Backward, Christian soldier

Christian Century, Nov 29, 2003

BACKWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIER: Lieutenant General Boykin, deputy undersecretary of defense for intelligence, created a firestorm with his remarks in uniform before evangelical audiences in which he characterized the war against terrorism as a spiritual battle between Christianity and "a guy named Satan," referring once to Islam's God as an idol.

His remarks have provoked the Muslim world, creating delicate diplomatic challenges for the U.S. government. Many have called for Boykin's resignation, some on the grounds that he violated the separation of church and state. President Bush recently distanced himself from Boykin. Jim Wallis of Sojourners says Boykin is guilty of bad theology because he confuses the church with the American nation and suggests he is the victim of bad teaching, since only peacemaking, not war-making, can be done in the name of Jesus. Wallis thinks that Boykins's public comments demand church discipline, and he prays that Boykin will find a church that offers him the ministry of repentance (SojoMail, October 22, and sojo.net October 28).