BlueBehemoth.com

Sabers, Spears, & Catapults: A Providential History of Warfare Technology William Potter

God, in His sovereignty, has ordained that war be a constant reality in history. We read in the scriptures that, “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory lies in the hands of the Lord.” The study of war reveals the providential means God has used to decide the courses of men and nations, bringing judgment to one people, and raising up salvation for another. The history of warriors and their weapons has fascinated men for centuries and the Bible itself recounts thrilling battles and the weapons that were wielded in victory and defeat. God Himself uses military hardware in reality and in metaphor, especially mentioning the sword.

There are two sets of lectures in this series. The first will examine weapons and warfare in the Old Testament era. Little has changed in principle since then: there are still hand–held, thrown, and fired weapons, including large engines of warfare. The use of combat and weapons terminology is common in Scripture as one would expect from the only One who is known as The God of Battle. This lecture will also examine the way of war of ancient Israel and some of the other civilizations found in the centuries before the New Testament.