Co-belligerence

Co-belligerence

Co-belligerence refers to the practice of groups with differing beliefs working together toward common social goals while maintaining their distinct doctrinal positions.1 This concept particularly describes how different Christian traditions can collaborate on shared causes despite maintaining their separate convictions.

Definition and Purpose

Timothy George describes co-belligerence as, “an ecumenism of the trenches,” indicating tactical cooperation between groups who find themselves fighting similar battles.2 This collaboration focuses on shared objectives without requiring doctrinal agreement between participating groups.

Practical Implementation

The concept enables different Christian traditions to join forces against common challenges. Mohler explains, “Given the cultural disaster we face, and what is at stake, it simply makes sense for men and women who share basic worldview concerns to gather strength from each other, join hands and hearts, and enter the cultural fray.”3

This approach allows, for example, evangelical Protestants and Roman Catholics to work together against secularism in Western society. As Burk writes, “We are united in our belligerence. But unity in belligerence does not mean unity in confession.”4

References

  1. Denny Burk, “Pope Benedict XVI: A Co-belligerent Pope,” DennyBurk.com, April 27, 2005, accessed October 27, 2025, https://www.dennyburk.com/pope-bendedict-xvi-a-co-belligerent-pope/

  2. Timothy George, quoted in R. Albert Mohler, Jr., “Standing Together, Standing Apart: Cultural Co-belligerence Without Theological Compromise,” Touchstone July/August (2003), https://touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=16-06-070-f

  3. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., “Standing Together, Standing Apart: Cultural Co-belligerence Without Theological Compromise,” Touchstone July/August (2003), https://touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=16-06-070-f

  4. Burk, “Pope Benedict XVI”