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2007-06-19 issue:

Books on peace, empire, spirituality

From the Mediculture column

by Gordon Houser

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Good books continue to proliferate. As summer begins, let’s look at some recent ones that should appeal to readers, depending on one’s interests.



Peace: An important book, not only in Mennonite literature but in biblical studies in general, is Covenant of Peace: The Missing Peace in New Testament Theology and Ethics by Willard M. Swartley (Eerdmans, 2006, $34). Swartley, professor emeritus of New Testament at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Ind., has produced a masterful explication of the entire New Testament relating peace to the work of Jesus Christ and the proclamation of the reign of God.

This book is unique in New Testament theology and ethics books, which have neglected this key theme. As Swartley points out in his introduction, the term peace “occurs 100 times in the [New Testament] and in every canonical book except 1 John,” yet other works ignore it. He even presents an extensive appendix analyzing this neglect.

Space prevents saying much about this work. Though addressed to the academic community, the writing is accessible and provides a rich resource for pastors and other Bible teachers. Many—even some Mennonites—are not convinced that peace is at the heart of the Bible’s message, even at the heart of who God is. This book will help them see this truth.

Empire: Two recent books that address a subject becoming more and more prevalent in studies of the Bible and its context are The Roman Empire and the New Testament: An Essential Guide by Warren Carter (Abington, 2006, $16) and God & Empire: Jesus Against Rome, Then and Now by John Dominic Crossan (HarperSanFrancisco, 2007, $22.95).
The former is an excellent introduction to the subject and offers a wealth of insight into the political, economic, societal and religious influence of the Roman Empire. Carter writes, “The New Testament texts guide first-century followers of Jesus in negotiating Rome’s power that crucified Jesus.” This book has nuggets for many sermons.

Crossan surveys the Bible and finds a hopeful message. While empires—whether Babylon, Rome or America—seek “peace” through military action, he writes that for Jesus and Paul, peace only comes through justice and fair and equal treatment of all people.

Spirituality: In The Jesus Way: A Conversation on the Ways that Jesus Is the Way (Eerdmans, 2007, $22), Eugene H. Peterson is concerned with the responsibility of Christians “to develop awareness and facility in the ways of Jesus as we go about our daily lives following Jesus in home and workplace, neighborhood and congregation, so that our following is consonant with his leading.” He explores how the ways of Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah and Isaiah revealed and prepared the “way of the Lord” that became complete in Jesus. He then shows how today’s American church has often focused on “other ways”—consumerism, celebrity, charisma—that go against Jesus’ way.

Beyond the Law: Living the Sermon on the Mount by Philip K. Clemens (Herald Press, 2007, $13.99) is a Mennonite pastor’s attempt to show that “kingdom values as Jesus interprets them look beyond the law to the goodness of God.” Clemens focuses on the language of Jesus’ sermon and provides many insights. I especially like his discussion of “perfect” in Matthew 5:48.

Dorcas Smucker can write. Pick up her book Ordinary Days: Family Life in a Farmhouse (Good Books, 2006, $9.95) and read any of her 31 vignettes about life on a farm with six children, and you’ll be ensnared. One piece begins, “I believe we were on the third strip of wallpaper when I quit wondering what was wrong with our marriage.” How can you stop? Smucker is a storyteller who finds lessons in daily life; in a real sense she is doing theology. She writes, “Faith, finally, consists of trusting when there are no easy answers, singing in the dark because there’s nothing else to do and finding it to be everything.”

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