10 Mottoes for Christian Warfare
According to legend, the Roman emperor Constantine once saw a great cross in the sky with the words “in hoc signo vinces” – “by this sign you shall conquer.” Recognizing that it referred to the cross of Christ, he directed his soldiers to paint Christian crosses on their shields, and he later won a great battle.
We live in a time of warfare. We are engaged in a spiritual struggle for truth. Like any army, it is good to have rally-cries – to march into battle with inspiring truths on our lips. These ten mottoes provide inspiration for the Christian life, just as the sign of the cross provided inspiration for Constantine’s troops.
1. A Light Shining in the Darkness / Lux Lucet in Tenebris – The Waldensian Motto
The Waldensian movement began in northern Italy around 1175. In 1215 this group was declared heretical and persecuted by the Roman Catholic Church. Deep in the Alpine valleys of northern Italy, surrounded by papal armies, the Waldensians lived out God’s Word: a true light shining in the darkness.
2. Our Lamb has conquered, let us follow Him / Vicit agnus noster, Eum sequamur – The Moravian Motto
The Moravians, a pietistic group in Germany, sent missionaries to such faraway places as St. Thomas in the Caribbean; Greenland; and the Algonquin Indian tribe of north America, in the early 1700s. Such dramatic missionary work was not accomplished easily. By remembering the conquering Lamb, the Moravians were heartened to follow His path of suffering.
3. The Word of the Lord endures forever / Verbum Domini manet in aeternum – Motto of the Lutheran Reformation
The book of Romans was 1500 years old when Martin Luther rediscovered the secret of justification by faith. The power of this discovery sent shock waves through Europe and birthed the modern era – a testimony to the surprising power and longevity of the Word of the Lord.
4. My heart I offer to you, O Lord, promptly and sincerely / Cor meum tibi offero, Domine, prompte et sincere – Motto of John Calvin
John Calvin originally had no interest in a Geneva pastorate. Yet when his friend, William Farel, made it obvious that God’s call was in Geneva, Calvin yielded. His willingness to ‘offer his heart’ so ‘promptly and sincerely’ changed the story of the Protestant Reformation.
5. After Darkness Light / Post Tenebras Lux – Motto of the Calvinistic Reformation
Before the Reformation, Geneva’s motto was “Post Tenebras Spero Lucem” – “After Darkness, I Hope for Light,” a reference to Job 17:12. Calvin wasn’t satisfied with this, and he changed it to the present form. Since, as Romans tells us, hope that is seen is not hope!
6. He Who Suffers Conquers / Vincit qui patitur – Motto of the Puritans
While the Puritans did not have any official motto, John Geree – one of their number – gave them one. Writing on The Character of an Old English Puritane, he said, “”His whole life he accounted a warfare, wherein Christ was his captain, his arms, praiers and tears. The Crosse his Banner and his word Vincit qui patitur.”
7. Truth for Christ and the Church / Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae – Motto of Harvard University
While Harvard may not be a very ‘Christian’ place nowadays, the University was the first one established in the United States, for the purpose of training ministers. This motto reminds us of the importance of learning and scholarship in Christian history and the Christian church. (PS – Adopted as the motto in 1692, it was later changed to simply ‘Veritas.’)
8. Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God – Motto of William Carey
William Carey was a humble shoemaker, but his zeal for God launched the modern missions movement. God doesn’t need men and women of wealth, power, and fame – but He will use men and women who are zealous for His glory. In an age like our own, when the world is thinking big, Christians need to develop a similar mindset.
9. Burning but Flourishing / Ardens sed Virens – Motto of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
The Scottish Presbyterians chose as their symbol a burning bush, with the Latin inscription “nec tamen consumebatur” – “Yet it was not consumed.” The Irish Presbyterians, taking a cue from them, shortened and simplified the phrase – reminding us that Christ’s church, even in suffering, can still flourish.
10. Devoted for Life – Motto of Adoniram Judson
As one of the first American Baptists to be a missionary, Judson went through many challenges. His first and second wives both died on the mission field. He spent long periods of time in a Burmese prison, enduring horrific tortures. How did he remain faithful? He wrote that “The motto for every missionary, whether preacher, printer, or schoolmaster, ought to be ‘Devoted for Life.’”
This article is revised from a post on June 27, 2016
