Introduction 7
The New Testament has some powerful statements which would oppose war.“All that take the sword shall perish with the sword©(Mt 26:52),“love your enemy”(Luke 6:28, 35). On the other hand military symbolism is used frequently“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the world; no, I did not come to bring peace, but a sword”(Matt. 10:34).“He does not bear the sword in vain, for he is God ’s minister.”(Rm 13:4) and military imagery“No man being a soldier of God , entangles himself in secular business”(2 Tim. 2:4).
As early Christianity developed it had eschatological hopes and rejected any participation in war. The military imagery used by early Christians was understood as referring to the eschatalogical battles of the end of the world or inner battles of faith within an individual. Martyrdom found a foundation in the tale of the widow and her children of II Maccabees, ’ so the war filled Books of the Maccabees were included in the canon. The Church Fathers , Tertullian and Origen opposed any participation in military forces. However, this changed after Christianity became the official religion of the Roman empire. The great Christian philosopher , Augustine (354-430), who based himself on Aristotle , could state“we make war so that we may live in peace.” in his City of God, Augustine saw war as necessary to defend the“heavenly city.” This was a“Just War .” Furthermore wars were inevitable in the“earthly city” due to human failings. Just wars would eventually move humanity toward its peaceful destiny. Augustine and Ambrose of Milan (339-397) also called for military force against heretics.®
Efforts to halt irregular warfare which sprang up constantly led to the“Peace of God” introduced by bishop Guy of Anjou in 975 at the Council of Le Puy; it intended to help the peasantry and the Church. Another such effort called the“Truce of God” prohibited fighting on certain days and seasons, but this was never very successful.