What Does The Salvation Army Salute Mean? (Short Read)

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

The Salvation Army salute challenges the world’s status quo, directing focus from earthly powers to the Kingdom of Heaven.

What Is The Salvation Army Salute?

The Salvation Army salute is made with the first finger of the right hand raised to shoulder height. You can see it at formal occasions such as the commissioning ceremony. It is rarely used outside of those occasions, at least in the UK.

My reflection on the Army salute began during the Remembrance Day march past the cenotaph with the Salvationist contingent.

When we marched past the representative of the royal family, the Salvationist contingent gave him the Salvation Army salute. Apart from potentially confusing him somewhat about why twenty or so people all suddenly stuck their fingers up at him, it made me think about what it actually means to use our salute to state (or any other mortal) authorities.

When Did The Salvation Army Salute Begin?

The earliest written record of what the Salvationist salute means appears in Robert Sandall’s The History of The Salvation Army, volume two. It describes the salute as recognition of a fellow traveller on the way to heaven. It also reflected a shared commitment to do whatever it takes to lead others there.

Sandall notes that on some occasions, Salvationists might use the military salute of that country for particular events. But this was not for everyday use. The salute arose as a physical sign of shared hope and shared intention. In this way, there is an almost sacramental quality to the Army’s salute.

Salutes and other such gestures date back to at least the time of the Reformation. Some accounts suggest that Anabaptists would make a similar sign using the first finger of each hand pointing to heaven when they were being martyred.

The two gestures share a common meaning and a common emphasis. In this regard, its use as a marker between members of the faith is an exclusive act which would not be appropriate to use with outsiders except as a mark of witness to the hope which is to come.

It Is Not a Gesture of Respect to Authority

The Salvation Army salute is a gesture of resistance to earthly authority and power. It indicates a higher authority and a higher reward. The Salvationist pledges allegiance to Christ above all else.

However, that does not appear to be how the salute is used or understood today.

Today, people often use the salute to mean that all glory and thanks belong to God. Many use it in response to audience applause after a performance or upon receiving an award. This is a different use from its apparent origin, but not beyond the spirit of the gesture. Even so, it makes little sense when given to a person in authority.

Used as a Response to Praise?

The salute also appears at formal Salvation Army meetings to welcome or recognise members, such as at the commissioning ceremony or when a senior Officer is in attendance as a special guest. You might read it as a gesture of respect in these moments, but a better understanding is the original meaning — recognising a fellow traveller on the way to heaven.

Yet what meaning could this gesture have to one outside of the faith or, more particularly, The Salvation Army?

A final meaning that has grown up around the salute is to indicate that God is the highest authority. The recognition that God is in charge. That Christ is Lord.

Salvation Army Salute As a Challenge to State Power and Economic Authority

In this form of understanding, the salute becomes a different beast altogether. It is a challenge to every other form of authority, whether of the faith or otherwise. The Salute is a reminder to those in power that their power is limited and there is one who is greater than they could ever be. It is the sign of the cross held out to let its shadow fall over the domain of Caesar.

What then was meant when we saluted a representative of the royal family? What did it mean when I saluted the Territorial Commander at my welcome to William Booth College? When I salute a friend whom I haven’t seen for a while? What is being communicated? Does it convey meaning if there are different meanings depending on context and intention?

Perhaps it is good that there are different meanings, that the gesture can mean many things. Maybe it should mean all of these things at once. Or maybe it has no meaning beyond a gesture of tribal affiliation. Meaning is in the eye of the beholder.

The Salute is Subversive

However, I think that when we take the meaning of the salute seriously, there is something in it which we should hold onto. Something deep and meaningful and deeply subversive. Something which if we let slide away I think we are in danger of losing a significant part of the Army’s theology.

The salute represents our commitment as disciples to follow Jesus until the end, and our recognition that our allegiance belongs to King Jesus before it does to anyone else.

When a Salvationist salutes another Salvationist it is a sign of shared commitment to the kingdom of God and a recognition of the power of grace. When a Salvationist offers the salute to those in authority, it carries a message. The Salvationist belongs not to the nations and states of this world, but to the Kingdom of God.

REFLECTION SPACE — Whose Are You?

Scripture: Philippians 3:20 (NRSV)

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

— Philippians 3:20 (NRSV)

A Prayer to Begin: Lord, remind me that I belong to you before I belong to any nation, institution, or cause. Help me to live that truth openly and without fear. Amen.

Reflect: When you raise your hand in the salute — or when you see someone else raise theirs — what does it say about where your deepest loyalty lies?

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