On October 16 my esteemed colleague at Bereans at the Gate, Mark Caleb Smith (a.k.a. Doc Bow-tie) posted on his battle against culture wars. He doesn’t want to engage in culture wars as much as “fight against those who wish to fight them”. I am in substantial agreement with Dr. Smith’s comments on this issue. I would like to spend a few moments discussing not so much “cultural wars” themselves as the use of military metaphors by the church today. I am not convinced the church has employed the metaphor of “war” as effectively as we might.

There are two issues Dr. Smith mentions on which I would like to comment. First, he says that “Zion awaits, but only if we march apace.” For believers, Zion does await, but because of the finished work of Christ – not because we engage in culture wars. There should be no hint of works with respect to our salvation at any time in any way. In the broader picture, the war has been won and Christ is the victory. I find it somewhat paradoxical that Christ’s harsh words to the Pharisees are sometimes given as justification to engage in culture wars when his criticism focused on their works oriented notion of salvation. Our war imagery can also turn to works as a means to gain entrance to the kingdom. Or, perhaps to prove that we are in the kingdom. Second, Dr. Smith is “concerned that our consistent call to arms warps our perspective when we battle, we define enemies.” I also think that the use of the military metaphor makes it very easy to confuse who the enemy really is. The enemy is not fellow humans. When we talk in terms of war and battle there is a definite “us” versus “them” mentality. This mentality very easily degenerates into the identification of “them” as the enemy. The fact that I have been saved by grace through faith and some other person I may know has not been saved does not make that other person the enemy.

With these cautions mentioned, we do need to realize that the New Testament does employ a military metaphor. In Philippians 2:25 and Philemon 1:2 Paul refers to believers as “fellow soldiers”. A passage that I find very important when discussing the topic of our thought life employs the military as a metaphor. 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5 says:

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons ofour warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Perhaps the best-known passage utilizing a military metaphor is Ephesians chapter 6.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Note that verse 12 clearly identifies our enemy as someone other than our fellow human beings.

I am thoroughly convinced that Christians need to be engaged in the arena of “culture wars” without ever firing a shot to try to bring down another person.