Militant piety: violence as a sacred duty

Abstract

This paper examined the development of Christianity from the Old Testament to the New Testament through military piety: violence as a sacred duty. It also examined in detail what the Old Testament says about military piety as a sacred duty and considered this as a guide for future generations in the nation of Israel. The books of Deuteronomy and Joshua were critically examined with a view to understanding instructions purported to have been given to Moses and Joshua by God to exterminate other nations. Citations from the Old Testament were also analysed with a veiw to understanding the great theme of the book of Deuteronomy that God has saved and blessed his chosen people, whom he loves; his people are to remember this, and love and obey him, so that they may have life and continued blessings, (Good News Bible: 170). The Theology of conquest, the promised land, chosen people and laissez faire where also explored and analysed. Reference was also made to the Bible versus oppressed nations taking the Dutch Reformed Church and the apartheid system in South Africa as an example. The paper also examined the concept of Holy War as understood by Moses and Joshua and present day Israel. The Authority of the Bible was also put under introspection. In the light of military piety as a sacred duty and the Holy War , the paper asked these pertinent questions concerning the Bible: How does scripture apply to the people or nations where they are? How does the text address current issues? Does the understanding of the bible lead to socio-political transformation? The paper concluded by calling on God to listen to cries from all people irrespective of whether they are in the promised land or not, they are a chosen nation or not, who call upon Him for help by quoting from Habakkuk, (1,:2 4)