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Radical Christian Living  /  When Persecution Comes  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 2
Bercot says that for “kingdom Christians,” military conscription has historically been a major trigger of secondary persecution, with tens of thousands imprisoned or killed; what assumptions about Jesus’ kingdom, allegiance, and nonresistance are embedded in that claim, and how do those assumptions compare to common evangelical ideas about patriotism and “just war”?
Another way to ask: If military drafts have often led to Christians being punished, what does that assume about Jesus’ kingdom, who we obey first, and nonresistance? How is that different from common evangelical ideas about patriotism and “just war”?

Direct Answer Based on Bercot’s teaching, the embedded assumption is that “kingdom Christians” will refuse military service because their allegiance to Christ’s teachings overrides the state’s demands, even when the state is not “aimed at persecuting Christians.” The transcript does not directly compare this to evangelical “just war” thinking, but it does imply a contrast between kingdom obedience and normal civic expectations.

Support from Transcript:

  • He calls conscription a classic case of secondary persecution: laws “requiring all men…to serve in the military” are “not aimed at persecuting Christians.”
  • Yet he says, “for kingdom Christians, we’re not going to comply with those laws,” and many “have been put to death” or “imprisoned” for refusal.
  • He frames the conflict as “between Caesar and our Christian faith,” suggesting primary allegiance is to Christ.
  • He later reiterates the Christian principle: obey Caesar “up to the point where they would cause us to violate Jesus’ laws.”
  • He notes the Supreme Court has ruled the First Amendment does not give conscientious objectors a constitutional right to refuse war; exemptions exist only because “Congress allows for exemptions.”
Discussion Follow-ups What practical pressures would make refusal feel “unthinkable” today, and how does Bercot’s “Caesar vs. Christ” framing challenge those pressures?

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