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Militant Christianity

Deeje

Avid Bible Student
Premium Member
I understand. But I never used the word militant that I can recall.

I understand, but it's the title of the thread. I offered you the definition of "militant" to demonstrate that Christianity can never support violence. When we use the word "military", what comes to mind?

There are references to military terms used in the NT, but they are always metaphorical. The warfare is spiritual....the armour is spiritual, and the weapons are spiritual.
 

9-10ths_Penguin

1/10 Subway Stalinist
Premium Member
I understand, but it's the title of the thread. I offered you the definition of "militant" to demonstrate that Christianity can never support violence. When we use the word "military", what comes to mind?

There are references to military terms used in the NT, but they are always metaphorical. The warfare is spiritual....the armour is spiritual, and the weapons are spiritual.
If you have faith and trust in God, why would you ever feel the need to be "militant," whether literally or spiritually?

Isn't the message of Matthew 6 basically "don't worry - God's in control"? What do you think you can do that God can't?
 

TagliatelliMonster

Veteran Member
I understand, but it's the title of the thread. I offered you the definition of "militant" to demonstrate that Christianity can never support violence. When we use the word "military", what comes to mind?

"militant" in this context doesn't necessarily refer to "military" in the sense of soldiers with guns.

For example, during election time, party members will be in the streets distributing pamflets and trying to convince people to vote for them. These party members are called "militants".

There are references to military terms used in the NT, but they are always metaphorical. The warfare is spiritual....the armour is spiritual, and the weapons are spiritual.

Without really knowing what you are referring to...
This sounds a lot like muslim defenses concerning the word "jihad".
Just an observation.
 

Deeje

Avid Bible Student
Premium Member
If you have faith and trust in God, why would you ever feel the need to be "militant," whether literally or spiritually?

I don't support militant Christianity.....the "spiritual warfare" spoken about in the Bible is the battle for the hearts and minds of men. It has combatants, agendas, battlefields and weapons. It is not initiated by Christ's disciples, but by those who oppose them. Their number one enemy is God's enemy. He has 'troops' (both spirit and human) who are out to assuault God's worshippers in any way that works.....gaining access to an individual's self esteem is a prime mover in influencing their behavior. The heart is their main target.

Isn't the message of Matthew 6 basically "don't worry - God's in control"? What do you think you can do that God can't?

We don't have to worry about anything really because God IS in control. What we have to worry about is losing OUR control and succumbing to the influences of this world under the devil's rulership. His attacks are insidious and his motives are focused on separating people from the Creator. His approach at first was subtle, but because he is running out of time, we see now that the subtlety has been replaced by an all out assault. Violence and immorality are rampant in the earth as the final showdown approaches. Those on God's side have no need to be militant. They have a message of peace and only those attracted by the message will respond to it. God gives us the privilege of representing him in an increasingly Godless world. We look like fools in the world....but so did Noah. History will repeat because humans never learn from past mistakes. (Matthew 24:37-39)

Following Jesus' recommendations in the Sermon on the Mount is how we retain our peace in a world bent on destruction.
 

Deeje

Avid Bible Student
Premium Member
"militant" in this context doesn't necessarily refer to "military" in the sense of soldiers with guns.

Unfortunately the churches of Christendom missed that memo.
They will encourage their members to literally take up military weapons by turning patriotism into a duty "for God and country". Jesus gave us no sanction to be militant.

Having the courage of our convictions is not being militant IMV. It is simply defending the truth as we see it.

For example, during election time, party members will be in the streets distributing pamflets and trying to convince people to vote for them. These party members are called "militants".
How is distributing pamphlets considered "militant"? It's called campaigning as far as I can see.

Those who call themselves Christians who do this are going against the teachings of Christ. He told us to be "no part of the world" because it is ruled from behind the scenes by the devil.
Any vote for a political party assumes responsibility for what that party does once in office. If they commit bloodshed, particularly the murder of innocents, then their is shared bloodguilt. (Isaiah 1:15)

Without really knowing what you are referring to...
This sounds a lot like muslim defenses concerning the word "jihad".
Just an observation.

Are you serious? Jihad involves physical warfare and bloodshed supposedly fought for God.

In the Revelation, the final showdown between God and the devil does not involve Christians at all. It is Christ and his powerful angelic army who will crush all of God's enemies. No puny human weapon will have any effect.

God does not require us to be militant....he requires us to be steadfast but passive in the face of our opposers. We will not fight them. We will defend ourselves with words but not with violence. This is what a true martyr is.....not one going down with all guns blazing, but like Jesus, remaining quietly faithful to death if that is what we must face.
 

9-10ths_Penguin

1/10 Subway Stalinist
Premium Member
We don't have to worry about anything really because God IS in control. What we have to worry about is losing OUR control and succumbing to the influences of this world under the devil's rulership.
Because God working on his own isn't enough to prevent this from happening?
 

Deeje

Avid Bible Student
Premium Member
Because God working on his own isn't enough to prevent this from happening?

That just demonstrates to me that you have no idea of God's agenda or his original purpose.....did you not know that there is a reason why he is doing things this way? Its a brilliant strategy in response to the abuse of free will. I am amazed that this is never taught in Christendom....it leaves people thinking that God is some inept failure.....I assure you that he is not....he's a genius.
 

Samantha Rinne

Resident Genderfluid Writer/Artist
According to the phony public narrative, these terms are an oxymoron, as Christians are portrayed as meek, submissive, wishy washy, & compliant. But that is not the historical Christian. Let us go back in history, & examine the nature, words, & deeds of the Christian, as exemplified by the Founder. This will get way too long, if we were to examine all of the recorded instances of Militant Christianity, so i will just present a few, & hope that the case is made.

Maybe. But according to media, they are hateful racists/sexists/etc. So I suppose we're even.

The Church over the years, has had to defend itself against people who wanted their life. But usually the Church continues to turn the other cheek actually, unless the Church as a whole is threatened with extinction (the Crusades are often used as an example of how the Christians are violent, but actually ... The Truth about the Crusades ).

Let's talk about the stoning of Thomas though.

Or about 40 Christian centurions who stood in icy water refusing to deny their faith.

Or Antipas being burned alive.

Or three centuries of Roman persecution.

These people could have fought back, but their own lives were secondary to their faith in Christ. Traditionally, Christians defend other Christians and the Church, not themselves.
 

Sand Dancer

Crazy Cat Lady
Are those really on the same level? It seems to me that they aren't.

Can you give an example of a typical action from an "atheist militant"?
So how does that compare to a typical action from, for example, a "muslim militant"?

Militant atheists might hit you over the head with a book or something.
 

TagliatelliMonster

Veteran Member
Unfortunately the churches of Christendom missed that memo.
They will encourage their members to literally take up military weapons by turning patriotism into a duty "for God and country". Jesus gave us no sanction to be militant.

Having the courage of our convictions is not being militant IMV. It is simply defending the truth as we see it.


How is distributing pamphlets considered "militant"? It's called campaigning as far as I can see.

Perhaps it has double meaning in dutch but not in english.
In dutch a "militant" is someone who goes out of his way to further some cause or ideology.
Actions in this context need not be violent at all.

Are you serious? Jihad involves physical warfare and bloodshed supposedly fought for God.

Ask any muslim.
Jihad can be both physical warfare as well as the "spiritual" warfare you were describing.
To the point even of "fighting with yourself" in your head to resist sinfull temptations. That too is called "jihad".


In the Revelation, the final showdown between God and the devil does not involve Christians at all. It is Christ and his powerful angelic army who will crush all of God's enemies. No puny human weapon will have any effect.

God does not require us to be militant....he requires us to be steadfast but passive in the face of our opposers. We will not fight them. We will defend ourselves with words but not with violence. This is what a true martyr is.....not one going down with all guns blazing, but like Jesus, remaining quietly faithful to death if that is what we must face.

Myeah, I'm not really interested in your preaching.
 
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