A Change of Allegiance

by Dean Taylor

What should a Christian do with Jesus words, Love your enemies? Is it all right for a Christian to go to war? Doesn t a Christian have an obligation to defend his country? Dean Taylor and his wife Tania were both in the U. S. Army when they realized that, as committed Christians, they had to come to grip with these questions in a new and sincere quest for truth. They were determined to follow Jesus Christ under the banner of no compromise. As they began to search the Scriptures and church history, they came to the startling discovery that the Christian Church originally was uniformly opposed to Christians going to war or joining the military. In A Change of Allegiance, Taylor takes the reader on a moving journey through the Scriptures, Christian history, and his own life s story demonstrating the incompatibility of Christianity and war. Ultimately, Taylor challenges his readers to consider where their allegiance really lies.

Genres: Christian, Spirituality

224 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2008

Reviews

[Taneil · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I personally have ever read concerning the topic of nonresistance, although coming from a family with some Mennonite background and history, I was already acquainted with and agreed with the general idea behind the belief.

I found this book to be an intriguing and eye opening account of one couple's journey from the military to the full realization of the meaning behind Jesus's words "love your enemies". The author asked questions, wondering how the church and the state became intricately involved together to create the "Just War" theory, and continues examining the church/state role in shaping how the world viewed war and violence throughout history. He also gives many inspiring examples of saints who exemplified the essence of nonresistance. They held fast to their conviction and belief, and that dictated their actions and testimony. As Dean Taylor shares, "It seemed that this doctrine of peace and nonresistance flowed naturally from their general understanding of the faith" (pg. 62).

The most looming issue that I take away from reading this book is the question of whether or not my life shows forth what I claim I believe. I may say that I believe in nonresistance, but do my daily actions confirm that my allegiance lies with the Heavenly Kingdom rather than an earthly one? As has been heard before, if I were to be tried as a Christian would I be found guilty? These are questions that are encouraging me to examine my life in the light of the Word.

[Ian Minielly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began this book with skepticism, not because I did not support the authors view regarding his faith and inability to serve in the Army. My skepticism drew from the fact the author and his wife were in the band and they had zero chance of ever being shot at or shooting at someone else. The Army band... is not really the Army.

I give Dean Taylor credit though for winning me over to his side and fully supporting he and his wife, because the right interpretation of the Christian faith does not require one be an infantryman or some other combat arms related MOS.

I have spent the last ten plus years encouraging Christians not to join the military for the same reasons the author lays out. I also give he and his wife credit because I lacked the intestinal fortitude they did to actually apply for CO status. I completed my contract after I arrived at the same conclusion upon getting saved. This is a good read and young people in churches should be encouraged to read this before they ever met a recruiter or consider joining the military.

[Orion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me with how good it was. I was taking a break from books that explain doctrine to read one that was more autobiographical. To my surprise, this book contained a lot of fascinating insights into Biblical theology. It's hard to tell whether the story of this book (the author's own story) is there to prop up the doctrine, or the doctrinal exploration is there to inform the story. The two are so interwoven. This is a great book for anyone who wants to read experiential theology, doctrines of the faith put into practice, as opposed to theoretical theology, that which doesn't actually call for much beyond the knowledge one gathers from it. In other words, this book is more like a Rosaria Butterfield book than a John Piper book. Not that any of those are bad, but this one is just a step above theoretical theology, into a realm that actually challenges the reader, not just informs.

[A.J. Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be a good introduction for someone who doesn't know anything about nonresistance, which would include nearly every American Christian. The most dangerous deception Satan ever devised was to trick people into believing they are following Jesus by killing those who have been deemed enemies.

[Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was encouraged by Dean Taylor’s account of his struggle with literally applying Jesus’ teachings to his life. Jesus truly transformed every part of his life. His career, leisure, and family relations were affected. Are we willing to make sacrifices for Christ? Am I?

[Nathan Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid read. I enjoyed the way Dean Taylor shared his personal journal to nonresistance and combined it with well researched and coherent arguments. It really is just a matter of where our allegiance lies. Which kingdom will you choose?

[Joel Gingerich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seems to be a fairly solid book. Has more stories than most.

[Kathryn Judson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In addition to the personal account of the author and his wife as they seek to better follow Jesus (which is interesting by itself), this book includes church history and teachings of the early church. It's a nice overview for anyone new to the subject of Christian nonresistance.

One part of the book I especially appreciate is where the author recounts difficulties he and his wife faced when they began searching for Christians of like mind but kept running into people for whom nonresistance, nonviolence, peace, or social justice had become an end in itself, and Jesus was no longer the focus. As Taylor notes, that's missing the boat. It also makes it harder to discuss what Christian nonresistance means, because so many people have been exposed to the worldly varieties, and already think they know what it means, although they don't.

[Julia Szatkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had an opportunity to hear Dean Taylor speak at a debate earlier this year, which prompted me to get the book. Months later, I picked it up, knowing it would be a quick and easy read, but not expecting it to extend far beyond what he had already said in the debate. I was surprised to find an incredible amount of depth, history, research, and passion about this subject was reached without sacrificing any of the "quick and easy" I had anticipated. Definitely worth reading if you have any inkling of an interest in nonresistance, its history in the church, or being personally obedient to Jesus' teachings. Truly an inspiring story of radical Christianity!

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dean Taylor and his wife Tania were a part of the American army. By carefully reading the Bible they became convicted to literally follow Christ's teachings to love your enemies. They applied for a discharge on a conscientious objection status. This book is an account of their search for the truth by studying the Bible and early Church writings and teachings.This book has a powerful message. Are we willing to die for Christ and His Kingdom? Christ came to radically change the world through His death on the Cross. This is true Love and if we are to be His servants we need to follow His example. It is a sobering book to read and very thought-provoking.

[Fred Ichinose · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author, Dean Taylor, gives a very personal account of his spiritual journey, of coming to grips with his growing faith in Jesus and scripture and with his service in the military. As his topic is deeply grounded in early Christian writings, it would help if the reader had some familiarity with them. On the other hand, Taylor's book could be a good introduction to those writings, if the reader wants to learn about them directly and more in depth. I would encourage everyone who is serious about their faith in Christ and who has no familiarity with early Christian writings to read this personal account.

[Victoria (TheMennomilistReads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A couple who served proudly in the Army began reading scriptures in the Bible together. They began to take Jesus' teachings seriously and questioned where their loyalties were and if it was right to be in the military while proclaiming Christ. They tell of the search they went on, questions they asked, questions others asked while their hearts changed, and ultimately what their journey into conscientious objectors came to. Well done!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest I expected to hate this book, but it was actually very good. I don't agree with everything in this book, but I understand non-resistance a bit better now. The book is well written, and very pleasant to read.