Captains of the Soul: A History of Australian Army chaplains by Michael Gladwin
Captains of the Soul: A History of Australian Army chaplains by Michael Gladwin
This is a fantastic book and a deserving winner of Australian Christian Book of the Year.
Not many ‘history’ books can be described as riveting reads, but this one can. From the beginning we learn why Christian ministers of the Gospel are an essential part of our Defence Force: they bring answers to life’s biggest questions, God’s perspective, discipline, wisdom in the madness of war and some love for the enemy. Gladwin makes it clear that without their wise Christian influence the damage and brutality of war would be so much worse.
But this is not a war book. This is a book about the history of the chaplains of the Australian Army, and how their role, and Christianity itself, has been affected by the immense changes that to Australian society since its European beginnings in 1788. Over and over, Gladwin reminds us just how indebted our nation is to the Christian worldview, and how influential Padres have been in the lives of the members of the Australian Army, whether in peacetime or at war. This book is a wonderful correction to several recent books that seek to minimise the impact of Christianity and the church in Australian life.
One of the real strengths of the book is Gladwin’s ability to explain the spiritual impact of chaplaincy and to show how many Padres in many conflicts have helped so many connect with God. For example, his explanation of the spiritual revival amongst Australian soldiers in the Japanese prisoner of war camps is incredible and needs retelling in this country. These stories are deliberately air-brushed out by atheist historians and academics but here the truth is told. It is the Padres who have always lovingly and courageously helped people to connect with God. Gladwin gives plenty of examples of this and of the incredible life-changing things that happen after people turn to God.
But he does not just give us attractive stories, he unashamedly alerts us that not every Padre rose to the occasion and did the Gospel proud. Some Padres let the team down and their negative influence is also addressed without ever justifying such transgressions. Gladwin sticks to the facts and shows that in the end the influence of Padres in all theatres of war, and at home, was profound. One of the comments I really enjoyed as he was trying to assess the real influence of Chaplains was that in the end most of the fruit from the love, conversations and actions of Padres will be “known only to God”. That’s a great reminder of our ministry efforts with people everywhere – we do our best and love with the love that comes from God, but in the end only God himself will know the final fruit.
As you read this book you cannot help but recall the words of the teacher in Ecclesiastes, “God has set eternity in the hearts of men.” When men go through the horrors of war and see friends die, they can’t help but think of eternal things. You have heard the saying, “There are no atheists in foxholes” – and this book reminds us why. It is in the brutal moments of war that we remember we are on the earth for a short time and one day we will meet our Maker. The one good thing war does is make that very clear, and this is why army chaplains are so necessary and do such an important job. Military chaplaincy really is focused on that spiritual awakening.
Gladwin shows us what this ministry is like. It’s intense: the Padre is constantly with people attending to their diverse needs, always giving, and doing this often in the most miserable of conditions. Many Padres in fact gave up their lives. But in the midst of this sacrificial service everyone can see the true heart of the man or woman of God. It is that sort of Christ-like sacrificial service that God our Father loves and blesses and it is why our Padres truly deserve the title ‘Captains of the Soul’.
I strongly encourage every Christian to read this remarkable book. It will inspire you, give you a better understanding of how to minister in the modern world, and help you to be more like Jesus wherever you serve.
