Offering hospitality
Book Description
In a world where faith and conflict intersect in complex ways, Caron E. Gentry invites readers to examine how Christian communities approach questions of war and peace. This thoughtful exploration challenges believers to move beyond familiar theological positions and engage with fresh perspectives on one of humanity's most pressing moral dilemmas.
Gentry examines three major Christian approaches to warfare: the pragmatic stance of Christian realism, the peace-centered pacifist tradition, and the carefully reasoned just war framework. Rather than defending any single position, she reveals how these perspectives often remain closed to outside critique and fail to address contemporary challenges like genocide, terrorism, and failing nations.
Drawing from feminist scholarship and postmodern thought, the author proposes a transformative concept: incorporating genuine hospitality into Christian ethics of war. This hospitality, rooted in the Christian understanding of divine love, offers a pathway toward what she calls a "better peace." By connecting ancient spiritual principles with modern critical analysis, Gentry demonstrates how the practice of welcoming others—even opponents—can reshape our approach to conflict resolution.
This work speaks to multiple audiences: theologians seeking renewed dialogue, spiritual seekers exploring faith's role in social justice, and anyone wrestling with how religious conviction should inform responses to violence. Gentry's vision encourages readers to embrace vulnerability and openness as spiritual practices that can transform both personal relationships and global conflicts.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Short (< 200 pages) (~5 hours)
📄 Length: 197 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Understand spiritual ethics
- ✓ Explore Christian Theology
- ✓ Explore War, religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Pacifism
- ✓ Explore United states, politics and government
- ✓ Explore International Relations
- ✓ Explore General
- ✓ Explore Theology
