Here’s one of those hymns that makes lukewarm Christians cringe–but the metaphor of Christians as soldiers goes all the way back to Paul (“Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier”, Philippians 2:25). So there. Sung by the kids of Fountainview Academy as they visit Prague in their European tour.
Wonderful, and vital truth to get hold of. We are not called to sit back and be comfortable. We are fighters, and that is why we were given the whole armor of God.
Bravo! I’m so glad you posted this! When I worked as clergy I often heard about how we could not do Onward Christian Soldiers and other “militant” hymns. Yet in chaplaincy, I noticed that in nursing homes, even those patients with dementia responded and sang along to that and other unPC hymns, so of course that’s what I planned. These hymns definitely have their place in liturgy and spiritual support – whether the politically correct institutional church agrees is another matter.
I stand up and salute you, Jano.
Beautiful hymn! It’s the first time I heard this hymn.
During the Reformation the church was viewed as militant. How I wish that also was true in our day. We are in a cultural/spiritual battle for the soul of our country – not the time to concentrating on flying away.
TY for this