Disarming the Church

by Eric A Seibert

Overview

If Christians follow the Prince of Peace, why do they often behave so violently? What can be done to transform the church so that it looks more like Jesus? Eric Seibert explores these questions in this important and timely study. He builds a biblical and practical case for living nonviolently in all areas of life and urges Christians to reexamine their most fundamental attitudes toward violence, warfare, and killing. Through true stories and careful analysis, Seibert demonstrates that it is possible to resolve conflict, correct injustice, and stop oppression without resorting to violence. Many nonviolent alternatives are discussed throughout the book, alternatives that can be used in a wide range of situations, from dealing with an unwanted intruder at home to removing a dictator from power. In a world filled with so much violence, hate, and fear, alternatives like these are desperately needed. This book offers hope that a better way is possible, one that has the potential to transform the church and change the world. So read on and join in! ""You may feel, as I do, that Christianity is at a historic crossroads, choosing between the 'two masters' of violence and nonviolence. In stark and sane contrast to those who defend and even promote violence in the name of God, Christ, and the Bible, Eric Seibart's Disarming the Church represents the state of the art in accessible Christian scholarship regarding nonviolence. It should be required reading for every pastor, seminarian, and Christian of conscience, especially in a country whose capacity for catastrophic violence is unprecedented in history."" --Brian D. McLaren, Author of The Great Spiritual Migration ""Violence is one of the most pressing concerns of our time. Particularly troubling is the violence espoused and expressed by people of various faith traditions, Christianity in particular. Eric Seibert has written a bold, provocative, and prophetic book that critiques Christianity's stance on and contribution to violence in our world. He also shows us how to become non-violent ourselves. Everyone who is serious about ushering in the reign of God must read this stunning book!"" --Carol J. Dempsey, Professor of Theology at University of Portland, Oregon Eric A. Seibert (Drew University) is Professor of Old Testament. He has training and experience in conflict mediation and enjoys speaking about how to read the Bible nonviolently, in ways that promote peace. His two most recent books are Disturbing Divine Behavior: Troubling Old Testament Images of God (2009) and The Violence of Scripture: Overcoming the Old Testament's Troubling Legacy (2012). Eric lives with his wife and three children in Grantham, PA.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781620328873
Publisher:	Cascade Books
Publication date:	04/11/2018
Pages:	342
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Eric A. Seibert (PhD, Drew University) is Professor of Old Testament. He has training and experience in conflict mediation and enjoys speaking about how to read the Bible nonviolently, in ways that promote peace. His two most recent books are Disturbing Divine Behavior: Troubling Old Testament Images of God (2009) and The Violence of Scripture: Overcoming the Old Testament's Troubling Legacy (2012). Eric lives with his wife and three children in Grantham, PA.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements xiii

Prologue: What If Jesus Meant What He Said? xvii

Part 1 Understanding The Church's Problematic Relationship to Violence

Chapter 1 Introduction: Getting Beyond an Eye for an Eye 1

Chapter 2 A Violent Church: Believers Behaving Badly 13

Chapter 3 Why Do Christians Condone So Much Violence? 32

Chapter 4 The Truth about Violence: It's All Bad 46

Part 2 Making a Case for Nonviolence from the New Testament

Chapter 5 The Nonviolent Way of Jesus: Providing a Model for Christians to Follow 60

Chapter 6 A Violent Jesus? Responding to Objections to Viewing Jesus as Nonviolent 82

Chapter 7 Why Followers of Jesus Must Forsake Violence: The Nonviolent Nature of Christian Discipleship 97

Chapter 8 Can Christians Go to War? Some Implications of Living Nonvioiently 114

Chapter 9 Living Out the Teachings of Jesus in the Real World: Stories of Christians who Loved Enemies, Forgave Offenders, and Made Peace with Adversaries 134

Part 3 Exploring Practical Alternatives to Violence

Chapter 10 Responding to Personal Assault with Hospitality Rather Than Hostility: How to Remain Unharmed without Harming Others 151

Chapter 11 Creative Nonviolent Intervention: Rescuing People under Attack without Resorting to Violence 164

Chapter 12 Nonviolent Struggle 101: Confronting Injustice, Stopping Wars, and Removing Dictators without Firing a Shot 181

Part 4 Living Nonviolently in Everyday Life

Chapter 13 Developing a Nonviolent Mind-Set: Seeing Others through the Eyes of God 205

Chapter 14 How to Handle Conflict without Becoming Violent: Living Nonviolently with the People around You 221

Chapter 15 Nonviolent Parenting: Treating Children with Respect and Talking about Violence 233

Chapter 16 Stopping Violence at Home: Addressing the Problem of Domestic Violence in Christian Families 248

Chapter 17 Practical Suggestions for the Church: Helping Christians Live Less Violently and More Faithfully 266

Postscript: The Church as the World's Imagination 287

Discussion Guide 291

Bibliography 299

Scripture Index 315

Author Index 319

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“You may feel, as I do, that Christianity is at a historic crossroads, choosing between the ‘two masters’ of violence and nonviolence. In stark and sane contrast to those who defend and even promote violence in the name of God, Christ, and the Bible, Eric Seibart’s Disarming the Church represents the state of the art in accessible Christian scholarship regarding nonviolence. It should be required reading for every pastor, seminarian, and Christian of conscience, especially in a country whose capacity for catastrophic violence is unprecedented in history.”

—Brian D. McLaren, Author of The Great Spiritual Migration



“Violence is one of the most pressing concerns of our time. Particularly troubling is the violence espoused and expressed by people of various faith traditions, Christianity in particular. Eric Seibert has written a bold, provocative, and prophetic book that critiques Christianity’s stance on and contribution to violence in our world. He also shows us how to become non-violent ourselves. Everyone who is serious about ushering in the reign of God must read this stunning book!”

—Carol J. Dempsey, Professor of Theology at University of Portland, Oregon

Editorial Reviews

"You may feel, as I do, that Christianity is at a historic crossroads, choosing between the 'two masters' of violence and nonviolence. In stark and sane contrast to those who defend and even promote violence in the name of God, Christ, and the Bible, Eric Seibart's Disarming the Church represents the state of the art in accessible Christian scholarship regarding nonviolence. It should be required reading for every pastor, seminarian, and Christian of conscience, especially in a country whose capacity for catastrophic violence is unprecedented in history."

--Brian D. McLaren, Author of The Great Spiritual Migration



"Violence is one of the most pressing concerns of our time. Particularly troubling is the violence espoused and expressed by people of various faith traditions, Christianity in particular. Eric Seibert has written a bold, provocative, and prophetic book that critiques Christianity's stance on and contribution to violence in our world. He also shows us how to become non-violent ourselves. Everyone who is serious about ushering in the reign of God must read this stunning book!"

--Carol J. Dempsey, Professor of Theology at University of Portland, Oregon

From the Publisher