Category Archives: Biblical Art of War

The Savior And The Centurions: Civil-Military Relations In The Renewed Covenant Scriptures

Posted on January 21, 2011 by nathanalbright

It is one of the more curious facts of the Bible that centurions, those Roman soldiers who commanded 100 troops, are viewed in a uniformly positive way in light of the scriptures.  This is especially remarkable when one considers the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Biblical Art of War, Christianity, History, Middle East, Military History, Musings | Tagged | 6 Comments

Genesis 14 And Ancient Coalition Warfare

Posted on January 18, 2011 by nathanalbright

The first account of the Bible of organized warfare as we would recognize it (in terms of campaigns and armies) takes place in Genesis 14, or what is often known as the War of the Four Against The Five.  This … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Biblical Art of War, Christianity, History, International Relations, Middle East, Military History | Tagged , | 17 Comments

Joshua 9 And The Biblical Standard For Treaties

Posted on January 14, 2011 by nathanalbright

One of the more neglected parts of military history is the aspect of diplomacy.  Battles and wars are a lot sexier to study than the clauses of treaties, but diplomacy is an important aspect of warfare, in determining who one … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Biblical Art of War, Biblical History, Christianity, History, International Relations, Middle East, Military History | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

The Biblical Origin of War: Genesis 3:15 and the Two Seeds

Posted on January 6, 2011 by nathanalbright

Having, in my series on the biblical way of war, previously talked about the origins of war [1], I thought it worthwhile to examine the Bible’s first mention of strife or warfare and its implications for us today.  Once we … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Biblical Art of War, Christianity, History, Military History, Musings | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Deuteronomy 20:10-20: The Principles of Biblical Warfare Part Two: How To Fight Biblical Holy War

Posted on January 3, 2011 by nathanalbright

This note explores Part Two of Deuteronomy 20, one of the most difficult scriptures of the Bible concerning biblical warfare.   This particular part of scripture is not difficult because it is particularly difficult to understand–in fact, it is very straightforward–but … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Biblical Art of War, Biblical History, Christianity, History, Military History | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Deuteronomy 20:1-9: The Principles of Biblical Warfare Part One: Exemptions From Military Service

Posted on January 3, 2011 by nathanalbright

Deuteronomy 20 contains the longest theoretical account of how the nation of Israel (and, by extension, any nation in a covenantal relationship with God) was to fight its wars.  As this chapter is somewhat long and deserves to be given … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Biblical Art of War, Biblical History, Christianity, History, Military History | Tagged | 5 Comments

How To Shrink Your Kingdom: Lessons From 1 Kings 12

Posted on December 22, 2010 by nathanalbright

Yesterday, I wrote a note about the limit of legitimacy of rebellion from the biblical story of Jeroboam’s insurrection against Solomon [1].  Today I would like to talk a little bit about that rebellion itself and the lessons we can … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Biblical Art of War, Biblical History, Christianity, Church of God, History, Military History | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Divinely Authorized Rebellion And Its Limits: An Examination of 1 Kings 11:26-40, 12:25-33

Posted on December 21, 2010 by nathanalbright

Continuing our series on the Biblical Art of War, let us examine the issue of righteous rebellion.  Does God ever authorize rebellion, and if so, what are the limitations and terms of that authorization?  As some unprincipled people use the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Biblical Art of War, Biblical History, Christianity, Church of God, History, Middle East | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Unless The Lord The City Keeps: The Military Insight of Psalm 127

Posted on December 17, 2010 by nathanalbright

As promised, here is the note on the second psalm of the Songs of Ascents to deal with military matters, Psalm 127, a song which is well-known and often sung or quoted, but without the full military context of this … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Biblical Art of War, Biblical History, Christianity, History, Love & Marriage, Military History, Psalms | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

I Am For Peace: Psalm 120 And The Role of Religion And War

Posted on December 17, 2010 by nathanalbright

In my continuing series on the Biblical Way of War I would like to comment on two of the Songs of Ascents that deal with warfare.  As this section of scripture is somewhat obscure, I thought it best to separate … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Biblical Art of War, Biblical History, Christianity, History, International Relations, Middle East, Military History, Psalms | Tagged , , | 6 Comments