In today’s American culture, it is unusual to find someone who is truly at peace. In addition to the excessive hustle and bustle of modern culture, nearly everyone we encounter takes a passionate stance on some issue— be it taxes, abortion, foreign policy, or something else. As Christians, we must grapple with where we devote our efforts and mental energies.
As America becomes further divided by culture wars, many Christians are taking up proverbial arms in defense of social attacks on their way of life. It is, of course, virtuous to stand up for what is good and true, however focusing exclusively on the worldly and militant side of Christianity misses and distracts from the much more important and powerful side of the faith: inward Christian spiritual warfare.
During Roman persecution in the early days of Christianity, the faith grew exponentially not through a show of physical force, but rather through seemingly otherworldly patience, self-sacrifice, and love, even in the face of brutal persecution and ostracism. This inspired the pagan world to inquire about this new and unusual religion.
As a result, in just a few hundred years, Christianity grew from a small group of people gathered in an upper room in 33 A.D. to a sizable portion of the Roman civilian population. Eventually Rome itself became Christian. Yet none of this was achieved by outward human force, but rather through inward faith in Christ as the Messiah and God, and the peace and grace that comes through following His commandments.
The earliest well known example of Christian militarism occurred nearly a millennium after the crucifixion of Christ, during the Latin crusades in the years 1095 and 1291. In response to the recent Muslim attacks on Jerusalem, the Vatican declared a “holy war” in order to preserve sacred Christian sites and return Jerusalem to Christendom. While the crusades did accomplish the preservation of many holy sites, it also prompted the downfall of the Christian Eastern Roman Empire, and ultimately gave way to the ultimate Muslim takeover of the Middle East.
To this day, Christians are brutally persecuted as a result of this “holy war.” Although the crusades had a just goal, they yielded worldly results. This same end can be seen in the countless other holy wars and conquests throughout history.
Through countless bloody crusades, many Christians lost sight of the most important war one can wage — the inner struggle against evil and the pursuit of the ultimate victory. That victory is the death of our passions and participation in the resurrection of Christ. It is easy in the fallen state of humanity to quickly label those around us as evil or in need of harsh correction. However, it is the much more difficult – yet more virtuous – path to recognize and fight the passions and failings within our own souls. These disordered passions are the basis for all the evil and confusion seen in human society.
The early church fathers are unequivocally clear on this. As St John Cassian said, “One should not be afraid of some outward enemy; our enemy is in ourselves. This is why an incessant inner war is being waged in us. If we win that victory, all the external battles will become insignificant.”
Likewise, St Ephraim of Syria stated, “It is also through struggle that one can receive the unfading crown and eternal life because real life is always like a battlefield.”
This is a core facet of Christian theology that if often lost when sects diverge from the original apostolic teachings. Spiritual warfare, not worldly warfare, is what is central to our lives as Christians. The idea that the Christians primary aim is to fight on worldly battlegrounds and political landscapes in order to achieve salvation and the spread of the faith is an objectively heretical position.
This is not to say, of course, that Christians should be apathetic and ignore important issues. Of course we should be strong in our convictions and unwavering in our faith. When we are given the opportunity to stand up for the good of our neighbor, it is unacceptable to turn away. Nevertheless, it is important to not be distracted by worldly concerns, wars, and political issues. After all, as Christians we are certain that everything is in God’s hands.
Rather, we must focus on our own internal struggle against evil that we may become closer to God. After this, “everything will then make peace with a warrior of Christ, and everything will surrender to him,” as St Cassian wrote. If we make an effort to overcome our passions and become closer to God, the need for earthly “holy wars” or excessive political lobbying becomes unnecessary.
While it is commendable that many modern-day Christians are passionate about defending important moral and social issues, some have distracted themselves from the most important part of their Christian life: participating in their own spiritual warfare and personal battle against evil.
It is important to study the teachings of early Christian fathers, those most familiar with the original apostolic faith, that we may understand what our earthly calling truly is. It is not found in the condemnation or destruction of others, no matter how justified we may be. Rather, it is found in the crucifixion of the “old man” and the resurrection of our Lord.
