But I'm losing my religion. No, not really. I have, however, been growing further and further apart from the modernist teachings that have crept into parts of Christianity. "Haha," you say, "tell me something I don't know. You've been hating on things that seem 'new' for years on your stupid blog."

Okay, you caught me. When it comes to theology, I tend to be orthodox, maybe a bit patristic even (but I'm no Marty). I've been reading a bit of the pre-Augustine writers from the church, guys that all seem to rail against war and militarism. Which is interesting considering the popularist Christian politics of my lifetime.

I'm convinced, however, that pacifism and nonviolence aren't radical or weird, but quite Christian. Tertullian, Justin Martyr, Hippolytus, Origen, etc were all quite blunt about being anti-war in order to be Christian. And by blunt I mean "a soldier of the civil authority must be taught not to kill men and to refuse to do so if he is commanded, and to refuse to take an oath. If he is unwilling to compy, he must be rejected for baptism..." (Hippolytus). That's a slap in the face.

I'm curious what others think about this. Marty, please comment.