Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: bgsuvax!kutz@cis.ohio-state.edu (Kenneth J. Kutz) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Communion and Religiosity (was Re: Communion without alcohol? Message-ID: Date: 6 Mar 90 08:36:28 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Bowling Green State University B.G., Oh. Lines: 39 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu [Gene Gross and Howard Steel have been discussing the use of warlike images. Most recently, Gene commented >I find that we are in a fight, a war of major >universe-shattering proportions. Paul says we are fighting. Howard responded: >It should be remembered that this was written for a time and people who were >in the throes of slave-revolts; great battles were being fought to free the >Jew from the oppression that they had been subjected to for centuries. > ... The message however was Love, not conflict. --clh] Paul said "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground...Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waste... (Ephesians 6:12,13) These spiritual forces are not restricted to one period in time but transgress cultures and peoples and nations and tongues. The battles we fight are against Satan and his legions of demons we are told exist and will continue to exist. This fight is as real today as in Paul's day and has nothing to do with the physical circumstances between the "flesh and blood". Many Christians are willing to take off their "belt of truth" and replace it with the "handcuff of tolerance". To do so is to give your defense away, a defense which God so graciously gave us to fight these battles. The Christian without a fight may have no convictions left to fight for. The flag he carries has TRUTH crossed out and UNITY to replace it. When this has happened, it may be time to call on the General and ask Him to lead us into battle again. -- Kenneth J. Kutz Internet kutz@andy.bgsu.edu Systems Programmer BITNET KUTZ@BGSUOPIE University Computer Services UUCP ...!osu-cis!bgsuvax!kutz Bowling Green State Univ. US Mail 238 Math Science, BG OH 43403