War and Peace

Sounds like a great name for a novel, doesn't it? For the last 1700 years or so, Christians have had two streams of thought about their participation in warfare.

The early church seemed to have the view that Christians should not participate in war. This is clearly expressed in some of the writings of the early church "fathers." Some feel it is also clearly expressed in the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus.

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword."

Around 1700 years ago the Roman Empire was ruled by Constantine; he made the empire "Christian." This created a situation where the citizens were not only citizens, but "Christians," as well. The theologian Augustine came up with the idea we know as the "Just War" (as opposed to an "unjust" war).