Book Review: "A Soldier's Faith" by John Loving
Bruce Collins
May 29, 2008
"A Soldier´s Faith: Spiritual Lessons from the Battlefield" by John Loving is a detailed, realistic, first hand glimpse into war and how the author´s Faith developed in the midst of the storm.
Loving served his country in Vietnam in the late Sixties as a U.S. Army first lieutenant. Despite the madness and terror surrounding his circumstances, the war was the catalyst to compel the author to surrender his will to God´s.
"A Soldier´s Faith" explores each war during the history of the United States of America. Then, the author explains how faith plays an important role and moral compass in war, including the importance of military Chaplains.
Loving describes a night of tense waiting in the rice paddies with the intent of ambushing the VC. His description is scary, a little bit curious (as to the fatalist mentality of the South Vietnamese) and incredibly well done- I felt like I was right there in the thick of it.
After this intense battle, John Loving found himself grappling and coming to terms with the Sixth Commandment, Thou Shalt Not Kill. He goes into great detail about murder and killing and tries to answer if there is a difference.
The book then delves into the principle of Just War, reaching as far back as the writings of Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. From the definition of Just War (derived in the book from an extensive study of philosophers, the scriptures and the author´s thoughts), an ample section of "A Soldier´s Faith" breaks down each major U.S. war and attempts to solve whether or not each war was just.
With wars and rumors of wars all around, it´s important to get the perspective of a decorated soldier, who balances the title of war hero/ Army Soldier with Christian Soldier (as in "Onward, Christian Soldiers"). Loving´s writings are chock full of "white knuckle" tales from Vietnam, many of them illustrating spiritual lessons learned.
"A Soldier´s Faith" devotes a chapter on courage. It serves as a reminder of our young men and women overseas and the tremendous costs that have been attributed to our soldiers over the years. Whether or not a war is just, these brave soldiers deserve our prayers and respect.
"A Soldier´s Faith" is an honest and bold look at suffering, pain, courage, war and Faith. It tackles difficult questions that most books would not touch.
I highly recommend "A Soldier´s Faith" by John Loving.
Bruce Collins
www.BruceDCollins.com
Loving served his country in Vietnam in the late Sixties as a U.S. Army first lieutenant. Despite the madness and terror surrounding his circumstances, the war was the catalyst to compel the author to surrender his will to God´s.
"A Soldier´s Faith" explores each war during the history of the United States of America. Then, the author explains how faith plays an important role and moral compass in war, including the importance of military Chaplains.
Loving describes a night of tense waiting in the rice paddies with the intent of ambushing the VC. His description is scary, a little bit curious (as to the fatalist mentality of the South Vietnamese) and incredibly well done- I felt like I was right there in the thick of it.
After this intense battle, John Loving found himself grappling and coming to terms with the Sixth Commandment, Thou Shalt Not Kill. He goes into great detail about murder and killing and tries to answer if there is a difference.
The book then delves into the principle of Just War, reaching as far back as the writings of Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. From the definition of Just War (derived in the book from an extensive study of philosophers, the scriptures and the author´s thoughts), an ample section of "A Soldier´s Faith" breaks down each major U.S. war and attempts to solve whether or not each war was just.
With wars and rumors of wars all around, it´s important to get the perspective of a decorated soldier, who balances the title of war hero/ Army Soldier with Christian Soldier (as in "Onward, Christian Soldiers"). Loving´s writings are chock full of "white knuckle" tales from Vietnam, many of them illustrating spiritual lessons learned.
"A Soldier´s Faith" devotes a chapter on courage. It serves as a reminder of our young men and women overseas and the tremendous costs that have been attributed to our soldiers over the years. Whether or not a war is just, these brave soldiers deserve our prayers and respect.
"A Soldier´s Faith" is an honest and bold look at suffering, pain, courage, war and Faith. It tackles difficult questions that most books would not touch.
I highly recommend "A Soldier´s Faith" by John Loving.
Bruce Collins
www.BruceDCollins.com
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