Here are suggestions for study materials for individuals or congregations in light of the ongoing War on Terrorism. We have gathered these either from our own libraries, or from recommendations from others. Send e-mail, suggestions, questions to Matt at mguynn@myvine.com. Last updated March 1, 2002.

STUDY GUIDES/CURRICULUM

Waging Peace: Strategies for Brethren Seeking and Working for Enduring Peace. A six-session Study/Action Guide. David R. Radcliff and Audrey Osborne Mazur.

An integrated study guide featuring Scriptural reflections and brief articles on Brethren history and ideas for today. Sessions include: Introduction, Let Justice Roll Down, Breaking Down the Dividing Walls, Thus Says the Lord, Stand With the Outcast, Be Not Conformed.

From the introduction: "This study resource was prepared in the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001. However, the question raised and issues addressed are not limited to this context; indeed these concerns are an on-going part of the church's efforts to make its witness to the world." Available from the Church of the Brethren Office of Brethren Witness, 1-800-323-8039; www.brethren.org/genbd/witness.

The ONE Who Showed Mercy: An Invitation to conversation on Loving God, Loving Neighbor. Prepared by Mennonite Central Committee staffers Iris de Leon-Hartshorn, Titus Peachey, and Kristin Reimer.

Five sessions: Introduction/Background, Loving God, Loving Neighbor; Unlikely Heroes and Victims; The One Who Showed Mercy; Anabaptist Response. Each session includes a biblical reflection, anecdotes from Anabaptist history or current-day peacemaking, and questions for reflection.

From the introduction: "The One Who Showed Mercy" invites reflection on Jesus' way in our world in the aftermath of September 11. Biblical passages often take on new meaning in light of current events and we found this to be true with the story of the Good Samaritan. We found it helpful to think through the implications of loving God and loving neighbor during this time of national crisis. We trust God's spirit will guide your study of this story." Available from Mennonite Central Committee U.S., Peace and Justice Ministries, 1- 717-859- 3889; 21 South 12th Street, PO Box 500, Akron, PA 17501-0500; www.mcc.org.

A Moral Response to Terrorism. A study series by the editors of Sojourners magazine. Six units: The Present Darkness, Why Did This Happen?, Paths of Love and Justice, Is Islam the Enemy?, A Better Way to Fight Terrorism.

Each unit includes several in-depth articles, reflection questions, scripture study suggestions, and resources for taking action. From the cover letter: "Terrorism has been a fact of life for many around the world, but Americans have never felt it so keenly as we did on Sept. 11. The editors of Sojourners have created this study guide to help in our understanding of these events and in the healing of our nation and world. . . . We invite you to use this guide creatively and communally in your churches, classrooms, offices, and study circles." Available from Sojourners Magazine, 2401 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20009; 1-800-714-7474; www.sojo.net.

RESPONDING TO THE WAR ON TERRORISM

From the Ashes: A Spiritual Response to the Attack on America (www.beliefnet.org and Rodale Press, 2001).

A wonderful compendium of essays from U.S. and international spiritual leaders of all traditions, on making sense of the tragedy of September 11 and the ensuing War on Terrorism. Featuring chapter titles, "A Call the Action The Spiritual Challenge," "Where Was God?," "Seeds of Grace,"Evil and the Enemy," "The Question of Islam," "The Desire for Justice," "Teachings and Traditions," Fear and Vulnerability," Repentance," and "From the Ashes."

COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Time Out! Resolving Family Conflicts, Fran Schmidt and Alice Friedman (The Peace Education Foundation, 800-747-8838, www.peaceeducation.com)

This book is written in cartoon format and is easy and quick to read, and it is is based on solid principles of communication. Comes with a poster with the "Peace Rules" which can be hung on a refrigerator, or at various places around a church, and with an invitation to everyone in the group to try to follow this simple guide when discussing differences of opinion or conflicts which may arise.

This book can go a long way in simply helping families, including church families, to communicate with each other. We are experiencing a time when there are many strong opinions and emotions in our congregations. It would be a very healing thing for churches to provide a place where persons can talk honestly with each other about these events, opinions and feelings, and not only with persons who share their position. There is much we can learn from each other, even if it is simply learning why people feel the way they do.

The book is very helpful, and could be read quickly by many people. Sunday schools or church boards could study the book, copies could be made available for families to purchase for their homes, and church libraries could have several copies. A second poster titled "Rules for Fighting Fair" is available for separate purchase. On the website, or in the Foundation's catalog brochure, you can read both sets of rules, and decide which would be better for you.

BIBLICAL STUDY: PEACE & JUSTICE

The Biblical Jubilee and the Struggle for Life, Ross and Gloria Kinsler, (Orbis, '99)

"If the 20th century was the century of politics, the 21st century will be the century of economics. Christians are going to have to learn about economics in order to reverse a situation in which the richest 20% receive 82.7% of the world's income while the poor are becoming abysmally poorer. [The book inspires readers to recover] the Biblical Jubilee as a model for the dramatic changes required of us if we are to rise to this challenge." -Walter Wink

The Jesus I Never Knew, Philip Yancey, (Zondervan, '95)

The author, an evangelical Christian journalist for Christianity Today magazine, book "gives a moving and refreshing portrait of the central figure of history. With a willingness to tackle difficult questions, Yancey looks at the radical words of this itinerant Jewish carpenter and asks whether we are taking him seriously enough in our own day and age." (book cover)

The Powers That Be: Theology for a New Millennium, Walter Wink, (Doubleday, '98)

"In this book, renowned theologian and biblical scholar Walter Wink [a speaker at the 2001 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference] helps us reformulate our ancient concepts - such as God and Satan, angels and demons, principalities and powers - in light of what we know today. Wink's theology is shaped as much by his study of the Bible as by his involvement in the civil rights movement and the fight against apartheid in South Africa. The result is nothing less than a new worldview, one that will help us address the problems of the present and meet the challenges of the future. The book is as concerned with salvation as with justice, as relevant for our spiritual selves as our political lives. Wink closely examines "the Powers", and by exposing them for what they are in true prophetic fashion, levels a mighty blow against them..... both a new way of understanding God and a new way of living in the world." (from book cover)

The book is a condensed form of Wink's trilogy: Naming the Powers: The Language of Power in the New Testament ('84), Unmasking the Powers: The Invisible Powers That Determine Human Existence ('86), Engaging the Powers: Discernment and Resistance in a World of Domination ('92). He has also written a fourth book on the Powers, When the Powers Fall: Reconciliation in the Healing ('98).

Reckoning with Apocalypse: Terminal Politics and Christian Hope, Dale Aukerman (Crossroads, 1993).

In the preface, theologian Stanley Hauerwas writes that Brethren peace activist and scholar Dale Aukerman may be "one of the most important theologians writing in our time."

Reckoning with Apocalypse argues that the horrors of international political reality massive starvation, abuse of human rights, "ethnic cleansing," terrorism can only be understood in the light of a Christian interpretation of history. . . Aukerman undertakes to reclaim biblical prophecy and the Bible as a whole from misuse by the forces of the status quo, and by those who use the biblical message as a sanction for violence. He treats such biblical themes as Armageddon, the abomination of desolation, the beast, the fall of Babylon, false prophecy, and endtime persecution as descriptive of all history, and indicators of the need for messianic hope." His approach and conclusions are particularly significant because they take the Bible seriously while differing from the "apocalypticism" which is so popular and influential among naive literalists in wide segments of the church. The book is a challenging expression of resilient hope for the human future, the same hope which shaped and sustained the early Christian community." (From jacket liner).

Sustaining the Common Good: A Christian Perspective of the Global Economy, John B.Cobb, (Pilgrim Press, '94)

"Courageously challenging economists' zealous faith in the great god of growth, renowned theologian John B. Cobb proposes that policies engendering sustainable development - where the economy serves the community and not vice versa - are not only feasible and economically sound, but more faithfully represent Christianity's traditional emphasis on the dignity of the individual and the value of the common good." (from cover)

The Second Mile: A Peace Journey for Congregations

Second Mile is a peace curriculum that invites congregations and small groups to enter a journey of worship, study, action, and reflection that will help them become active signs of Christ's peace in a broken world. The first pathway (a grouping of 20 pamphlets) is available for purchase from Brethren Press for $14.99. Topics in this first pathway, "The Land That I Will Show You," include creation care, issues of war and peace, and conflict transformation. Sessions are designed so that groups can pick and choose the order of topics for study and discussion. The second pathway will be available beginning in mid-June 2003. This pathway is called "Heading for the Promised Land" and will address topics such as "The Economy of God" and Native American issues.

Each pathway contains an introductory pamphlet, material about conflict transformation, and materials about the spirituality of peace. Worship resources, a sample pamphlet, and a teacher's guide are available for free on the Second Mile website.

Unexpected News: Reading the Bible with Third World Eyes,

Robert McAfee Brown, (Westminster, '84) "This is a mind-changing book that should transform attitudes in North American churches. It is both a clear and compelling book to be studied in congregations and an illuminating resource for preachers and teachers." - John Bennett

NONVIOLENCE

Claiming all Things for God: Prayer Discernment and Ritual for Social Change, George D. McClain (Abingdon Press, 1998)

This useful and readable little book traces the connections between Christian spiritual practice and social action, moving from basic and helpful social critique to a deepened awareness of the spiritual dimensions of social change work, with suggestions for direct application.

The Missing Peace: The Search for Nonviolent Alternatives in United States History, James C. Juhnke & Carol M. Hunter, (Herald Press).

Written from a historical perspective, this book debunks the myth that war and violence have effectively resolved crises in US history, and that nonviolence has been ineffective in producing positive change.

Peace is the Way: Writings on Nonviolence from Fellowship of Reconciliation, ed. Walter Wink, (Orbis 2000).

These seventy original and classic essays offer a comprehensive reader in nonviolence while also chronicling the struggle for Peace & Justice in the 20th century.

Transforming Violence. ed. Robert Herr & Judy Zimmerman Herr, (Herald Press, '98)

Inspiring stories of real people and their practical work for peace around the world. Developed by Fellowship of Reconciliation and the historic peace churches. (Available from Brethren Press Bookstore, 800-441-3712; website below.)

Subverting Hatred: The Challenge of Nonviolence in Religious Traditions. Daniel L. Smith-Christopher, (Orbis, '98)

Religious rivalries historically have been at the root of many human conflicts. In this book, representatives of nine world religions offer insights on how their traditions may help to overcome the contagion of hatred through the practice of nonviolence. Contributions describe not only the significance of nonviolence to their tradition, but also reflect candidly on how their tradition has fallen short in putting these ideals into practice. Designed for academic or personal study, the book provides a wealth of insights and new perspectives on the persistent challenge of peace.

OLDER BOOKS WITH MUCH RELEVANCE FOR TODAY

Biblical Pacifism: A Peace Church Perspective, Dale Brown (Brethren Press, '86) (currently out of print)

The author, a Brethren theologian and retired Bethany Seminary professor, "surveys how the Church of the Brethren has responded to the nonresistant command of Christ to 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...(Mat. 5:44)' The book surveys an Anabaptist view of nonresistance, describes various contemporary pacifist positions, and analyzes numerous philosophical, ethical, and political questions which impact the peace witness of all churches." (book cover)

Darkening Valley: A Biblical Perspective on Nuclear War, Dale Aukerman (Seabury Press, '81)

The author was a renowned Church of the Brethren minister, theologian, and peace activist. "If ever a book were written to arouse the church from its self-imposed blindness and to draw it into the light of biblical truth, [this book] is it. It is unlikely to be surpassed by anything written on nuclear war from a religious perspective. I can only regard it as a kind of miracle, delivered into our hands at the time when we most need it." (book cover)

FOR OLDER CHILDREN (AND ALSO ADULTS!)

Peace Begins With You, Katherine Scholes (Sierra Club, '89)

"The concept of peace can be a difficult one for children [and adults] to grasp, but [this] award- winning author...succeeds in explaining clearly why peace has a place in all of our lives. The book begins on a personal level... [and then] broadens, taking in national and international issues, including environmental ones. In the end, it suggests that the best way to protect peace - whether in our own homes or on a global level - is to ensure that everyone is treated fairly." (book cover) (Interfaith perspective.)

This list was initially compiled by Damon and Sue Wagner Fields, Representatives for the Church of the Brethren Decade to Overcome Violence, and is updated and maintained by Matt Guynn, Seeking Peace Project, On Earth Peace, mguynn@myvine.com.

Last Updated: 03/11/02