Militant Christianity

[usfan]

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.

Here is one of the very first Christian gatherings:
Acts 4:1The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
5The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11Jesus is
“ ‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
13When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.15So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16“What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
21After further threats they let them go.

The early church fathers were very hard nosed & militant in their writings, opposing heresy & false teachings with unflinching truth.

From the preface of 'Against Heresies', Irenaeus of Lyons:
Inasmuch as certain men have set the truth aside, and bring in lying words and vain genealogies, which, as the apostle says, "minister questions rather than godly edifying which is in faith," and by means of their craftily-constructed plausibilities draw away the minds of the inexperienced and take them captive, [I have felt constrained, my dear friend, to compose the following treatise in order to expose and counteract their machinations.] These men falsify the oracles of God, and prove themselves evil interpreters of the good word of revelation. They also overthrow the faith of many, by drawing them away, under a pretence of [superior] knowledge, from Him who rounded and adorned the universe; as if, forsooth, they had something more excellent and sublime to reveal, than that God who created the heaven and the earth, and all things that are therein. By means of specious and plausible words, they cunningly allure the simple-minded to inquire into their system; but they nevertheless clumsily destroy them, while they initiate them into their blasphemous and impious opinions respecting the Demiurge; and these simple ones are unable, even in such a matter, to distinguish falsehood from truth.

I could quote hundreds of pages from Ignatius, Polycarp, & more among the early church fathers, who exemplify the militant stance of the early Christians. Words like boldness, courage, steadfast, endure, strong, & military terms used to describe warfare have been a constant theme in Christian writings.

We can jump ahead to Martin Luther, who is a more famous example of a 'militant' Christian:
I never work better than when I am inspired by anger; for when I am angry, I can write, pray, and preach well, for then my whole temperament is quickened, my understanding sharpened, and all mundane vexations and temptations depart. Martin Luther

Unless I am convicted by scripture and plain reason -- I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other -- my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen .
Martin Luther, at the Imperial Diet at Worms, 18 April 1521

I am afraid that the schools will prove the very gates of hell, unless they diligently labour in explaining the Holy Scriptures, and engraving them on the hearts of youth. I would advise no one to send his child where the Holy Scriptures are not supreme. Every institution in which men and women are not unceasingly occupied with the Word of God must be corrupt.--Martin Luther
Peace if possible, truth at all costs. ~Martin Luther

 

[usfan]

These are scriptural principles, as military terminology is liberally dispersed throughout the bible, and almost all subsequent writings, for over 2000 years.

Eph.6:10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

During the Dark Ages, the emphasis was on submission, and the ruling elite.. clerics & civil authorities.. were quick to quote verses on submission to authority, meekness, & turning the other cheek. During the reformation, great injury was done to Christians by the state religious institutions, to keep their grip of control on the people. But the Gospel cannot be chained, & the fresh air of Freedom blew through Europe, & overflowed into the new world. There was born a new Creature.. the American Christian. This new iteration was not submissive at all, but defiant to any encroachments on his freedom. He would not only defy the authorities, but he took up arms & shot back... with reckless abandonment to his own safety, and for ideological principles of Freedom.. founding a nation with a foundation of Liberty. He did not want any religious tenets mandated, but extolled tolerance & freedom of conscience as the principles of governance.
Self sacrifice for Freedom of Man was elevated as the Supreme Virtue, and became fixed in the American Psyche even before the American Revolution. You can see those elements in the Battle Hymn of the Republic, as Union soldiers 'died to make men free'.

Alexis de Tocqueville noted this in his treatise about America:
Upon my arrival in the United States the religious aspect of the country was the first thing that struck my attention; and the longer I stayed there, the more I perceived the great political consequences resulting from this new state of things. In France I had almost always seen the spirit of religion and the spirit of freedom marching in opposite directions. But in America I found they were intimately united and that they reigned in common over the same country. ~Alexis De Tocqueville

While the defiance in France was rooted in socialism, & spawned a bloody civil revolution that could never deliver freedom, the American Revolution was rooted in Freedom of Conscience, & religious liberty, and the principles of God-centered ideology. This was in sharp contrast to the man centered ideology of socialism that drove the French Revolution.

Religion in America ... must be regarded as the foremost of the political institutions of that country; for if it does not impart a taste for freedom, it facilitates the use of it. Indeed, it is in this same point of view that the inhabitants of the United States themselves look upon religious belief. I do not know whether all Americans have a sincere faith in their religion-for who can search the human heart?-But I am certain that they hold it to be indispensable to the maintenance of republican institutions. This opinion is not peculiar to a class of citizens or a party, but it belongs to the whole nation and to every rank of society. ~Alexis De Tocqueville

Diversity among Americans did not divide, but they united under the greater banner of Freedom. Even the diversity of religious beliefs were subjected to the overriding principles of Freedom & Unity.

The sects that exist in the United States are innumerable. They all differ in respect to the worship which is due to the Creator; but they all agree in respect to the duties which are due from man to man. Each sect adores the Deity in its own peculiar manner, but all sects preach the same moral law in the name of God.... Moreover, all the sects of the United States are comprised within the great unity of Christianity, and Christian morality is everywhere the same. ~Alexis De Tocqueville

My points & comments have been brief, but the quotes made this long. I hope that the evidence is sufficient to prove my points, but i would be very interested in hearing alternate views or rebuttals.

 

[JJ50]

Biblical literalists who use that not so good book to excuse their extremism are sick in the head, imo.

 

[Augustus]

During the Dark Ages, the emphasis was on submission, and the ruling elite.. clerics & civil authorities.. were quick to quote verses on submission to authority, meekness, & turning the other cheek. During the reformation, great injury was done to Christians by the state religious institutions, to keep their grip of control on the people.

The "Dark Ages" are a myth and the term is no longer used by historians. Many of the formative features of Western liberalism were developed by clerics in the "Dark Ages".

Of course there were many oppressive practices, but it's not quite the caricature suggested by the "Dark Ages" misconception.

While the defiance in France was rooted in socialism, & spawned a bloody civil revolution that could never deliver freedom, the American Revolution was rooted in Freedom of Conscience, & religious liberty, and the principles of God-centered ideology.

They were 2 very different things in nature.

The French Revolution was a proper revolution in that it sought to fundamentally remake society along a very different foundation: change rulers and remake society (these are rarely, if ever, successful).

The American Revolution was more like a change of government: change government and keep the society. It was evolutionary rather than revolutionary.

 

[sooda]

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.

Here is one of the very first Christian gatherings:
Acts 4:1The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
5The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11Jesus is
“ ‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
13When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.15So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16“What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
21After further threats they let them go.

The early church fathers were very hard nosed & militant in their writings, opposing heresy & false teachings with unflinching truth.

From the preface of 'Against Heresies', Irenaeus of Lyons:
Inasmuch as certain men have set the truth aside, and bring in lying words and vain genealogies, which, as the apostle says, "minister questions rather than godly edifying which is in faith," and by means of their craftily-constructed plausibilities draw away the minds of the inexperienced and take them captive, [I have felt constrained, my dear friend, to compose the following treatise in order to expose and counteract their machinations.] These men falsify the oracles of God, and prove themselves evil interpreters of the good word of revelation. They also overthrow the faith of many, by drawing them away, under a pretence of [superior] knowledge, from Him who rounded and adorned the universe; as if, forsooth, they had something more excellent and sublime to reveal, than that God who created the heaven and the earth, and all things that are therein. By means of specious and plausible words, they cunningly allure the simple-minded to inquire into their system; but they nevertheless clumsily destroy them, while they initiate them into their blasphemous and impious opinions respecting the Demiurge; and these simple ones are unable, even in such a matter, to distinguish falsehood from truth.

I could quote hundreds of pages from Ignatius, Polycarp, & more among the early church fathers, who exemplify the militant stance of the early Christians. Words like boldness, courage, steadfast, endure, strong, & military terms used to describe warfare have been a constant theme in Christian writings.

We can jump ahead to Martin Luther, who is a more famous example of a 'militant' Christian:
I never work better than when I am inspired by anger; for when I am angry, I can write, pray, and preach well, for then my whole temperament is quickened, my understanding sharpened, and all mundane vexations and temptations depart. Martin Luther

Unless I am convicted by scripture and plain reason -- I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other -- my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen .
Martin Luther, at the Imperial Diet at Worms, 18 April 1521

I am afraid that the schools will prove the very gates of hell, unless they diligently labour in explaining the Holy Scriptures, and engraving them on the hearts of youth. I would advise no one to send his child where the Holy Scriptures are not supreme. Every institution in which men and women are not unceasingly occupied with the Word of God must be corrupt.--Martin Luther
Peace if possible, truth at all costs. ~Martin Luther

I don't think much of militant Christians, Muslims or Jews. Zealots are just trouble makers who want to hurt or control "the other".

 

[Brickjectivity]

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.

Here is one of the very first Christian gatherings:
Acts 4:1The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
5The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11Jesus is
“ ‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
13When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.15So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16“What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
21After further threats they let them go.

The early church fathers were very hard nosed & militant in their writings, opposing heresy & false teachings with unflinching truth.

From the preface of 'Against Heresies', Irenaeus of Lyons:
Inasmuch as certain men have set the truth aside, and bring in lying words and vain genealogies, which, as the apostle says, "minister questions rather than godly edifying which is in faith," and by means of their craftily-constructed plausibilities draw away the minds of the inexperienced and take them captive, [I have felt constrained, my dear friend, to compose the following treatise in order to expose and counteract their machinations.] These men falsify the oracles of God, and prove themselves evil interpreters of the good word of revelation. They also overthrow the faith of many, by drawing them away, under a pretence of [superior] knowledge, from Him who rounded and adorned the universe; as if, forsooth, they had something more excellent and sublime to reveal, than that God who created the heaven and the earth, and all things that are therein. By means of specious and plausible words, they cunningly allure the simple-minded to inquire into their system; but they nevertheless clumsily destroy them, while they initiate them into their blasphemous and impious opinions respecting the Demiurge; and these simple ones are unable, even in such a matter, to distinguish falsehood from truth.

I could quote hundreds of pages from Ignatius, Polycarp, & more among the early church fathers, who exemplify the militant stance of the early Christians. Words like boldness, courage, steadfast, endure, strong, & military terms used to describe warfare have been a constant theme in Christian writings.

We can jump ahead to Martin Luther, who is a more famous example of a 'militant' Christian:
I never work better than when I am inspired by anger; for when I am angry, I can write, pray, and preach well, for then my whole temperament is quickened, my understanding sharpened, and all mundane vexations and temptations depart. Martin Luther

Unless I am convicted by scripture and plain reason -- I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other -- my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen .
Martin Luther, at the Imperial Diet at Worms, 18 April 1521

I am afraid that the schools will prove the very gates of hell, unless they diligently labour in explaining the Holy Scriptures, and engraving them on the hearts of youth. I would advise no one to send his child where the Holy Scriptures are not supreme. Every institution in which men and women are not unceasingly occupied with the Word of God must be corrupt.--Martin Luther
Peace if possible, truth at all costs. ~Martin Luther

Not at all consistent with James. Not at all. What you have there are a series of boastful historical figures and a mischaracterization of Jesus, Peter and John. Iranaeus boasts about his line of discipleship and how he studies under polycarp who studies under John and so forth. He can be discounted as a clear example of what goes wrong in churches. Martin Luther is a murderous guy who profits from confusion, sending people to their deaths for disagreement. Rather than militant he's just plain devious. I'm not sure that these guys should be excused by labeling them as militant Christians. Instead we should take the advantage of the reformation to assess them objectively and reject them as immoral figures.

 

[sooda]

Not at all consistent with James. Not at all. What you have there are a series of boastful historical figures and a mischaracterization of Jesus, Peter and John. Iranaeus boasts about his line of discipleship and how he studies under polycarp who studies under John and so forth.

He can be discounted as a clear example of what goes wrong in churches. Martin Luther is a murderous guy who profits from confusion, sending people to their deaths for disagreement. Rather than militant he's just plain devious. I'm not sure that these guys should be excused by labeling them as militant Christians. Instead we should take the advantage of the reformation to assess them objectively and reject them as immoral figures.

Great post...…..

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

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.

Here is one of the very first Christian gatherings:
Acts 4:1The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
5The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11Jesus is
“ ‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
13When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.15So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16“What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
21After further threats they let them go.

The early church fathers were very hard nosed & militant in their writings, opposing heresy & false teachings with unflinching truth.

From the preface of 'Against Heresies', Irenaeus of Lyons:
Inasmuch as certain men have set the truth aside, and bring in lying words and vain genealogies, which, as the apostle says, "minister questions rather than godly edifying which is in faith," and by means of their craftily-constructed plausibilities draw away the minds of the inexperienced and take them captive, [I have felt constrained, my dear friend, to compose the following treatise in order to expose and counteract their machinations.] These men falsify the oracles of God, and prove themselves evil interpreters of the good word of revelation. They also overthrow the faith of many, by drawing them away, under a pretence of [superior] knowledge, from Him who rounded and adorned the universe; as if, forsooth, they had something more excellent and sublime to reveal, than that God who created the heaven and the earth, and all things that are therein. By means of specious and plausible words, they cunningly allure the simple-minded to inquire into their system; but they nevertheless clumsily destroy them, while they initiate them into their blasphemous and impious opinions respecting the Demiurge; and these simple ones are unable, even in such a matter, to distinguish falsehood from truth.

I could quote hundreds of pages from Ignatius, Polycarp, & more among the early church fathers, who exemplify the militant stance of the early Christians. Words like boldness, courage, steadfast, endure, strong, & military terms used to describe warfare have been a constant theme in Christian writings.

We can jump ahead to Martin Luther, who is a more famous example of a 'militant' Christian:
I never work better than when I am inspired by anger; for when I am angry, I can write, pray, and preach well, for then my whole temperament is quickened, my understanding sharpened, and all mundane vexations and temptations depart. Martin Luther

Unless I am convicted by scripture and plain reason -- I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other -- my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen .
Martin Luther, at the Imperial Diet at Worms, 18 April 1521

I am afraid that the schools will prove the very gates of hell, unless they diligently labour in explaining the Holy Scriptures, and engraving them on the hearts of youth. I would advise no one to send his child where the Holy Scriptures are not supreme. Every institution in which men and women are not unceasingly occupied with the Word of God must be corrupt.--Martin Luther
Peace if possible, truth at all costs. ~Martin Luther

So much for "let go and let God," eh?

The Gospels talk about people who see it as their personal duty to fix the world and to worry about their own needs; Jesus calls these people "ye of little faith." All of what you're describing seems like it's not the way someone who trusted in God or acknowledged God's sovereignty would behave.

 

[pearl]

In Catholic theology there are three spiritual states within the 'Body of Christ',
the Church, suffering, militant and triumphant.
The Church, the Mystical Body, exists on this earth, and is called the Church militant, because its members struggle against the world, the flesh and the devil. The Church suffering means the souls in Purgatory. The Church triumphant is the Church in heaven. The unity and cooperation of the members of the Church on earth, in Purgatory, in Heaven is also called the Communion of Saints.

 

[metis]

In the first and second centuries, a person who converted into the Church could not be in any position to get involved in war, especially since that would involve helping the Romans. In the third century (actually the very late 2nd century), allowance was allowed to be in the military but only in a policing function short of war. It's not until the fourth century that it was allowed for members of the Church to be in the military, and that change was done because under Constantine much of Europe became Christian, thus allowance to defend the region and the faith.

This all created a lot of questions, eventually leading to the "Just-War Theory" adopted by the Church, which only allows for wars of defense. [see the Wiki article on it for further clarification]

Source: "Tradition In the Early Church" by Dr. Hanson (Anglican), plus some other books as well.

I write the above because the Church put sharp restrictions on "militancy".

 

[JJ50]

Rather a crazy doctrine but that is what you expect from the RCC.

 

[leov]

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.

Here is one of the very first Christian gatherings:
Acts 4:1The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
5The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11Jesus is
“ ‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
13When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.15So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16“What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
21After further threats they let them go.

The early church fathers were very hard nosed & militant in their writings, opposing heresy & false teachings with unflinching truth.

From the preface of 'Against Heresies', Irenaeus of Lyons:
Inasmuch as certain men have set the truth aside, and bring in lying words and vain genealogies, which, as the apostle says, "minister questions rather than godly edifying which is in faith," and by means of their craftily-constructed plausibilities draw away the minds of the inexperienced and take them captive, [I have felt constrained, my dear friend, to compose the following treatise in order to expose and counteract their machinations.] These men falsify the oracles of God, and prove themselves evil interpreters of the good word of revelation. They also overthrow the faith of many, by drawing them away, under a pretence of [superior] knowledge, from Him who rounded and adorned the universe; as if, forsooth, they had something more excellent and sublime to reveal, than that God who created the heaven and the earth, and all things that are therein. By means of specious and plausible words, they cunningly allure the simple-minded to inquire into their system; but they nevertheless clumsily destroy them, while they initiate them into their blasphemous and impious opinions respecting the Demiurge; and these simple ones are unable, even in such a matter, to distinguish falsehood from truth.

I could quote hundreds of pages from Ignatius, Polycarp, & more among the early church fathers, who exemplify the militant stance of the early Christians. Words like boldness, courage, steadfast, endure, strong, & military terms used to describe warfare have been a constant theme in Christian writings.

We can jump ahead to Martin Luther, who is a more famous example of a 'militant' Christian:
I never work better than when I am inspired by anger; for when I am angry, I can write, pray, and preach well, for then my whole temperament is quickened, my understanding sharpened, and all mundane vexations and temptations depart. Martin Luther

Unless I am convicted by scripture and plain reason -- I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other -- my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen .
Martin Luther, at the Imperial Diet at Worms, 18 April 1521

I am afraid that the schools will prove the very gates of hell, unless they diligently labour in explaining the Holy Scriptures, and engraving them on the hearts of youth. I would advise no one to send his child where the Holy Scriptures are not supreme. Every institution in which men and women are not unceasingly occupied with the Word of God must be corrupt.--Martin Luther
Peace if possible, truth at all costs. ~Martin Luther

Long long time ago Christianity became just a part of Matrix.

 

[sojourner]

"Militant" and "Christian" are mutually exclusive terms. "The church militant" is an outdated idea that begs for the trash can.

 

[tas8831]

Just another old, sad right winger, trying to live out his macho fantasies from his youth.

 

[JJ50]

The militants of any religion are crazy and no one should give them the time of day, imo.

 

[metis]

The militants of any religion are crazy and no one should give them the time of day, imo.

As are the militants within agnosticism and atheism.

 

[Valjean]

I was under the impression that the early Christians were --or at least strove to be -- meek, submissive and compliant, as Jesus told them to be. In its early history it was a pacific religion, only when it later came to be the dominant power did it become militant.

 

[metis]

I was under the impression that the early Christians were --or at least strove to be -- meek, submissive and compliant, as Jesus told them to be. In its early history it was a pacific religion, only when it later came to be the dominant power did it become militant.

Basically correct, although with a bit of a caveat, and it took centuries for the Church to finally come to grips with this with the "Just-War Theory".

 

[expert tech]

You can not be a militant or an aggressor and keep the two commandments of Jesus.

 

[sooda]

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.

Here is one of the very first Christian gatherings:
Acts 4:1The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
5The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11Jesus is
“ ‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
13When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.15So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16“What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
21After further threats they let them go.

The early church fathers were very hard nosed & militant in their writings, opposing heresy & false teachings with unflinching truth.

From the preface of 'Against Heresies', Irenaeus of Lyons:
Inasmuch as certain men have set the truth aside, and bring in lying words and vain genealogies, which, as the apostle says, "minister questions rather than godly edifying which is in faith," and by means of their craftily-constructed plausibilities draw away the minds of the inexperienced and take them captive, [I have felt constrained, my dear friend, to compose the following treatise in order to expose and counteract their machinations.] These men falsify the oracles of God, and prove themselves evil interpreters of the good word of revelation. They also overthrow the faith of many, by drawing them away, under a pretence of [superior] knowledge, from Him who rounded and adorned the universe; as if, forsooth, they had something more excellent and sublime to reveal, than that God who created the heaven and the earth, and all things that are therein. By means of specious and plausible words, they cunningly allure the simple-minded to inquire into their system; but they nevertheless clumsily destroy them, while they initiate them into their blasphemous and impious opinions respecting the Demiurge; and these simple ones are unable, even in such a matter, to distinguish falsehood from truth.

I could quote hundreds of pages from Ignatius, Polycarp, & more among the early church fathers, who exemplify the militant stance of the early Christians. Words like boldness, courage, steadfast, endure, strong, & military terms used to describe warfare have been a constant theme in Christian writings.

We can jump ahead to Martin Luther, who is a more famous example of a 'militant' Christian:
I never work better than when I am inspired by anger; for when I am angry, I can write, pray, and preach well, for then my whole temperament is quickened, my understanding sharpened, and all mundane vexations and temptations depart. Martin Luther

Unless I am convicted by scripture and plain reason -- I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other -- my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen .
Martin Luther, at the Imperial Diet at Worms, 18 April 1521

I am afraid that the schools will prove the very gates of hell, unless they diligently labour in explaining the Holy Scriptures, and engraving them on the hearts of youth. I would advise no one to send his child where the Holy Scriptures are not supreme. Every institution in which men and women are not unceasingly occupied with the Word of God must be corrupt.--Martin Luther
Peace if possible, truth at all costs. ~Martin Luther

Militant Christianity is a very bad idea.