Tomorrow, Lord willing, I’ll be completing a four-sermon series on the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-20. It’s been a rewarding challenge and great joy to have camped out here in God’s word this past month with the saints at Redeemer URC in Orange City, IA. [1]

Part of the impetus behind the series came from listening to an excellent episode of Christ the Center with Will Wood, a PhD student in Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary. While I always had a natural draw to the armor (who doesn’t?), as it conjures up exciting images of heavenly wars and cosmic battles that deeply resonate with the Christian life, I also had a certain hesitation to preach or teach on it. This was because the interpretations I had heard in the past tended to degenerate into exegetical free-for-alls. The pieces of the armor could apparently morph into just about anything. So when Wood began elucidating the Isaianic background of the armor, the Christ-centeredness of it, and its specific role in the redemptive-historical context of an inaugurated end-time tribulation, I recognized a solid exegetical ground on which to understand it.

I then began to do further study on the armor and came across some very good resources. I thought it might be helpful to share with you the five I found most useful.

1. Clinton E. Arnold, Power and Magic: The Concept of Power in Ephesians

Arnold has done the church a great service in thinking both responsibly and insightfully about the powers of this age in Paul’s writings. This may be a topic some of us are hesitant to wade in, but a topic that is nonetheless vital for understanding Paul’s overall thought. It was Geerhardus Vos who even said,

… one gains the impression that [Paul] was conscious of a mysterious drama being enacted behind the scenes of this visible world in the world of spirits, and that not a drama bearing its significance in itself; it is something pregnant with the supreme solution of the world-drama at the close of history (Pauline Eschatology, 281).

Arnold brings to light the theme of power that runs throughout Ephesians with careful attention to the historical context in Asia Minor and especially Ephesus. Paul pastorally addresses a people who have been ensconced in magical practices and a worldview that believed the spirit realm could be manipulated through amulets and incantations. Arnold summarizes,

Ephesians appears to have been written to a group of churches in western Asia Minor needing help in developing a Christian perspective on the “powers” and encouragement in their ongoing struggles with these pernicious spirit-forces (p. 167).

He shepherds them by expounding the glories of Christ’s exaltation “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Eph. 1:21). This supreme power of Christ is accessible to the church, which comes to her not through magical means of manipulation, but “from an intimate relationship and identification with the Lord Jesus Christ” (p. 138). The armor of God is then an elaboration of the divine strength and power upon which the church is to depend in her struggle against the powers of this age.

I would also recommend his more accessible book Powers of Darkness: Principalities & Powers in Paul’s Letters, his commentary on Ephesians and his article, “‘The Exorcism’ of Ephesians 6:12” (JSNT 30 [1987]: 71-87).

2. Donna R. Reinhard, “Ephesians 6:10-18: A Call to Personal Piety or Another Way of Describing Union with Christ?” (JETS 48/3 [September 2005]: 521-32)

If you only have time to read a single article on the armor of God, make sure it’s this one. I came away with two very insightful points from the article. First, Reinhard exegetically shows how the armor of God passage (Eph. 6:10-20) is a concluding summary of the entire letter. The significance of this is that as a summary Paul is bringing together elements he has already spoken of earlier. So, for example, when he comes to speak about the belt of truth, he has already said much about what this truth is (1:13; 4:15). Reinhard writes,

While you may need to check this one out at a library, it’s certainly a must read for an in-depth study of the armor. As the title suggests, the main focus of the book is on its Isaianic background (and its historical development from Isaiah to Paul). This helps us see that Paul isn’t inventing something new here; the armor has an important history to it. The armor Paul exhorts his readers to put on is the very same armor that the Lord himself successfully wore in battle in Isaiah 59.

He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak (Isa. 59:17).

The armor of God is battle-tested; therefore, we can rest assured that with the armor on we can stand against the schemes of the devil and the whole host of rulers, authorities, cosmic powers, and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places—all of whom seek our destruction.[2]

4. Jeffrey R. Asher, “An Unworthy Foe: Heroic έθη, Trickery, and an Insult in Ephesians 6:11” (Journal of Biblical Literature, 130 no. 4 [Wint. 2011]: 729-748)

What I found most helpful about this article was that Asher asked good questions that often go unaddressed. These questions specifically focused on the opponents of the church Paul lists. For example,

These are the two commentaries I found most helpful regarding the armor. Baugh provides solid exegetical insight as he masterfully deals with the Greek grammar and O’Brien tends toward a more theological and exhaustive treatment of the pieces. In the application section of Baugh’s commentary he writes,

Christianity is not a stroll through the mall but a grim fight. Yet we are not engaged in earthly military forays, clumsily cutting off people’s ears (Matt. 26:51; John 18:10), but in a contest against supernatural forces. Because we cannot stand on our own against superhuman powers, we must rely on the strength of the Lord’s own might, which he supplies chiefly through prayer (v. 18). This divine strength is represented in the complete panoply of God from head to foot that consists of belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, and sword (p. 562).

Other online resources: Chrysostom, Calvin, and Hodge.

It is interesting that Calvin follows Chrysostom in understanding the breastplate of righteousness as the personal virtue of the Christian, rather than as the imputed righteousness of Christ. This is an interesting discussion, but one that would require a whole separate post. If you want to study this matter further see Wenkel’s article “The ‘Breastplate of Righteousness’ in Ephesians 6:14: Imputation or Virtue?” (Tyndale Bulletin 58 [2007]: 275-87).

What have you found helpful for understanding the armor of God? Let us know in the comments below. 

[1] You can find the sermons here, for what they’re worth. Also, if you haven’t experienced some good Mid-West hospitality, you certainly need to make your way out here!

[2] The Belgic Confession speaks of these enemies of the church in article 12: “The devils and evil spirits are so depraved that they are enemies of God and every good thing; to the utmost of their power as murderers watching to ruin the Church and every member thereof, and by their wicked stratagems to destroy all; and are, therefore, by their own wickedness adjudged to eternal damnation, daily expecting their horrible torments.”

I love to read. I have been doing it for years. I cannot claim to read with pen in hand in the way Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) did so many years ago. Edwards puts me to shame. But I do love to read whether it be the printed page, on my tablet, phone, notebook, or desktop. I love to read different kinds of things: systematic theology, biblical theology and exegesis, apologetics, analytical theology and other forms of philosophical theology, church history and historical theology, practical theology, political theory, political and military history, philosophy, science, contemporary events, and sometimes novels and other kinds of literature. When I was a kid I even used to read Mad, Crazy, and Cracked Magazines! I also used to read American Heritage, Civil War Times Illustrated, American History Illustrated, and British History Illustrated. I made time for Time, Newsweek, US News and World Report, and National Geographic. I used to read all these kinds of things and more while listening to Elvis Presley and other early rockers and country music. I have even been known to read about my favorite singers and music. I used to walk to the public library in the days before the world wide web to read the latest issue of Billboard magazine to check on the most recent rankings of albums and singles on various charts. All of this is to tell you I am not normal. Like Al Mohler of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, I have been a bibliophile for as long as I can remember.

All of this is to say that I enjoy reading a lot. If left to myself I would rather read a good book than do almost anything else. Of course I am hardly ever left to myself these days. I have a beautiful wife and two wonderful adult daughters. We have a dog. I work out at the gym (yes, I do!) and I enjoy walking too. My great joy and privilege is serving the Lord Jesus Christ in his church by preaching and teaching and counseling and providing governance of his church with my fellow ministers and elders. Reading is a prerequisite for pretty much all that I do. Recently I have been reading to members of my congregation during visitation. This has been a blessing to me and for those to whom I read. It keeps the mind active and it blesses and strengthens our spirits.

A New Blog Series

It occurred to me that it might be enjoyable to invite you all along with me as I journey through various books and journal/magazine articles. I am not looking to write reviews per se. I do that elsewhere, and even here at the Reformed Forum site. I have in mind a series in which I critically interact with what I read and display my thought processes. The series is called Criterion. The name was provided by Cris Dickason, my friend and fellow presbyter of the OPC’s Presbytery of Philadelphia.

Given the current Trinitarian controversy raging in Reformed complementarian circles, I thought I might begin this series with two substantial books on the topic by Patristics expert Lewis Ayres. In a post I wrote for Reformation21 I recommended these books. The first deals with the development of Pro-Nicene theology and is called Nicaea and Its Legacy published by Oxford University Press in 2006. This is a fairly dense and thorough study of the theological development of Trinitarian theology leading into and coming out of the council of Nicaea (AD 325) with its emphasis on the co-equal nature of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The second related book is Augustine and the Trinity published by Cambridge University Press in 2014. Augustine is credited with creating the so-called “psychological model” of the Trinity that has figured so significantly in Trinitarian theological development in the western church.

My purposes in starting with these two books are to introduce some of you to (1) excellent historical and theological literature; (2) to get us to wrestle with significant material in the Patristic (i.e., early church fathers) writings. I recommend we read the church fathers through the lens of the Reformers as Baptist church historian Michael Haykin has suggested in his little volume Rediscovering the Church Fathers. (3) I also want us to ascertain a sound methodology for reading with understanding. As Christians we read the Bible and all other literature under the supervision of the Holy Spirit. We need to read conscious of this reality and our dependence upon the Triune God for all our reading. Finally, (4) I want us to develop the ability to think Christianly and theologically.

My goal is to post a blog entry at least once a week. Mark this and hold my toes to the fire. I look forward to our reading journey together.

In episode 21, your hosts Rob McKenzie and Bob Tarullo, with special guest, Melodie McKenzie, discuss reading biographies. What are the benefits of reading biographies? Which biographies would be helpful to read? What about Christian biographies? And, is reading a hobby?

We’ll discuss these and other related topics in this episode of Theology Simply Profound.

Theology Simply Profound is a podcast of Westminster Presbyterian Church, an Orthodox Presbyterian Church, serving the western suburbs of Chicago, where God powerfully speaks through his means of grace.

Music credit: pamelayork.com. Thank you, Pamela York, for the use of your beautiful jazzy rendition of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” We encourage our listeners to check out her website and consider purchasing some of her music.

Participants: Melodie McKenzie, Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Panel Members

• Jeff Waddington
• Jim Cassidy
• Camden Bucey

Links

• Westminster Bookstore
• Christian Book Distributors
• Solid Ground Books
• Banner of Truth Trust
• Logos Bible Software
• Commentaries to Avoid Like the Bubonic Plague
• NWTS Commentaries
• Desiring God Recommended Commentaries
• Commentaries for The Whole Bible

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy