What are the views of Tertullian (c. 160–220 A. D.) on participating in military service?

In the days of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161–180 A. D.) we hear of the Twelfth Battalion⁹²⁶ and the miracle of rain. This incident, mentioned by both Tertullian⁹²⁷ and Eusebius ,⁹²⁸ occurred during a Roman battle against the Germans and the Sarmatians. When the Roman legion suffered from great thirst, the Christian division involved in the battle prayed to God for rain to help the Roman army, and this rain eventually contributed to their victory. From this we know that there were a substantial number of Christians in the legion, and that their presence was quite acceptable, and even advantageous to the army in battle.

The scholar Tertullian identifies three serious sins: idolatry, adultery, and the shedding of human blood.⁹²⁹ Therefore, despite his fervent desire to highlight the positive role of Christians in the service of the emperor and his army, he was reluctant to accept that a Christian could join the army and participate in wars. He was unable to reconcile this matter with the Gospel’s call for peace. He says the following:

“We are but of yesterday, and we have filled every place among you — cities, islands, fortresses, towns, market-places, the very camp, tribes, companies, palace, senate, forum — we have left nothing to you but the temples of your gods. For what wars should we not be fit,

923 St. Justin Martyr, First Apology 39 (ANF 1:175–176).

924 Athenagoras, A Plea For Christians 35 (ANF 2:147) .

925 Athenagoras, A Plea for the Christians 37.2–3 (ANF 2:148).

926 Legio 12 fulminate.

927 Tertullian, Apology 5 (ANF 3:21–22); Tertullian, To Scapula 4 (ANF 3:106–107).

928 Eusebius Pamphili, Ecclesiastical History 5.5.1–6 (NPNF II/1:219–220).

929 Tertullian, On Modesty 12 (ANF 4:85–86).

not eager, even with unequal forces, we who so willingly yield ourselves to the sword, if in our religion it were not counted better to be slain than to slay?”⁹³⁰

“So we sojourn with you in the world, abjuring neither forum, nor shambles, nor bath, nor booth, nor workshop, nor inn, nor weekly market, nor any other places of commerce. We sail with you, and fight with you, and till the ground with you; and in like manner we unite with you in your traffickings”⁹³¹

“Without ceasing, for all our emperors we offer prayer. We pray for life prolonged; for security to the empire; for protection to the imperial house; for brave armies, a faithful senate, a virtuous people, the world at rest, whatever, as man or Caesar, an emperor would wish.”⁹³²

“But how will a Christian man war, nay, how will he serve even in peace, without a sword, which the Lord has taken away (Matt. 26:52; 2 Cor. 10:4; John 18:36)? For albeit soldiers had come unto John and had received the formula of their rule (see Luke 3:12–13); albeit, likewise, a centurion had believed (Matt. 8:5 etc.; Luke 7:1 etc.); still the Lord afterward, in disarming Peter, unbelted every soldier. No dress is lawful among us, if assigned to any unlawful action.”⁹³³

In the days of Septimius Severus (193–211 A. D.), civil governmental business greatly increased and was undertaken by military personnel. That is why a person could join the army without participating in battle or even exercising the duties of the police (disciplining criminals).

It is mentioned in the Apostolic Tradition attributed to St. Hippolytus of Rome , that, “A soldier in command must be told not to kill people; if he is ordered so to do, he shall not carry it out. Nor should he take the oath. If he will not agree, he should be rejected. Anyone who has the power of the sword, or who is a civil magistrate wearing the purple, should desist, or he should be rejected. If a catechumen or a believer wishes to become a soldier they should be rejected, for they have despised God.”⁹³⁴