Onward Christian Soldiers

Audio version of this Faithblog
[audio:OnwardChristianSoldiers.mp3|titles=Onward Christian Soldiers|artists=Christian St John]
Download this Podcast

Yesterday at church I was speaking to a fellow believer about how the Bible is filled with military ideas and terms. “Fight the good fight…” (1 Tim 6:5), “For the weapons of our warfare are not those of the world. Instead, they have the power of God to demolish fortresses…” (2 Corinthians 10:4), and in Ephesians 6 we read about the “soldier of God” and the armor they are to wear in their fight against the enemy, the devil. Just three examples of how the Bible uses military language to convey certain truths.

Over the years many people have caught this idea. Songs and hymns like the classic Onward Christian Soldiers (lyrics below), The Battle Belongs to the Lord by Petra, Storm the Gates of Hell by Demon Hunter, Behind Enemy Lines by Recon, and Soldiers Under Command by Stryper convey this idea through music. And books like Basic Training: A Believer’s Guide to Spiritual Battle by Kim Freeman, Spiritual Warfare: The Battle for God’s Glory by Jerry Rankin, and books of this genre look at the spiritual war we find ourselves in and help us understand how we can best defend ourselves as well as gain ground in the spiritual war that rages around us.

My problem with all of this (if we run with the idea of Christians as soldiers) is that as a military force I think we’d be pretty useless. When I think of the church as it is today I see in my mind’s eye a roaring lion, but when I look closer the lion has no teeth. Ever heard the saying “the dogs bark is worse than its bite”? Well, for the most part, that is how I see the church today. We’ve become so fixated on our own relationship with God (the Jesus and me mentality) that we’ve forgotten all about the people out there dying every day and going to hell. We’ve forgotten to put on the full armor of God instead running away at the slightest hint of a skirmish. Our pews have deep ass grooves in them that have taken years to perfect and yet the knees of our trousers are anything but worn (as in praying (fighting) on our knees). We sing and talk a good fight, but when it comes down to it we’re mostly silent little lambs that turn a blind eye to all of the chaos and destruction and pain going on all around us.

Speaking to believers over the past several years I have been shocked by the amount of people who have basically said “I’m alright Jack, I’m not too worried about anyone else.” Whatever happened to the giving part of Christianity? We are told, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.” Matt 10:8 (NASB). And yet it seems that many of us just take. And whatever happened to fighting the good fight? Notice the Bible doesn’t say take a gentle stroll through life, it tells us to run, endure, and fight. I love the imagery in Jude 1:23 – “Save others by snatching them from the fire [of hell].” (God’s Word Translation)

I remember speaking to a pastor a few years back who told me that we should do everything we can to prepare for battle; studying the word, fasting and praying, fellowshipping with one another, and so on. He went to say that when we say yes to Christ we don’t have to go looking for the “fight” because we are already there… his exact words, “we are all born behind spiritual enemy lines.” Another dear friend once told me that we need not fear in this battle because although the battle still rages Christ has ultimately declared the victory. Take heart because just like the allies taking the Normandy beaches in WW2 Europe signaled the beginning of the end for the Nazi war machine, Jesus has claimed the victory over satan and his army – the end is in sight, it’s just a matter of time… in short, we are called to fight a defeated enemy.

When I read Scripture I often think that the church was meant to be a mighty force going out into the world, fighting evil and corruption in every high place, battling the unseen dark powers of this world by the power of the Holy Spirit, and storming the gates of hell to win precious souls for Christ. And there are some Godly men and women who are fighting the good fight. But we cannot fight alone. Ask any soldier and they’ll tell you that in war there is definitely strength in numbers. Not only that, but they’ll also tell you that it makes a difference knowing that someone is watching your back.

Now I’m not saying we are to prepare for a physical war like the ultra fundamentalist “Christian” groups who arm themselves to the teeth waiting for Armageddon to happen, as this is not biblical. The Bible reminds us that, “Our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against authorities and powers, against the world-rulers of this dark night, against the spirits of evil in the heavens.” Ephesians 6:12 (Bible in Basic English) With that said I do often wonder what this world would look like if we joined together as one, forsaking our petty and stupid differences, and marching forward against our real enemy and his dark forces? I think the words to Onward Christian Soldiers (below) clue us in somewhat…

Onward Christian Soldiers
Written by Sabine Baring-Gould, 1864

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
forward into battle see his banners go!

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.

At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.

Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
one in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.

Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
but the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
we have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.

Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,
this through countless ages men and angels sing.

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.

Christian St John M.Div, BChM, ACS
June, 2009