book "Gods of War" (published by InterVarsity in 2007), which can still be bought from Amazon etc..
Okay. Good to know! Hope your retirement is fruitful. A recent book I have read that deals with these themes is "Peggy's War" by Karl Rhodes. It is about Anabaptists in Virginia who secretly assisted escapees from the Confederate army. Very well researched and well written.
Great writing Meic. I recently read your contribution in War, Peace, and Violence: Four Christian Views. I feel it was my favorite of the bunch as you have a very realist approach. The criticism of pacifism (in its modern form) is damning, as I myself thought about its inherent hypocrisy to want clean hands from violence, and yet throw its voice in the public arena of policy, which isn't possible without force and violence. Many modern pacifists don't want to hold the gun, but they want their ideas to pull the trigger. The just war tradition also, from failing to be able to meets its own demands. Its disheartening, for I feel that Scripture complicates the issue, since its writers never expected our world or say the world of Constantine. The scruples in me want to find a certain answer, but yet finds no certainty (either in Scripture or tradition). Apart, I feel scriptures' ethical demands fail to even answer many of our own moral conundrums. Scriptures' commands are direct, but when we ask, "But what about?", we get no answer. I feel the church abandoned in her moral and ethical development. I ask, "What is God's will?" and feel there is little answer.
Thank you so much!
Yes, to all of this.
(Excuse me, but — are you a David I know? Or just someone who stumbled across this? :) )
I'm just a David who stumbled across your work :)
I must ask, how does one find comfort in this, not falling trap to my own scrupulosity?
My entire downfall into all this (study, research, anxiety, uncertainty) started with literally just a question on the Christian and self-defense.
I'm sorry to have blighted your quiet mind with my own inquietude.... :(
Oh, you're not to blame (at least not by yourself).
But this question has thrown me around asking what ethical guide God has given us. Is it there, and if so, can we find it? Its not the direct commands that concern me but the "What about's?"
Thank you! As an Anabaptist I found this to be very helpful in understanding my own history and spirit. As a parent of a prospective Houghton University student I found myself rooting for her to choose Houghton so that she has an opportunity to take one of your classes! For an article with such a pessimistic tone it left me feeling strangely encouraged....
You are very kind! Thank you!
Sadly, I retired from Houghton a few years ago, and am now living in Croatia.
This article is a (very slightly adapted) section from my book "Gods of War" (published by InterVarsity in 2007), which can still be bought from Amazon etc..
Okay. Good to know! Hope your retirement is fruitful. A recent book I have read that deals with these themes is "Peggy's War" by Karl Rhodes. It is about Anabaptists in Virginia who secretly assisted escapees from the Confederate army. Very well researched and well written.
Well done. Loved the scope. Actually helped me to formulate a granular approach to solution finding of this important subject.
Maybe try one of the two books? ;)
Thanks, Mike!!