A Double-Edged Sword

On first consideration, one might not be inclined to view Adolf Hitler and Dietrich Bonhoeffer in relation to Jehanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc), but Brenda E. Novack does just that. She demonstrates how these three prominent figures who influenced world history all acted in accordance with what they claimed or perceived to be divine sanction of their participation in violence. Taking the reader on a unique exploration of their lives and deaths, Novack identifies significant similarities and differences in notions of divine call and human response conveyed by these personalities and determines how they align or fail to align with the biblical prophetic tradition. Taking Jehanne d'Arc as her foundational study, the author engages important theological issues such as the nature of revelation, evil, and morality. The process culminates in the construction of a model of righteous warfare and human agency presented as a tool for evaluating claims to divinely sanctioned violence and as a potentially effective alternative to an outmoded and currently inadequate just war model. Case studies of Hitler and Bonhoeffer tentatively establish the model's ability to steer humanity away from unnecessary destruction toward justice, compassion, and peace.

""Brenda Novack has distilled a quintessential lesson from the life of Joan of Arc. This author brilliantly and authoritatively places Adolf Hitler and his nemesis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in the cross-hairs of the lessons embedded in the life, and what Novack discerns as the 'exemplary teaching,' of Joan of Arc. Novack's book is of seminal importance for contemporary theology, philosophy, and cultural studies.""
--W. A. Borody, Nipissing University, Canada

""Can claims that one's acts of violence have divine sanction be examined so that criteria can be established for assessing their authenticity? Brenda Novack presents Saint Joan of Arc's claim as a compelling one, and on its basis, develops such criteria which she then applies to two figures of the twentieth century: Adolf Hitler and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. An intriguing undertaking it is, well done, and worth engaging.""
--Martin Rumscheidt, Atlantic School of Theology, Nova Scotia

""Brenda Novack has produced a work of originality and merit. A Double-Edged Sword makes a significant scholarly contribution, not only to our understanding of the role that divine sanction of warfare played in the theological reception of Jehanne d'Arc, but also to the contemporary discussions about this important and controversial topic.""
--Linda Hogan, Trinity College Dublin


Brenda E. Novack earned her PhD in theology at Trinity College Dublin after studying philosophy and theology at Canadian institutions. Her work is interdisciplinary with an emphasis on practical theology, ethics, and mysticism.