Ambrose of Milan c. 339 to 397 · Milan Ambrose strongly agrees:
“For courage, which in war preserves one's country from the barbarians, or at home defends the weak, or comrades from robbers, is full of justice.”
On the Duties of the Clergy
What did the early Christians say about war?
They did not agree. Ambrose of Milan, Augustine of Hippo and 2 others would say yes to the statement below. Tertullian, Origen and 5 others would say no.
- 11On record
- 4Would agree
- 7Would disagree
The statement in the quiz
“A Christian can fight in a just war with a clear conscience.”
The quiz puts it in today’s words. Each person below is placed by what they wrote or said. Where their line is clear on its own, it is printed with its source.
You said:
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4 early Christians
Would agree
Your side
Ambrose of Milan c. 339 to 397 · Milan 
John Chrysostom c. 347 to 407 · Antioch and Constantinople Chrysostom agrees:
“The excuse cannot be founded in reason. For Cornelius was a centurion, yet in no way did the soldier's belt impair his strict rule of life.”
Homilies on First Corinthians
Augustine of Hippo 354 to 430 · North Africa Augustine strongly agrees:
“Do not think that it is impossible for any one to please God while engaged in active military service.”
Letter to Boniface
Gregory the Great c. 540 to 604 · Rome Gregory the Great strongly agrees.
On record in Letter to Gennadius, governor of Africa.
7 early Christians
Would disagree
Your side
Justin Martyr c. 100 to c. 165 · Samaria, Ephesus and Rome Justin disagrees:
“We who formerly used to murder one another do not only now refrain from making war upon our enemies.”
First Apology
Irenaeus of Lyons c. 130 to c. 200 · Smyrna, then Lyons Irenaeus disagrees.
On record in Against Heresies.
Tertullian c. 155 to after 220 · Carthage Tertullian strongly disagrees:
“The Lord afterward, in disarming Peter, unbelted every soldier.”
On Idolatry
Origen c. 185 to c. 253 · Alexandria and Caesarea Origen strongly disagrees:
“We do not indeed fight under him, although he require it; but we fight on his behalf, forming a special army — an army of piety — by offering our prayers to God.”
Against Celsus
Cyprian of Carthage c. 200 to 258 · Carthage Cyprian disagrees:
“The whole world is wet with mutual blood; and murder, which in the case of an individual is admitted to be a crime, is called a virtue when it is committed wholesale.”
To Donatus
Lactantius c. 250 to c. 325 · Nicomedia and Gaul Lactantius strongly disagrees:
“Thus it will be neither lawful for a just man to engage in warfare, since his warfare is justice itself.”
Divine Institutes
Martin of Tours c. 316 to 397 · Gaul, today's France Martin strongly disagrees:
“I am the soldier of Christ: it is not lawful for me to fight.”
Life of St Martin, as Sulpicius Severus, who knew him, recorded it
What they said
More questions
your turn
Quiz Which early Christian thinks like you? And which would argue with you? See where you would stand on this and 22 more. Start Suggest a correction. Corrections that are applied are recorded in the public changelog.