Is 'Onward Christian Soldiers' not an oxymoron?

Answer 1

Oh confusing question!

An oxymoron is a self-contradictory phrase, so is "Onward Christian soldiers" not a self-contradictory phrase?

So, no. No yes, No, no. Oh I don't not know.

Answer 2

It is in the truest sense as it advocates the use of violence. It was written by William S. Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan light opera fame in the 19th century at a time in Britain when Christianity was a major part of social life. He wrote it around 1856 i think which would be right at the apex of the Empire and Christian belief.

The song does signify much about the thinking of Christians at the time , they thought of themselves as the rightful owners of the earth, all people were to be converted without regard to culture, creed or race. The Christian soldiers conquering the world, massacring populations, going into what we now call the third world and pushing their dogma onto these people without thought of the ancient cultures they were destroying.

The Victorians in England, whilst they made the modern world in almost every sense had little idea of the lasting effects of what they did. Their legacy is both good and bad, and the song is a nasty leftover, a bad aftertaste of this.

Thou shall not kill. It's a rule not a guideline within the Christian faith, i believe, therefore by definition every Christian in an Army by their own acts or by the acts of others they support, is going to hell they believe in, with no get out clause. Except Catholics, they have a get out clause (confession and absolution), must have good lawyers or something.

Edit.

The user above is correct about the fact that the song refers to Christians going on in their life, however the background to the period in which the song was written does change this as their philosophic outlook was very different. Equating Christianity with soldiering and the violence of conquest was seen as fine, in modern times it is not.

Answer 3

There are christian soldiers but there are not soldiers of Christ and the second will be the oxymoron.

Answer 4

It is a metaphor about Christian people trying to let people know that Jesus Christ is Lord. The song lets us know that we have the armor of God to do our job against Satan, not human beings. It is certainly not telling us to kill anyone, but to spread the word of our God. If you don't believe than that is your decision.
There were many wars fought 100's of years ago that were totally against what Jesus spoke in the Bible and against the teachings of God. This song has nothing to do with that violence or any violence.

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Answer 5

It's a figure of speech. "soldiers" here is not meant literally - hence the next line "Marching AS TO war". I think it is what could be termed "figurative language" - a metaphor (and the second line which I have quoted is a simile).

Answer 6

It's obviously meant to refer to the spiritual war against Satan and his evil ways. Honestly! Do you really think a Christian would have anything to do with violence. Any more of that talk and God will fry your eyes and melt your brain in his infinite love.

Answer 7

I see where you are coming from... if you are a Christian why go to war and fight.... that could be one interpretation or it could mean you are a "soldier" in the sense of a "theological battle to uphold Christianity"... if you get what I mean...

Answer 8

That song is about Christians going forward in their daily lives and keeping Jesus first. Listen to it.

Answer 9

well as Christians we are at war with powers and principalities in heavenly places(Satan and his demons) as well as with our flesh(fallen nature) but not with others the wepons of this war are the word of God,praise,prayer and worship...the good news is that our victory is won by the blood of the Lamb

Answer 10

Very clever lateral thinking and very unbiased. You will do well with your life. Good Luck!