Die Bibel im Krieg

This article examines the theme of the »Bible at war« by looking at the use of New Tes- tament texts in Russia's invasion of Ukraine during the first eighteen months of the war. Explicit and unmarked quotations (in line with Genette's sense of plagiarism) as well as allusions and motifs are examined. The examples, all of which are drawn from the Russian and Ukrainian context, consist primarily of sermons, statements by church representa- tives, and political speeches in which acts of war are legitimized and sacralized while sol- diers are motivated and heroized. This reception history approach seeks to contribute to descriptions of the use of the New Testament in war and thus to critical biblical studies.