Just War, Pacifism...a strange dichotomy?

If you are like me, then you have never felt comfortable with the hard and fast dualism between "Just War" theory and Pacifism. 

I often claim that every Christian ought to struggle every day with pacifism -- that is to say, that our general attitudes about violence almost always be negative.  In what cases am I tempted to accept violence?: defense of the weak, stopping genocide, etc.  This seems to imply that I am more on the side of just war.  But I am altogether bothered by this hard and fast distinction. 

It seems to me that there must be other ways of concieving power.  I think this is what John Milbank is trying to do with his new piece over at ABC Religion and Ethics called The Power of Charity: What Has the Church to Do with the State? 

I will not give it away, but I do ask that you read it...and help me start a conversation over the question of power and peace.

To all of my fellow Yoderians and Hauerwasians...I'd be particularly interested in hearing your take on this article. 

Penn on Getting a Bible

Interesting....

Should I be Blogging?

Theology Studio has a new podcast.  It contains an interview of John Milbank by Anthony D. Baker...and there are some insightful remarks about grad and post-grad theological bloggers. 

I try in this blog to write for both my church community and exploration of  academic theology.  I often wonder if walking this line is folly.  Perhaps I need to pick an audience and commit.  Or perhaps, I ought not worry about posting, but instead pursue the tradition as my greatest aim (something I am committed to, but not sure if blogging gets in the way...especially with what Milbank says, about it).

Anyway, listen to this podcast on public theology and be challenged as I am....

Does Paul Make You Groan?

Check out this wonderful message by Dr. Luke Powery on the Apostle Paul:

http://www.ptsem.edu/Seminary_Relations/RomansConference/default.aspx?id=9961

Art Opening: The Etcheson House

Me and several other "young adults" have been given a house to use as we see fit.  So far, it has been used for films, parties, and discussions.  But now we are opening it up as an art gallery.  We aim to show the beauty and goodness of the world through all that we do there, be it storytelling, art, music, theological disucssions etc.  Please join us for our first opening "Life Together."  It will feature art from BloNo's finest, gourmet food and live music from Nick Chambers.  All donations and proceeds go to a charitable trip for a group of young adults to the Dominican Republic.

Wanna have fun?  Wanna make the world a better place?  Then come to our opening May 4th, 2012 at 6:00pm. 

https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/260771830680051/

New Books...and old ones.

There are some great things coming off the press lately.  Check these titles out:

-The Crisis of Global Capitalism: Pope Benedict XVI's Social Encyclical and the Future of Political Economy ed. by Adrian Pabst.  There are essays by John Milbank, Tracey Rowland, and John Hughes in this important "third way" economic tome. 

- Metaphysics: The Creation of Hierarchy by Adrian Pabst.  Politics, Economics, Theology, and a genealogy of individuation make this huge book worth anyone's time.

- Christopher Ben Simpson's new book Deleuze and Theology is with the publisher now...and if it is anything like his other works, then it'll be a helpful explanation of the Deleuze in light of theology with some very constructive ideas too. 

- For all of you Wesleyans (and recovering Holiness folks too) check out Anthony D. Baker's Diagonal Advance: Perfection in Christian Theology.  Human purpose beyond enlightenment piety.....

- Love Mad Men?  Love theology and philosophy?  Then read Adam Kotsko's Why We Love Sociopaths: A Guide To Late Capitalist Television.  A small book reflecting on Mad Men, South Park, Dexter and more.  Why do we cheer on quasi bad guys, sociopaths and the like?  Read this book. 

- Rowan Williams just retired as the Archbishop of Canterbury.  He is one of the most interesting theologians/churchmen of recent memory.  Want to know more?  Read Ben Myers Christ the Stranger: The Theology of Rowan Williams.  With clarity and beauty, Myers explains the core of Williams' thought. 

- The always graceful and helpful John Betz has written a lovely work After Enlightenment: The Post-Secular Vision of J. G. Hamann

- Timothy Morton offers a mind-bending, category challenging look at ecology in The Ecological Thought.

Older Books that I am just now discovering:

- Rowan Williams edited some great works of Bulgakov in Sergii Bulgakov: Towards a Russian Political Theology.

- Life's Solution: Inevitable Humans in a Lonely Universe by Simon Conway Morris

- Fr. John Behr's The Mystery of Christ: Life in Death

Larry Hurtado on Academic Injustice

Larry Hurtado, a giant scholar of the New Testament, has posted a terrific piece on Academic Injustice.  Essentially, it is about Christian schools who have no grace when dismissing people from their schools for unworthy things....