This is a guest post by Jacob Head.

While rereading Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, I stumbled on this little gem:

“On [a legionair’s] first entrance into the service, an oath was administered to him, with every circumstance of solemnity. He promised never to desert his standard, to submit his own will to the commands of his leaders, and to sacrifice his life for the safety of the emperor and the empire. The attachment of the Roman troops to their standards was inspired by the united influence of [pagan] religion and of honour. The golden eagle, which glittered in the front of the legion, was the object of their fondest devotion; nor was it esteemed less impious than it was ignominious, to abdandon that sacred ensign in the hour of danger” (Vol 1, pg 14).

Aside from the obvious conflict of interest a Christian would have with his complete service to Christ in the demanding legions, said idolatry would most certainly be incompatible with his faith.

History tells us that the creation of the Roman military standards as idols was done under Marius’ consulship in the late republic and as Tacitus, Vegetius, and Josephus observe, standard-worship was a full fledged, mandatory religion in the ranks by the 1st Century ACE.

Now, if we say that the centurion convert stayed in the Legions and therefore justifies us to serve in the military and/or violence, then one must also conclude that acts of paganism are also acceptable.

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When you think about the obvious parallels with our modern American flag, some uncomfortable conclusions might be formed.

What do you think about Christians in the military? Is it what you have always believed, or has something caused you to change your mind?

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