March 10, 2022
Christians—and Christian men in particular—are preoccupied with war. It’s a part of their faith, church culture, and perspective on life. From a very young age, they’re taught that war is a part of God’s plan. They learn about the wars in the Bible and how God uses violence to achieve his goals, and this has led to generations of Christian men who are fascinated with conflict, violence, and aggression. In this article, we’ll explore why Christian men are so drawn to warlike imagery and stories.
War Comes From Unchecked Masculine Energy
War is decidedly a very masculine thing. It requires strength, aggression, and decisiveness. None of these things are bad 100% of the time, and neither is masculine energy. But when that masculine energy is left unchecked and out of balance, it can lead to some terrible things.
For more information about my take on masculine (and feminine) energy read my article Masculinity & Femininity.
Wars in the Bible
Wars in the Bible were used to fulfill God’s plan, but Christians also say it’s possible to “wage war” against God by denying faith or disobeying his commands. Therefore, war is both sanctioned and forbidden. It is a tool that can be used for both good and evil.
If you went to Sunday school as a child, then you were taught about God’s wars from an early age. The Old Testament is full of wars where God has chosen to either bless or curse people based on their faithfulness. Those who had God’s favor were ordered to eradicate those that did not have it—women and children included. These passages are among some of the most troubling in Scripture, and often cited by those who have left the faith altogether. I can’t say I blame them; I was one of them.
Christianity’s History of War and Violence
It’s no secret that Christianity has a long connection with war and violence. Throughout history, Christians have used faith as a justification for war. The most commonly cited example of this is the Crusades.
And although I said “it’s no secret,” it kind of was for me (and many others). One glaring omission from my pastor’s sermons was the Church’s violent history. I had to learn all about that on my own during my deconstruction.
Many Christians will be quick to say, “that was all in the past; we’re a religion of peace now!” But no. Christianity’s connection with war remains in the modern day. Perhaps the most recent example of this was during the early 2000s when the United States started the “War on Terror” that was very much entwined with religious rhetoric. It wasn’t necessarily a religious war, but because then-President George Bush was a professed Christian (as were his most ardent supporters) he spoke about the War on Terror through the lens of Christianity. He and his supporting news media channels really liked to paint the picture that overseas terrorists were mad at America for being a “Christian nation” and wanted to destroy it for that reason.
War Terminology Used in Modern Evangelicalism
Outside of politics, Christians still love to use war imagery to describe their every-day lifestyles. Here are some examples of war terminology in modern evangelicalism:
- Christians must battle against sin, temptation, and “the flesh.”
- Christians claim that faith includes supernatural spiritual battles with Satan and his demons.
- Christians have “enemies” who are seeking to destroy their faith (such as atheists or other religious people of differing faiths).
- Christianity often frames the world and society as a battlefield, with good and evil competing for control.
- Christians sometimes think of themselves as “soldiers” in God’s army, fighting for truth and justice.
- Many contemporary Christian worship songs are written with a battle motif, reinforcing the Christian lifestyle as a battle that must be fought.
Where Does This Obsession With War Actually Come From?
I’ve said before that for most Christian men, life in the Church is not a masculine lifestyle. They are followers, they must obey both God and their pastor, and they are told to be meek, submissive, and to always seek “God’s plan” before taking any action themselves. For these Christian men, this does little to help them tap into their masculine energy. Therefore, they need an outlet somewhere. One way they find it is through imagining themselves as in a perpetual (if imaginary) war.
The world becomes a battlefield they can fight on as a member of “God’s army.” They feel empowered because they are fighting for good and against “evil” forces such as atheism and secularism. It gives them an outlet to tap into their masculinity. It lets them balance out the more “feminine” parts of their faith that are often emphasized in the church setting, such as compassion and love.
Will This Preoccupation with War Lead to An Actual War?
I’m far from the first who has pointed out this preoccupation with war in Evangelical circles. I’ve heard some suggest that perhaps all this Christian obsession with war will lead to an actual war.
Eh, no.
Despite it all being rather strange and disturbing, all the war talk is strictly, in my opinion, an exercise in imagery, rhetoric, and dramatics. None of these people are going to take up arms and forcibly and successfully overthrow the government.
Conclusion
Many Christians use war language to describe both their faith and the struggles they face in their everyday lives. Not all Christians are this way, but many of them are. When I deconstructed my faith, these examples of war terminology finally jumped out at me. I hadn’t noticed how prevalent it was until long after I’d left the Church.
It’s a bit strange, but it all makes sense when you take a larger picture of the lifestyles and attitudes of Christian men in general and the actions of the god they worship.