A Farewell to Mars discussion

What are your thoughts on this chapter?

Sometime within the past few years I got together with an old friend who happened to be an Obama supporter and Christian. I must honestly admit that I'm someone who has a really hard time reconciling that in my mind, but none the less, that was her. She shared with me something I'd never considered...that America "helping" the world is not a good thing. She talked about the Britains and the Indians and then how we have gone into other countries that have not even asked for our assistance...this was when the light began to come on for me. Then, I've had some conversations with Jessica and her family...then, I heard Glenn Beck talking about how as he has read the Bible he really believes we are called to PEACE, not anger, hatred and war. Then, a month or so later, this book falls in my lap. So, I can say I'm definitely on a journey and I believe the most compelling thing about this first chapter is the "kingdom of God" that he shows Jesus has instituted TODAY...it's not only about a future heavenly kingdom.

I must admit, my move away from empire and statism combined with my formative experience with 'left behind' and righteous destruction eschatology has unfortunately brought with it a tendency to dispair. This chapter helped me see that regardless of my present reality and success, we are not simply workin in vain to save some before the inevitable destruction of the world, but we are working to bring about that new world, that new reality, in this world and not just the world to come. This was a refreshing and much needed insight.

This is an amazing book! A few years ago, I began to wonder if the faith I professed had more to do with empire than with the real Jesus, and I started to explore all the ways that idolatry has replaced the way of the Messiah. I've been through the same process Zahnd describes, but I could never write about it the way he does. I thought I would share it in a message to a friend and quote the book, but the first chapter is so completely quotable I couldn't even choose one. His poem at the end of the chapter is powerful: "I think I caught a glimpse of truth out of the corner of my eye. A ghost, a whisper, a suspicion, a subtle and subversive rumor. So dangerous that every army would be commanded to march against it; so beautiful that it would drive those who see it to madness or sanity." I wish every Christian I know would read this.

Obviously this book is resonating with many of you. What experiences have you had talking to other Christians about Jesus being a "preacher of peace"? How have you responded?