This is an in-depth conversation with John Carter, minister of Lincoln and Hull Unitarians, and chair of the Unitarian Peace Fellowship.
I was sceptical about his pacifism at the beginning, but over the course of the conversation it became clear that his position is a lot more nuanced and coherent than I had realised. I'm still not a pacifist, but John did make a dent in my scepticism. He has a rich and fascinating backstory and the first part of the conversation covers this in some detail. This is helpful, it allows us to see the full measure of just how John's life experience has informed his views.
There are different varieties of pacifism, and then there are those pacifists who are not Christians. And just as pacifism comes from different perspectives, so does opposition to pacifism. And, as will become clear, there are different versions of Christian pacifism too. If you consider yourself a Christian pacifist, compare your take on it with John's. If you're opposed to Christian pacifism, I challenge you to hear what he has to say, and see if he can change your mind. At the very least, it will help you to sharpen your thinking and maybe you will adjust your position.
This is such a critical issue. It's important that we engage with it as well as we can. Personally, I feel better equipped to navigate this issue after chewing it over with John. See what you think...
John has provided some resources for follow up. He writes:
"For more information these websites could be helpful:
On Earth Peace
We help individuals, churches, and other community groups who are ready to learn and use active nonviolence to respond to conflict, injustice, violence, militarism, and war.
Mennonite Central Committee
MCC is a global, nonprofit organization that strives to share God’s love and compassion for all through relief, development and peace.
Unitarian and Free Christian Peace Fellowship
Goes by Unitarian Peace Fellowship (UPF)
www.ukunitarians.org.uk/peace/
The Unitarian Peace Fellowship was founded in 1916 in the darkest days of the First World War to witness for peace and against the futility of war.
Today we maintain that witness. Our vision includes the ethos and values of the Charter for Compassion. The surest route to peace is through compassion of human beings for each other and for all living things.
We support and encourage Unitarians in their witness for Peace and Compassion locally, nationally, and internationally.
And if you would like to chat with me, ask questions, etc…you can reach me by email"
John has also provided the following recommended reading. He writes:
"RESOURCES: these are books I have in my library, some out of print…
Becker, Palmer, Anabaptist Essentials, Herald Press, Harrisonburg VA, 2017
one of the contemporary writers and theologians on Anabaptist theology.
Bender, Harold S., the anabaptist vision, Herald Press, Scottdale PA, 1944
this is a classic in Anabaptist studies, Bender sparked the continued resurgence and growth of interest and study of Anabaptist thought with this short read.
Brown, Dale W., Another Way of Believing, Brethren Press, Elgin IL, 2005
Dale was my professor of theology, Anabaptism, Radical Pietism, Bonhoeffer, and peace studies when I was in seminary. He was also a friend and gentle soul. This is his Anabaptist theology from the perspective of the Schwarzenau Brethren tradition (radical pietism and Anabaptism)
Kraybill, Donald, B., The Upside Down Kingdom, Herald Press, Harrisonburg VA, 2018
argues that the way of Jesus is upside-down to the way of the world, classic non-conformist revisited….
Who Are The Anabaptists?, Herald Press, Scottdale PA, 2003
Basic primer on the various Anabaptist movements, at least the primary peace church ones, does not include Anabaptist related denominations like the Baptists, and the Unitarians and Universalists.
Moules, Noel. Fingerprints of Fire…Footprints of Peace: A Spiritual Manifesto from a Jesus Perspective., Circle Books, Winchester UK, 2011
exploring the way of Jesus from a British Anabaptist
Murray, Stuart. The Naked Anabaptist, Paternoster, Milton Keynes UK, 2011
another exploration of British Anabaptism
Spencer, Sidney. Pacifism In Theory and Practice, out of print, Henderson, Edinburgh,
a good resource from a Unitarian Peace position, some of it is dated, especially when speaking in contemporary (to him) situations, excellent in review of the history of pacifism in the early christian church. It may be available on the Unitarian and Free Christian website under resources.
Williams, George H., Spiritual and Anabaptist Writers, Westminster Press, 1957
volume in the The Library of Christian Classics: Ichthus Edition, by Unitarian Historian, a nice collection of translated source materials on Anabaptism.
Authors: Palmer Becker, Stuart Murray, Noel Moules are contemporary writers, one I have not listed is Ron Sider, on social justice themes from an evangelical Mennonite point of view.
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