That is, First Things, the theological journal, and also “first things” in terms of direct relationships between faith and non-violence. I had never read this, somehow. Hauerwas takes them to task in a major way.
“In a Time of War” makes clear that the Editors regard the Christian nonviolence I represent as at best “a reminder” to those who are about “being responsible.” I may be tolerated because of my theological commitments, but my pacifism can only be regarded as an aberration which is best ignored. The arguments Yoder and I have made in an attempt to show how Christian orthodoxy and nonviolence are constitutive of one another are quite simply not taken seriously by the Editors of First Things. Or at least they are not taken seriously if “In Time of War” indicates the best thinking of the Editors of First Things. I did not expect nor do I expect the Editors of First Things to take a pacifist stance, but I confess the confident arrogance, their lack of any sadness that should accompany the use of violence, fills me with sadness.
My pastor told me about that crazy drama. I guess Hauerwas used to be on the editorial board (I think) of First Things until they wrote that despicable “In a time of war” thing, and of course, he had quite the disagreement with George Weigel (Catholic “just war” guy who is pro- Iraq war), and wrote that and resigned from the board.
Like he said, quite sad.