Onward Christian soldiers! Christians in the army
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Date
2006
Authors
Van de Beek, A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State
Abstract
English: On the topic of Christians in the army, the author compares two traditions in Christian
theology, one of which being Eusebius. In this tradition, soldiers are praised as warriors
for the sake of God. A recent sermon from the USA and one from nineteenth-century
Germany are analysed, compared and positioned within the tradition of Eusebius.
The second tradition, characterised as pacifist, was dominant in the early church.
Texts of Tertullian and Origen are analysed. It is argued in the third section that war
can only be justified within a religious framework. A memorial ceremony in the
Netherlands serves as the eye opener. The conclusion is drawn that both traditions dealing
with holiness in respect of soldiers in the army exclude each other. This implies
that much homework will be required from theologians in order to clarify the
Christian theological position.
Description
Keywords
Christian ethics, War, Pacifism
Citation
Van de Beek, A. (2006). Onward Christian soldiers! Christians in the army. Acta Theologica, 26(1), 159-179.