Nonviolent Action

“Every once in a while a book substantially changes the conversation, and even the posture, of the church. What Ron Sider’s Rich Christians in An Age of Hunger did to change how Christians think about poverty, Nonviolent Action promises to do for how we think about war. This book is for every person who is appalled by evil but conflicted in how to respond to it in a way that honors Jesus, the Prince of Peace. It is not just for pacifists. It is for skeptics, war hawks, liberals, and conservatives—but is not for the faint of heart, for in the end it is a clarion call to take the cross as seriously as we have taken the sword.”—Shane Claiborne, author, activist, and founding partner of The Simple Way

“Ron Sider’s powerful blend of scholarship and passion has gripped me! In recent years I’ve traveled often to the Holy Land, where unholy violence continues to beget more violence. This book affirms the wisdom of the peacemakers I’ve met—both Israelis and Palestinians—who refuse the path of violence. With their active witness in mind, I fully endorse Ron’s call to an organized, active campaign of nonviolence.”—Lynne Hybels, advocate for global engagement, Willow Creek Community Church

“When Ron Sider talks, I listen. When he writes, I read. Whether or not one is a pacifist—I am not—one has something to learn about the power of nonviolent protest and resistance from Dr. Sider’s careful and thoughtful study of successful nonviolent movements against tyranny and oppression. He shows that sometimes nonviolence is the most effective way—and therefore the right way—to overcome injustice and protect its victims. In my view, that isn’t always the case, but Dr. Sider does the Christian community and everyone a great service in reminding us that sometimes nonviolence is the best option.”—Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence, Princeton University

“This wise, balanced, and inspiring book is a richly instructive guide for all who have pledged their allegiance to the Savior who is also the Prince of Peace.”—Richard Mouw, former president, Fuller Theological Seminary (from the foreword)

“Ron Sider provides a profound and illuminating account of the effectiveness of nonviolent, grassroots movements that challenge unjust and discriminatory social practices. He concludes with a summons to faith communities to equip themselves for generating and sustaining such movements in their own responses to oppressive social systems that abuse vulnerable human beings in the contemporary world.”—Thomas W. Ogletree, Frederick Marquand Professor Emeritus in Theological and Social Ethics, Yale Divinity School

“In Nonviolent Action, Ron Sider presents a compelling case for vastly increased investment by Christian churches and other faith traditions in the development of effective nonviolent strategies for resisting violent oppression and accomplishing social change. Creative thinking, solid training, and significant budgetary allocations could move nonviolence to the central role it ought to play. This convincing book makes an important contribution to a critical debate.”—Marie Dennis, co-president, Pax Christi International

“Despite the unprecedented violence of the last century, the twentieth century also saw many dramatic successes for nonviolent resistance movements. In Nonviolent Action, Ron Sider eloquently and persuasively describes how and why these movements have been so effective. He then compellingly argues for the need to embrace nonviolent action on a scale never before seen as we look towards the future. There are few people better qualified to write a book on this topic than Ron Sider, whose steadfast work for peace and justice for more than forty years never ceases to inspire me. I encourage anyone who cares about the future of humankind and wants to live out Jesus’s call to be a peacemaker to read this book.”—Jim Wallis, author of The (Un)Common Good, president of Sojourners, and editor-in-chief of Sojourners magazine