Dr. Ergun Mehmet Caner and Dr. Emir Fethi Caner reveal the damage that has come as a result of the crusades and the consequences of killing in the name of Christ throught the book Christian Jihad. The first chapter describes the ten persecutions, giving stories of brave, commited individuals who considered their lives a small sacrifice for the cause of Christ. This chapter ends with many stories of these heroic Christians and the cruel injustices that were forced upon them, raising a sense of compassion and and upset in the reader. To think that anyone could treat such brave soldiers for Christ in these inhumane ways is quite angering. The Christian reader may also feel a sort of admiration and comradeship with the persecuted Christian, knowing that both serve the same God and have the same end in sight.
The second chapter begins on a different note, it starts with a report of the conquest Jerusalem from July 17, 1099. It is a description of what the Christian crusaders had done to the Muslims in Jerusalem. The attitudeof the author appears to be excited, some what joyful, and definitely without any sense of remorse. The Christian men had gone into the city and killed all the Muslims without any mercy and treated their corpses without the slightest hint of respect. It appears that the Christians have completely swapped sides, they had gone from being the persecuted to the persecutors.
The contrast between the first two chapters is very striking. the rest of the book is an in depth look at the progression of the contrast, and why Christians would persecute others in the name of Christ. Over time killing in the name of Christ has had many different reasons and results. Christians have killed Muslims, jews and each other, all in the name of Christ, with the idea that it is either what the Lord wills or that it will secure a place in heaven for the persecutor of the heathen or heretic.
Most of the chapters are divided into different time periods, and give examples of what brutal event the Christian community was participating in at the time. Many tactics have been used to get people to fight, one example is when the Pope told the Christains – many of which were illiterate – that if they would just participate in the crusade they would have the assurance of salvation. Another time thousands of children felt called to go and fight in the name of Christ, many turned back and went home, some were sold into slavery and many were killed, very few of them returned home.
It is also quite eye opening to see that men who are very highly esteemed for their sound doctrine and theology such as Luther and Calvin, were responsible for killing many Christians whom they considered to be heretics. Killing in Christ’s name really opposes His examples of love, healing and forgiveness. Chritians are commanded to “turn the other cheek” but they are not required to be pacifists.
The end of the book gives the guidelines for a “just war” and defends the legitmacy af the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is the belief of both Dr. Caners that there is a time and there are circumstances in which wars are acceptable. It is acceptable to fight to defend freedom but attempting to make followers of Christ by the sword is never an option.
Most Christians have no idea about the history of brutality in the Christian faith, this book is a nust read for them. the Caner brothers have done a phenomenal job of putting together an incredible book that sheds light on the history of persecution performed by the Christian Church.