'In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.' (Eph 6:16)   The Roman shield was called a scutum and was as large as a door. It covered the soldier entirely and therefore protected the...

Paul goes on to say, 'with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.' (Eph 6:15) Zola Budd (a South African athlete who ran in the 1980s) may have been able to run barefoot, but most of us  are grateful for the protection of shoes or...

Paul goes on to talk of the breastplate of righteousness. A Roman solider would have worn a breastplate made of bronze or chain mail which covered the vital organs (including the heart) and was fitted with loops or buckles that attached it to the belt. The breastplate...