When my wife and I (and our two small children) came up from Venezuela, South America, in 1979 (after we had been on a long missions journey, from Mexico all the way to Venezuela), we landed in Miami, FL. It was there that we were asked to be Christian workers at the Salvation Army. We accepted.
During our stay (1979-81), we began studying up on the Salvation Army's beginnings in the U.K. One book we found was filled with the teachings of General Catherine Booth, wife of General William Booth (formerly a Primitive Methodist preacher, but later the Commander-in-Chief of the Salvation Army in the 1870's). The book was titled "Aggressive Christianity" and was published in 1883. Actually, it was a compilation of General Catherine's sermons, compiled by Dr. Daniel Steele, D.D.
After reading her first published article (called "Aggressive Christianity"), we were struck by the difference between the old Salvation Army and the new one. The new was totally involved in the State (here in America); therefore, not-so ON-FIRE!
As God would have it, when we moved back to California in 1981, we started living, preaching and teaching the "Aggressive" message. Let me state here that "AGGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY" DID NOT AND DOES NOT INVOLVE VIOLENCE OR THE USE OF PHYSICAL WEAPONS (see Paul's explanation in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, where he targets the enemies of Christ and Christians; see also Ephesians 6:12). Eventually we went by the name "Free Love Ministries" (like "God's Love is FREE!") and we were a 501c3 organization under that name.
"Aggressive Christianity" or "ACMTC" ("Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps") was our WAY OF LIFE: Jesus wanted and wants ALL CHRISTIANS to live aggressively for Christ and aggressively against sin.
God raised us up as a corps of believers, to train for missions — to "Take Jesus Around the World!"
"Free Love Ministries" dissolved in 1988. But our WAY OF LIFE never dissolved. We continued as "Aggressive Christians," even to this day, living the "AGGRESSIVE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE."
ACMTC is not a 501c3 organization — never has been, never will be. "Aggressive Christianity" is a name, a way of life.
——— PART #2 ——— General Booth's Words
Allow me to quote a line or two from her sermon wherein she pointed out carnal, worldly, sinful bondages that made "Christians" ineffective in their warfare:
"I have been reading of late the New Testament with special reference to the AGGRESSIVE SPIRIT of Primitive Christianity... (p. 24).
It seems to me that we want more of this determined, AGGRESSIVE SPIRIT. Those of you who are right with God — you want more of this spirit to thrust the truth upon the attention of your fellowmen (p. 28).
This is what Christianity ought to be doing in this land, and there are plenty of Christians to do it (p. 28).
Such AGGRESSIVE, determined warfare as this WILL RAISE ALL EARTH AND HELL AGAINST YOU (p. 31)."
———
Hey, just ask US about that profound statement ... we'll tell you a thing or two what will happen when one, anyone, gets AGGRESSIVE for Truth!!
—————
"Opposition! It is a bad sign for Christianity of this day that it provokes so little opposition (p. 32).
When the Church and the world can jog along comfortably together, you may be sure there is something WRONG (p. 32).
Jesus Christ set Paul (the Apostle) to do this, and Paul did it. He says, 'Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men' (p. 42).
Put away whatever has stood between you and Jesus. Trample it underfoot and press through the crowd of difficulties ..." (p. 50).
It is time for WARFARE, NOT WELFARE. What are you waiting for?? PART #3
SALVATION ARMY BORN!
On page 102 of "Trumpet of Salvation" (the story of William and Catherine Booth, written by Norman E. Nygaard, 1961), the headline reads:
"The Christian Mission Is A Salvation Army."
"A Salvation Army! [Booth] liked the ring of the words. A SALVATION ARMY! Why shouldn't dedicated people form an army for the Lord? True, there shouldn't be any salutes by which rank was indicated and acknowledged. There shouldn't be any court-martial for soldiers who fail to carry out orders. But there should be uniforms..."
-------------------------
People over the years have asked us about this "army stuff," as if the Bible (N.T.) is silent about it. Search out those verses that tell us "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good SOLDIER of Jesus Christ" (2 Tim. 2:3). Again, w e see it in 1 Tim. 6:12 — "FIGHT the good FIGHT of faith..." (The Greek word "fight" is "AGONIZE.") Read 1 Tim. 1:18, too — "....WAR a good WARFARE."
Of course, a SOLDIER needs a weapon and armor (see Eph. 6:10-18 on spiritual warfare). For in-depth studies on this vital militant subject, see our many AGGRESSIVE booklets and magazines.
-------------------------
Nygaard also points out on page 115 that "...various organizations used the designation 'Army,' and songs which were similar to those which the Salvationists had incorporated in their book were sung at their meetings, and they adopted the exuberant type of preaching characteristic of the Salvation Army."
WAR CRY
The WAR CRY was and still is the Salvation Army's magazine. We respect the Salvation Army, but at the same time we are sad that it has become so "social" that souls aren't reaped enough. We only wish that the WAR CRY was MORE MILITANT AND AGGRESSIVE against the "forces of darkness," and less "social."
— Gen. Jim
0 Comments