Mark Thiessen Nation

“I am an adult convert to the Anabaptist/Mennonite tradition. While being in serious and enriching conversation with Christians from other traditions, I am excited about our own. I believe there are riches yet to be mined, riches that enable us to combine grace and faithfulness, a trinitarian faith with serious discipleship. In my own calling as a teacher, I hope to contribute to the shaping of future, visionary leaders for the Church and I endeavor to foster imaginative teaching and preaching that calls forth joyful obedience.”

Mark Thiessen Nation graduated with a Ph.D. from Fuller Theological Seminary (2000) with a major in Christian Ethics and a minor in Philosophy of Religion. He earned an M.Div. from Christian Theological Seminary (1991), an M.A. in peace studies from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries (1981), and a B.A. from Sangamon State University (1975). Dr. Nation, a former pastor, was director of the London Mennonite Centre (1996-2002) and founding Director of the Champaign-Urbana Peace Initiative (1981-1986). He has edited or co-edited five books and published more than two dozen articles and more than a dozen book reviews. He is generally acknowledged to be one of the foremost authorities on the theology and ethics of John Howard Yoder. His most recent book is John Howard Yoder: Mennonite Patience, Evangelical Witness, Catholic Convictions.

Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary
M.Div., Christian Theological Seminary
M.A., Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries
B.A., Sangamon State University

• 2010 “The Politics of Yoder Regarding The Politics of Jesus: Recovering the Implicit in Yoder’s Holistic Theology of Pacifism,” In [book of essays on Yoder], ed. John Nugent (Abilene, TX: Abilene Christian University Press), 37-56

• 2010 “Demanding Signs, Desiring Wisdom or Proclaiming Christ Crucified?: John Howard Yoder’s Contributions to a Peace Ethic.” In Doing Constructive Theologies in a Baptistic Way, eds. Parush R. Parushev and Nigel Wright ( Carlisle, UK: Paternoster Press, forthcoming).

• 2010 “Conscientious Objection” and “Conscription.” In Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics, ed. Joel Green, et al., s. v. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, forthcoming (2010).

• 2010 “Mennonite Theology.” In Cambridge Dictionary of Christian Theology, ed. David Fergusson, et al., s. v. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, forthcoming (2010).

• 2009 “‘Who Has Believed What We Have Heard?’: A Response to Denny Weaver’s The Nonviolent Atonement.” Conrad Grebel Review 17-30.

• 2009 [with Nelson Okanya] “‘Jesus Crucified.” In Jesus Matters: Good News for the 21 st Century, eds. James R. Kraybill and David W. Shenk ( Scottdale, PA: Herald Press), 115-127.

• Yoder, John Howard, The War of the Lamb, co-edited with Glen Harold Stassen and Matt Hamsher (Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2009).

• Reasoning Together: A Conversation on Homosexuality co-authored with Ted Grimsrud (Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 2008).

• John Howard Yoder: Mennonite Patience, Evangelical Witness, Catholic Convictions Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2006.

• Karl Barth and the Problem of War and Other Essays on Barth by John Howard Yoder, Cascade Books, edited by Mark Thiessen Nation, 2003.

• Faithfulness & Fortitude: In Conversation with the Theological Ethics of Stanley Hauerwas. T&T Clark, co-edited with Samuel Wells, 2000

• The Wisdom of the Cross: Essays in Honor of John Howard Yoder Wm.B. Eerdmans, co-edited with Stanley Hauerwas, Chris Huebner and Harry Huebner, 1999; reprinted by Wipf & Stock, 2005.

• Director, London Mennonite Centre, 1996-2002
• Interim Pastor, Glendale Church of the Brethren, 1995-1996
• Pastor, Ladera Church of the Brethren, 1991-1995
• Pastor, Orestes Christian Church, 1989-1991
• Pastor, Grace Community Church (GC Mennonite), 1987
• Founding Director, The Champaign-Urbana Peace Initiative,
  1981-1986
• Child Protective Services Social Worker, 1977-1979
• Evangelism, Youth Ministry, 1972-74
• Help in Discerning Shape of Call and Ministry (for a new Mennonite minister) Scholarship Practice 2006-07

The American Academy of Religion
The Society of Christian Ethics