Armed & Dangerous

Truth. Even when the totality of humanity was two, truth was under siege. The first man and woman failed to retain their knowledge of the truth, being fooled to think it resided in their own reasoning and self-propelled will. Ever since that day, the day truth was forgotten, mankind has, by and large, crusaded in vain to rediscover it. The voyages of some have led them to wealth; others to good sense, to self-awareness, to stature, and to social equality. All of these contain some bits of truth. None are the totality it. Even the great Pontius Pilate, a governor and a ruler, amongst the strongest in all of Rome, as he stood before the man who was truth incarnate, was too blind to see it standing before his very eyes.

Christ said that he was the way, the truth, the life, and all who followed him would find an easy yoke, a heart of love, a life of fulfillment, and a Father who loved them enough to send his only begotten, to pay their penalty, to redeem them from sin, and to restore them in right standing with the Divine Creator of all heaven and earth.

But very few recognized him then. Still today, few acknowledge him. And indeed, those who do recognize him are not comfortable with who he really is, and was, and is to always be. He has been fitted to fancies and fashions, altered to align more comfortably with traditions and cultures and lifestyles and preferences. As a result, the church he founded has become splintered and fractured and is altogether different from the singularity of purpose and power for which it was designed.

What is truth?

Truth still cries out to be heard and will be revealed to all who care to listen. Did not Christ preach one message? Did he not establish one church under the banner of one gospel? The Word of God has not changed. The Scriptures remain the bedrock of faith, speaking expressly of one truth. The time has come for the Bible, God’s inspired word, to be taken for what it is, not twisted and bent to fit denominational dogma. The time has come for the Christian to refuse hiding away and cowering in fear, afraid that he or she might offend someone by declaring what is right. The Christian must take courage in what he knows and stand upon it. Let every Christian be clad in the full armor of God once again.

As Paul told the Ephesians, there is a war to be won; and the choice weapons have been purchased with blood, ensured by the Spirit, and donned through faith.

The Christian soldier should valiantly wield the sword that enables him to crush the temptations of Satan. Faith must be taken up like a sturdy shield, and with it should every soldier stand his ground against the onslaught of destruction and doubt. Righteousness should be worn about the breast, securing the heart from immorality and moral subjectivism. Salvation at the crest of the Christian should both define and defend him. The child of God should never shed his shoes, but must strap them tightly about his feet for the swiftness of battle. This is the grand arsenal. Let every soldier be armed and dangerous. Satan and his militia quake at the sound of this marching army — bearers of the banner of truth, who wage war through it, stand victoriously in it, and bring life with it.

This, then, is the purpose of Armed and Dangerous: we are calling all of God’s people to take up arms again and know that their faith is rooted in truth. Through this book, we hope to equip you with surety. By taking on the whole armor of God, nothing shall be impossible to you. By knowing what you believe and why you believe it, you can fight this fight of faith with confidence that your victory is imminent.

Nothing in this book will be new in and of itself. These truths have breathed life into many generations before us, and should the Lord tarry, generations to follow. This book only echoes again the truths set forth in God’s word and attempts to preserve these truths from heresy and twisted ideologies. The world is full of them. The church must be emptied of them all. We pray this book enables you to become an armed and dangerous foe against the enemies of truth. The people of God must be equipped with the divine truth and courageously engage the enemy of God’s church. To every reader we say, “Onward Christian soldier!”