Roger Newell hosts book signing at public library
Join professor emeritus Roger Newell on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m., when he will be signing copies of his new book, “Keine Gewalt! No Violence!†at the Newberg Public Library. The event will include refreshments and an opportunity to chat with the author.
The book tells the backstory of the theological debates and personal acts of faith and courage leading to the moment when the church became the cradle for the German revolution. The book’s first chapter explores the ambivalence of renowned theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer to stand up to the Nazis. As Newell writes, “With remarkable political savvy, Hitler turned his full attention toward the Protestants, enticing and intimidating the children of Luther to join his revival of national honor and military-industrial strength.†Subsequent chapters discuss how other prominent theologians such as Karl Barth and Martin Niemöller responded to the Nazis, as well how the church dealt with the cold war. The themes that emerge from “Keine Gewalt! No violence!†remain relevant for our own era of seemingly endless conflict. One reviewer called the book “a fascinating look at how the power of prayer can transform individuals and governments.â€