ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Since the topic of warfare and violence is furiously debated, I wanted to go out of my way to have my view critiqued before I published it. Therefore, during the writing process, I had dozens of scholars, pastors, professionals, and laypeople read parts (or all) of this manuscript.

At the top of the list is my friend and former student Andrew Rillera. Andrew is one of the brightest students I’ve ever had, and therefore he was an easy choice as I sought help to write this book. He devoted countless hours to research, editing, and helping craft and recraft arguments in several chapters. Andrew is currently a master’s student at Fuller Seminary, but he’s got the mind and intuition of a seasoned scholar. I envy the school that picks him up to do his PhD.

I’m honored that Shane Claiborne wrote the foreword to this book. Shane was an early catalyst in my own thinking on this subject. I never would have imagined that he would be writing the foreword my own book in defense of nonviolence. Thank you, Shane, for so passionately fighting for this cause.

Many other biblical scholars and historians took precious time to read through chunks of this book. Thanks to Benjamin Foreman, Ron Sider, Peter Leithart, Joey Dodson, Scott Duvall, Paul Larson, Andrew Pitts, George Kalantzis, Ben Reynolds, Jason Hood, Joel Willitts, and Richard Hess.

Special thanks to Temper Longman for carefully reading through the Old Testament chapters and walking me through his improvements as we threw down some killer Mexican food in Santa Barbara.

Many thanks also to Scot McKnight, who not only read the New Testament section and offered many helpful comments, but who also encouraged me throughout the writing process.

I also chatted with several ex- (and current) military friends about the contents of this book. Thanks to Steve Watson, Bob Armstrong, and Parker Armstrong (no relation).

Several philosophers and ethicists picked apart my last couple chapters and offered invaluable feedback. Thanks to Jeff Steele, Jeff Cook, and especially Justin Bronson, whose extensive comments on several drafts of chapters 11 and 12 exceeded my own word count in those chapters. I also thank that group of professors at Ouachita Baptist University, mostly philosophers, who went around and around with me about using violence as a last resort in defense of the innocent. Tully, Matt, Eric, Big Dread, and several others whose names have escaped me. That was a fun night. Though I’m glad a fight didn’t break out. I would have lost.

Several pastors and laypeople read some or all of my earlier drafts and offered very helpful comments, especially when it came to communicating to the “normal” person. Thanks to Matt Halsted, Gregg Lennox, Grant Pedersen, Ryan Hinkle, Matt Larson, Dalton Sprinkle, and Todd Nighswonger. Most of all, my wife, Christine, combed through several chapters and saved me from saying some pretty stupid things. Thanks, hunny, for your invaluable feedback, but most of all for being the best wife a guy could ask for.

Thanks to my four kids, Kaylea, Aubrey, Josie, and Cody, for loving me and always asking, “Are you done with your book yet, Daddy?” Yes, kids, I’m done with my book!

Mark Beuving—my friend, colleague, and faithful editor—read through the entire manuscript with a fine-toothed comb. I can’t imagine ever publishing a book without it first passing by your eyes.

And thanks to the folks at David C Cook for your commitment to me and this project: Alex Field, Caitlyn Carlson, Don Pape, and Karen Lee-Thorp.

Most of all, thank You, Jesus, for sustaining me and forgiving me for mistakes I’ve made in this book. I hope that it’s still a pleasing aroma in Your sight and brings much glory to Your name. If it doesn’t, then please raise up someone else to write a response that corrects my error. May Your truth, not mine, be magnified.