From Charlotte: The language of war and peace

Sunday, 3 September. This is not the first time this summer the OT reading (Deut 4:1-19) says the Israelites are to "occupy the land" that the Lord is giving them -- with the warning that they obey God's commandments, so that they be an example to the nations and in fact
be God's chosen, exemplary nation/people. In Eph 6:10-20, Paul uses imagery/metaphoric language that borrows heavily from "righteous" wars. The "gospel of peace" that is his argument is all but obfuscated by the "armor, breastplate, shield,"etc. language. And Hymn 561 entreats "soldiers of the cross, the army of Jesus" to persevere through to "victory, till every foe is vanquished."

Were I an outsider, a seeker, or a curious Muslim, I would be quite perplexed and put off by these texts. Most especially given the world situation today (and certain absolutist or extremist arguments/justifications on whatever "side").
I am especially sensitive to these texts also no doubt because I am dealing with the iconic French epic, THE SONG OF ROLAND, in my survey of French lit course. While Roland is a hero because he defends his country to the end, thinking only of her and his honor, this epic poem, glorifying the militarism of the Crusades, is clearly flawed by even its basic premise: that the Sarrasins (Musulmans) do not worship God but rather worship Mohammed and pray to Apollo ! Misinformation > misunderstanding over the centuries! Locked into warfare.