authors: Volodymyr Zuikov, Hennadii Tselkovsky
Relevance of the research. The full-scale war in Ukraine, ongoing since 2022, has caused profound changes in the religious landscape, particularly in the theological consciousness of Ukrainian Baptism. Under these circumstances, chaplaincy has acquired new forms and meanings, combining spiritual, moral, and social support for the military. This phenomenon requires theological reflection and analysis in the context of the church’s mission transformation, its involvement in national recovery, and shifts in public consciousness.
Problem statement. Pacifist tradition has long dominated the theology of Ukrainian Baptism, but it is now being reconsidered in the face of war. Currently, there is a lack of systematic analysis of how chaplaincy affects the transformation of ecclesiological, moral, and pastoral approaches within Baptist theology. The problem lies in the insufficient study of the theoretical foundations and practical dimensions of chaplaincy in the context of war-induced changes.
Analysis of recent research and publications. Certain aspects of chaplaincy in Ukrainian Protestant churches have been addressed by contemporary scholars, yet these works are mostly descriptive or socio-political in nature. The theological dimension—particularly in the context of Baptism—remains underexplored. Existing publications do not fully capture the depth of the transformational processes triggered by the war.
Research task. The purpose of this article is to explore the essence of chaplaincy within the All-Ukrainian Union of Churches of Evangelical Christians-Baptists as a form of spiritual and psychosocial support for military personnel, and to examine the theological transformations of Ukrainian Baptism caused by the wartime experience. The main objective is to analyze new ecclesiological orientations, the rethinking of pacifism, the theology of suffering, and the church’s social responsibility.
Main material presentation. The article outlines the historical prerequisites for the development of chaplaincy in the Baptist context and analyzes its current practices, which integrate pastoral care, psychological support, and social responsibility. It demonstrates that the war has become a catalyst for rethinking church identity, the role of the faith community in society, and for changing understandings of the theology of suffering, sacrifice, and participation in the struggle for national dignity. The crisis of pacifist ideals, growing support for active Christian engagement, and emerging educational and institutional needs for the advancement of chaplaincy are described.
Conclusions. Chaplaincy has become a significant factor in the spiritual mobilization of Ukrainian Baptism during wartime, contributing to theological renewal and the expansion of the church’s ecclesiological vision. It forms a new paradigm of Christian presence in critical social processes and highlights the need for deep theological analysis of war experience and the practical training of ministers. The effective development of this ministry requires institutional support, an interdisciplinary educational approach, and active participation of religious communities in the nation’s recovery.
Keywords: chaplaincy, Ukrainian Baptism, theological transformations, military chaplaincy.
References:
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