Vol. 7, No. 4 (Winter 2009)
Military chaplains face new challenges and growing expectations as they operate in multi-faith contexts abroad. This issue examines the history of the chaplaincy, chaplain education and training, and chaplains' expanded role as inter-religious liaisons and as advisors to commanders on religious affairs.
For God and Country
Dennis Hoover Wednesday, 16 December 2009
The role of chaplains in religiously complex theatres of operation is beginning to receive the sustained attention it deserves. More resources are needed to deepen the discussion and make it more accessible to military personnel, civilian policy makers, and the interested public. [FREE]
An Overview of the U.S. Military Chaplaincy: A Ministry of Presence and Practice
Pauletta Otis Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Important facets of the U.S. military chaplaincy include its historical development, its dynamic tension between the "establishment clause" and the "free exercise" clause, chaplain roles and responsibilities, and organizational oversight of the chaplaincy.
Read more: An Overview of the U.S. Military Chaplaincy: A Ministry of Presence and Practice
The U.S. Military Chaplaincy, Then and Now
John Brinsfield Wednesday, 16 December 2009
U.S. military chaplains have engaged persons of diverse faith groups in various ways throughout American history, from pre-Revolutionary missions to Native Americans to peacemaking in the Philippines to post-Vietnam training in World Religions.
U.S. Military Chaplains: Redirecting a Critical Asset
Douglas Johnston Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Chaplains acting as liaisons bring religious legitimacy to clergy-to-clergy communications. For example, chaplains have engaged with local religious leaders in Iraq and Afghanistan to carry out many local projects.
Read more: U.S. Military Chaplains: Redirecting a Critical Asset
Agents of Peace in Theaters of War: Rethinking the Role of Military Chaplains
Miroslav Volf Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Soldiers and military chaplains stand at a threshold of a unique opportunity—that of viewing the entirety of their mission under the rubric of peacemaking. Chaplains must understand the functions of faith and examine where they place their ultimate loyalty.
Read more: Agents of Peace in Theaters of War: Rethinking the Role of Military Chaplains
Ready … or Not?: Equipping the U.S. Military Chaplain for Inter-Religious Liaison
Chris Seiple Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Chaplains are not yet fully equipped to serve as inter-religious liaisons and religious-affairs advisers. A number of recommendations, if implemented, would better educate and train chaplains for today's challenges. [FREE]
Read more: Ready … or Not?: Equipping the U.S. Military Chaplain for Inter-Religious Liaison
Cashing in on Religion’s Currency?: Ethical Challenges for a Post-secular Military
John Carlson Wednesday, 16 December 2009
The military needs a deeper conceptual understanding of religion, and chaplains alone cannot fill the military's religion gaps. Rather, religion—or what we might call more broadly the spiritual dimension of war—is everybody's "problem." [FREE]
Read more: Cashing in on Religion’s Currency?: Ethical Challenges for a Post-secular Military
The World Religions Chaplain: A Practitioner's Perspective
Timothy Bedsole Wednesday, 16 December 2009
The chaplain's theological understanding shapes the role of policy, strategy, and tactics in today's changing military operations. Accordingly, the World Religions Chaplain position has moved from the classroom into the military unit.
Read more: The World Religions Chaplain: A Practitioner's Perspective
Strategic Religious Dialogue: A Chaplain’s Perspective on Religious Leader Liaison
LaMar Griffin Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Religious Leader Liaison is an essential part of the staff work chaplains perform. Indigenous religion and religious leaders are essential to a robust civil society and critical to the military mission's success.
Read more: Strategic Religious Dialogue: A Chaplain’s Perspective on Religious Leader Liaison
Reflecting Ethically with British Army Chaplains
Andrew Todd Wednesday, 16 December 2009
In the context of Just War thinking, we need to ask: How do we continue to inculcate a military culture which equips soldiers to bring about jus in bello and jus in pace?
Divine Comedy
Amy Rowe Wednesday, 16 December 2009
A review of Holy Hullabaloos: A Road Trip to the Battlegrounds of the Church/State Wars, by Jay Wexler.