A Persistent Peace: One Man's Struggle for a Nonviolent World - Hardcover

Reverend Father John Dear SJ

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0829427201 ISBN 13: 9780829427202

Publisher: Loyola Press, 2008

Synopsis

All of us say we want peace, but only a few are willing to prove it.John Dear, SJ, has been arrested more than seventy-five times. He has spent more than a year of his life in jail. He has been mocked by an armed and angry U.S. National Guard battalion standing outside the doors to his New Mexico parish. All this because he so fervently believes in peace.
A Persistent Peace, John Dear’s autobiography, invites readers to follow the decades-long journey and spiritual growth of this nationally known peace activist, and to witness his bold, decisive, often unpopular actions before government officials, military higher-ups, and even representatives of the Church.
From his conversion to Christianity, to his calling to become a Jesuit, to the extreme dangers and delights of a life dedicated to truly living out the radical, forgiving love of Jesus, Dear’s incredible story will touch the heart of anyone who believes in the power of peace and the possibility of a world where love conquers all.Praise for John Dear and A Persistent Peace “Once more, and in a plenary way, we are blessed by the eloquence and moral passion of John Dear. . . . More power to this intrepid disciple of Christ—The Peacemaker.”
 —Daniel Berrigan, author of The Trial of the Catonsville Nine “John Dear understands that peacemaking is not a part-time job. . . . John has walked the talk for years, an inspiration to all of us to do more than we think we can.”
 —Jim Wallis, author of The Great Awakening and president, Sojourners
“John Dear has been arrested in the cause of peace and human decency more times than anyone else I know. I am honored to consider him a friend.”
 —Joan Baez, singer and peace activist
“John Dear is a great spiritual progressive leader whose wisdom, courage, and gentleness make him one of the most beloved teachers of nonviolence in America. . . . Reading this book will make you less lonely by knowing that you’re sharing your time on earth with John Dear.”
 —Rabbi Michael Lerner, editor of Tikkun magazine“Look, I know this guy. He’s real; and he shows that it’s possible for ordinary folks to really live Jesus’ call to be peacemakers. . . . Prepare your own heart as you open this book.”
 —Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ, author of Dead Man Walking
“John Dear’s life story is inspiring and heartwarming.”
 —Howard Zinn, author of A People’s History of the United States

About this title

Book Description:

A nationally known peace activist tells the remarkable story of his conversion and subsequent lifelong
dedication to working for peace.
 

John Dear, SJ, has been arrested more than 75 times. He has spent more than a year of his life in jail. He has been mocked by armed U.S. soldiers standing outside the doors to his New Mexico parish. All this because he so fervently believes in peace.

Dear’s unflappable persistence in speaking and acting on behalf of peace stems from his life-changing decision in college to leave behind his frat-boy lifestyle and instead become a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. That decision has, over many years, led him to live out the Beatitudes of the nonviolent Jesus in every dimension of his life.

A Persistent Peace, John Dear’s autobiography, invites readers to follow the decades-long journey and spiritual growth of this nationally known peace activist and to witness his bold, decisive, often unpopular actions before government officials, military higher-ups, and even hostile representatives of the Church. With heroes such as Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, it should come as no surprise that John’s activism has taken him to many places, including war zones, all over the world.

From his conversion to Christianity, to his calling to become a Jesuit, to the extreme dangers and delights of a life dedicated to truly living out the radical, forgiving love of Jesus, Dear’s incredible story will touch anyone who believes in the power of peace. Perhaps most important of all, readers will come to understand through John that the most essential disarmament is the one that happens inside each heart—when we finally let go of our own self-righteousness, resentment, and anger.

 

From the Back Cover:

Praise for John Dear and
A Persistent Peace

“John Dear understands that peacemaking is not a part-time job. . . . John has walked the talk for years, an inspiration to all of us to do more than we think we can.”
    —Jim Wallis, author of The Great Awakening and president, Sojourners

“John Dear has been arrested in the cause of peace and human decency more times than anyone else I know. I am honored to consider him a friend.”
    —Joan Baez, singer and peace activist

“John Dear is a great spiritual progressive leader whose wisdom, courage, and gentleness make him one of the most beloved teachers of nonviolence in America. . . . Reading this book will make you less lonely by knowing that you’re sharing your time on earth with John Dear.”
    —Rabbi Michael Lerner, editor of Tikkun magazine

“Look, I know this guy. He’s real; and he shows that it’s possible for ordinary folks to really live Jesus’ call to be peacemakers. . . . Prepare your own heart as you open this book.”
    —Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ, author of Dead Man Walking

“John Dear’s life story is inspiring and heartwarming.”
    —Howard Zinn, author of A People’s History of the United States

Praise for John Dear and
A Persistent Peace

“John Dear understands that peacemaking is not a part-time job. . . . John has walked the talk for years, an inspiration to all of us to do more than we think we can.”
    —Jim Wallis, author of The Great Awakening and president, Sojourners

“John Dear has been arrested in the cause of peace and human decency more times than anyone else I know. I am honored to consider him a friend.”
    —Joan Baez, singer and peace activist

“John Dear is a great spiritual progressive leader whose wisdom, courage, and gentleness make him one of the most beloved teachers of nonviolence in America. . . . Reading this book will make you less lonely by knowing that you’re sharing your time on earth with John Dear.”
    —Rabbi Michael Lerner, editor of Tikkun magazine

“Look, I know this guy. He’s real; and he shows that it’s possible for ordinary folks to really live Jesus’ call to be peacemakers. . . . Prepare your own heart as you open this book.”
    —Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ, author of Dead Man Walking

“John Dear’s life story is inspiring and heartwarming.”
    —Howard Zinn, author of A People’s History of the United States

About this edition

• Publisher: Loyola Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0829427201
• ISBN 13: 9780829427202
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 456