CYPRESSWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST  Return to Bulletins 2010

February 14, 2010

 

25424 Aldine-Westfield, Spring, TX.  77373

www.blakehart.com/cypresswoodbulletin.htm

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PETITIONS AND THANKSGIVING:

God�s will for our congregation                                         The persecuted church

 

Various friends, relatives and co-workers                        Our nation, military and leaders

 

 

THE BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY OF COMPANY B

Go to YouTube Andrews Sisters Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy

 

�Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil�s schemes� (Ephesians 6:11).

 

A number of years ago, several religious groups debated whether certain militaristic songs should be in church song books.  Among those debated, and eventually eliminated, was Onward Christian Soldiers.  The argument was that it emphasized such ideas as war, crusades, etc., and the Christian life should not reflect these types of ideas.  Interestingly however, the New Testament writers use military words, ideas, and illustrations to make various points.  We even see Jesus as the Rider on a white horse leading His army (Revelation 19).  Let�s take a look at some of these (1).

 

The first idea we need to understand is that the Roman Empire was controlled by its twenty-five legions of about six thousand men each.  The roads built by these legions had duel purposes.  One was to increase trade that led to Rome.  The second was to move its legions to hot spots quickly.  Roman generals were respected and feared.  Some of the most famous that we are familiar with would be Julius Caesar, Pompey, Octavian (later renamed Augustus), Tiberius and Vespesian.  The city and government in Rome preferred to keep its legions out of Rome and Italy though there was a military presence, especially for the Emperor.  The people of the Roman world were very familiar with Roman soldiers, having seen them in various aspects of life. 

 

Unless we know someone in the military today, we do not see that much military influence.  Around military bases would be an exception to this.  Most of our military personnel travel and move around off duty in civilian clothing.  Since we do not live under a military dictatorship, a military presence is rarely seen. 

 

Philippi was a retirement area for soldiers of the Empire, one of a number of towns that had a military presence, even if indirectly.  Paul called his fellow co-workers soldiers (Philippians 2:25).  We do not use the weapons of this world in our battle with spiritual forces but rather we take our thoughts captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).  Needless to say, this has not always been the case throughout history.  The Crusades and the religious wars in Europe missed this idea (2).  Paul illustrates for Timothy his life of service by using soldiers as an example (1 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 2:3-4).  We are in a spiritual battle which we see in several texts about the armor of God taken from the uniform of a Roman soldier (Ephesians 6:10-17, et al).  A military term, order or orderly, is used in 1 Corinthians 14:40 for the conduct of an assembly.  The trumpet is used in several places.  The household of Stephanas �line up� or �devoted themselves,� another military term (1 Corinthians 16:15).  We are to �keep in step� with the Spirit, a marching term (Galatians 5:25).  The Christian is to have peace in his or her life, contrasting that with war and conflict (see Philippians 4:6-7).  Christians wear the armor of light (Romans 13:12), using weapons of righteousness or justice (2 Corinthians 6:7).  The word �enemy� is used in a number texts, often referring to the devil. 

 

Roman and Jewish soldiers are seen in the New Testament, and interestingly, most are responding in positive ways to the good news.  When John the baptizer was preaching, soldiers (presumably Jewish) asked what they should do.  John responded that they should be content with their pay and not abuse people or accept bribes.  A Roman centurion, a commander of one hundred, sent a message to Jesus to heal his servant, saying that he commands men to go here or there and they do it.  Jesus saw in this a great faith that He did not see in Israel.  We know of a centurion at the cross stating that Jesus was the Son of God.  Then there was Cornelius, another centurion who received a vision and sent for Peter (see Acts 10).  Roman soldiers guarded and protected Paul on a journey from Jerusalem to Caesarea and then on to Rome.  He even had influence among the palace guard in Rome.  These are just a few references we see to soldiers in the New Testament.

 

The word �legion� is used in two other texts.  One was when Jesus was arrested.  He stated that He could call twelve legions of angels to come and rescue Him.  That would be around seventy two thousand angels.  Remember what one angel did at the gates of Jerusalem during the days of Hezekiah where one hundred and eighty five thousand Assyrian soldiers died.  Rome, its allies and enemies, would not have enough soldiers to combat this army.

 

The second use is that of a man found in the tombs.  He was chained but broke the chains, naked, and lived there, filled with an evil spirit, we are told.  Then Jesus came.  He asked the evil spirit its name and the reply was �Legion.�  Six thousand evil spirits in the man?!  Jesus commanded the evil spirit to leave him and was sent into a herd of pigs that promptly ran into the Sea of Galilee and drowned.  While one could make too much of this, one of the mascots of the Roman 10th Legion which occupied Israel was a pig. 

 

Military and warfare figure prominently in the New Testament.  We are involved in a spiritual war that goes beyond the seen world into the heavenly realms.  �But Christians engage in their own warfare.  Given the pervasiveness of the Roman military, it is not surprising that New Testament texts use military images to depict Christian living� (3).  The New Testament writers drew on the familiar ideas of their cultures, one of which was the use of terms such as warfare and military.

 

Sadly, much of this is missed in today�s culture.  To eliminate a song or two because of its militaristic terms so as to advocate a pacifist view, or in opposition to the military in particular, seems to miss both the meaning of the songs and the use of such military terms in the New Testament.  I also think that some look at the American military and compare it with every other military army that ever marched.  Paul Harvey often stated that when people saw an enemy army coming, there was great fear but when they saw the American army coming, people were joyful, because they knew the Americans were coming to liberate, not conquer (4).

 

Military and war terms describe the spiritual battle we continue in today, and will be in until the Lord returns to rule over His creation.  Take up the whole armor of God and stand firm, soldiers of the cross!

               

                                                                                                                                George B. Mearns

 

 

(1) Some thoughts for this article comes from Warren Carter, The Roman Empire and the New Testament: An Essential Guide, Abington, 2006, p. 24-26, 41-42.

(2) This is not to say that the Crusades were wrong or misguide in total.  While there were things done in the name of God that were wrong, there was also an external threat that Europe was concerned with.  Several books have come out recently taking another look at the Crusades.

(3) Carter, p. 42.

(4) This is not to say that everyone in the American military is perfect.  There are evil people in the military just as there are Christians who live under the rule of God.