Endorsements « Two Futures Project

Endorsements

The Two Futures Project is grateful to have received the support of faith leaders from a variety of Christian traditions and denominations, as well as the endorsement of top security experts united behind our nonpartisan goal.

The complete elimination of nuclear weapons is an idea with staying power. Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy spoke about it. I remember Ronald Reagan’s dogged pursuit of this goal. And Presidents Obama and Medvedev recently issued an unprecedented joint declaration committing the U.S. and Russia “to achieving a nuclear-free world.”

The current groundswell of nonpartisan, international support for a world free from nuclear weapons shows that this idea not only has staying power, but that we are also entitled to hope and believe that this is an idea whose time has come.

We now must consider ourselves charged with the task of helping bring the vision to reality. By combining realism with idealism, we can find a way to move through practical steps from what “is” – a world with a risk of increasing global disaster – to what “ought” to be: a world free from the threat of weapons of mass destruction.

The Two Futures Project is a vital new movement to build popular support for this work. I strongly support this initiative from a rising generation of American Christians, and I hope that its message will be heard loud and clear, from campuses and churches to the halls of power alike.

George P. Shultz, Thomas W. and Susan B. Ford Distinguished Fellow, Hoover Institution, and Secretary of State, 1982-1989

When George Shultz, Sam Nunn, Henry Kissinger, and William Perry say that the reduction and eventual elimination of nuclear weapons is a worthwhile, achievable goal, I pay attention. Especially as a Christian: the traditional notion of deterrence, which was based on mutually-assured destruction and spoke of a “balance of terror,” was at best morally-problematic.

It won’t be easy to do what Nunn and Shultz and others are calling for. What’s needed is the commitment to goals such as controlling the use of production and highly-enriched uranium and the spread of the technology used to make nuclear weapons. But that commitment will only happen if the people insist on it. And for that, we need to be informed. As USA Today put it, “a financial apocalypse isn’t nearly as scary as a nuclear one.” But we still have a chance to prevent the latter if we act now.

Chuck Colson, Founder, Prison Fellowship (the above is cited with permission from BreakPoint, 10/17/08, but is not a direct endorsement of 2FP)

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Paul Alexander | Professor of Theology and Ethics , C.P. Haggard Graduate School of Theology, Azusa Pacific University
The Luke-Acts narrative shows us that the Holy Spirit leads people to Jesus, and as a Spirit-filled follower of Jesus Christ I support the complete elimination of all nuclear weapons. Reducing and eliminating nuclear weapons is both faithfulness to the gospel of Jesus Christ and extremely wise policy. Please pray and work for a nuclear free world, endorse the Two Futures Project, and spread the good news.
Leith Anderson | President , National Association of Evangelicals
The Two Futures Project dreams a noble dream of reducing and eventually eliminating nuclear weapons from our world. It is a dream shared by many Christians. It is a dream of Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Here is our opportunity to start turning the dream into reality.
Robert C. Andringa | President Emeritus , Council for Christian Colleges & Universities
I am convinced that for a few nations to have nuclear weapons while telling others they cannot have them is unrealistic. And one destructive nuclear blast would lead to another, any of which would create global chaos with dire consequences. Men and women of faith and conscience must push for a global agreement to eliminate ALL nuclear weapons.
Rob Bell | Founding Pastor , Mars Hill Bible Church
What makes this moment and this movement so compelling for so many of us is that for years we’ve all had that image in our heads of the bell-bottomed, long-haired, tie-died hippies chanting “No nukes! No nukes!” while the seasoned, pragmatic veterans and hawks shook their heads and muttered “out of touch, naive, and unaware of just what kind of world we’re living in…”

But what’s happened is that they’re no longer shouting at each other, they’re shouting together and they’ve been heard by, of all people, committed, globally conscious followers of Jesus who are arguing passionately that this has been God’s dream all along, and now, phrases like “post-atomic age” are being thrown around and people aren’t rolling their eyes anymore, they’re listening and joining and starting to believe. And that tells me that the real movement may be just beginning…and who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?
Tony Campolo | Professor Emeritus , Eastern University
Even if you believe in a just war, you will have to be opposed to nuclear weapons because the devastation generated by such weapons far exceeds what is reasonable in dealing with a combatant. I find it impossible to read the Sermon on the Mount or to learn what Jesus says about loving our enemies and in any way condoning nuclear explosions. If we want nations like North Korea and Iran to abandon their nuclear programs, aren’t we hypocritical if we are not willing to work for nuclear disarmament ourselves? Fear of what other nations could do to us with their weapons is no justification for developing nuclear weapons ourselves. As Christians, perfect love should cast out that fear and allow us to take the risks that go with disarmament.
Noel Castellanos | CEO , CCDA
Thank you to the Two Futures Project for putting the threat of nuclear annihilation on the radar screen for the Church in our nation. It is inconceivable that those of us who claim to follow the ‘Prince of Peace’ should sit quietly when every human being on the plant is in danger because of the existence of nuclear weapons. While we have time, and while the leaders of our world are listening. let’s do everything within our power to promote the global abolition of nuclear weapons. The stewardship of our planet, and the well-being of 6 billion people created in the image of God compels us to take this action now.
Richard Cizik | Senior Fellow , U.N. Foundation
In 1983, I urged Ronald Reagan to deliver what became his famous “Evil Empire” speech to the National Association of Evangelicals. Few noticed, even then, that he called in that speech for Evangelicals to support him in negotiating “real and verifiable reductions in the world’s nuclear arsenals and one day, with God’s help, their total elimination.” A quarter-century later, the Two Futures Project is at last taking up President Reagan’s call to achieve the a nuclear weapons-free world, in a movement born of faith, patriotism, and global goodwill. I support it wholeheartedly.
Shane Claiborne | Author, activist, recovering sinner
The elimination of nuclear weapons is one of those things that, before it happens, we say is impossible…and after it happens we will say was inevitable. The Two Futures Project is a conspiracy of hope that is not willing to accept the world as it is, but insists that we must build the world God dreams of…on earth as it is in heaven. We must beat our swords into plows, and turn the tools of death into things that bring life. The world is waiting, pregnant with the possibility of another future than wars and rumors of wars. That future begins with us. We are the ones we have been waiting for.
Andy Crouch | Author, Culture Making , Senior Editor, Christianity Today International
I have become convinced that the Two Futures Project is serious, creative, audacious, and above all necessary to Christian witness and faithfulness in our time. I also have come to believe that, in spite of the obvious barriers that stand in the way, its goal of a nuclear weapon-free world is absolutely achievable, if followers of Christ will only pray and take action.
Margaret Feinberg | National Speaker , Author of "Scouting the Divine"
I am hopeful that one day we will live in a nuclear weapon-free world where our children will look back and say, “I am so glad our parents closed the door to critical mass destruction in world. Together, we can make a difference.
David Gushee | Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics , Mercer University
As someone who came of age during the dangerous latter days of the Cold War, I have long opposed nuclear weapons and dreamed of a nuclear-free world. 2FP has the potential to make a huge difference in making these long-ago dreams a contemporary reality. The goals are right; the strategy is right; the allies are right; the timing is right. I am excited to participate in 2FP and strongly endorse this effort.
Ambassador (ret.) James Goodby | Ambassador to Finland; Nuclear Arms Negotiator , United States
Having worked on nuclear weapons policy for over a half-century, under nine consecutive U.S. Presidents, I know the importance of establishing an enduring base of support for the long haul. I am deeply encouraged to see a younger generation of Christians working to revitalize interest in disarmament, and wish the Two Futures Project every success in building a movement of citizens for a world without nuclear weapons.
Ambassador Tony Hall | Former U.S. Congressman
As a Christian and a former Congressman, I’ve experienced first-hand the impact that moral conviction can have in the halls of power. And on this deadly legacy of the Cold War, our deepest moral principles align completely with the security imperative of abolishing nuclear weapons worldwide. I’m glad to join the Two Futures Project in calling on our government to exercise the leadership needed for us to all live in a world free of nuclear weapons.
Joel Hunter | Senior Pastor , Northland—A Church Distributed
In an age when nuclear weapons are becoming more of a temptation to terrorism than a deterrence to war, I am glad to be one of the voices supporting the Two Futures Project. With the leadership of Tyler Wigg Stevenson, we can eventually achieve the vision of Ronald Reagan and so many others that longed for a world without nuclear threat. From the generation that had school drills to hide under our desks in case of nuclear attack should come the permanent recess from fear for our grandchildren.
Bill Hybels | Senior Pastor , Willow Creek Community Church
As a pastor and church leader, I am grateful for any effort that helps us understand more clearly our calling as Christians in a broken world. The 2FP offers sound information and guidance for anyone committed to Jesus’ call for peace and for the protection of life.
Lynne Hybels | Author, "Nice Girls Don’t Change the World"
Imagine a world in which we no longer face the threat of nuclear weapons in the hands of terrorists. Imagine a world in which the billions of dollars devoted to maintaining nuclear arsenals can be diverted to health care, job creation, and food security for the world’s poor. Such is the world envisioned by Tyler Wigg-Stevenson and the 2FP. I respect Tyler’s spiritual commitment and his intellectual rigor, and wholeheartedly join him in calling the Christian community to offer our support to the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons.
Kevin Kelly | Co-Founding Editor , "Wired" magazine
Nuclear weapons are one of the few technologies I would call evil. All who stand for the good, beautiful and true should join together to eliminate this technology from the planet. Like the total abolition of smallpox and slavery, this moral extinction is possible and practical. Moreso now, in this global world. For a position of action I recommend the clear-eyed group the Two Futures Project, who bear down on this abolition with the added power of the Gospels.
Mark Labberton | Senior Pastor , First Presbyterian Church, Berkeley
I support the Two Futures Project because, of the many global threats to life and safety, none is potentially any greater or more devastating than the possible destruction that could come through nuclear weapons. History has shown that many human beings endlessly lust for wanton power, and for some nuclear power is their supreme draw. To protect humanity from itself, this danger must be eliminated.
Jo Anne Lyon | Founder and Chair of Board of Directors , World Hope International, Alexandria, VA
The issue of Nuclear Proliferation dimmed when the Cold War ended. However, the action of proliferation continued. This is a moral issue that stands at the center of the call to be PRO-LIFE. I support the Two Futures Project in this endeavor and leadership.
Brian McLaren | Author, Speaker
Seldom in history have three things come together as they have at this moment: 1) a supremely catastrophic danger, 2) the power of democracy to avert that danger, and 3) a faith-based movement to inspire #2 to address #1. The Two Futures project is at the heart of that movement, and I urge everyone to consider being not just involved, but committed. What better legacy could we leave to the next generation than to have abolished nuclear weapons in our generation, as our ancestors did slavery in theirs?
Jonathan Merritt | Faith and Culture Writer; National Spokesperson , The Southern Baptist Environment and Climate Initiative
At various points throughout history, Christians have found it necessary to put aside political and doctrinal differences in order to contend for the values which flow naturally from our faith. I am convinced that multilateral nuclear disarmament is such an occasion. The time has come to beat our nuclear swords into plowshares and secure a safer future for our children’s children. Therefore, I unreservedly endorse the Two Futures Project as they faithfully represent the One who first proclaimed, “blessed are the peacemakers.”
David Neff | Editor in Chief and Vice-President , Christianity Today International
The use of nuclear weapons can never be justified by Christian ethics. But that hasn’t stopped Christians from arguing that they are necessary. Such arguments betray a tendency to make national security into an ultimate value–something else that cannot be justified by Christian ethics. The Two Futures Project will help us keep those values straight.
Sam Rodriguez | President , National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
The Christian Cross is both vertical and horizontal. These two planes speak to the transformational and missional call for all the followers of Christ to reconcile Kingdom and Society, Covenant and Community, Ethos and Pathos, Salvation and Transformation, Faith and Public Policy. Accordingly, Kingdom-minded Christians understand the words of the Apostle Paul: “For the Kingdom of God is not food or drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”. Without a doubt, the Church of Christ should stand as the moral firewall against aggression, fear, and destruction. The proliferation of nuclear weapons and the current nuclear stockpiles serve as an extension of a Culture of Death spirit captivating the globe and threatening the very viability of generations to come. I call upon all Christians, particularly Evangelicals who stand on the platform of righteousness and justice, to incorporate within our Life agenda advocacy and prophetic determination for the purpose of transferring to our children a world free of nuclear weapons.
Richard Rohr, O.F.M. | Founder , Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Warmaking, and the numerous social and spiritual disasters that follow from it, have been a tragic blind spot in the Christian conscience. For many centuries we could not see what we could not see. Groups like the Two Futures Project have begun to see–and help us see, what is now obvious and compelling. We cannot continue to use the world’s resources to prepare for war, and not also create what we are preparing for.
Ronald J. Sider | President , Evangelicals for Social Action
The Two Futures Project is urgent and important—both strategically and morally. For our survival, both physical and moral, we must work diligently to eliminate the horrible evil of nuclear weapons. The Two Futures Project is a significant leader in a crucial global task.
Glen Stassen | Lewis B. Smedes Professor of Christian Ethics , Fuller Theological Seminary
My father returned from World War II a Captain in the U.S. Navy. He saw the devastation in Japan, and said “Glen, we need to do all we can to prevent nuclear bombs from ever being used again.” I worked briefly in nuclear physics myself; that made me see that the danger is so unimaginable that I switched to Christian ethics to help churches actually do what Jesus calls us to–be churches that make a difference for peacemaking. The potential devastation is so beyond our imagination that we should all do what we can to abolish these weapons, to remove nuclear fissile material from terrorists’ grasp, and to turn to following Jesus.
Rev. Dr. John R. W. Stott, CBE
When our nations raced to build alarming nuclear stockpiles, outspoken statements were made by some Roman Catholic and Ecumenical groups. But where was the Evangelical voice? Our silence was the more shameful because our recently recovered social conscience has lacked direction in this area of primary importance. True, some individual Evangelicals have spoken out. I myself have done so in successive editions of Issues Facing Christians Today: all weapons of mass destruction (Atomic, Biological, Chemical - that most gruesome of all alphabets) are in clear breach of the biblical principle that God hates the shedding of innocent blood. The Two Futures Project is a contemporary, united, Evangelical voice on the nuclear question-demonstrably based on Scripture and essential to our Christian discipleship. We must not duck the problems, and I hope that Evangelicals everywhere will faithfully and prayerfully support this effort
Cameron Strang | CEO and Publisher , Relevant Magazine
There is no morally justifiable reason for the use of nuclear arms, an issue that somehow has flown under the radar of Christian political engagement. The Two Futures Project, with Tyler Wigg-Stevenson at the forefront, is raising long-overdue awareness of this vital issue, one that literally will affect the future of the world. Wigg-Stevenson is boldly and wisely navigating the tension between nationalism, just war and Christian conviction.
Chaplain (Colonel) Paul Vicalvi, United States Army, Retired | Executive Director , National Association of Evangelicals Chaplains Commission
As one who grew up in fear of a nuclear holocaust and then served in the Army under the strong possibility that I would be fighting in a nuclear environment that would be devastating beyond comprehension, I strongly endorse the concerted effort of all in our Nation’s leadership to work diligently to rid our planet of nuclear weapons. I heartedly endorse the conscientious efforts of the Two Futures Project which proposes a realistic approach to nuclear disarmament.
Miroslav Volf | Henry B. Wright Professor of Theology , Yale Divinity School
Christians cannot support the use of nuclear weapons because there is a categorical theological prohibition against indiscriminate violence. In an age when the possession of nuclear weapons virtually ensures their eventual use, abolition has become a faith-based mandate for all followers of Christ. I strongly support the Two Futures Project in the work to achieve a world without nuclear weapons.
Jim Wallis | President , Sojourners
As an evangelical who has been working for decades to oppose the destructiveness of nuclear weapons, I am heartened and encouraged to see a new generation of Christians taking up this work. I fully support the Two Futures Project as a vital new initiative, and pray that God will give us all the strength to finish this crucial work.
Ambassador (ret.) George F. Ward | Senior Vice President , World Vision
Time is running out on the possibility of achieving the responsible and verifiable elimination of nuclear weapons. We owe it to our children and grandchildren-and to all the world’s children- to take advantage of every moment. Our faith commands us to abhor the shedding of innocent blood. Our political sense tells us that action now is imperative. The Two Futures Project combines idealism with practicality, points us in the right direction, and provides a roadmap for progress that is supported by an impressive, bipartisan array of American leaders.
James Emery White, Pastor, Professor and Author | Senior Pastor, Mecklenburg Community Church; President, Serious Times , Ranked Adjunctive Professor of Theology and Culture and former President, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
It would be difficult to imaging any thinking, feeling follower of Christ not endorsing the compellingly sane and reasonable aims of the Two Futures Project. A world free of nuclear weapons goes beyond liberal-conservative, left-right, Democratic-Republican lines. Instead, it is an issue that reflects the very heart of God, and any and all efforts to ending its threat could only be to the glory of God.