‘Nonviolent God’ is focus of campus events on Feb. 11
Dr. J. Denny Weaver, professor emeritus of religion at Bluffton University, will address his 2013 book, “The Nonviolent God,” in two settings Tuesday, Feb. 11, on the Bluffton campus.
“Race, Ethnicity and the Nonviolent God” is Weaver’s title for a Bluffton forum at 11 a.m. in Founders Hall. He will then present a program on his book in the Musselman Library Reading Room, beginning with a reception at 3:45 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.
“In popular thinking, God is held responsible for a lot of destruction and death,” Weaver notes. But he counters that view by arguing that what we know most specifically about God is revealed in the story of Jesus, who rejected the use of violence. Relative to his forum topic, he adds that “a loving God of nonviolent creation has given us the gift of diversity.”
“The Nonviolent God” is the most recent book by Weaver, who taught at Bluffton for 31 years. He retired from the university in 2006 and now lives in Madison, Wis., but remains editor of the C. Henry Smith book series, which is co-sponsored by Bluffton.
Weaver’s recent books also include a second edition of “The Nonviolent Atonement,” published in 2011, and “Defenseless Christianity: Anabaptism for a Nonviolent Church,” a 2009 book he co-authored with Dr. Gerald Mast, a Bluffton professor of communication. He has served with Mennonite Central Committee and Christian Peacemaker Teams and, in 2009, he lectured on atonement theology in churches and universities in the Congo and Germany.
Stories Posted This Week
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
- Charles “Chuck” Wendall Collins, 63, owned Eagle Press Repairs
- Dwain L. Leiber, 87, owned Leiber Garage
- Kimberly Dawn Murphy, 55, taught at Findlay City Schools
- October 21 Bluffton Schools 2-hour delay
- Kaleidoscope Farms honoring veterans, thanking current troops, Nov. 8
- Filmmaker to preview documentary exploring life beyond incarceration
- ONU mobile health clinic at Senior Center on Oct. 28
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
- Columbus Grove-Bluffton Rd. closure planned for up to three weeks
- Two Pirate volleyball players make 1st team All-NWC
- 3 Pirate girls 1st team All-NWC soccer
- Pirates dominate All-NWC boys soccer awards
- Local filmmaker focuses on memories made by people and places
- Bluffton Public Library: Medicare 101
- BHS artists prepare Yankee Doodle Christmas Trees for Jingle Bell Stroll
Monday, October 19, 2026
- Beavers sports roundup, October 14-18
- Ada Icon headlines, October 19
- JessExpress Travel is the Icon's newest advertiser
- Gatchel 7th in girls, Pirates 4th at NWC cross country meet
- Veterans invited to Pandora-Gilboa banquet, November 10
- October 19 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- Wearable sculptures featured in exhibit On Soft Ground
- Historic depot rentals offered for meetings and parties