Principles of War : Thoughts on Strategic Evangelism

by Jim Wilson

In the study of warfare, great men have concluded that there are some overriding principles which, if followed, will always tend toward success in battle, and if neglected or ignored, will tend toward defeat or even destruction. These principles have been entitled the "principles of war." But not all warfare is waged on a battlefield: every Christian is called to be a soldier. Our fight is against Satan, our objective is the acknowledgment and fulfillment of God's commands, and our ammunition is the power of the Holy Spirit. In Principles of War Jim Wilson outlines the time-tried, fundamental principles of war and explains how we can employ them in our daily spiritual battles as we fight a war which our commander in chief has already won for us.

Genres: Theology, Evangelism, Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction, Christian Living, War

96 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1961

About the author

Jim Wilson has worked as a pastor and director of Community Christian Ministries (Moscow, Idaho) for over forty years. Before that, he served in the Navy as an officer for nine years and then with Officer's Christian Fellowship for another twelve years. Jim has authored a number of books, including How to Be Free from Bitterness, and is well-known for his practical Bible teaching on relationships and evangelism. He was married to his wife, Bessie, from 1952 until her death in 2010, and is the father of four, grandfather of fifteen (one of whom is in heaven), and great-grandfather of twenty-five and counting.

Reviews

[William Schrecengost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good advice overall.
I’ve been coming to think that the view that we’re constantly at war against the culture and the devil is wrong. Israel was called to enter God’s rest and were prohibited from fighting aggressive wars. We’re called into God’s presence and his rest now that Christ has entered the heavenlies and has take his place as ruler over the world. Wilson takes the wisdom of the world and applies it to the church. While many points are good, the wisdom of the world is still foolishness before God.

[Levi Friesen · Rating 2 out of 5]

An exercise in extending a metaphor to its absolute limits and in evangelistic pragmatism.

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good.

[Zack Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written and convicting book on how Christians ought to conduct themselves in such a way as to fight the good fight well against the principalities and powers in the spiritual warfare that we are in. One I plan to return to

[Adam Balshan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars [Missiology]
(W: 4, U: 4.5, T: 4.5)
Exact rating: 4.33
#2 of 21 in genre

It is better to write a compact book of 99 pages full of wealth than a merely decent book ballooned to 250 pages.

There is a reason I have read this 6 times now.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Jacob Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim Wilson is excellent in describing the intricate details of evangelism that are not often talked about. Details that make us all uncomfortable, fearful, and even anxious about preaching the Gospel; yet he supplies us with the truth that shall take those things and burn them up, the flame of Jesus Christ himself.

[Mykaël Arsenault · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is amazing!!

[Knowlton Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reminders for the church militant. There are a lot of general practices for successful warfare that easily find parallels in Christian life. This is a fast read, but a helpful one. I especially like Wilson's critique of challenge/volunteerism in Christianity, as opposed to obedience.

[Will Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Several helpful and thought-provoking ideas. However not a few biblical passages are subjected to the author’s extrabiblical, military framework, rather than the other way around.

[Asa Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite simple, and straight to the point.

[Sean Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful insights, though I did ponder how my family (a couple of Christian lay people) might apply them. Seemed to be something that I might benefit from especially if evangelism were my particular vocation—I mean, planting a church, planning evangelistic events, etc.

However, one thing we really enjoyed was the emphasis on obedience:

Obedience is a willing or an unwilling carrying out of an order or a command. Most of our own experience from childhood up has been of the unwilling kind of obedience. This is one of the reasons “volunteer” has a better reputation than “obey.” In our experience volunteering always means being willing. Obedience always means to be unwilling. If, however, we had known something of willing obedience, then volunteering would be out completely. God does not ask for volunteers, nor does he challenge his own children. When Jesus called his disciples he did the choosing. He said, “Follow me.” It was a simple imperative.

[Peter Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book using the paradigm of war to show how to evangelize. It is clear, with good illustrations and the concepts are easy to grasp. Made me think about a lot more than just evangelism. This is a great book for thinking about the big picture of evangelism in your community. It is not a how to witness to your neighbor book. I really enjoyed the section on working together and how he emphasized prayer. After reading this I want to read more about war.

Read in 2010 as well.

[John Rimmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good I immediately purchased a copy for all of the leaders in my group. He does not treat this subject metaphorically. It is plain very quickly that Wilson means for these principles to be employed on the actual field for men's souls, not some ethereal plane of good intentions. Immensely practical, but from a deep well of wisdom that extends back to every battlefield before it. Best, having heard many parts of his personal story and those of the men and women downstream of him, it is obvious both that he has employed these tactics for over half a century and that those he has led to Christ (including the three successive generations of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren) have been trained in the same thinking. It is that legacy campaign thinking that is the most attractive aspect of this work. The Lord means for us to win the world, and it won't do for any man or woman to not think through what that would mean on their small part of the line. Start thinking about it as if you were actually expected to obey the orders of your Captain, because you are. He who wins souls is wise.

[Mwansa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned of this book from an interview Doug Wilson had with Apologia Ministries and it sounded good but after reading the book I have to say it is even better than I expected! Jim Wilson applies the principles of war to the Christian mission and it fits. It fits.

We need to have a clear view and understanding of what victory looks like otherwise we will keep wandering around and get picked off by the enemy with ease. Hurting ourselves and hurting those around us simply because we are unable to articulate to ourselves what victory looks like on this side of eternity. There’s nothing worse than being left around by someone who has no idea where they are going.

Are our is defensive equipment that is used for the offensive. A soldier does not put on armor in order to sit home and do nothing the whole day, instead he puts it on in order to go out and attack. The are our of God should be viewed the same way, it protects us so that we can go out and take the world for Jesus.

There’s so many good points in this book, I could go on but you should definitely read it. Whoever you are

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author used the proven principles of war as a framework to explain the spiritual warfare of evangelism. He stretches here and there, but ends up with a thought provoking little book. I disagreed with some things and at times scratched my head wondering how some things would be practically applied. Though it is easy to bemoan the lack of evangelistic activity among many churches today, I wonder if that lack at least in part reflects a lack of proper strategizing and clarifying of objectives such that the individual Christian truly knows what they're doing. It's easy to look out and see problems among Christians but often the roots of the problem are not properly diagnosed and the solutions far too simplistic. I think this book is worth reading and thinking through.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful little book on evangelism from the perspective of a military man. If you've ever read The Art of War, then you know that there are some pretty generalized truths about war that apply in every context. In the same way, Wilson isn't arguing for a typical method of evangelism so much as he is arguing for a well prepared and strategic form of evangelism. Although it is pretty basic throughout, that is its strength - it is straight to the point and well argued.

[Zachery Whitehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are two powers in the world right now: God and the devil. God has said that He will win. But how will He win? By His people. His people fight in the spiritual war using the weaponry that God has given. With these weapons and tools, His soldiers use guiding principles to ensure victory. Wilson has outlined a spiritual battle that Christians must engage in to defeat the enemy (and take his captives).

[Danny Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really useful book. Some parts seem to be a little odd (say "the Lord Jesus Christ" unexpectedly.) But the usefulness is in thinking about evangelism in military terms. These principals that work need to be implemented. The more Christians think of themselves in a war, the more we will get accomplished.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good! Enjoyed this a lot, the war analogies are so helpful to remind the believer what type of framework they must have when facing life as a Christian. Neutrality is a myth, the same applies for life as a soldier for Christ. We’re either in Him pressing the kingdom or we’re in darkness! The questions at the end of each chapter were very good as well! I commend it!

[George Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim gives practical actionable principles for effective evangelism. At the core, obey Christ don’t just volunteer, and think through Satan’s deceptions, while working together with other believers and following through on what God gives you. Pray and believe his promises about what he said he was sending you out for- to seek and save the Bride
he purchased with his blood.

[Brad Bohlmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book. I know that I will come back to this book for insight again and again in the future. It challenged me in the way I look at evangelism in so many different ways. I highly recommend to any Christian at wherever they are in their walk with the Lord. It also makes me want to study the World Wars for some good reason ?

[Ryan Handermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic. A helpful reminder of the stakes of evangelism and important principles. One practical idea I noticed this time he had was inserting "The Lord Jesus Christ" into your conversation now and then. Not a bad idea.

[jacob van sickle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a challenging and thought provoking book. Wilson summarizes the principles of war and then applies them to spiritual warfare and evangelism. There are a lot of necessary exhortations to pray and preach the gospel.

[Sean Kewley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim Wilson gives an excellent primer on the Christian's mission here on earth. Large numbers of modern Christian organizations treat evangelism as a corporation, with sales pitches, classic sleight of hand, and faulty customer service. Wilson reframes the evangelism paradigm as not a business, but a war, and the Christian ought to realize he is on the front lines. An easy read, and a must-recommend for everyone.

[Sa Pa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Utilizing 80 year old war analogies for current evangelism theories in the name of Christian biblical application seems unwise. There are definitely better options than this- namely the Gospels, certainly the Sermon on the Mount and, possibly more applicably, Jesus’ life.

[Caleb Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal as always from a Wilson. This not only drives disciples outward toward the lost, but pushes believers into the local church to evangelize and witness in community. Common grace allowing for ecclesiastical naval-gazing (in the militaristic sense).

[J. A. Littler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wilson lays out a clear biblical call for the Christian to strategically infiltrate his or her community with the gospel. Some of the comparisons to warfare seem a bit of a stretch, however. Still, he offers the lethargic would-be evangelism no excuse to be about winning souls for Christ.

[Smellick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Applicable Analogy

Wow, what a concise, clear, battle plan for serving God and being on mission as He has commanded. I will refer to this battle plan numerous times to stay focused on the mission, glorifying God.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some insightful writing on strategic ministry and evangelism grounded in scripture and knowledge of how warfare is conducted.