Oswald Spengler offers an interesting insight that helps us understand our time and the challenge we face. We are a merchant people. But living cultures are, at their heart, warrior societies.
Roman soldiers remained who they were, but committed to Christ. There was an implicit understanding that did not have to be rationalized the way it needs to be for us. We tend to try to ignore that violence is a necessary component to the foundation and maintenance of any society in a sinful world. The soldier is what he is. And as the Christian community grew to encompass an ever larger part of society, they made the effort to understand what it means to command that necessary violence for the betterment of society. We have, in many ways, lost touch with that in the modern, liberal era. We have come to believe that words and persuasion are at the foundation of society. That is a mistaken view of a sinful world.
I've question I always have with perspectives like this is: how does this map onto the first generations of the church?
As a pastor, I see the implications for building a Christian culture and people. However, who were the warriors in the first century?
Roman soldiers remained who they were, but committed to Christ. There was an implicit understanding that did not have to be rationalized the way it needs to be for us. We tend to try to ignore that violence is a necessary component to the foundation and maintenance of any society in a sinful world. The soldier is what he is. And as the Christian community grew to encompass an ever larger part of society, they made the effort to understand what it means to command that necessary violence for the betterment of society. We have, in many ways, lost touch with that in the modern, liberal era. We have come to believe that words and persuasion are at the foundation of society. That is a mistaken view of a sinful world.
I find this piece fascinating, thought provoking and right on point. Thank you.
You’re welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.