David Hunter: Christianity faces Third Great Schism » Knoxville News Sentinel
We sang a hymn as I was growing up called "Onward Christian Soldiers." At a young age, I wondered why the Jesus of the New Testament had turned into a general, with all the trappings of war. "My kingdom is not of this world" and "Resist not evil" and "Love your neighbor as yourself" seemed totally divorced from that song and the Christian flag carried in during Bible school.
This portion of the article struck a cord with me. I've combed through the Gospels and can not find any place where Jesus advocated the idea that his followers were supposed to act as an army against the world. However, we do find a militant reference in the writings of Paul.
[quote style="1"]Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17.[/quote]
Sure, Paul says that the foe was not flesh and blood, but spirit in nature.
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