Perspectief 2015-30

Perspectief 50 Fred van Iersel Vlastos, Gregory. 1991. Socrates: Ironist and Moral Philosopher. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Zijderveld, Anton. 1988. De culturele factor. Een cultuursociologische wegwijzer. Culemborg: Lemma Zijderveld. Zijderveld, Anton. 1970). The Abstract Society. A Cultural Analysis of Our Time. New York: Doubleday. Summary This article focuses on the prophetic role of military chaplains. Both the legitimacy and the obstacles for a prophetic role of military chaplains are analyzed. This is done through exploration of three exemplary sources of Western culture: the Jewish prophet Nathan, the Greek Hellenistic philosopher Socrates confronting general Alcibiades, and a Roman soldier looking at the crucified Jesus and becoming a witness of faith. It is argued that, in spite of the fact that military chaplains are embedded in the national military, a prophetic role is necessary and possibly fruitful, provided it is integrated in a broader concept of pastoral care. Key words: war crime, peace, military chaplain, prophetis