View Full Version : Soldier of Christ?
usm2b
07-09-2006, 01:13 PM
HAve any of you guys seen those "soldier of christ" shirts going around? I was thinking about it, and I'm religious, although I don't go to schurch as often as I should :-( , but doesn't that shirt seem a little extremist? ALthough, I'm sure the people that buy it go "oh cool soldier of christ!!!" and wear it without really thinking to deeply into it... but, It sounds to me like the exact same trash Osama would wear. Because Al-queada truly believes in their twisted little nasty minds, that they are the soldiers of Allah. SO I dunno, this shirt just seems a little ass backwards to me...but there are a lot of ass backwards people in this world today.
Hmm, I'll try to keep my comments short, so as to avoid a religious flame war. But yea, "Soldier of Christ" almost seems like an oxymoron to me, a fighter of a man that preached peace and forgiveness?
Hmm, I'll try to keep my comments short, so as to avoid a religious flame war. But yea, "Soldier of Christ" almost seems like an oxymoron to me, a fighter of a man that preached peace and forgiveness?
Didn't seem to bother the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, more commonly known as the Knights Templar, nor did it bother the other Christian military orders created to crusade through the Middle East.
Yep, one of the reasons I don't like the holy-er than thou attitude alot of Americans take. Just like I don't think it's right not to tax the churches. Anyway, rant over.
shocker1
07-09-2006, 01:56 PM
Most of those "soliders" would be better served to clean up their own house. Some people worry too much about what is wrong with the world instead of taking personal responsibility seriously.
dangerclose
07-09-2006, 04:09 PM
Hmm, I'll try to keep my comments short, so as to avoid a religious flame war. But yea, "Soldier of Christ" almost seems like an oxymoron to me, a fighter of a man that preached peace and forgiveness?
Didn't seem to bother the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, more commonly known as the Knights Templar, nor did it bother the other Christian military orders created to crusade through the Middle East.
I think this is more what they have in mind:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--
(Ephesians 6:10-18)
ZaakM433
07-09-2006, 05:19 PM
Its just the context that has been contorted and abused over the centuries, even millenia.
CPLHUNTER
07-09-2006, 05:37 PM
I think this is more what they have in mind:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--
(Ephesians 6:10-18)
Good quote, being raised a Christian, this verse is very familiar...
CPLHUNTER
07-09-2006, 05:38 PM
HAve any of you guys seen those "soldier of christ" shirts going around? I was thinking about it, and I'm religious, although I don't go to schurch as often as I should :-( , but doesn't that shirt seem a little extremist? ALthough, I'm sure the people that buy it go "oh cool soldier of christ!!!" and wear it without really thinking to deeply into it... but, It sounds to me like the exact same trash Osama would wear. Because Al-queada truly believes in their twisted little nasty minds, that they are the soldiers of Allah. SO I dunno, this shirt just seems a little ass backwards to me...but there are a lot of ass backwards people in this world today.
If you like it, then wear and to hell w/ what anyone else thinks...no pun intended :)
Switek
07-09-2006, 05:43 PM
Christ do not need any soldiers.
It's a matter of fiath not fight... :-(
Herrmannek
07-09-2006, 06:02 PM
I'm okey with that shirt... On contrary to what Switek said Christianisty had a lot of soldiers in its history, and if you would look into some saints lifes you would see that all soldier saints are far from being extremists... Christians are about extreme dedication not extreme mesures... Go for It!!!
shocker1
07-09-2006, 06:15 PM
Rom 15:1-3
1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
The above passage applies to this situation. Let your life speak for your faith. Not a shirt which will cause strife among the people in His name and drive people away from understanding.
ElHombre
07-09-2006, 08:16 PM
'soldiers of christ' is a phrase that needs to be updated for the modern times. much like the use of the word 'steward' in the bible would be more accurately described by the modern term 'manager'.
NSX-R
07-09-2006, 11:20 PM
The terms 'Soldier of Christ' and 'Army of God' are metaphors and should not be interpreted literally as actual fighting. They are used to describe the notions of fighting immorality, sin, evil, etc. Jesus often used parables and metaphors in the Bible which explains why many people are confused by their meanings.
Sir Zach of R.
07-09-2006, 11:24 PM
I don't really have problems with shirts like that but more the people who wear them. A shirt can't define your faith, only your actions as a Christian can show your true faith.
usm2b
07-09-2006, 11:33 PM
I have one of those big service pride history type books for the Marine Corps, and there is a picture from the aftermath of the barracks bombing in beirut, and it has a Marine and a couple locals searching through the rubble, and one of the islamic guys in the picture had a tshirt that said 'JIHAD' on it. Means a lot more now then it did then...I wonder.
NSX-R
07-09-2006, 11:37 PM
The same can be said for wearing a cross around your neck as it visually represents your faith. Sure, only your actions can define your Christian values but it doesn't hurt to let strangers know that you are Christian by wearing a shirt or necklace as long as you are not abusing their meanings (ie. gangster rappers wearing a Jesus cross).
WingedHussar
07-09-2006, 11:40 PM
gangster rappers wearing a Jesus cross
damn hip hop culturep-)
The same can be said for wearing a cross around your neck as it visually represents your faith. Sure, only your actions can define your Christian values but it doesn't hurt to let strangers know that you are Christian by wearing a shirt or necklace as long as you are not abusing their meanings (ie. gangster rappers wearing a Jesus cross).
If Jesus were beheaded...would christians wear little axes around their necks?
If he were hung....would they wear little nooses?
heh ;)
Herrmannek
07-10-2006, 03:16 AM
If Jesus were beheaded...would christians wear little axes around their necks?
If he were hung....would they wear little nooses?
heh ;)
Jesus would not be beheaded nor hung... Crucifiction was the hardest most cruel punishment of the time. Thats why we wear crosses, not because it was method he was killed with but because it symbols how big dedication Jesus had for us...
Jesus would not be beheaded nor hung... Crucifiction was the hardest most cruel punishment of the time. Thats why we wear crosses, not because it was method he was killed with but because it symbols how big dedication Jesus had for us...
What's that word...rhetorical?
It was a rhetorical question SILLY!!!!
:)
Herrmannek
07-10-2006, 04:00 AM
What's that word...rhetorical?
It was a rhetorical question SILLY!!!!
:)
Problem is i didn't recognise its as a question at all, but as a somewhat offensive joke, I felt in responsibility to respond :)
Hollis
07-10-2006, 11:36 AM
The terms 'Soldier of Christ' and 'Army of God' are metaphors and should not be interpreted literally as actual fighting. They are used to describe the notions of fighting immorality, sin, evil, etc. Jesus often used parables and metaphors in the Bible which explains why many people are confused by their meanings.
I thought you explaned this very well, and some should read it again, if they did not understand it the first time.
ElHombre
07-10-2006, 11:38 AM
If Jesus were beheaded...would christians wear little axes around their necks?
If he were hung....would they wear little nooses?
heh ;)
and if he had been impaled? ick.:lol:
Lokos
07-10-2006, 12:32 PM
There's a Bill Hicks joke that would bring the house down, at this point.
Lokos
ed316
07-10-2006, 12:40 PM
I don't really have problems with shirts like that but more the people who wear them. A shirt can't define your faith, only your actions as a Christian can show your true faith.
x2. You don't need a shirt to show you are a true Christian. Only you know that you are a true Christian or not.
WARPIG
07-10-2006, 02:14 PM
If I wear a T-shirt that says, "Fisher of Men," does that make me a cannibal? What else can we take out of context?
WARPIG
07-10-2006, 02:26 PM
The terms 'Soldier of Christ' and 'Army of God' are metaphors and should not be interpreted literally as actual fighting. They are used to describe the notions of fighting immorality, sin, evil, etc. Jesus often used parables and metaphors in the Bible which explains why many people are confused by their meanings.
Well, as a few mentioned here.. there were more literal Armies of God, and Soldiers of God during the Crusades. Any religion can be taken to extremes. Usually more often than not. The Christian religion alone has more variations in context than most people realize. People are always looking for ways to validate their beliefs. Some find it in the details and usually that leads to separating themselves based on their interpretation. Funny how so many people have the need to validate their own faith by trying to invalidate everyone elses.
Hollis
07-10-2006, 03:59 PM
There are approximately 2 Billion Christians in the world. While there are a very few, extremely few who may opt out for violence the tremendous vast majority contribute to the world in a VERY positive manner. If we compare their actions to any other religions, we really don't have a problem with Christians. Those obsessive religions bashers are a bigger pain the butt than any Missionaries that I have ever met.
What does it matter what T-Shirts they wear or sell. Personally the only people who have a say is this are Christians. Just like the RCC position on stem cell research, if your not a Catholic it DOES NOT effect you.
There are enough REAL problems in the world than to worry about the metaphorical meanings of T shirts. One group that I don't have to worry about loosing my head over are the Christians.
If I wear a T-shirt that says, "Fisher of Men," does that make me a cannibal? What else can we take out of context?
The people who tend to wear these shirts/bumper stickers do a pretty good job of contextualizing the phrases.
oldone
07-10-2006, 04:30 PM
Think of it this way..........I am a member of :'Racers for Christ'.let me explain....it is christians who do motor racing who belong to the organisation.We are there to support each other during the race meetings,it is a fellowship of like minded people.
Soldiers for Christ should be seen in the same context,support for fellow christians in an arena of conflict....?
WARPIG
07-10-2006, 05:44 PM
The people who tend to wear these shirts/bumper stickers do a pretty good job of contextualizing the phrases.
As much as other people do at taking them out of context.
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