Guy F. Hershberger

This is a challenging book on Mennonite ethics published in 1958. The challenge, of course, being all the little pricks to my conscience as Dr. Hershberger explained the way a Christian should live. Simply put, the book says that a Christian should be living a life of service to Christ--which works out in practical terms to putting the needs of others before yourself. Even if I don't agree with his every opinion as to how that should be accomplished, there are plenty of points on which he show more has something to say. But I did find the book to be more than just a big guilt trip. It was interesting to look at the topic of ethics from another tradition than my own. It was interesting to hear Menno Simons quoted with the same respect that I hear given to Martin Luther in my own church. Dr. H makes a good case for his beliefs and I had to turn some of those over in my mind a bit, examining my own positions on a couple of issues. It was also interesting to soak in a bit of the 1950s American atmosphere in which the book was written. I wondered what words a Mennonite scholar might have for today's society. But, of course, in the end it would be mere window dressing. The underlying issues are timeless and as relavant in 2011 as they were in 1958, not to mention 2000 years ago.
--J. show less

A little aged, but a statement laying out the traditional Mennonite view on peace. Several chapters reach into Mennonite history of this past century and how they have handled pacifism in light of World War I and II...a little dry in those points but rich in how Mennonites have practiced this conviction, not just said it in word.