Canadian Mennonite
Volume 10, No. 09
May 1, 2006
Anabaptists wade into biotechnology debate
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Viewing New Creations with Anabaptist Eyes: Ethics of Biotechnology. Miller, Roman J., Beryl H. Brubaker and James C. Peterson, eds. Cascadia Publishing House, Telford, Pa. 308 pages.
This is the first major publication about biotechnology from an Anabaptist source. The science is clearly presented by mostly Mennonite professionals working in secular contexts, such as Johns Hopkins University and the National Institutes of Health; several U.S. government officials and Canadian Conrad Brunk have their say as well.
The main issues are stem cell research, and cloning and genetic modification of plants and animals, but there is also a somewhat shocking story about eugenics in Cyprus by Ruth Schwartz Cowan, a Fulbright scholar.
Cowan’s experience in Cyprus in 1999, investigating that country’s virtual elimination of the serious childhood disease thalassemia by means of genetic screening, convinced her that this technology need not be a slippery slope and that it is something that need not be feared. Both the Cypriot Orthodox Church and Turkish religious officials have accepted mandatory screening of the population.
In responding to Cowan, Joseph Kotva is respectful but points to the dangers of eugenics, even in an open consumer-oriented society.
Stem cell research is another flashpoint.
LeRoy Walters, a Georgetown University ethicist, thinks the Anabaptist vision is compatible even with “therapeutic cloning,” the most radical option in the use of five-day-old embryos. He implies that the Anabaptist ethic is supremely about justice. Concerns should not be about the production of embryos, but about the equitable distribution of stem cell lines to all parts of the world and to every ethnic background.
Theologian Stanley Hauerwas rebukes Walters for entering the debate as an advocate of a certain public policy, warning of Constantinianism.
Carole Cramer, Leslie Bieseker and others present a positive view of genetic modification technology as a therapy for human disease, or as a way to produce more and better foods. There are concerns about the misuse of the technology, the effect on poor farmers, and the power of genetically modified seeds giant Monsanto, but none of the authors seem too worried about scientists playing God.
The editors provide solid theological reflection with the help of Hauerwas, Brunk and Joseph Kotva. Kotva speaks out of a fully realized Anabaptist concern for community discernment. He gives examples from the Amish community, where there is acceptance of genetic testing. But the testing is not a prelude to abortion or eugenics; it is part of the whole process of welcoming all children into the world and into the community. Christians are called to consider who humans are and who they will become.
A conference book is always a bit chaotic but it also allows the unexpected. In this case there is a delightful chapter on poetry and several chapters by nursing professionals. They have rarely been heard before. And the assistant editors are undergraduate students!
This book is not the last word on Anabaptists and biotechnology but it will be seen as a landmark, and you should have a copy.
Beyond Aslan explores legacy of C.S. Lewis
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With last year’s release of the film version of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, interest in C.S. Lewis came to an all-time high. Beyond Aslan—Essays on C.S. Lewis was published by Bridge-Logos Publishers in January to feed that interest and examine Lewis and his work from every conceivable angle.
Columbia Bible College registrar and New Testament professor Michael Szuk and Columbia’s president emeritus, Walter Unger, contributed insightful essays to this collection. Szuk examines Lewis’s view that pain and pleasure are the touchstones of reality. Unger’s chapter, “The agony and the ecstasy of C.S. Lewis,” follows through on this theme, showing how it worked itself out in the latter years of Lewis’s life and that of his wife Joy.
Edited by Burton K. James, Beyond Aslan includes contributions from other Lewis scholars, such as Clark Pinnock, Peter Schakel, Lewis’s stepson Douglas Gresham, and Roger Stronstad of Summit Pacific College in Abbotsford, B.C.
—CBC release
Spring list of books and resources
Theology, Spirituality
Biesecker-Mast, Gerald. Separation and the Sword in Anabaptist Persuasion: Radical Confessional Rhetoric from Schleitheim to Dordrecht. Cascadia Publishing House and Herald Press, 2006, 312 pages, $35.95. Biesecker-Mast re-examines the issue of separation from the world and the use of the sword in early Anabaptist documents. He evaluates how these issues have been interpreted by 20th century Anabaptist historians.
Buchanan, Mark. The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath. W Publishing Group, Nashville, Tenn., 2006, 224 pages. In his writing about Sabbath, Buchanan says we must re-sanctify time and learn how to live in God’s time.
Elias, Jacob W. Remember the Future: The Pastoral Theology of Paul the Apostle, Herald Press, 2006, 540 pages, $19.99. Elias, who teaches at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, shows that Paul’s letters are timeless as they arise out of stories from the churches of the first century. He explains Paul’s theology in light of these stories.
Friesen, Duane K. and Gerald W. Schlabach, eds. At Peace and Unafraid: Public Order, Security and the Wisdom of the Cross. Herald Press, 2005, 456 pages, $21.29. This collection of essays, commissioned by Mennonite Central Committee, explores questions of pacifism in today’s world. To what extent should Mennonites participate in the coercive systems needed for safe, stable and peaceful communities?
Graham, Billy. The Journey: How to Live by Faith in an Uncertain World. W Publishing Group, Nashville, Tenn., 2006, 312 pages. Billy Graham, the evangelist, explores the joys and challenges of the Christian faith journey. Spiritual maturity means confronting temptation and staying the course.
Krabill, James R. Is it Insensitive to Share Your Faith? Hard Questions About Christian Mission in a Plural World. Good Books, 2005, 154 pages, $9.99 U.S.Krabill has experience in sharing his faith, having served with Mennonite Board of Missions for 20 years. Recognizing the discomfort and uncertainty about missions in today’s world, he explores why this is the case.
Kraus, C. Norman. Using Scripture in a Global Age: Framing Biblical Issues. Cascadia and Herald Press, 2006, 200 pages, $29.95. As well as a brief overview of how the Mennonite Church has used Scripture in the past 100 years, Kraus outlines what the Bible has to say to some of the issues of today. Kraus taught Bible and religion at Goshen College for many years.
Kraybill, James R., Walter Sawatsky and Charles E. VanEngen, eds. Evangelical, Ecumenical, and Anabaptist Missiologies in Conversation. Orbis Books, 2006. 352 pages, $25 US. These 26 essays exploring Christian mission theology are collected in honour of Wilbert R. Shenk. Contributors include Lois Barrett, Andrew Walls, James Stamoolis, John A. Lapp, Willard Swartley and Art McPhee.
Kreider, Alan, Eleanor Kreider and Paulus Widjaja. A Culture of Peace: God’s Vision for the Church. Good Books, 2005, 208 pages, $9.99 US. When Widjaja, a Mennonite leader from Indonesia, commented to the Kreiders that the Indonesian church needed practical guidance to live at peace with Muslim neighbours, the result was this book. The book is the 2006 selection for the Mennonite World Conference’s “Global Shelf of Literature.”
Kropf, Marlene, Rebecca Slough and June Alliman Yoder. Preparing Sunday Dinner: A Collaborative Approach to Worship and Preaching. Herald Press, 2006, 500 pages, $23.79. Using the image of Sunday dinner, the authors explore the why and how of worship. They provide tips on how to make the many parts of worship nourishing.
Marshall, Chris. The Little Book of Biblical Justice. Good Books, 2005, 74 pages, $4.95. Part of the Little Books of Justice and Peacebuilding series, this book outlines what the Bible teaches about justice.
Miller, Roman J., Beryl H. Brubaker and James C. Peterson, eds. Viewing New Creations Through Anabaptist Eyes: Ethics of Biotechnology. Cascadia Publishing House and Herald Press, 2005, 308 pages, $35.95. This collection of essays explores the discussion about the ethics of modern biotechnology, including stem cell research, human genetic therapies and genetically modified plants and organisms. The papers were presented at a bioethics conference held at Eastern Mennonite University.
Morgan, Richard L. Meditations for the Grieving. Herald Press, 2005, 104 pages, $12.49. Written by a retired minister and chaplain, this book contains a collection of 30 meditations for those who are experiencing grief due to a loved one’s death or terminal illness. The meditations contain Scripture, poetry, readings and devotional comments.
Nation, Mark Thiessen. John Howard Yoder: Mennonite Patience, Evangelical Witness, Catholic Convictions. Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2006, 235 pages, $20 US. After presenting a brief biography of John Howard Yoder, Nation analyzes some of his theological insights and the effect his ideas have had on the Christian church. The author teaches theology at Eastern Mennonite Seminary.
Newell, J. Philip. Celtic Treasure: Daily Scriptures and Prayer. Novalis, 2005, 244 pages. This illuminated book of Scripture and prayer is a modern expression of traditional Celtic spirituality designed to be used as daily devotions for families, groups or individuals. It is divided into seven sections of seven days.
Perry, John. Torture: Religious Ethics and National Security. Novalis, 2005, 192 pages, $24.95. Perry explores how torture has been used in the past and more recently in the modern “war on terror.” He declares that it is fundamentally immoral. The author teaches ethics at St. Paul’s College, University of Manitoba.
Yoder, Carolyn. The Little Book of Trauma Healing. Good Books, 2005, 96 pages, $4.95. Part of the Little Books of Justice and Peacebuilding series, this little book describes what trauma does to humans and how to move toward healing.
Yoder, Perry B., ed. Take This Word to Heart: The Shema in Torah and Gospel. Institute of Mennonite Studies, 2005, $18.00. Yoder, who teaches Old Testament at AMBS, and four former students comment on the greatest commandments: to love God and to love our neighbours.
History and Biography
Bender, Don, Mildred and Titus. Without the Loss of One: The Story of Nevin and Esther Bender and Its Implications for the Church Today. Cascadia Publishing House and Herald Press, 2005, 276 pages, $20.95. This story of the Bender family provides insight into the dreams and struggles of a Conservative Amish Mennonite family. It is told by three of the Bender children.
Brock, Peter. Against the Draft: Essays on Conscientious Objection from the Radical Reformation to the Second World War. University of Toronto Press, 2006, 544 pages, $80. This collection of 25 essays explores the anti-draft movement in various countries over hundreds of years. It includes various pacifist individuals and groups, including Anabaptist-Mennonites. The author is professor of history, emeritus, at the University of Toronto.
Dekar, Paul R. Creating the Beloved Community: A Journey With the Fellowship of Reconciliation. Cascadia Publishing House and Herald Press, 2005, 326 pages, $35.95. The Fellowship of Reconciliation is an inter-faith and international peace organization. Dekar, a professor at Memphis Theological Seminary, has been involved with this peace movement for 40 years and has written a history of the organization in the United States.
Dipple, Geoffrey. “Just as in the Time of the Apostles”: Uses of History in the Radical Reformation. Pandora Press, 2005, 324 pages, $33.50. Dipple re-examines how the Reformation, and especially the Radical Reformation, understood the history of the church.
Friesen, Abraham. In Defense of Privilege: Russian Mennonites and the State Before and During World War I. Kindred Productions, 2006, 536 pages, $39.99. The Mennonites living in Russia lost their privileged status by World War I. Friesen explains why this happened and what the consequences were. Friesen is professor of history, emeritus, at the University of California.
Kroeker, Wally. An Introduction to the Russian Mennonites. Good Books, 2005, 114 pages, $7.95 US. In this little book, Kroeker describes Mennonite resettlements in the Ukraine, the North American Midwest, the Chaco and other locations. This short overview provides good context for understanding the Russian Mennonite story. It includes many photographs.
Jeschke, Marlin. Rethinking Holy Land: A Study in Salvation Geography. Herald Press, 2005, 172 pages, $21.29. Jeschke reflects on the biblical view of land ownership and applies it to the modern Israeli-Palestinian struggle. The author taught philosophy and religion at Goshen College.
Loewen, Royden. Diaspora in the Countryside: Two Mennonite Communities and Mid-Twentieth Century Rural Disjuncture. University of Toronto Press, 2006, 336 pages, $29.95. Mennonite communities in North America changed between the 1930s and the 1980s as many people moved from farms to towns and cities. Loewen compares how two Mennonite communities in Kansas and Manitoba responded to this cultural shift.
McPhee, Arthur G. The Road to Delhi: Bishop Pickett Remembered, 1890-1981. SAIACS Press, Bangalore, India, 2005, 396 pages. (www.saiacs.org/SAIACSPress). This biography traces the life of a United Methodist missionary who did important work in India in the 20th century. The author teaches at AMBS.
O’Laughlin, Michael. Henri Nouwen: His Life and Vision. Novalis, 2005, 172 pages, $29.95. This easy-to-read biography of Henri Nouwen has many photographs. It describes his spiritual struggles and insights from his early years in the Netherlands to his later years, working with the disabled in Toronto.
Urry, James. Mennonites, Politics and Peoplehood: Europe–Russia–Canada, 1525 to 1980. University of Manitoba Press, 2006, 492 pages, $24.95. Urry has surveyed the span of Mennonite history to show that rather than being the “quiet in the land,” Mennonites have a long history of involvement in politics. Urry, who teaches anthropology at Victoria University in New Zealand, is a well-known scholar of Russian Mennonite studies.
Novels and Poetry
Ens, Alvin G. I Am the Poem. Self-published, 2005, 94 pages, $14. Available at aiens@shaw.ca. This is Ens’ second published book of poems, following Musings on the Sermon. Some of the poems have interesting visual effects. The author is a semi-retired high school English teacher.
Fast-Vlaar, Angelina. Seven Angels for Seven Days. Castle Quay Books, Kitchener, 2005, 247 pages. While on vacation in the Australian Outback, Angelina is faced with the death of her husband. Among the events in this true story are “angels” who appear and provide comfort and hope in the midst of grief and fear.
Lehman, Joanne. Kairos. Herald Press, 2005, 238 pages, $18.79. Angie Halstead, a social worker, becomes involved in the personal life of one of her clients, risking her career and reputation. The romantic story wrestles with the hard questions of pain and injustice. This is Lehman’s first novel.
Other books
Clarke, Bill. Enough Room for Joy: The Early Days of L’Arche. Novalis, 2006, 151 pages. This reprint was first published in 1974. Clarke, a Jesuit, describes how Jean Vanier began the first L’Arche community for developmentally disabled persons in France.
Epp, Maureen and Carol Ann Weaver, eds. Sound in the Land: Essays on Mennonites and Music. Pandora Press, 2005, 220 pages, $25. Most of the essays in this collection come from the “Sound in the Land” conference held at Conrad Grebel University College in May 2004. The essays explore many aspects of the music Mennonites compose, play and sing.
Ganger, Steve. Priority Parenting: Reclaiming Your Home for Heaven’s Sake. Herald Press, 2006, 120 pages, $12.49. Ganger discusses issues facing modern parents, encouraging families to concentrate on the important things. He declares that parenting is crucial and that it requires time. Each of the eight chapters ends with four discussion questions.
Kaufman, Gerald W. and L. Marlene. Monday Marriage: Celebrating the Ordinary. Herald Press, 2005, 150 pages, $12.49. This husband and wife team of family counsellors has written a book about how to find contentment in marriage by reducing unrealistic expectations and by valuing the ordinary. They believe marriage advice that involves trying harder is misleading and offer a different approach.
Pearson-Vasey, Gloria and J. Kevin Vasey. The Road Trip: Life with Autism. Novalis, 2005, 243 pages, $24.95. This is a story about Kevin, a young man with autism who has learned to communicate through typing. The book is a combination of his journal entries and his mother’s reflections about the family’s journey with autism.
Showalter, Ann. Touched by Grace: From Secrecy to New Life. Cascadia Publishing and Herald Press, 2006, 196 pages, $19.95. With honesty and openness, Showalter describes how she struggled to cope with her husband’s homosexuality and AIDS diagnosis. In spite of her grief she was able to be compassionate and help others struggling with AIDS.
Unruh, Heidi Rolland and Ronald J. Sider. Saving Souls, Serving Society: Understanding the Faith Factor in Church-Based Social Ministry. Oxford University Press, 2005, 323 pages, $35 US. In exploring the religious dynamics of church-based community ministry, this book includes several case studies of churches in the Philadelphia area.
Children’s books
Dueck, Adele. Nettie’s Journey. Coteau Books, 2005, 224 pages, $8.95. Written for ages nine and up, this novel is based on the story of Nettie Pauls, who lived in a Mennonite village in Ukraine during World War I and the Russian Revolution. The experiences of famine and terror, mixed with moments of kindness, are told from a child’s perspective.
Smith, Eunice Geil. Treasure Hunt: A Shenandoah Valley Mystery. Herald Press, 2006, 120 pages, $12.49. Eleven-year-old Maggie finds an old diary written by her great-grandfather and unravels the clues in the diary to discover more about life during the Civil War. This mystery novel is for 10- to 13-year-olds.
Weaver, Lisa D. Praying With Our Feet. Herald Press, 40 pages, $16.29. This children’s picture story book is told from the point of view of a young girl who participates in a peace walk. It includes a score of the song “Praying With Our Feet.”
Resources
Can’t, Not Won’t: A Christian Response to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is a 45-minute 2005 DVD or video from MCC Canada in which two families tell their stories. Grade 10 to adult, $28.50.
Gifts to Share: Relief Kits, a 10-minute DVD or video from MCC for Grades 1 to adult, describes assembling and distributing relief kits in Indonesia and Iraq. $14.
Making Ends Meet: AIDS and Poverty, an 18-minute 2005 DVD or video from MCC, explores the relationship between poverty and AIDS in India and South Africa. Grade 7 to adult, $27.
Shadow Voices: Finding Hope in Mental Illness, a 58-minute 2005 documentary in DVD or video from Mennonite Media, provides stories of stigma and hope from those suffering from mental illness. DVD, $24.95 US, at 1-800-999-3534 or www.ShadowVoices.com.
We Should Talk Peace, a 27-minute 2006 DVD from MCC, tells stories of hope through grassroots peacemakers in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda. Grade 10 to adult, $27.
The spring 2006 issue of Vision: A Journal for Church and Theology published by Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary and Canadian Mennonite University focuses on the theme of salvation. Visit www.mennovision.org.