While this book comes as a response to our country's choice to be at war, it also comes from a lifetime of learning about Jesus and what it means to follow him. I became familiar with the Bible from a very young age. I read it thoroughly with Sunday school teachers, my youth group, my family, and on my own. I loved learning about how Moses wandered the wilderness and followed God's lead even though he often felt unsure, how Jacob wrestled with God, how Samuel was open and willing to listen to God from a very young age, how Jesus brought a message of love and compassion in the most trying of times. I was also fortunate to grow up in a church that encouraged discussions of difficult topics. Being located next to the UC Berkeley campus, we had frequent dialogues with students and street people, all of varying backgrounds. We had intergenerational discussions. We got involved in what was happening in our community and our world. I did my own wrestling with God. These dialogues and observations led me to examine how we traditionally behave in a "Christian" society and ask whether or not that is consistent with what Jesus said and did. I continued studying these issues as an adult in churches in Tacoma, Washington, and St. Paul, Minnesota. Understandably, after the attacks of September 11, people were afraid. It is natural to get caught up in our concerns for our safety and security. It is wise to discuss strategy after such a shattering event. We can easily be tempted to support a path of violence and military might. But the human race has followed this course throughout the centuries; can our world become less violent by bringing more violence into it? Or should we try a new strategy and take Jesus more seriously? If we intend to follow Jesus, we must re-examine our core beliefs. We must return to his words and actions. We must follow his example to find the fullest expression of what it means to be Christian.
