Unauthorized Versions: Take the bulletproof vest of faith!

Take the bulletproof vest of faith!

This week's reading is taken from the sixth chapter of St Paul's well-known Epistle to Birmingham. It appears in the Cotton Patch Bible, translated by Clarence Jordan into the language of the deep American South – a sort of Kentucky Fried Chicken version in which Washington, Selma and Atlanta replace Rome, Thessalonica and Corinth. The reading is best enjoyed read aloud in your finest 'Gone With the Wind' accent, with a glass of Jack Daniels readily to hand…

Lastly, be strong and courageous men for Christ. Put on God's uniform so as to be able to withstand all the Devil's tricks. For we're not fighting against ordinary human beings, but against the leaders, politicians and heads of state of this dark world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

So, put on God's uniform so you'll be able to put up a fight on the day of battle and, having tended to every detail, to make your stand.

Therefore, take your position when you have put on the pants of truth, the shirt of righteousness, and the shoes of the good news of peace. Above all, take the bulletproof vest of faith, with which you'll be able to stop the tracer bullets of the evil one. Also, wear the helmet of salvation, and the pistol of the Spirit, which is God's word.

Taken from The Cotton Patch Version of Paul's Epistles (translated by Clarence Jordan, New Win Publishing Inc., 1968).

Reading 1: The Almighty said: 'Lighten up!'
Reading 2: You're gunna catch men instead of fish!
Reading 3: The Lord is my QorghwI…

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