Sunday, October 02, 2005

THOUGHTS ON WAR AND VIOLENCE FROM OUR TRADITION- pt. 2


For He says, "Take no anxious thought for tomorrow," meaning that the man who has devoted himself to Christ ought to be sufficient to himself, and servant to himself, and moreover lead a life which provides for himself, that each day by itself. For it is not in we are trained, but in peace, that we are trained. War needs great preparation, and luxury craves profusion; but peace and love, simple and quiet sisters, require no arms nor excessive preparation, The Word is their sustenance. (Paedagogus I, xii. 99)

In their wars, therefore, the Etruscans use the trumpet, the Arcadians the pipe, the Sicilians the pectides, the Cretans the lyre, the Lacedaemonians the flute, the Thracians the horn, the Egyptians the drum, and the Arabians the cymbal. The one instrument of peace, the Word alone by which we honour God, is what we employ. We no longer employ the ancient psaltery and trumpet, and timbrel, and flute, which those expert in war and contemners of the fear of God were wont to make use of also in the choruses at their festive assemblies; that by such might raise their dejected minds. (Paed. II iv)

But contrary to what is the case with the rest of men, collect for thyself an unarmed, a bloodless, a passionless' a stainless host, an unwarlike, pious old men, orphans dear to God, widows armed with meekness, men, adorned with love. (Quis Dives Savetur? 34)

They also are peacemakers, who teach those who war against the stratagems Of sin to have recourse to faith and peace. (Stromata IV 6)

For we do not train our women like Amazons to manliness in war; since we wish the men even to be peaceable. I hear that the Sarmatian women practise war no less than the men;and the women of Sacae besides, who shoot backwards, feigning flight as well as the men. (Stromata IV 8)

- Clement of Alexandria (150‑230 AD)
Writings (181­-230 AD)

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