Speak Your Peace

December 16, 2019
In this persuasive work, theologian Sider (Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger) challenges Christian readers to question how they can truly love their enemies while also being willing to kill them. The answer, according to Sider, is to live a life of pacifism, precluding personal involvement in any kind of national defense, abortion, or capital punishment. Sider asserts that this stance is a foundational tenant of the Christian faith: “To reject Jesus’ teaching on loving enemies is to deny the deity of Christ.” To help readers draw the same conclusion, Sider provides an overview of various arguments, including the “just war” debate, and also tackles tough questions, such as how a God of peace could command genocide. Throughout, Sider emphasizes that pacifism is not passivism and repeatedly calls readers to nonviolent activism as a way of battling tyranny and evil in the world. Using historical examples, Sider strives to show how nonviolence is ultimately the most effective (and biblical) way of achieving peace and leading a Christlike life. Though Sider can veer into academic jargon, the addition of discussion questions will both challenge and engage readers. Readers will be moved by this call to action and reflection.