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Spring 1998 Spring 1998 Editorial 1 Editorial 1 The Conrad Grebel Review The Conrad Grebel Review Volume 16, Number 2 Volume 16, Number 2 Spring 1998 Spring 1998 SPECIAL ISSUE: JOHN HOWARD YODER SPECIAL ISSUE: JOHN HOWARD YODER Editorial Editorial Marlene Epp 3 Marlene Epp 3 Articles Articles Mennonites, Christ, and Culture: The Yoder Legacy Mennonites, Christ, and Culture: The Yoder Legacy James Reimer 5 James Reimer 5 Mennonites and Narrative Theology: The Case of Mennonites and Narrative Theology: The Case of John Howard Yoder John Howard Yoder Chris K. Huebner 15 Chris K. Huebner 15 Toward a Theology of Culture: A Dialogue with Toward a Theology of Culture: A Dialogue with John Howard Yoder and Gordon Kaufman John Howard Yoder and Gordon Kaufman Duane K. Friesen 39 Duane K. Friesen 39 He Came Preaching Peace: The Ecumenical Peace He Came Preaching Peace: The Ecumenical Peace Witness of John H. Yoder Witness of John H. Yoder Mark Thiessen Nation 65 Mark Thiessen Nation 65 John Howard Yoder and the Ecumenical Church John Howard Yoder and the Ecumenical Church William Klassen 77 William Klassen 77 In the Footsteps of Marcion: Notes Toward an In the Footsteps of Marcion: Notes Toward an Understanding of John Yoder’s Theology Understanding of John Yoder’s Theology John W. Miller 82 John W. Miller 82 2 The Conrad Grebel Review 2 The Conrad Grebel Review Reflections Reflections Memorial Tributes to John Howard Yoder (1927-1997) Memorial Tributes to John Howard Yoder (1927-1997) Given at his Funeral, 3 January 1998 Given at his Funeral, 3 January 1998 Tom Yoder Neufeld 93 Tom Yoder Neufeld 93 Mary Ellen Meyer 96 Mary Ellen Meyer 96 Stanley Hauerwas 98 Stanley Hauerwas 98 Father David Burrell 101 Father David Burrell 101 David A. Shank 103 David A. Shank 103 Erland Waltner 105 Erland Waltner 105 Literary Refractions Literary Refractions Introduction Introduction Hildi Froese Tiessen 108 Hildi Froese Tiessen 108 Flowers for Approaching the Fire Flowers for Approaching the Fire Rudy Wiebe 110 Rudy Wiebe 110 Three Poems Three Poems Sarah Klassen 125 Sarah Klassen 125 Book Review Book Review John Howard Yoder, For the Nations: Essays John Howard Yoder, For the Nations: Essays Public and Evangelical. Public and Evangelical. Reviewed by Conrad Brunk 128 Reviewed by Conrad Brunk 128 Editorial 1 Editorial 1 Editorial Editorial When theologian John Howard Yoder died on December 30, 1997, individuals When theologian John Howard Yoder died on December 30, 1997, individuals at Conrad Grebel College, along with the wider Mennonite and theological at Conrad Grebel College, along with the wider Mennonite and theological communities, paused to reflect on the suddenness of his passing. This reaction communities, paused to reflect on the suddenness of his passing. This reaction was followed immediately by conjectures regarding the importance of his was followed immediately by conjectures regarding the importance of his legacy to the Mennonite church over the past four decades. The editorial legacy to the Mennonite church over the past four decades. The editorial team pondered the wisdom of dedicating a special issue of The Conrad Grebel team pondered the wisdom of dedicating a special issue of The Conrad Grebel Review to John Howard Yoder just six months after his death. Review to John Howard Yoder just six months after his death. The editorial team decided to go ahead, and the result is this special The editorial team decided to go ahead, and the result is this special issue with an assorted mix of scholarly articles, personal essays, and reflective issue with an assorted mix of scholarly articles, personal essays, and reflective tributes. We are especially grateful that Yoder's family allowed us to publish tributes. We are especially grateful that Yoder's family allowed us to publish the tributes given at his memorial service at College Mennonite Church in the tributes given at his memorial service at College Mennonite Church in Goshen, Indiana, on January 3. The cover photo was taken by Jim Reimer Goshen, Indiana, on January 3. The cover photo was taken by Jim Reimer when Yoder visited the Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre in the winter when Yoder visited the Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre in the winter of 1997. of 1997. The life and career stages represented by the authors certainly point to The life and career stages represented by the authors certainly point to the longevity of Yoder’s impact on the Mennonite theological community. the longevity of Yoder’s impact on the Mennonite theological community. From younger scholars like Chris Huebner, to former students of Yoder like From younger scholars like Chris Huebner, to former students of Yoder like Duane Friesen and Mark Thiessen Nation, to colleagues, whose relationships Duane Friesen and Mark Thiessen Nation, to colleagues, whose relationships with Yoder date back to the 1950s and 60s, like William Klassen and John with Yoder date back to the 1950s and 60s, like William Klassen and John Miller, the writers here have engaged with Yoder and his thought over four Miller, the writers here have engaged with Yoder and his thought over four decades. During the past decade, Yoder’s legacy came to include allegations decades. During the past decade, Yoder’s legacy came to include allegations of sexual misconduct, followed by a lengthy process of church discipline. of sexual misconduct, followed by a lengthy process of church discipline. We solicited an article for this issue of The Review that examined this process We solicited an article for this issue of The Review that examined this process of restoration and healing in the context of Yoder’s own ideals about church of restoration and healing in the context of Yoder’s own ideals about church discipline. As publication deadlines approached, we recognized that, for a discipline. As publication deadlines approached, we recognized that, for a number of reasons, this piece required more time and reflection. number of reasons, this piece required more time and reflection. The literary refractions for this issue include a piece by a giant in the The literary refractions for this issue include a piece by a giant in the literary world, Rudy Wiebe. His essay, and also the poems by Sarah Klassen, literary world, Rudy Wiebe. His essay, and also the poems by Sarah Klassen, ponder the themes and stories of martyrdom that are central to the Anabaptist ponder the themes and stories of martyrdom that are central to the Anabaptist story. Literary editor Hildi Froese Tiessen has creatively offered a linkage story. Literary editor Hildi Froese Tiessen has creatively offered a linkage between Yoder and Wiebe. Because of space limitations, the book review between Yoder and Wiebe. Because of space limitations, the book review 2 The Conrad Grebel Review 2 The Conrad Grebel Review section includes only Conrad Brunk’s review of John Howard Yoder’s last section includes only Conrad Brunk’s review of John Howard Yoder’s last book. book. Undoubtedly the design changes were the first thing you noticed when Undoubtedly the design changes were the first thing you noticed when you picked up this issue of The Review. We thought the recent editorial you picked up this issue of The Review. We thought the recent editorial transition offered a good opportunity to give the journal a slight makeover, transition offered a good opportunity to give the journal a slight makeover, given that the overall look has remained the same for about ten years. The given that the overall look has remained the same for about ten years. The full cover photograph was especially suitable for this special Yoder issue; full cover photograph was especially suitable for this special Yoder issue; we’ll try to follow this one with different images for each subsequent issue. we’ll try to follow this one with different images for each subsequent issue. Other modifications include larger and more varied fonts, as well as more Other modifications include larger and more varied fonts, as well as more white space to enhance readability. Please let me know how you respond to white space to enhance readability. Please let me know how you respond to the new look. the new look. There have also been some personnel changes at The Review which There have also been some personnel changes at The Review which deserve mention. I welcome Arnold Neufeldt-Fast, who recently completed deserve mention. I welcome Arnold Neufeldt-Fast, who recently completed a doctoral degree in theology from St. Michael’s College at the University of a doctoral degree in theology from St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto, to the position of Book Review Editor. Wendy Stocker, who managed Toronto, to the position of Book Review Editor. Wendy Stocker, who managed circulation and generally kept the production process moving, has left The circulation and generally kept the production process moving, has left The Review after four years. Wendy’s overall competence was greatly appreciated Review after four years. Wendy’s overall competence was greatly appreciated and I offer warm thanks to her. Trijntje Miller has taken on circulation duties and I offer warm thanks to her. Trijntje Miller has taken on circulation duties and we welcome her to the team. and we welcome her to the team. Marlene Epp, Editor Marlene Epp, Editor [email protected] [email protected] Mennonites, Christ, and Culture 5 Mennonites, Christ, and Culture 5 Mennonites, Christ, and Culture: Mennonites, Christ, and Culture: The Yoder Legacy The Yoder Legacy A. James Reimer A. James Reimer Recollections Recollections John Howard Yoder was not the easiest man in the world to relate to casually John Howard Yoder was not the easiest man in the world to relate to casually and informally.
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