Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. [Ephesians 6:11-12 (NLT)]
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus going on before!
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; Forward into battle, see his banner go!
[Sabine Baring-Gould]
As a young child, I loved singing “Onward, Christian Soldiers” in Sunday school. My enthusiasm for the hymn waned as I grew older and learned about the evil and horrors of the Crusades and the World, Korean, and Vietnam wars. With its mention of war, soldiers, mighty armies, battles, and foes, the hymn seemed to glorify war. Even though the martial imagery comes from Biblical texts, the hymn’s combination of soldiers marching into battle and Jesus (the Prince of Peace) has caused controversy and some denominations have eliminated it from their hymnals.
Originally titled “Hymn for Procession with Cross and Banners,” Sabine Baring-Gould wrote the hymn’s text in 1864 for the celebration of Pentecost (Whitsunday) at his church. The children from his village were joining those from a neighboring one and the hymn was to be sung as they carried banners and crosses while processing to the next town. Baring-Gould set the hymn’s words to a less martial melody called St. Alban (an adaptation of the third movement of Haydn’s Symphony in D, No. 15) but, in 1871, Arthur Sullivan put the hymn’s words to a tune he composed. Calling it “St. Gertrude,” Sullivan’s is the melody we know and love. The son of a military bandmaster, the composer is more famous for his collaboration with W.S. Gilbert and operettas like H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, and The Mikado than the 56 hymns he composed. While the hymn’s martial meter is what made it popular as a processional, it also is what gives the song its militaristic overtones.
This hymn never was about political warfare, seizing land, bloodshed, or uniformed soldiers carrying weaponry into armed conflict. Nevertheless, it is about waging war—spiritual warfare against the powers of evil! Rather than flame-retardant and permethrin-infused clothing, the Apostle Paul tells us to wear the armor of God and, rather than an advanced-combat helmet with night-vision goggles, we are to don the helmet of salvation. Instead of tactical vest body armor, Christians wear the breastplate of righteousness and, instead of a tactical battle belt, we wear the belt of truth and personal integrity. Christ’s soldiers are to carry the shield of faith instead of a ballistic shield and to march in the gospel of peace rather than combat boots. We don’t do battle with grenades, rocket launchers, drones, or assault rifles; we rely on the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God! Paul continues with one last piece of equipment—prayer. The Christian’s version of a walkie-talkie radio, prayer keeps us in touch with Headquarters and our Commander in Chief! While the armor of God may not shield us from bullets, bombs, or shrapnel, it will protect us from our real enemy—Satan.
Let us never err by thinking the Christian life is a resort or playground—it is a training ground and battlefield. There are no spiritual pacifists or conscientious objectors in God’s kingdom and the children for whom this hymn was written were the newest recruits in His army. So, onward, Christian soldiers. Let us put on our armor and go forward into battle!
A Christian life is an unending engagement on the battlefield. [Watchman Nee]
Devotions of the Heart 