Recommended Reading on Pacifism/Nonviolence

Bercot, David, The Kingdom that Turned the World Upside Down.

Bonhoeffer, D, The Cost of Discipleship.

Boyd, Gregory, The Myth Of A Christian Nation.

Brensinger & Sider, Within the Perfection of Christ.

Camp, Lee, Mere Discipleship.
Claibourne, S, Jesus for President.  

Clouse, R.G. War: Four Christian Views. 

Dodge, D.L. War Inconsistent with the Religion of Jesus Christ. 

Drescher, J.M. Why I Am a Conscientious Objector. 

Egan, E, Peace Be With You: Justified Warfare or the Way of Non-Violence. 

Ford, J.M. My Enemy is My Guest.

Gray, J.G. The Warriors: Reflection of Men in Battle. 

Grossman, On Killing. 

Harnack, Militia Christi. 

Joseph, S.J. The Nonviolent Messiah. 

MacArthur, John, Why Government Can’t Save You.

McCarthy, E.C. Christian Just War Theory: The Logic of Deceit.

MLK, Strength to Love. 

Roth, J.D. Choosing Against War.

Sprinkle, P. Fight: A Christian Case for Non-Violence. 

Stassen & Gushee, Kingdom Ethics. 

Taylor, Dean, A Change of Allegiance. 

Tolstoy, Leo, The Kingdom Of God Is Within You.

Wink, W,  Jesus and Nonviolence.

Yoder, J, The Politics of Jesus; What Would You Do.

York & Barringer, A Faith Not Worth Fighting For.

Why I’m for Christian non-violence.

It is often said/written that the issue of gun violence is a "heart problem", and not a "gun problem".

I would have to agree with that and add that until you willingly put down your weapons (whatever they may be) and submit to the one who teaches "Love your enemy", "do not repay evil with evil", etc., your heart problem will eventually consume you and those around you.

Before coming to Christianity, not so long ago, I was a person of violence myself. In fact, I was in the security industry most of my life, an industry that oftentimes required us to use violence. My goal in this industry was to eventually require the skills/experience to move on to either the Military or Police.

When I read the NT for the VERY FIRST TIME in my life, I quickly came to the realization that if I was going to sign up to this Jesus-movement I had to radically change many things in my life, beginning with the tough teaching of Jesus’ non-violence stance. This new radical Christian worldview means that we are no longer supposed to be part of the Military industrial complex or it’s Policing. This view is dealt with by the Apostle Paul very clearly when he contrasts Christian behavior in Romans 12 with that of the state/government, Romans 13. In other words, it is the non-Christian state that “bears the sword…for your good” and not the other way around. (Cp. Matt. 26.52 where Jesus rebukes the use of the sword by his followers and heals the enemy.)

For me it was a relatively easy thing to do, perhaps because I was at the end of my rope at the time and needed to make a choice between life and death. But as I grew in the faith I quickly realized that the Christianity I thought I knew was not the Christian faith I was reading (i.e., the Trinity, immortal soul, anything but the KOG Gospel, etc.).

I also quickly realized that this particular topic of non-violence was not only held by a VERY SMALL minority view in the Christian world as a whole, but also by very few in my own biblical unitarian circles. And not only that, it most often than not awoke some very heated, even violent rhetoric/actions. But it was this response in particular that told me I was probably on the right track to doing God's will since, as we well know, those types of reactions/emotions are not compatible with what the NT calls the fruits of the spirit (Gal 5.22-23).

But, like many of you, I will continue to preach the Gospel about the KOG and the things pertaining to our lord Jesus (Acts 8.12), trying to persuade believers and non-believers alike to what I consider to be a fundamental Christian teaching that has all to do with our current living standards in this present evil age.

My only wish and prayer is that you at least think about those teachings that we might read or hear time, and time again, but perhaps not devote enough of that time to meditate on the words of our great Pastor/Teacher; always speaking the "truth in love", always "eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." (Eph 4.3)

"You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike." Matthew 5.43-45