Monday, November 01, 2010

Challenging Questions for Military Chaplains


What will the impending repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in the US military mean for evangelical chaplains serving in the military?  The Associated Press ran an article a few days ago titled, Retired Chaplains warn against 'don't ask' repeal.  SBC pundit Al Mohler also wrote a compelling article last June laying out what this change means.

This raises the general issue as to whether or not there should be state sponsored chaplains serving in the military at all.  What Biblical precedent do we have for men who serve in ad hoc ministry apart from local church oversight?  How can a man serve as a gospel minister under Caesar's pay and oversight?  Will this not inevitably lead to compromise?  Will they not be like Naaman who had to beg Elisha's leave  for bowing down in the temple of Rimmon at the elbow of the king (2 Kings 5:18)?

JTR

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