Another Veterans Day has come and gone.
Because I had just written two articles about military bases and military personnel in October, I did not have a special Veterans Day article this year. Some people were expecting one, and expressed to me their disappointment. What follows here is something that I have thought about writing for a long time that would have been suitable for Veterans Day.
We know that conservative, evangelical, and fundamentalist churches are some of the worst offenders when it comes to heaping praise on the military on one of the three American military appreciation days: Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Veterans Day.
For many years now, I have harshly criticized the military blasphemy and idolatry that takes place in many of these churches on the Sundays before Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Veterans Day. Woe be to the Christian who happens to be in one of these patriotic services when the Fourth of July or Veterans Day falls on a Sunday! These are high holy days to Christian patriots.
I won’t recount here all the blasphemy and idolatry that takes place on these Sundays or on the extra military appreciation Sundays that some churches have throughout the year. See my many articles on Christianity and the State, Christianity and War, and Christianity and the Military. What I want us to do is just imagine the attitude of the early church toward Veterans Day.
The early Christians were averse to war and military service. See my detailed review of The Early Christian Attitude to War (1919), by C. John Cadoux.
The early Christians did not initially meet in church buildings. But when they did meet, can you imagine the following things taking place?
Can you imagine the early church having a patriotic service?
Can you imagine the early church making apologies for the Roman empire?
Can you imagine the early church inviting a Roman senator to speak in their assembly?
Can you imagine the early church singing hymns of praise to the Roman empire?
Can you imagine the early church adorning their bodies or their meeting places with the insignias, emblems, and banners of the Roman empire?
Can you imagine the early church recognizing Roman soldiers in attendance?
Can you imagine the early church having a Roman soldier speak in their assembly?
Can you imagine the early church pledging allegiance to the Roman emperor?
Can you imagine the early church praying for Roman soldiers serving in harm’s way in the far reaches of the Roman empire?
Can you imagine the early church singing “God Bless the Roman Empire”?
Can you imagine the early church having Roman soldiers march through the middle of their gathering?
Can you imagine the early church thanking Roman soldiers for their service?
Can you imagine the early church crediting Roman soldiers for their freedom to worship?
Can you imagine the early church calling Roman soldiers returning from a tour of duty heroes?
Can you imagine the early church having a Roman soldier appreciation day?
Can you imagine the early church applauding Christians who expressed a desire to join the Roman army?
I didn’t think so. Neither can I.
