Brethren attitudes to authority and government, with particular reference to pacifism

Abstract

Prior to World War I, members of the Christian Brethren movement had usually avoided military involvement. This thesis examines their response to the demands of both World Wars, in the context of their teaching on relations with the state. It takes evidence from published material and responses to a questionnaire, and draws the conclusion that separation from worldly affairs was at least as strong a motivation as pacifism or the law of love, and that these were held in tension with the Biblical command to obey the powers that be.