Why did some liberals criticize the hymn 'Onward, Christian Soldiers'?
Some liberals decried the old hymn 'Onward, Christian Soldiers' because they considered it too militant and too confrontational. The objection centered on its militant and confrontational character, though the transcript adds that the church still must stand and be confrontational to a point.
Les explains that Paul often used the Roman army or soldier as an example. The Roman soldier's armor and equipment were designed for only one direction: forward. There was never room for retreat or a rearguard action; everything Paul denotes was for a frontal attack. In that connection, Les recalls that some liberals were decrying the old hymn 'Onward, Christian Soldiers' because it was too militant and too confrontational. He suggests that maybe that is what has happened to the church: it has lost that mindset, and while believers should not be obnoxious, they must be confrontational up to a point and able to stand against the powers in high places. He also ties this to the shield of faith, noting that today there is a lack of faith and an emphasis on experience, but experience does not exercise faith; believers must be doctrinally grounded by faith and then work toward experience.