Synopsis: James Atwood contends that the thirty thousand gun deaths America suffers every year cannot be understood apart from our national myth that God has appointed America as "the trustee of the civilization of the world" and even "Christ's light to the nations." Because these purposes are noble, and we are supposedly a good and trustworthy people, violence is sometimes "required" and gives license to individuals to carry open or concealed weapons, which "save lives" and can even be "redemptive." Atwood, an avid hunter, cautions that an absolute trust in guns and violence morphs easily into idolatry. Having spent thirty-six years as a Presbyterian pastor fighting against the easy access to firearms, one of which took the life of a friend, he uses his unique experience and his biblical and theological understanding to graphically portray the impact guns have on our society. He documents how Americans have been deceived into believing that the tools of violence, whether they take the form of advanced military technology or a handgun in the bedside stand, will provide security. He closes with a wake-up call to the faith community, which he says is America's best hope to unmask the extremism of the Gun Empire. Endorsement: "Atwood knows that guns are not just weapons, but symbols, and not only symbols, but idols that demand enormous sacrifice in American lives. This book gets at both the depth and meaning of this on-going tragedy. As a gifted organizer and thinker, Atwood then unveils the inspiring theological bases of an awakening to gun violence prevention] that has already begun in some cities and congregations." --Christian Iosso, Coordinator of Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy "When it comes to tackling the plague of gun violence in the U.S., no one 'walks the walk' with more integrity than Atwood. He has devoted his life to saving lives from gun violence by increasing awareness and challenging popular myths about guns. He now gives us a much needed theological undergirding for our work to end the violence." --John W. Wimberly Jr., Pastor of Western Presbyterian Church "Gun violence destroys families everyday in America. Atwood presciently shows how our weak gun laws result from treating guns as if they were religious idols. By unpacking the theological significance of policies that allow for unfettered access to firearms, he makes a compelling argument that people of faith have a religious and moral duty to fight for stronger gun laws." --Joshua Horwitz, Executive Director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence "Atwood's fervent account of the multiple costs of gun violence and the need to restrain it is of urgent and timely importance. This book is a challenge to Christians to lead the way in unmasking the peculiar American obsession with guns. It illuminates the origins of that obsession and recounts a distressing record of statistics and broken laws, all in a compelling theological framework." --David Little, Harvard Divinity School "This is the book I've been waiting for. Atwood's analysis is deeply theological, and I hope it will bring conversations in our churches about idolatry, faithfulness, and the violence that has become so interwoven into our culture. Read this book for an exploration of your own acquiescence to the gun culture, and then study it with your book club or church group to begin planning the revolution that will stand up to the gun industry." --Rick Ufford-Chase, Executive Director of Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Author Biography: James E. Atwood is Pastor Emeritus of the Trinity Presbyterian Church of Arlington, Virginia, from which he retired in 1999. He lives in Springfield, Virginia. He is presently the Chairperson of Heeding God's Call of Greater Washington, a faith-based ecumenical movement that encourages gun shops to adopt a code of conduct that deters illegal purchasing and the trafficking of handguns.

When Wisdom and Laughter Meet: Stories on the Work and Worship of the Church provides the busy professional or volunteer in the faith community with hundreds of humorous and thought provoking stories, quotes, and anecdotes which are at one's fingertips. The material illustrates 41 themes which describe the work and worship of the church and is guaranteed to supply both the speaker and listener with innumerable "aha" and "ha-ha" moments which will provoke further reflection in sanctuaries and classrooms. Every one whose task is to tell "Good News" should be aware of Mark Twain's warning: "It's a terrible death to be talked to death."

The Leaven of Laughter provides hundreds of humorous quotes and anecdotes to be found at a moment's notice. The material is prearranged according to 44 themes intrinsic to the Lenten and Easter Seasons and will provide the particular nuance or insight needed in a sermon, lesson plan or article.
The book bears testimony that one of the best tools to "keep the saints awake" is the thoughtful use of humor. Time and again I have seen an appropriate humorous remark refocus and energize a congregation. I have also seen the power of humor: Puncture human pompousness and pride Combat hypocrisy Expose ignorance and bad decisions Enable the audience to psycologically identify with the speaker Diffuse explosive situations and help resolve conflicts Build bridges of understanding and communication Release us from the crushing seriousness of life Increase concentration and listening capacity Heal broken spirits Reduce our fears Open us up to hear and accept new ideas Capture attention of children and youth

The Leaven of Laughter for Advent and Christmas contains hundreds of stimulating humorous quotes and provocative anecdotes which the busy church professional or volunteer can quickly find and use as leaven for one's preaching, speaking, teaching, writing, or devotional reading.
The material is organized around 45 themes, which are used extensively, though not exclusively, during the Advent and Christmas Seasons. The reader will find the material useful throughout the year.
Everyone should be intrigued not only by the sheer delight of laughter, but by its versatility. All of us have seen people who were being "talked to death" come back to life with a laugh. We have observed hostile people disarmed by a funny story. We have watched total strangers bond through laughter. We have witnessed people tear down economic and social barriers and begin to trust one another because they laughed together. We have marveled as laughter exposed new and vital truth to a skeptic. We have been glad to see the Gospel take root in people's lives through a joyous laugh. Someone said, "When people are laughing, they are listening and one can talk about anything."
It gives me joy to share The Leaven of Laughter for Advent and Christmas with all those who will, in turn, share its treasures with others as they tell God's Good News with a twinkle in their eye.