tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post6334938482626188444..comments2023-10-25T09:45:40.318-04:00Comments on The Politics of the Cross Resurrected: J. R. R. Tolkien, War and PacifismCraig Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209954891388905090noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-17638388704864662172008-10-18T00:24:00.000-04:002008-10-18T00:24:00.000-04:00I'd suggest exploring Roman Catholic Social Do...I'd suggest exploring Roman Catholic Social Doctrine and especially the thought of John Paul II and the Communio school.<BR/><BR/>Carson Holloway, "The Way of Life: John Paul II and the Challenge of Liberal Modernity" (uses JP II's "Evangelium Vitae" to critique the founers of modern political liberalism - Hobbes, Locke, etc. Very accessible)<BR/><BR/>Travis Kroeker and Bruce Ward, "Dostoevesky: Prophet to Modernity" (an exciting study of Dostoevesky's critique of both the looming socialist tyranny in Russia and the liberal West; not as daunting as one might think, can be read before reading the Brothers Karamazov)<BR/><BR/>Douglas Farrow, "Nation of Bastards: Essays on the End of Marriage" (a very accessible Augustinian analysis of the issues involved in the State's re-definition of marriage)<BR/><BR/>David L. Schindler, "Heart of the World, Center of the Church: Communion Ecclesiology, Liberalism and Liberation" (difficult, but worth it. this work lays out a Catholic, conservative theology rooted in von Balthasar that is a self-conscious alternative to the "theocons" like Neuhaus, Weigel, Novak etc.)<BR/><BR/>William Cavanaugh, "Being Consumed: Economics and Christian Desire" (excellent Christian discussion of economics, accessible, uses Augustine & von Balthasar)<BR/><BR/>"Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church" - Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (a comprehensive but concise overview of the totality of Catholic social doctrine) <BR/><BR/>Archbishop Charles Chaput, "Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living Our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life" (a breezy introduction to social witness by a leading Catholic bishop) <BR/><BR/>I don't know of an equivalent book written by an Evangelical from an Evangelical perspective. Such a book would need to emphasize current hot button issues like marriage, sex outside of marriage, homosexuality, abortion, euthanasia, bio-engineering and new reproductive technologies in the broader context of a concern for the common good, the limited role of government, the principle of subsidiarity, and the basis for human rights. It would need to have an international focus and be appropriately critical American civil religion, while not condemning everything about America. It would need to show how Christians can be involved in politics as a specificly Christian witness to the Gospel and it would need to be critical of consumerism, hedonism and individualism. Unfortunately, no such book exists to my knowledge. <BR/><BR/>The closest thing that exists, in my opinion, would be the writings of Ron Sider. But he is too uncritical of political liberalism and the leftist tendancy to embracing statist solutions to all social problems.Craig Carterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10209954891388905090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-43438453924917343652008-10-17T21:46:00.000-04:002008-10-17T21:46:00.000-04:00Craig, where would you suggest reading to begin ex...Craig, where would you suggest reading to begin exploring the sort of conservative politics you are suggesting? I am quite familiar with Wendell Berry but are there others that would be a good starting point--or even a particular essay of Berry's to begin with would be helpful. <BR/>Thanks.<BR/>SamSam Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00193622361872627100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-82577903808939131292008-10-17T21:39:00.000-04:002008-10-17T21:39:00.000-04:00Sam, Just one more comment. I too have concern...Sam,<BR/> Just one more comment. I too have concerns about what passes for conservative politics. I am trying to distinguish a biblical and Augustinian conservatism from the neoconservatism that is closely allied with US patriotism, militarism and empire. But the answer seems to me to lie more in the direction of Wendell Berry than Jim Wallis or in the direction of John Paul II than Kathrine Jeffort Schori.Craig Carterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10209954891388905090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-16409348415019671612008-10-17T21:13:00.000-04:002008-10-17T21:13:00.000-04:00Craig, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I came to...Craig, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I came to pacifism through Hauerwas and Yoder and perhaps even more through McClendon but having been brought up solidly evangelical and conservative my pacifism was thoroughly Christocentric. Without Christ pacifism makes no sense. And liberalism makes no sense of Christ. I see pacifism as something that has been blocked for evangelicals not by theology but rather by politics. That is, most evangelicals are unwittingly held captive by liberalism whether of the right or left, and that prevents them from following through with a faithful ethic rooted in a consistent Christology.<BR/>I have had many interesting conversations with my Mennonite colleagues who are moving in this liberal direction and it seems to me that this is an area where we Mennonites need to be held accountable to the best of our theology. <BR/><BR/>I am, however, uncomfortable with what passes for "conservative" politics in the U.S. and so have a very hard time with either political candidate.<BR/><BR/>I will stand by the last sentence I wrote on pacifism because I think it is true. And I think it is faithful to both Yoder and Hauerwas, if not their followers.Sam Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00193622361872627100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-76503571922134989132008-10-17T10:51:00.000-04:002008-10-17T10:51:00.000-04:00Here is why I'm having a hard time giving you a st...Here is why I'm having a hard time giving you a straight answer on this, Sam. I am doubting the truth of what you say in your last sentence. <BR/><BR/>I don't mean you don't mean what you say; I mean rather that I have been in conversation with so many people lately who claim to be influenced by Yoder toward pacifism and they are simultaneously adopting a general liberal position accross the board (abortion, euthanasia, same-sex marriage, etc.). They also claim to be putting the church in the place of the nation state, yet they criticize the Religious Right unrelentingly and give the Religious Left a pass most of the time unless really pressed. <BR/><BR/>So it seems to me that most pacifists influenced by Yoder/Hauerwas (not Roman Catholic clergy and religious or Amish/Mennonites) seem to be just adopting a liberal position. When you also consider that there is a long tradition of liberal pacifism in the old Social Gospel tradition, I really wonder if those being influenced by Yoder are not just becoming liberal. <BR/><BR/>If so, I can't go there. I am a conservative theologically and politically and I repudiate liberalism completely. I reject all progressivism and all of liberal modernity insofar as it is rooted in the false anthropology of the Enlightenment that views a negative understanding of freedom as freedom from constraint as the essence of man. I reject the perfectibility of man and the idea that the State should be involved in all areas of life.<BR/><BR/>I can see how a Mennonite or a RC monk can be a pacifist and a conservative. But I don't see, I'm afraid, how Protestants can do it. Maybe there are a few and I have tried to be one, but frankly I wonder if it is a coherent stance. <BR/><BR/>After all, I do not think that pacifism can become the basis for national policy in the modern world. I do not think we as a society will ever "evolve" or "progress" to such a point (which is why I am not a liberal). So while I can see myself called to a pacifist stance personally, I cannot see making it the basis of public policy. <BR/><BR/>But here are people influenced by Yoder denouncing conservative Christians for supporting the Republican Party and George Bush as if a real possibility existed to support a pacifist party in national politics. They are outraged by James Dobson, but seem unperturbed by the recent actions of the Episcopal Church USA. This seems to me to indicate that they are just becoming liberals. <BR/><BR/>I'm not sure about a lot of things, but of this I am sure. Liberalism is a Christian heresy and if pacifism cannot be detached from liberalism, then it must be a Christian heresy too.Craig Carterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10209954891388905090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-50204929334140588902008-10-16T00:42:00.000-04:002008-10-16T00:42:00.000-04:00Interesting and informative post. Are you recomme...Interesting and informative post. Are you recommending Tolkien's view that, "Both just warriors and pacifists need each other and Christian witness depends on both being present in the Church in every generation"? <BR/><BR/>I definitely agree that, "Protestantism for the most part tends to oscillate back and forth between utopian, liberal pacifism for all and a holy war or crusade mentality that sees war as the means to utopia." Yet I understand Christian pacifism to be more eschatological, that is, not dependent upon some liberal notion of progress but instead relying on categories such as "apocalytic" and "resurrection." <BR/><BR/>Sam <BR/><BR/>P.S. interesting debate question with regards to abortion tonight...Obama did back away from partial birth abortion but McCain rightly brought the issue forward--albeit belatedly and weakly--that abortion is about the life of the unborn rather than primarily an issue that has to do with women's health or women's issues. Yet I was surprised at how weak McCain was on this.Sam Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00193622361872627100noreply@blogger.com