Skip to content

Add your phone number?

Optional. Nothing is sent unless you choose it.
The Historic Faith
Sign in

Jumpstarter 10 of 10

Ideas to help restart your discussion
A Change of Allegiance  /  Chapter 5, The Early Church  /  Discussion Questions
All Questions
Question 10
When accused of “not helping us” while enjoying peace provided by the army, Dean turns to Origen’s claim that Christians help kings more through prayer—“a special army, an army of godliness”—what would need to change in your life for that argument to feel credible rather than like spiritualized avoidance, and how would you respond to someone who says your nonviolence makes you a free rider?
Another way to ask: What would need to change in your life so the claim “we help more through prayer” sounds real and not like an excuse? How would you answer someone who says nonviolence means you benefit from others’ fighting without helping?

Direct Answer The transcript suggests Origen’s argument is only credible when Christians actually live as a disciplined, self-denying people who actively intercede for authorities and fight evil spiritually, not passively. Dean’s response to the “free rider” charge is that he respects soldiers’ sacrifices but has a higher allegiance to Jesus, and that prayer is presented as real help against the spiritual roots of war.

Support from Transcript:

  • The accusation is blunt: “You’re not helping us… What if everyone in the Army felt this way?” and “not fair… enjoy this peace without doing my part.”
  • Dean holds both respect and priority: “I appreciated the sacrifice… but I loved Jesus even more.”
  • He frames it as allegiance not contempt: “It wasn’t that I despised… it was that I had undergone a change of allegiance.”
  • Origen claims Christians help through “divine help,” putting on “the whole armor of God,” and by praying “for kings… and all who are in authority.”
  • Origen says this help is “greater” because “Our prayers defeat all demons who stir up war,” and includes “self-denying exercises… righteous prayers and meditations.”
Discussion Follow-ups Would your prayer life and self-denial look like an “army of godliness” to outsiders? How can you show tangible love and service to neighbors while still refusing to participate in killing?

Jumpstarter 10 of 10
Back Questions Done