A BIBLE in one hand and an Exocet missile in the other.

A theme in modern politics, strange bedfellows, but strongly embedded down the centuries.

Originally, it would have been a spear and an arrow, then a Kalashnikov, then the Exocet and, more recently, the much- favoured drones.

The weapons of destruction and death have made amazing advances in their killing ability.

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The 0ld Testament was well versed in violence, war and military. The Chosen People had great violence committed against them but were not loath to initiating violence themselves.

The contrast in the New Testament could not be more stark. The story of Christ is essentially a story of non-violence, a story of pacificism.

A story that is now not easily identified within Christianity, nor within the churches and creeds who profess to be followers and disciples of the same Christ.

It is true that the currency of the modern political world is defence, armaments and deterrents. The building up of capacity to defend against........

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