Maximilian of Tebessa is often cited as an example of early Christian pacifism. When Roman officials pressured him to accept a military seal and swear the sacramentum by reminding him that other Christians served without qualms, he still refued, saying “They know what is expedient for them; but I am a Christian, and I cannot do evil.”
What, exactly, is the evil that he would have to do? Killing? Swearing? Idolatry? It’s not easy to tell.
The debate with the Roman official focuses on whether or not Maximilian will accept the brand that was part of the incorporation into the army. He consistently refuses, arguing that he already bears the seal of Christ:
“Dion said to Maximilianus, ‘Serve and accept the seal.’ He replied, ‘I will not accept the seal: I already have the seal of my Christ.’ Dion the proconsul said, ‘I will send you to your Christ right now.’ He replied, ‘I wish that you would do so. That is even my title to glory.’ Dion said to his staff, ‘Let him be marked.’ And when he was resisting, he replied, ‘I do not accept the world’s seal, and if you give it to me, I will break it, since I value it at nought. I am a Christian. It is not permitted to me to bear the lead upon my neck after [having received] the saving seal of my Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, he whom you do not know, who suffered for the life of the world, whom God surrendered for our sins. All of us Christians serve Him. Him we follow as the source of life and author of salvation.’”
The closest he gets to condemnation of military action per se is this exchange: “Dio said, ‘What wrong do they who serve do ?’ Maximilianus replied, ‘You know well what they do.’” That might refer to violence, rape, theft, intimidation, or any other of a host of evils perpetuated by members of the Roman military. But we cannot say; it might also refer simply to the religious demands of membership in the army, which Maximilian, like Tertullian, saw as incompatible with his Christian faith.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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