Sanders Thornburgh,  Koinonia Community

THE EARLY CHRISTIANS AND WAR

The early church took the teachings of Jesus and the apostles very seriously. They knew full well that following Jesus meant a complete refusal to participate in war. The overwhelming testimony of the early Church reveals the fact that Christians were pacifists from the very beginning. To choose Jesus was to reject war. Origen said that Christians "do not go forth as soldiers". Tertullian wrote, "only without the sword can the Christian wage war: for the Lord has abolished the sword." Yale church historian Roland Bainton writes, “From the end of the New Testament period to the decade 170-180 there is no evidence whatever of Christians in the army. All of the East and West repudiated participation in warfare for Christians.” Guy F. Hershberger wrote, “It is quite clear that prior to about AD 174 it is impossible to speak of Christian soldiers.” None of the Christian leaders in the pre-Constantinian era (313 AD) approved of a military career for disciples of Jesus. Only after the Church was influenced by the Roman State, in gradual degrees of corruption, did theologians begin formulating the “just war theory.”

The primitive Christians not only refused to enlist in the army, but when any embraced Christianity while already enlisted, they abandoned military involvement at whatever cost. Hippolytus said that soldiers who became Christians were not allowed to kill and must refuse to obey orders to kill. A Centurian named Marcellus, after converting to Christianity, promptly tossed down his belt at the head of the legion and proclaimed that he had become a follower of Jesus and could no longer serve the ways of war. He was sent to prison while remaining faithful to Christ. "It is not lawful," said he, "for a Christian to bear arms for any earthly consideration." Marcellus was then put to death. Shortly afterward, Cassian also gave up soldiering after accepting Christ, and was likewise executed. Maximilian was brought before the tribunal to be enrolled as a soldier. On the proconsul's asking his name, Maximilian replied: "I am a Christian, and cannot fight." It was ordered that he should be enrolled, but he refused to serve because he was a Christian. He was immediately informed that there was no alternative between bearing arms and being put to death. His fidelity to Christ was not to be shaken: "I cannot fight," said he, "if I die." He held firmly to his principles and was consigned to the executioner.

These were not the sentiments of isolated individuals but the predominate view of the early Church. Justin Martyr informs us that Christians would decline all military commands. Clement of Alexandria stated, "that the followers of peace used none of the implements of war." An early Christian named Lactantius said, "It can never be lawful for a righteous man to go to war." At the end of the second century, an opponent of Christianity named Celsus charged the Christians with refusing to bear arms. Tertullian informs us that in the military, "not a Christian could be found among them." The indisputable evidence is clear that the Christians who lived nearest to the time of our Savior confidently believed that Christ had unequivocally forbidden His followers to participate in war.

It is not surprising that people who advocate Christian participation in war are compelled to use the Old Testament to do so. In the New Testament, Jesus sets forth a new way of relating to our enemies. The earliest Christians knew exactly what Jesus had taught them. Today’s Christians who attempt to justify war are contending for a corruption that the earliest Christians abhorred. The nations will indeed rage, but it has never been spiritually acceptable for Christians to contribute to that rage.

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy; but I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you."           - Matt 5:43,44