Achilles, Jesus, and the Christian Prince Archetype

Introduction

Many young men today will never forget the first time they saw Achilles, played by Brad Pitt, beam fearlessly towards Boagrius, otherwise known as Nathan Jones, the WWE star, delivering a simple yet devastating strike at the giant among common men. His route was humble, like a lion prancing without the slightest worry as it approaches its prey. The tower of a man hurled a nine foot spear like a missile towards our hero, who with the slight drop of his shoulder gracefully continued on. Quicker than a blink, Achilles leaped and quickly stabbed his foe between the head and shoulder, down to the heart. The mighty warrior fell, and it all took place in less than a minute. The armies on either side were stunned, as this much smaller man before them slayed a beast like it was nothing, they trembled at a man who fought for his people, not at the bidding of mortal men pretending to be kings, or even the gods! Surely, this was the disposition of the Israelites before David the giant slayer. Surely, this was the disposition of Gideon’s 300 against tens of thousands. Surely, this is to be our disposition as we consider our Champion-  Jesus Christ who, on behalf of His people, has conquered the World. There’s nothing wrong with admiring the Champions among us. 

The Archetype

Consider this a baptized version of the Great Man Theory of History, articulated by Thomas Carlyle,

“Universal History, the history of what man has accomplished in this world, is at bottom the History of the Great Men who have worked here. They were the leaders of men, these great ones; the modellers, patterns, and in a wide sense creators, of whatsoever the general mass of men contrived to do or to attain; all things that we see standing accomplished in the world are properly the outer material result, the practical realisation and embodiment, of Thoughts that dwelt in the Great Men sent into the world: the soul of the whole world's history, it may justly be considered, were the history of these…”

Samson or David. Achilles or Odysseus. Sigurd or Cuchulain. Aeneas or Gilgamesh. Every culture of human civilization has exalted flawed heroes, who against all odds triumphed on behalf of their people, many times at their own expense. There is something which captivates the human spirit about a larger than life figure, often ascribed higher levels of divinity or spirituality than the common person, who fights for us; who wins the wars we cannot afford to fight; who indeed fights the wars we cannot fight at all. Send out your champion, says Goliath (1 Sam. 17:9), and if he wins the day we will be your slaves- but if not, you will be ours. David, as the archetype regularly does in these stories, rightfully and courageously responds to the uncircumcised dog who would dare insult the One True God (1 Sam. 17:26). In the hero, the people of God are delivered, they are saved, and saved unto the service of their eventual King, the truest hero. 

The Gospel

Where myths and even Old Testament types come short, Christ fulfills. For the true hero, Jesus, is without flaw. There is no weak heel, like Achilles; in fact, it's his heel that crushes the Serpent (Gen. 3:15). There is no lust after women, like David, only a true love for his bride, the Church. In Jesus, all heroes lose their crowns. His crown of thorns is traded for a crown of glory, upon his resurrection and ascension, where He continues to tread on His enemies (Psalm 110:1). In Christ, the most severe battle, one which could never be won by mortal man, is accomplished. Death, sin, hell, and Satan himself are no match (1 Cor. 15:55-57).  As He rules over all things (Matt. 28:18), He deputizes even Pagans to do his bidding (Rom. 13:1-7) . Our prayers are for these lesser images of Christ are to be towards their salvation and utilization of the sword of righteousness. You are commanded to have an interest in these ministers of God, civil magistrates (1 Peter 2: 13 -17). In them, we are reminded of the highest King, Christ Jesus, and must acknowledge His name before them, that they would kneel. 

Church History

Reformers had absolutely no problem speaking highly of civil magistrates, as reflected in the following quotes:

“We have above set forth that our ecclesiastics…teach that to exercise the office of magistrate is the most sacred function that can be divinely given. Hence it has come to pass that they who exercise public power are called in the Scriptures gods. For when they discharge their duty aright and in order the people prosper both in doctrine and in life, because God is wont so to control our affairs that in great part both the welfare and the destruction of subjects depend upon those who are governors…” Tetrapolitan (Strasbourg) Confession, Chapt. 23 (1530)

“There is more true virtue in one politic man, who governeth the commonwealth and do his duty truly, than in many thousands of monks and hermits…” Heinreich Bullinger, author of the Second Helvetic Confession (see Chapt. 30 to see ‘Concerning the Magistracy’).

“The Public introduction of True Religion, or Public Reformation from corruptions, must ordinarily be carried out by the Prince, or the Supreme Magsitrate: for it belongs to His office, as the examples of Moses, Joshua, David, Asa, Josaphat, Hezekiah, Josiah, and also Constantine the Great, Theodosius, and others show…” Amandus Polanus (1561-1610)

Modern day Reformed Christians ought to remember that Calvin’s Institutes and many Confessions were dedicated to magistrates, and not merely to pay lip service, as Calvin said:

“When good magistrates rule, we see God, as it were, near us, and governing us by means of those whom he hath appointed.” He would have quickly been rebuked today, as shown recently by William Wolfe’s meme of Trump as Napolean saying, “save us President Trump.” These midwits were quick to dodge the joke and go straight for the doctrine, as if Wolfe belives justification rests on Trump alone. “We see God” in good governance, says Calvin, as they go on their pietistic rants. 

The Application, the Christian Prince, and Conclusion

Today, as Populism surges, many professing conservatives and liberals alike detest the Great Man with vitreal. The outside observer - being anyone who does not aggressively maintain norms unique to the 20th or 21st centuries- would find it odd that critics were most outraged by Dr. Stephen Wolfe’s use of the phrase “Christian Prince” in his perennial work The Case for Christian Nationalism. He writes, 

“The Prince is the first of His people- on whom the people can look upon as father or protectorate of the country….I envision a measured and theocratic Caesarism- the prince as a world-shaker for our time, who brings a Christian people to self-consciousness and who, in his rise, restores their will for their good…” 

His endorsement of Sabbath laws, Cultural Christianity, or the assertion that America has exported depravity abroad did not seem to catch their gaze and anger quite like the Christian Caesarism. What accounts for this? Such would be the subject of an entirely different article, but for now we may confidently say: its cope. If nothing else, a simple departure from the old ways in which civilizations - Christian and Pagan- revered their magistrates. They prefer their Brave New World to that of our forefathers. 

But we do not have to settle for this. We can admire the strong men of our time, the Champions of our age. This is a good, natural, and biblical inclination. Holding Christ as the Universal Champion, whose Meditorial Kingdom will continually exert dominion on Earth, we can delight in those whom He has ordained to maintain earthly civil affairs- we are commanded to. 

Drowning ourselves in the seas of thousands of pietistic disclaimers will not change how the world spins, at the rhythm of those who lead; and lead they do, indeed, regardless of our holy huddles. Pray for Great Men to rise up to defend Christendom. Be the Great Men who defend Christendom. Pray that the Christian Prince would emerge from our ranks.