Examine then, and see if He be not the dispenser of kingdoms, who is Lord at once of the world which is ruled, and of man himself who rules; if He have not ordained the changes of dynasties, with their appointed seasons, who was before all time, and made the world a body of times; if the rise and the fall of states are not the work of Him, under whose sovereignty the human race once existed without states at all.
Roman Christian theologian and writer (c. 155 – c. 220)
Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus (c. 155 – c. 240) was a theologian in the early Christian church, known for his powerful denunciations of many influences he considered heretical, including the widespread admiration of pagan philosophers and Gnostic ideas. Later in life Tertullian defended Montanism, a belief that was later declared heretical.
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Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus
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Tant il est vrai qu'aucune naissance n'est pure, des païens veux-je dire. De là vient que l'Apôtre déclare « que les deux sexes ayant été sanctifiés, engendrent des saints, non moins par la prérogative de la semence, que par la loi de l'institution. D'ailleurs, ajoute-t-il, ils naîtraient impurs; » comme voulant faire entendre que les enfants des fidèles sont désignés néanmoins à la sainteté, et conséquemment au salut, afin que par le gage de cette espérance, il vînt en aide aux mariages, qu'il avait jugé à propos de maintenir. D'ailleurs il se souvient de l'oracle du Seigneur: « Quiconque ne renaîtra point de l'eau et de l'esprit, ne pourra entrer dans le royaume de Dieu. »
In one sense there will be something difficult even for God — namely, that which He has not done — not because He could not, but because He would not, do it. For with God, to be willing is to be able, and to be unwilling is to be unable; all that He has willed, however, He has both been able to accomplish, and has displayed His ability.
But now inquiry is being made concerning these issues. First, can any believer enlist in the military? Second, can any soldier, even those of the rank and file or lesser grades who neither engage in pagan sacrifices nor capital punishment, be admitted into the church? No on both counts — for there is no agreement between the divine sacrament and the human sacrament, the standard of Christ and the standard of the devil, the camp of light and the camp of darkness. One soul cannot serve two masters — God and Caesar…But how will a Christian engage in war — indeed, how will a Christian even engage in military service during peacetime — without the sword, which the Lord has taken away? For although soldiers had approached John to receive instructions and a centurion believed, this does not change the fact that afterward, the Lord, by disarming Peter, disarmed every soldier.”
“Under no circumstances should a true Christian draw the sword.
Renounce we things carnal, that we may at length bear fruits spiritual. Seize the opportunity — albeit not earnestly desired, yet favourable — of not having any one to whom to pay a debt, and by whom to be (yourself) repaid! You have ceased to be a debtor. Happy man! You have released your debtor; sustain the loss. What if you come to feel that what we have called a loss is a gain? For continence will be a mean whereby you will traffic in a mighty substance of sanctity; by parsimony of the flesh you will gain the Spirit. For let us ponder over our conscience itself, (to see) how different a man feels himself when he chances to be deprived of his wife. He savours spiritually. If he is making prayer to the Lord, he is near heaven. If he is bending over the Scriptures, he is wholly in them. If he is singing a psalm, he satisfies himself. If he is adjuring a demon, he is confident in himself.
But how will a Christian engage in war — indeed, how will a Christian even engage in military service during peacetime — without the sword, which the Lord has taken away? For although soldiers had approached John to receive instructions and a centurion believed, this does not change the fact that afterward, the Lord, by disarming Peter, disarmed every soldier.
Under no circumstances should a true Christian draw the sword.