WAR AND THE EARLY CHURCH
A STUDY OF THE ANTE-NICENE FATHERS’ UNDERSTANDING OF THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS CONCERNING WAR AND KILLING
BY
JEDEDIAH J. MCCOLLOUGH Continue reading War & The Early Church
Tag Archives: nonresistance
Nonresistance & Politics in the N.T.
The Related Ideas of Patriotic Nationalism, Militarism, Violence, Retaliation, Refusal to Bear the Cross or Endure Suffering, the Active Seeking and Holding of Worldly Power and Focusing on the Things of This World in General. Are These Things in Harmony with the Way of the New Covenant or with Following Christ and the Teachings Contained in the New Testament?
Consider the Implications of the Scriptures Given Below: Continue reading Nonresistance & Politics in the N.T.
Barton W. Stone’s nonresistance
Nonresistance in the Writings of Barton W. Stone
Barton W. Stone (b. 1772; d. 1844) was a key leader of a Christian movement in the United States (called the “Christian Church”) that sought for unity among all those who professed to be followers of Christ. “In 1832 Stone led many of the Christians in the West to unite with the followers of Alexander Campbell, known as Reformers or Disciples of Christ, forming the Stone-Campbell Movement.”[1] Both of these men were against Christians killing other human beings whether in a time of war, or otherwise. But Stone went further and asserted that Christians should not participate in civil government. He was an advocate of Christian nonresistance, and some of his thoughts on the subject can be seen in the following selections from his writings. Continue reading Barton W. Stone’s nonresistance
WAR
WAR
by Tolbert Fanning (b. 1810; d. 1874)[1]
Attentive Reader,–Will you agree to set aside your previous beliefs and stifle your prejudices while we examine, by the light of the Scriptures, a theme most dear to the interests of Messiah’s kingdom?
At no period in the world’s history has a discussion of the subject of war been more urgently demanded than at the present. Nations and individuals still settle their difficulties by mortal combat—not at all questioning the divine right of slaying their fellows.
These remarks are not just intended for savages or infidels, but for the civilized nations of the earth, and for such professed Christians as feel authorized by God and their country to take the life of their fellow man. Continue reading WAR