pmd@cbsck.UUCP (Paul M. Dubuc) (11/15/85)
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Perspectives on Peacemaking: Biblical Options in the Nuclear Age
John A. Bernbaum, ed.
1984, Regal Books, 264pp. (paper), $7.95
This book is the product of a May, 1983 conference on "The Church and
Peacemaking in the Nuclear Age" which drew several well known evangelical
church leaders and politicians together. It is a collection of essays
written by some of the conference participants, representing differing
viewpoints in the evangelical community. Their desire is to work together
to find a common ground; to contribute their views and learn from those
of others in confronting the issues we face in dealing with national
security and the prospect of nuclear war. The authors are John R. W. Stott,
Wesley and Rebecca Pippert, Vernon Grounds, Myron Augsburger, William
Armstrong, Jim Wallis, Ronald Sider, Mark Hatfield and David Breese.
The list of authors may give you an idea of the variety of their opinions
if you know their backgrounds. As a whole, the book seems to be a very
balanced attempt at gaining a biblical perspective on the issues surrounding
the nuclear arms race. Each author attempts to draw principles from
Scripture and apply them to different aspects of our present situation as
it is faced by evangelicals. The reader gets a healthy respect for the
diversity of views, but also an impression of the willingness of the
participants to work together to in forging the proper evangelical response
to very complex problems.
The book is divided up into four parts. The first contains four chapters
which attempt to lay a biblical foundation for discussing the practical
issues at hand. The second part, containing nine essays, reveals different
ways of looking at our present situation while drawing upon that foundation.
The opinions range from those who seemingly advocate unilateral moves toward
disarmorment, to carefully qualified exposition on Just War Theory (its
dangers and useful points), to "peace through strength" proposals. Each
author has something important to contribute, but none seem to answer all the
questions that could be raised in response to his or her view. Differences
seem to arise on the tension between peace and justice found in the teaching
of Scripture. It is a delicate balance indeed, and when it is applied to
the numerous practical uncertainties of present and future relations between
the super-powers, the complexity of the issue becomes very apparent. The
issue must be faced, however, and care must be taken in doing so, despite
its urgency.
The thing that most impressed me about the book was the respect each author
showed for the differing opinions of others. There wasn't the slightest
hint of simplistic pigeon-holing of a differing view point or charges that
those that differ from a certain view are actually in favor of nuclear war.
They are all agreed that nuclear war is not an option and that steps ought
to be taken to reduce and eliminate nuclear arms. They differ mainly on
their outlook on our complex situation, and how to go about resolving the
problems we face. The third part of the book contains a chapter written
by the editor drawing on the significant points made in the book and
emphasizing the necessity of continuing dialogue and cooperation between
evangelicals in dealing with this issue. Part four is a useful guide to
resources and further reading on the issue.
I would recommend this book to all Christians of the evangelical persuasion
and other people interested in that perspective on the arms race. I is
a very good book for getting one's feet wet on an issue with truly global
implications ... an issue on which no one can afford to be uninformed. At
the very least, it will enable Christians to overcome vagueness in their
prayers on the matter. A lot more than prayer is needed, of course, but
I think prayer is needed most.
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Paul Dubuc cbsck!pmd \/-\
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