By Kim J. Latterell

Creator Lutheran

How could I have gotten it so wrong for so long? I’ve thought and taught that Jesus retreated with his disciples for quiet times of renewal, assuming it was for prayer and refreshment. Little did I know Jesus was busy training up a Christian militia! I can see it now. James and John called Sons of Thunder because of the way they handled 50-caliber machine guns! Peter called the Rock because of his skill with rocket -grenade launchers. As the captain of the squad, Jesus might have carried a standard issue military Forty-Five, but given that he was Jewish, he may have preferred an Israeli- made Uzi submachine gun. And Judas, sneaky as he proved to be, must have specialized in improvised roadside attacks.

I think not. Nowhere can I find reference to Jesus establishing a militia of armed followers nor giving a command to pick up weapons to use against neighbors or enemies, neither the encouragement to spout words of hatred, anger, prejudice nor call for violence. No matter how difficult the situation, such things are not a part of Christ’s teaching.

There is, however, one strong bible passage that calls for putting on the whole armor of God. It does call Christians to battle but makes clear the struggle is not against flesh- and-blood enemies. Rather the battle is waged against cosmic powers and spiritual forces, against such things as hatred, violence, persecution, prejudice…all devilish tools. Christians are to put on the clothes God provides (check out Ephesians 6:10-17). If God has an army (other than angels and Sally Ann!), the uniform worn by Christ’s followers includes the belt of truth, the Kevlar vest of right relationships, shoes that lead to the sharing of the gospel of peace, the shield of a trusting faith, the helmet of saving grace. The only weapon carried is the power of the Holy Spirit to change lives through God’s gracious Word.

After all, soldiers in God’s army forgive enemies, do good to those who persecute them, go the second mile, build up the communities they live in, turn aside wrath with gentle words, renounce vengeance and violence as tools not of God but of evil. Until these hostile-hearted groups stop endangering lives, stop slandering and destroying the reputations of others, the name of Jesus is not theirs to claim. All who support such evil actions must claim the name of that other one at work in this world, not Jesus Christ. Instead, let them put down their weapons and pick up their crosses, to serve and not destroy. Jesus will have it no other way.