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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.
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