The Armor of God
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
Albrecht Dürer's 1513 engraving "Knight, Death, and the Devil" stands as a masterpiece of the Northern Renaissance, showcasing both technical brilliance and profound symbolism. The piece depicts a knight in full armor, steadfast amid personifications of Death and the Devil, embodying the humanist ideals of individual fortitude and moral resolve. Dürer's meticulous detailing and dramatic use of chiaroscuro heighten the engraving's emotional and spiritual impact.
At first glance, the knight seems to visually represent Paul's exhortation in Ephesians 6 to "put on the whole armor of God." His physical armor mirrors the spiritual armor described by Paul: the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit. The knight's unwavering determination in the face of spiritual threats resonates with the call to "stand against the schemes of the devil."
Through a Gospel lens, however, we might see other realities. The knight's stoic resolve is admirable, but it overlooks the fundamental principle of God’s abundant grace and goodness. The Gospel reminds us that true strength in spiritual warfare comes not from our own might and fortitude, but from Christ who conquers on our behalf. As we face our own battles, Dürer's knight can inspire courage, but we must remember that our ultimate victory is secured not by our own strength, but by the saving work of Christ on our behalf.
"O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart."
- Psalm 15:1-2
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Texts for This Week
Prayer
O Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow after us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Scriptures
Deuteronomy 4:1–9
Psalm 15
Ephesians 6:10–20
Mark 7:1–23
Inward Joys
William Billings (1746-1800), though he died in poverty and near obscurity, played a pivotal role in shaping early American sacred music. His work represents a unique reinterpretation of Anglican chant and metrical psalm singing traditions, adapted to the colonial context and infused with a distinctly American character. Despite a resurgence of interest in his compositions over the past century, Billings' contributions to American musical heritage still warrant further exploration and appreciation.
Billings' anthem "Now shall my inward joys arise," set to the tune "Africa," exemplifies his innovative approach to sacred music. The piece's text, drawn from Isaac Watts' paraphrase of Psalm 73, resonates deeply with our theme of inward devotion versus outward appearance. The opening lines, "Now shall my inward joys arise, and burst into a song," speak to the authentic expression of faith that Jesus emphasizes in Mark 7, where He critiques empty religious observances devoid of heart engagement.
The robust, four-part harmony of "Africa" reflects Billings' commitment to congregational singing and communal worship. This musical structure can be seen as a metaphor for the body of Christ, with each voice part representing different members working in harmony, much as Paul describes the Church being equipped for spiritual warfare. Billings' fusion of sacred text with accessible, even rousing, music embodies the Deuteronomic ideal of passing on faith to future generations, creating a musical tradition that could be easily taught and remembered. Billings' work thus stands as a testament to the enduring power of music to express, strengthen, and transmit faith across generations and cultural contexts.
