The Kitchen Sink
An occasional piece of paper
August 23, 2009
Vol. 12 no. 32

Everything But...
It is hard to lure children into the world of the Biblical stories because there are so many competitors today, more colourful, more dynamic and contemporary. Nevertheless, anyone who might claim that the Bible has too little violent action has probably never read the Bible!

A simple example comes out of the Epistle reading from Ephesians 6:11, “Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand up against the wiles of the devil.” Long a favourite among evangelicals, “the whole armour” is rather similar in meaning and intent to Jesus’ advice to be innocent as lambs, but as wise or cunning as serpents (Matthew 10:16). As gentle as you may be, you still have to use your wits to survive in order not to be overly taken advantage of by others.

Armour appeals to many because it is very physical, shiny and protective, implying also that you as a Christian you are engaged in a battle. The United Church and other denominations have rejected militaristic language, “Onward Christian Soldiers” and all that, yet for much of the world’s population struggling to lead a moral and upright life is a war.

I cannot remember where I saw the following ad, though it had to have been in a conservative evangelical publication - a kid’s costume of the whole armour of God and helmet of salvation. Perfect for Halloween costumes - if you are a church that does not believe Halloween is an instrument of the devil!

Much ink has been spilled trying to assemble and describe the whole armour of God, but no Halloween costume can protect you magically, à la Harry Potter. God uses more durable materials, your mind and spirit.