Christ First Forum

This is a perplexing concept to say the least. Most will immediately say no to this out of hand. I personally would not be suprised by that very response. In the course of my personal biblical studies I have come across some interesting passages that lead me to post this very question in various Christian forums.

As you may know the idea of a military branch of the Church is not exactly new. The Catholic Church for a considerable time had soldiers loyal to the Church. Most notable are the Christian forces from the Crusades and of course the fabled Knights Templar. I say fabled because because there is a great deal of disinformation and legend that simply is not true but is believed none the less.

After I have gleaned a few responses from the more active posters in the forum I will give the Scriptures that lead me to ask the question in the first place. So as the thread title asks: Should the Church have a military? If no please explain why you hold that position. If yes please explain why you hold that position. For those that answer yes please include what form or structure you believe the bible supports. Thanks and God bless.

2 Timothy 2:3 Says: You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Often we as believers are referred to as soldiers, but the weapons that we use are different from the military of men .
2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.

Ephesians 6:10-18 List the weapons and the armor of the Christian solder.
The breastplate of Righteousness
The Gospel of peace
The shield of faith
The helmet of salvation
The sword of the Spirit (the word of God)
Prayer

I believe we are soldiers but we fight with weapons from God and not man made weapons.

Amen, Frank. Jesus didn't call up His 10,000 Angels to stop His appointed time. Even though the enemy is a hungry lion, roaming about to devour, and destroy, we are well equipped.
Does the Church need a Militia? We already have "Prayer Warriors" that intercede in the trenches and front-lines. Yesterday, our city had a collective "Church in the Valley" service in Riverside Park where a dozen or so Churches get together twice a year to celebrate unity and victory. Pastor Denny from Calvary Chapel had everybody get on our knees to pray for our Nation, and repent for all our sins. Afterwards, there was a huge number of people who were baptized in the river. Never before have I been in a service where everybody from all kinds of denominations were on our knees. Amazing ! AND, this, coming from the city in Oregon that is the "least-churched", and the State in the Union that is "least-churched."
It was great to see God's Army kneeling in prayer for our Nation and City. I can imagine that the devil was trembling.