About Book

This book investigates the theological and ethical challenges facing Mennonite pacifism in an increasingly secular age. Layton Boyd Friesen examines how traditional Anabaptist nonviolence risks becoming detached from its Christ-centered roots, turning into a purely secular ethic. To address this, Friesen engages the Catholic theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar’s Christology, particularly his concept of the “theo-drama.” He argues that Anabaptist peace theology can be revitalized by re-centering nonviolence in the mystery of Christ’s incarnation and non-resistance, as articulated in the Chalcedonian Definition. Rather than abandoning Christian foundations, Friesen proposes a contemplative and participatory model of pacifism, where believers are drawn into Christ’s own encounter with the secular world. This approach bridges historical Mennonite pacifism and contemporary challenges, providing both a theological defense and a spiritual practice of nonviolence. In today’s polarized and often violent world, secular ethical appeals for nonviolence may lack spiritual depth or communal grounding. Friesen’s book provides a way for Christian communities—especially Mennonites and other peace churches—to reclaim the theological foundations of pacifism while remaining engaged in secular contexts. Community engagement mechanisms include: • Theological seminars in churches and universities on integrating Balthasar into peace theology. • Interdenominational dialogues between Mennonites and Catholics on nonviolence. • Small group study in Christian communities exploring contemplative practices linked to pacifism. • Academic courses in theology, ethics, and peace studies using this book as a key text. This work is a significant contribution to both Mennonite theology and broader Christian ethics. By retrieving a Christ-centered foundation for pacifism, it offers a path for renewing nonviolence in secular societies. It is academically rigorous yet spiritually engaged, appealing to both scholars and faith practitioners. Strengths: • Provides a systematic response to the problem of secularized pacifism. • Bridges Anabaptist and Catholic traditions in a creative dialogue. • Deep theological grounding in Christology and incarnation. • Offers a constructive path forward for Christian communities of peace. Weaknesses / Limitations: • The Christological framework may be less accessible to secular activists or non-Christians. • Focuses primarily on theology, offering fewer practical strategies for activism. • Dense theological argumentation may challenge general readers. Compared to other works on Christian nonviolence, this volume stands out for its cross-traditional engagement with von Balthasar and its effort to re-anchor pacifism theologically rather than sociopolitically.