The Full Armor of God

Ephesians 6:11-18 reads as follows from the New International Version:

"(11) Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
(12) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
(13) Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
(14) Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
(15) and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
(16) In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
(17) Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
(18) And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests."

This passage is often presented as a series of similes in which each piece of armor is likened to the spiritual attribute.  Such as, truth is like a belt, because it holds everything together.  Or, the word of God is like a sword, because it makes a good weapon.  Having pondered further upon these verses, however, I recognized something a little different than what I have heard presented before.  So, let's take a little different angle on this passage and see if it doesn't make a little more sense than a series of similes.

First, let's consider the time period.  The apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians likely during his first imprisonment at Rome in about A. D. 60.  Rome had dominated the Mediterranean world and was the occupying force at that time.  We are informed by Acts, chapter 28, that Paul was held in a rented house under Roman guard while he awaited a hearing before the Roman emporer.  Therefore, as Paul wrote this letter he may very well have observed the guard before him and considererd the warfare of the day.

The weaponry of this era consisted of various implements designed to engage the enemy at long range, medium range or short range.  Long range weapons were used to effectively strike from a safe distance and consisted of weapons such as the bow and the sling.  Medium range weapons were used to strike from a closer distance, while still beyond arm's length.  These included the javelin and the spear.  At short range, close combat, the sword, the ax and the mace were common weapons.

Next, let's consider the articles of armor that Paul includes in this passage:

- helmet
- breastplate in place
- belt buckled around the waist
- feet fitted
- shield
- sword

From head to toe, these articles of armor comprise the full complement of protection for a typical Roman foot soldier.  And the weapon?  A sword.  Not a bow or a sling to fight from a distance in relative safety, but a sword for short range, hand-to-hand, close combat.  Hand-to-hand combat is intense with life and death consequences.  So, what Paul is describing here is a fully equipped soldier prepared to fight an intense battle with life and death consequences.

Paul has called us to be prepared for battle, an intense battle with life and death consequences.  A battle in which we must stand firm and hold our ground against the assault of the enemy.  But Paul states that the battle is not against flesh and blood.  The battle is not a physical battle.  It is a spiritual battle against the spiritual forces of evil.  An intense battle with life and death consequences of an eternal nature.

Given the gravity of this battle with which we are faced, how can we be fully prepared?  It's not by our own strength that we will withstand this assault, but only by God's grace at work in us.  Just as in Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Let's look at the spiritual attributes included in this passage:

- salvation
- faith
- truth
- righteousness
- word of God
- prayer
- readiness that comes from the gospel of peace

Without salvation we are left spiritually weak and vulnerable to attack.  It is only by God's grace through our faith, believing that God can do it, that we are saved from our own depravity.  The word of God provides the direction to live in truth and righteousness against which evil cannot prevail.  And just as a soldier follows the direction of his commander, we must maintain communication with our commander through prayer.  Therefore, we must be ready so that when the assault is upon us, -- and it will come -- we will be firmly grounded and able to withstand it.

In conclusion then, we must recognize the nature of the battle and prepare accordingly, acknowledging that victory in this spiritual battle will only be attained through the strength of the LORD's almighty power.



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Original composition by Steven E. Weible

Jacob Christian Danuser, Land Surveyor

My interest in Jacob C. Danuser as a Missouri land surveyor originated with an article authored by Chris Wickern that appeared in Volume 7, Issue 3 of the American Surveyor Magazine (click here to go to the article).  This article included a picture credited to Paul Dopuch, County Surveyor for Gasconade County, Missouri.  In Volume 7, Issue 4 of the same magazine a reader made an inquiry about the picture and Paul Dopuch responded (click here to read the inquiry and response).  In his response he mentioned J. C. Danuser as a former Gasconade County Surveyor who did very good work.  Since I knew nothing about J. C. Danuser, I was interested to see what information I could find on this surveyor of high repute.

Following are some facts that I was able to discover about Jacob C. Danuser.

1840 June 30

Jacob's father, Christian Danuser, was born in Switzerland.

Christian Danuser

1846

Jacob's grandfather, Thomas Danuser, with wife, Barbara, and eight surviving children left native Switzerland and immigrated to the United States.

1846 April 28

Jacob's mother, Verena Christine Bottermann, was born in Hermann, Missouri.

Verena C. Bottermann Danuser

1846 July 25

Jacob's grandfather, Thomas Danuser, acquired the Southeast Quarter of Section 8, T45N R04W of the Fifth Principal Meridian from David and Maria Louisa McKinney.

(Gasconade County Deed Book F, page 84)

1861 October 14

Jacob's father, Christian Danuser, enlisted at Hermann, Missouri, as a Private in Company E of the 4th Regiment of Missouri Volunteers.

1863 February 01

Jacob's father, Christian Danuser, was discharged from military service.

1864 May 05

Jacob's grandfather, Thomas Danuser, conveyed the Southeast Quarter of Section 8, T45N R04W of the Fifth Principal Meridian to Jacob's father, Christian Danuser.

(Gasconade County Deed Book P, page 362)

1864 May 27

Jacob's father, Christian Danuser, married Jacob's mother, Verena Christine Bottermann.

(Gasconade County Marriage License Book C, page 165)

1868 November 27

Jacob Christian Danuser was born at Little Berger, Gasconade County, Missouri.

1871 July 21

Jacob's grandfather, Thomas Danuser, died in Gasconade County, Missouri.

1881 October 21

Jacob's grandmother, Barbara Danuser, died at Hermann, Missouri.

1899 October 17

Jacob married Wilhelmina Johanna Carolina Wattenberg at Berger, Franklin County, Missouri.

(Gasconade County Marriage License Book 4, page 137)

1900 June 16

Jacob's occupation was listed as Baker on the 1900 Federal Census.

1900 August 03

Jacob and Wilhelmina's daughter, Selma A. Danuser, was born.

1900 November 06

Jacob was elected Gasconade County Surveyor and was commissioned by Missouri Governor Lon. V. Stephens.

(Gasconade County Deed Book 27, page 44)

1901 - 1908

Jacob served as Gasconade County Surveyor.

1903 March 25

Jacob and Wilhelmina's son, Erwin August Christian Danuser, was born.

1904 March 10

Jacob acquired Block 7 on West 18th Street of the Town of Hermann, Missouri, from William F. and Carrie Albert for $975.

(Gasconade County Deed Book 29, page 328)

1904 July 17

Jacob and Wilhelmina's son, Clarence C. Danuser, was born.

1906 November 07

Jacob and Wilhelmina's daughter, Edna Danuser, was born.

1909 - 1912

Jacob served as deputy to Gasconade County Surveyor Christian August Boesch.

1910 April 28

Jacob's occupation was listed as Gasconade County Highway Engineer on the 1910 Federal Census.

1920 January 20

Jacob's occupation was listed as Cashier at People’s Bank on the 1920 Federal Census.

1921 - 1932

Jacob served as Gasconade County Surveyor.

1922 March 18

Jacob's father, Christian Danuser, died at the Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers at Danville, Illinois, and was shipped to Hermann, Missouri, for burial.

1929 July 17

Jacob's mother, Verena Christine Danuser, died in Gasconade County, Missouri, and was buried at Hermann City Cemetery.

(Latitude: N38°41'56.2" Longitude: W91°26'08.3" NAD 1983)

1930 April 23

Jacob's occupation was listed as Gasconade County Surveyor on the 1930 Federal Census.

1932 December 19

Jacob and Wilhelmina's son, Erwin August Christian Danuser, died at Hermann, Missouri, and was buried at Hermann City Cemetery.

(Latitude: N38°41'58.0" Longitude: W91°26'10.1" NAD 1983)

1937 - 1940

Jacob served as Gasconade County Surveyor.

1937 December 20

Jacob's wife, Wilhelmina Johanna Carolina Danuser, died at Hermann, Missouri, and was buried at Hermann City Cemetery.

(Latitude: N38°41'58.0" Longitude: W91°26'10.1" NAD 1983)

1940 April 30

Jacob's occupation was listed as County Surveyor on the 1940 Federal Census.

1946 November 16

Jacob's brother, Fred William Danuser, died at Jefferson City, Missouri.

1947 March 01

Jacob and Wilhelmina's daughter, Edna Danuser, married Frank Steffen at Hermann, Missouri.

(Gasconade County Marriage License Book 11, page 413)

1954 November 13

Jacob's brother, Herman Thomas Danuser, died in Gasconade County, Missouri, and was buried at Hermann City Cemetery.

(Latitude: N38°41'55.4" Longitude: W91°26'06.4" NAD 1983)

1956 August 12

Jacob's brother, Christian Mathias Danuser, died at Washington, Missouri, and was buried at Hermann City Cemetery.

(Latitude: N38°41'55.5" Longitude: W91°26'07.8" NAD 1983)

1956 November 24

Jacob's sister, Louisa Caroline Danuser, died at Washington, Missouri, and was buried at Hermann City Cemetery.

(Latitude: N38°41'55.4" Longitude: W91°26'06.4" NAD 1983)

1959 September 25

Jacob conveyed Lots 57 & 59 of Block 7 on West 18th Street in the City of Hermann to his daughter, Selma A. Danuser.

(Gasconade County Deed Book 97, page 503)

Jacob conveyed Lots 61, 63, 65 & 67 of Block 7 on West 18th Street in the City of Hermann to his son, Clarence C. Danuser.

(Gasconade County Deed Book 97, page 504)

Jacob conveyed Lots 69, 71, 73 & 75 of Block 7 on West 18th Street in the City of Hermann to his daughter, Edna Steffen.
(Gasconade County Deed Book 97, page 514)

1961 August 08

Jacob died at Hermann, Missouri, at the age of 92 and was buried at Hermann City Cemetery.
(Latitude: N38°41'58.0" Longitude: W91°26'10.1" NAD 1983)

1978 October 22
Jacob's daugther, Selma A. Danuser, died and was buried at Hermann City Cemetery.
(Latitude: N38°41'58.0" Longitude: W91°26'10.1" NAD 1983)

1990 July 03

Jacob's daugther, Edna Danuser Steffen, died.

1999 April 25

Jacob's son, Clarence C. Danuser, died and was buried at Hermann City Cemetery.

(Latitude: N38°41'55.4" Longitude: W91°26'05.7" NAD 1983)

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Compilation of information by Steven E. Weible

Elevations at Lake of the Ozarks

The document recorded in Camden County Deed Book 85 at page 195 (also recorded in Miller County Deed Book 75 at page 312), by which the State of Missouri acquired Lake of the Ozarks State Park, contains the statement:

"All that part of lands hereinafter described lying above the project boundary of Project No. 459, Missouri.  The project boundary is defined by contour lines at various elevations, which elevations are referred to United States Geological Survey, Bench Mark at Bagnell, Missouri, which has an elevation of 586.742 feet above Mean Gulf Sea Level at Biloxi, Mississippi.  Said elevations are recited herein for each item of land described giving in the description the acreage above said elevations."

United States Geological Survey Benchmark "589" (NGS PID: JD0227) was described in information published by the United States Geological Survey, dated 1932, as being a standard tablet stamped "589 VRSLS."  This information also indicated that the old aluminum tablet was replaced by a bronze tablet on May 15, 1929.  The bronze USGS disk was recovered by personnel of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in late 1999 or early 2000 and found to be set in the vertical face of a rock outcrop.

On February 7, 2000, personnel of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources conducted differential leveling operations to transfer the orthometric height from Benchmark "589" to Missouri Geographic Reference System Station "ML-28."  The leveling was double run with a digital level and invar bar code level rods, using Double Simultaneous observation procedures.  Loop closure was 0.001 meter.


NAVD 1988 orthometric height at Benchmark "589" is published as 178.630 meters equal to 586.06 feet.

NAVD 1988 orthometric height at "ML-28" is published as 177.24 meters equal to 581.5 feet.

The orthometric height of Benchmark "589" is 586.742 feet equal to 178.84 meters referenced to Mean Gulf Sea Level at Biloxi, Mississippi.

Therefore, the orthometric height of "ML-28" is 582.18 feet equal to 177.45 meters referenced to Mean Gulf Sea Level at Biloxi, Mississippi.


The elevations called for in descriptions around Lake of the Ozarks were determined by actual surveys conducted by the Stone & Webster Engineering Corp. in the late 1920s and early 1930s and were, apparently, all based on the one benchmark previously mentioned.  To locate these lines of elevation one would have to retrace the work done by Stone & Webster, using the elevations referenced to Mean Gulf Sea Level at Biloxi, Mississippi.



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Information provided courtesy of Steven E. Weible