The church militant refers to the Christian church on earth, which is engaged in spiritual warfare against sin, the devil, and the world. The term “militant” comes from the Latin word “militare” which means “to serve as a soldier.” So the church militant refers to the church that is still fighting and serving on earth.
Biblical basis for the church militant
The concept of the church militant comes from several passages in Scripture that portray the Christian life as a spiritual battle. For example:
Ephesians 6:10-12 says “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
1 Timothy 6:12 encourages believers to “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.”
2 Timothy 2:3-4 tells us “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.”
1 Peter 2:11 calls believers “sojourners and exiles” and urges them to “abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”
So Scripture makes it clear that the life of faith involves wrestling against spiritual powers of evil and fighting the fight of faith. As long as we are in this world, we are in a battle.
Characteristics of the church militant
The fact that the church on earth is militant means it has certain defining characteristics:
– The church militant is composed of all living believers in Jesus Christ. This includes all those who have trusted in Christ alone for salvation.
– The church militant is characterized by spiritual warfare against the enemies of Christ – sin, Satan, and the ungodly world system. Believers must put on God’s armor (Eph 6:10-20) to stand firm in battle.
– The church militant suffers persecution and oppression in this world, since the world system is opposed to Christ. Believers should expect trials and hostility (2 Tim 3:12).
– The church militant engages in good works of love and service for Christ. We fight the good fight of faith by doing good, obeying Christ, and spreading the gospel in a hostile world.
– The church militant maintains doctrinal purity and disciplines heresy and sin in her ranks. Knowing sound doctrine protects against deceiving spirits and false teaching (1 Tim 4:1, 6).
– The church militant maintains an evangelistic spirit, seeking to rescue sinners from the kingdom of darkness and add them to Christ’s kingdom. Evangelism and missions characterize a healthy militant church.
– The church militant eagerly awaits and prays for the return of Jesus Christ, which will end her warfare and usher in Christ’s kingdom in fullness. The blessed hope motivates and sustains suffering saints (Titus 2:13).
So in summary, the church militant refers to believers on earth who war against evil, endure hostility, do good works, maintain purity, evangelize the lost, and await Christ’s return. This sets them apart from the triumphant church in heaven.
The church militant in church history
Throughout church history, Christian theologians and writers have elaborated on the concept of the church militant and applied it to their contemporary contexts. Here are a few examples:
Augustine (354-430): Augustine articulated important concepts about the militant church in his monumental work The City of God. He explained that the church represents the “city of God” while the unregenerate world is the “city of man.” The two cities are mixed together in the present age but remain distinct.
Martin Luther (1483-1546): Luther emphasized that believers simultaneously inhabit the kingdom of God (through faith) and the kingdom of this world. Christians engage in spiritual warfare against Satan and wickedness as they await Christ’s return. The militant church uses the “sword of the Spirit” (God’s word) to fight against lies and false doctrine.
John Bunyan (1628-1688): In his renowned allegorical novel The Pilgrim’s Progress, Bunyan vividly portrays the Christian life as a hazardous journey through enemy territory on the way to the Celestial City (heaven). His pilgrim character, Christian, battles enemies like Apollyon (Satan) along the way.
C.S. Lewis (1898-1963): In his fictional works like The Screwtape Letters, Lewis creatively imagined the spiritual warfare going on behind the scenes as demons seek to tempt and accuse believers. Lewis reminded 20th century readers that a cosmic battle continues to rage around them.
Pope John Paul II (1920-2005): Known for his bold defense of Christianity amidst communism in Eastern Europe, Pope John Paul II described the church militant as engaged in a continued “spiritual confrontation” with evil, even while awaiting ultimate triumph and peace.
Practical implications
Understanding the church’s militant identity has several practical ramifications for believers today:
1. It reminds us that complacency has no place in the Christian life. We are soldiers engaged in active combat against real spiritual enemies. There is no place for compromise with sin or complicity with the world’s agenda.
2. It explains why suffering and persecution occur, but also provides hope. Conflict with the world is expected, but Christ has already won the ultimate victory. Sufferings today pale in comparison to coming glory (Rom 8:18).
3. It motivates evangelism and missions. Rescuing people from the domain of darkness is an urgent task that requires action. The eternal souls of friends and neighbors hang in the balance.
4. It promotes doctrinal vigilance. The church must reject heresy and false teaching that can confuse and stymie the body of Christ. Sound doctrine is essential for effective warfare.
5. It encourages dependence on God. Victory comes not by human strength or wit but by the Spirit’s power and the word of the gospel, which is the “sword of the Spirit” (Eph 6:17). Prayer is a crucial weapon.
6. It unifies believers around a common purpose. Though from many nations, all believers are engaged in the same warfare against the same enemy. This promotes unity amidst diversity within the global church.
7. It inspires endurance and perseverance. The battle is hard but the war is already won. Christ has conquered sin and death and the church will share in his final victory and rest. This hope gives strength to keep fighting.
In summary, understanding the militant nature of the church on earth provides an important perspective for engaging biblically with the realities of the Christian life. It is a reminder that believers have been recruited into Jesus’ army to fight his battles in daily dependence on Him until he returns in glory.