Research ~~- On Peacemaking (was On Pacifism)

Did Early Christians Serve In The Military?

1254 Characters =~1.3Min. Reading Time
A careful review of all the information available goes to show that,
until the time of Marcus Aurelius [Roman emperor from 161 to 180 C.E.],
no Christian became a soldier;
and no soldier, after becoming a Christian, remained in military service.
- The Rise of Christianity (London, 19471, E. W. Barnes, p. 333)

We who were filled with war, and mutual slaughter, and every wickedness,
have each through the whole earth changed our warlike weapons,
our swords into plough-shares, and our spears into implements of tillage,
and we cultivate piety, righteousness, philanthropy, faith, and hope,
which we have from the Father Himself through [Jesus] who was crucified.
- Justin Martyr in "Dialogue With Trypho, a Jew" (2nd century C.E.), The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Grand Rapids, Mich.; reprint of 1885 Edinburgh edition), edited by A. Roberts and J. Donaldson, Vol. I, p. 254

They [Christians] refused to take any active part
in the civil administration or the military defence of the empire.
...it was impossible that the Christians, without renouncing a more sacred duty,
could assume the character of soldiers, of magistrates, or of princes!
- History of Christianity (New York, 1891),Edward Gibbon, pp. 162,163.