As a lover of history and an expert on ancient weaponry, David Belt is certainly qualified to explicate for us Paul’s well-known injunction that we “put on the whole armour of God” (King James Bible, Ephesians 6:11–17). In this interesting and vividly illustrated volume, he ably describes for us what the various implements that Paul mentions—such as the breastplate, shield, and helmet—would have looked like and how they would have functioned in Paul’s time. But more importantly, he explains the spiritual significance of Paul’s imagery, drawing widely upon the scriptures and some of his own experiences to help us better understand how we can spiritually fortify ourselves to fight the most important battles in our own lives.
As David Belt so carefully demonstrates, the detailed description of each item in the panoply, or full suit of armor, comes from the standard issue worn by Roman legionaries, the most effective and feared soldiers of the time. At first Paul’s appropriation of Roman armor seems unexpected: were not the Romans the enemies of the Christians? Actually, no. While local opposition, first from some Jewish elements in the cities where Paul taught and then later from unbelieving Gentile neighbors, was seen from the outset, by and large the Roman government was surprisingly tolerant, and Paul, as a Roman citizen, often benefited from the protection of local Roman officials. Only with the burning of Rome in A.D. 64, a disaster that the emperor Nero chose to blame on local Christians, did periodic waves of persecution begin, including the round that seems to have claimed both Peter and Paul.
As we read the detailed description and discussion of each piece of this armor that follows in this wonderfully illustrated volume, it is good to keep in mind Paul’s repeated use of such imagery in his writings. Whether it referred to our daily struggles against temptation and life’s trials or points us forward to the final confrontation with Satan and his hosts, we should remember that the image of such armor began with Isaiah’s description of Jehovah arming Himself to fight on behalf of His people. As we join the ranks of Christian soldiers in putting on Jesus’ righteousness and fighting in His ranks, we can remember the lines of the familiar hymn: "Onward, Christian Soldiers."
Eric D. Huntsman, PhD
Brigham Young University
