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Christianity Today, June, 2009 |

SERIOUSLY DISTURBED

The Loudest Cheers in Heaven

One day, God's invisible heroes will gain due respect.

Kay Warren | posted 5/28/2009 10:56AM

Heading home to California recently, a friend and I passed through the Dallas–Fort Worth airport. On the way to the connecting gate, we heard loud patriotic music playing and saw a group, mostly ...

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doranna cooper

Posted: June 04, 2009 7:52 PM

Ephesians 6 does speak of spiritural warfare and to be equiped to be ready to go into battle, which is knowing the Word of God, 2Tim 2:15. Thanks Kay for the great article, we sometimes forget the quiet battles that are being fought all the time and those spiritual battles are very important. Also, we think we must recognize others or to be recognized that we forget that what we are suposed to do is what is pleasing to God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord and not for earthly praise. I think we have gone overboard in recognizing every little feat and accomplishment of our children so when they become adults if they do not get praise they will be unable to function.

Steve Skeete

Posted: June 02, 2009 9:25 AM

Paul, writing in response to Alison, says: "The New Testament does not speak with war metaphors or illustrations, except when war is being used as a negative image to portray the killing of "the saints". Maybe Paul spends too much time making negative comment and not enough time reading the actual Bible. If he did, he would realise that his statement contains not one iota of truth. For starters, he needs to check the following New Testament texts: 1 Corinthians 9:7; 2 Corinthians 10:4; and 1 Timothy 1:18. In none of these verses is war used as a "negative image to portray the killing of the saints" or anyone else for that matter, but is regarded as struggle, or extreme effort expended in a a noble cause. I would caution Paul not to "rush in", nor use the Bible to support his ideas and notions. One must be fair to the Bible, and say only what it says and not what one wants it to say. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------

mariam

Posted: June 01, 2009 2:39 PM


God bless you. this article has really refreshed my heart. i am ready for still more fight on earth, with my Lord standing beside me.

alison

Posted: June 01, 2009 1:21 PM


Well said, Jim. I couldn't agree more.

Jim	Posted: June 01, 2009 9:29 AM

I take offense at Paul's reaction to Kay drawing parallels from one homecoming to another homecoming. She never glorified the mission of the soldiers. She drew the same parallels between the military and being a Christian that Paul made in his letters to fellow believers (read 2 Timothy 2:3, for instance). Paul used many illustrations to drive home points to early Christian believers (fellow soldier, bondservant, etc). So to use the obvious parallels between the military and our own mission as Christians isn't out of line at all. I am no fan of the reasons why we invaded Iraq. And yes, many tens of thousands of civilians have been killed and millions more have been displaced. Yes, many thousands of our service members have come home with PTSD and CSD and have tried desperately to rebuild their broken lives. As one such person, I can say that Kay's analogy is right on and in no way offensive to me. Axe grinding should be done in more appropriate forums.

Jane	Posted: May 30, 2009 11:41 AM


Beautifully written article. Like AP, I think many commenters missed its point. I know many everyday heroes who deserve a great welcome in heaven - whether they get a parade or not is beyond my ken, but I appreciate the reminder that they're in my life.

Paul	Posted: May 29, 2009 3:58 PM

Alison: Engaging the issues concerning the content of the article should be the main goal of the blogosphere, not personalizing divergent opinions. The author seems well intentioned, but we as Christians should think not as heaven as our end, but the final bodily resurrection--and if the final bodily resurrection is the goal, then it matters whether we as Christians participate in killing. The New Testament does not speak with war metaphors or illustrations, except when war is being used a negative image to portray the killing of "the saints". Ouch--war is never a positive image--it will destroy those who participate (families, psychologically P.T.S.D.) and obviously those who are killed. It is amazing how war is so readily accepted. Maybe, because for Americans, they haven't experienced it directly. Peace!

alison

Posted: May 29, 2009 11:17 AM


First - Paul, grow up. Not everything is about politics. Second - I've always thought my loving, quiet grandmother will have a place of honor in heaven. I believe it's the ones we don't know about who are the real heroes.

LK	Posted: May 29, 2009 10:34 AM

Whether or not you support US military efforts is completely irrelevant to the point of this article! Why co-opt this article as a platform for your political blogging which is SO off-topic!? The reality that Kay addresses is that all believers "struggle not against flesh and blood but against... spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." If militaristic language offends you, you will have to cut some holes in your Bible. Kay didn't invent it. This is the Holy Spirit's analogy. As one who has been in a private war for 30 years, I was deeply encouraged. The battle is for faith. It is the one thing the enemy wants to destroy. It is the one thing God asks of us - to believe Him. Namely, that "he is good and his love endures forever" despite what we see around us and our circumstances. My heroes are not the big names that we have put on celebrity pedestals, but the hidden warriors who are "able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Thanks!

AP	Posted: May 29, 2009 10:03 AM


A few of these comment are case study on missing the point of the article... LBK, Christian Lawyer, Paul...

Jason

Posted: May 29, 2009 8:44 AM

The most moving thing about the young members of the US military returning from Iraq for me is the terrible waste of precious life this terrible war has caused, not only amongst these men and women but amongst the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi people, men, women and children whose lives have been lost, on the basis of the atrocious lies about WMD spun by terribly sleazy politicians who are no better than war criminals. But our Lord is not mocked. He is righteous and just, and He will destroy the wicked in Washington just as surely as he will destroy them in other countries. He uses a fair (just) balance with honest weights. While the military have put their very lives on the line, the politicians by their actions have created an understandable and fiery, terrorism-breeding hatred for America in the moslem world and a profound distrust in Europe and elsewhere for the US and those churchpeople who have supported this unChristian, 'blessed be the warmakers' Neocon-zionist oilistic war

Christian Lawyer

Posted: May 29, 2009 7:49 AM

I thought the parables of the lost sheep and the prodigal son taught that there would be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over the many righteous that didn't need to. Where's the notion of mercy and grace? Just like her post in the Women's Blog, Her.Meneutics, where she said she was "angry" when she heard one of those "save the animals" ads, this post is odd and more than a bit creepy. And, please, can't we avoid the use of militaristic language to describe our spiritual journeys? Think about similar language from Muslims and how frightening we sometimes find it even when we are assured that at least some of those statements are meant to apply to spiritual struggle rather than an earthly battlle.

LBK	Posted: May 29, 2009 7:43 AM

Nice reflections, thank you. Only we need to cut the nonsense about the "I'm proud of you" cheering when the saints roll in to heaven. Save that for the boy scouts here on earth. On entering heaven our only thought will be our unworthiness and the stunning grace of Christ that not only bought our entry, but sustained us in our trek to the New Jerusalem. "God forbid that I should boast in anything but..."

vir2oso

Posted: May 29, 2009 6:01 AM


Beautifully said! Wish I could find that kind of community; it seems so elusive...

Hope wins the day

Posted: May 29, 2009 2:56 AM


Job held out in faith while under tremendous pressure and trial. He held the hope to see God regardless of how Satan wanted him to deny God. This article in large part is about those who stand in faith despite their agony. They will see God just as they hope.

Anastasia

Posted: May 28, 2009 11:57 PM

This article reminds me of one of the stories near the end of CS Lewis' "The Great Divorce" where there is a huge, bright and loud procession for one of these "common saints", whose life was never noted by the press, TMZ or any other organ of fame/fortune, but who had influenced people with her love and generous spirit. I too am curious about the people who will be so honored - they are the ones quietly serving where they are, praying and encouraging and loving. I hope my life comes near that.

Ephrem Hagos

Posted: May 28, 2009 11:35 PM


The loudest cheers, or the rights to eat the fruit of "the tree of life" that grows in the Garden of God, go to those who stand up to the end for Christ's decisive victory at His death on "the cross" over the Devil who once had the power over death (Rev. 2:7 and Heb. 2:14-15). Amen!

usernametodd

Posted: May 28, 2009 9:52 PM


I greatly appreciated the message in this article.

A Comrade in Arms

Posted: May 28, 2009 7:44 PM


2 words, Well written... Or 1 word, Amen!

A Comrade in Arms

Posted: May 28, 2009 7:44 PM


2 words, Well written... Or 1 word, Amen!

A Comrade in Arms

Posted: May 28, 2009 7:43 PM


2 words, Well written... Or 1 word, Amen!

A Comrade in Arms

Posted: May 28, 2009 7:43 PM


2 words, Well written... Or 1 word, Amen!

A Comrade in Arms

Posted: May 28, 2009 7:43 PM


2 words, Well written... Or 1 word, Amen!

Deborah Solomon

Posted: May 28, 2009 6:13 PM


What an excellent and encouraging article!

Gerri

Posted: May 28, 2009 5:37 PM


Such a wonderful and ecouraging article. I'm always blessed by Kay's words - as much as I am puzzled by Paul's (the previous commenter). I think Kay's message is clear - if not perfect.

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