Paramilitary Christianity

Fundamentalists love comparing themselves to soldiers and the Christian life to war. Go to a fundy church for a few weeks and chances are good you’ll hear at least one sermon illustration involving soldiers, combat heroism, and a Christian in basic training who shined all the boots that were thrown at him (one can only imagine by Communist spies) as he prayed. If you’re a fundamentalist evangelist or preacher who has served in the armed forces and has good war stories to tell, your future is bright indeed.

It only stands to reason that fundamentalist would not only honor and respect the armed forces but actually imagine them to be a perfect representation of what Christians should look and act like. They love the uniformity, the short haircuts, the perfect posture, and the shiny, shiny shoes. They relish the idea of troops who are willing to follow orders from their leaders without question. They bask in the thoughts of a righteous army with very large guns blasting away the unholy denizens of evil empires.

Perhaps it doesn’t really occur to them that the aim of Christianity is to save people, not use Gospel foot soldiers to blow them into spiritual smithereens. Fundies may never ride in the cavalry but they’re in the Lord’s army. Yes, Sir.

63 thoughts on “Paramilitary Christianity”

  1. @Darrell – I have two guns – one old revolver that is not accurate, and a 9 mm semi-automatic. It’s not the guns per se, it was some of the people who carried them who had a quick temper and little self-control.

    Secondly, I’d prefer “shoot to disable” to “shoot to kill” if possible.

  2. @ Camille “Christ defeated sin at the cross. We’re just picking up the pieces of the battle until the Victor returns. This is Reformed Theology 101.”

    I’m confused. Christ defeated sin, but He didn’t eradicate it from this life. That was Paul’s lament in Rom. 7. What do you mean by “We’re just picking up the pieces of the battle until the Victor returns”

  3. Uhh … isn’t there a lot of military terminology in, oh, I dunno …

    … THE BIBLE?

    I believe there is. But who actually reads that thing, anyway? (At least Fundamentalists do.)

    1. Andy: If you bothered to read the rest of the comments you’d see that point addressed.

  4. Hyles Anderson College is the self proclaimed “West Point of Fundamentalism.”

    So that proves that they are the best. nuf said.

    1. Ugh, holy crap, best at what? Brainwashing? Covering sin? Glorification of man as opposed to the Savior? Yeah, HAC is the best, all right. 👿

  5. Um, you all are aware that the Apostle Paul uses this imagry repeatedly in scripture right?

    Wow. Feel almsot embarrased for you here.

    1. I will quote Darrell:

      “If you bothered to read the rest of the comments you’d see that point addressed.”

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