Summary: Like parents and grandparents everywhere, Randy and Joyce Klassen are deeply concerned about the state of the world in which their children and grandchildren will be living. Will violence and wars escalate? Or will the world’s peoples, including those in a United States so often involved in war, try a different way? Will even ordinary people commit ourselves to selfless love? Will we strengthen and expand the reality of justice and peace in our world? This book is a manual for those of us ready to try. Clearly the Klassens speak out of their own commitment to the nonviolent Way of Jesus and in hopes that others will join them in this commitment. At the same time, a unique feature of their book is their cordial engagement with Liberal, Conservative, Catholic, and Orthodox Christians as well as Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and Agnostics. Comment: “At the end of World War 2, I stood in England before Judge Burgess and said, ‘Your honor, if you want to handcuff me, go ahead and do it. I will not kill another person.’ It took Joyce and Randy Klassen 40 years to reach the same position. Read their story. —Peter J. Dyck, lifetime Mennonite Central Committee worker and pastor (retired) “Two earnest Christians, with artistic sensitivity born of suffering in their journeys of faith, challenge every religious tradition to ponder what communal love and forgiveness in Christ and each other have done for them and for us.” —James R Hawkinson, Executive Secretary Emeritus of Publications, The Evangelical Covenant Church “If everyone took to heart this message of universal love and respect, the world would be transformed.” —Daniel Clark, Attorney; and Founder, Peace Coalition, Walla Walla, Washington “One cannot read Loving Enemies: A Manual for Ordinary People without examining one’s own attitude and actions regarding nonviolence and world peace.” —Lou Perry, President Emeritus, Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington “This manual shows that although it is a natural instinct, followers of Jesus must find taking revenge, war, and killing unthinkable even in the face of aggression and violence.” —Peter H. Peters, former Executive Director, Mennonite Central Committee, Manitoba “Written in a personal style, Loving Enemies provides a rich resource for all who desire to seek peace.” —Helmut Harder, Author, Understanding the Faith in a Mennonite Perspective Market: Ordinary Christians and anyone ready to seek peace in this violent world; church study groups; pastors and congregational leaders; students. Shelving: Peacemaking, pacifism, nonviolence; Anabaptist-Mennonite thought. BISAC: Religion, Social Sciences. RTM: 690 Religion/Ethics The Authors: Randy and Joyce Klassen, both artists, developed a new church in California and revived another in Arizona. Randy, a pastor for over 40 years, is author of What Does the Bible Really Say About Hell and other books. Now the Klassens are enjoying semi-retirement in Walla Walla, Washington, while remaining active as artists. Publisher: Cascadia
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