Christian Jihad
When asked to give thoughts on the Crusades most people would have mixed feelings about the topic. It primarily relies on ones point of view that they are looking from. Some look at the Crusades as an attempt to help free the Christians from the oppression brought by the Muslims. This idea would be considered a good thing, pleasing to God and other Christians. Others see the Crusades as a horrible war that stained the name of God and Christians alike. Those who oppressed the Christians of that time were the Muslims, and the church raged war against them for political power of the Roman Empire. Whether you stand on one side or don’t have a side to on. The book Christian Jihad, written by Dr. Ergun and Emir Caner gives an insightful look on the motives behind the Crusades. This book shows how the early Christians held to the teachings of Christ and later becomes skewed from political power.
The Early Church
In the times after the life of Christ, the early church was mostly pacifist. Even in the midst of extreme persecution the Christians of that time chose to have nothing to do with violence. During this time the Christians experienced an up roar of violence lashing out toward them. Even thought they were charged with crimes that they did not commit, it enforced the ideas and convictions to abstain from violence toward another person. Emperor after emperor drunk with power would persecute them with no remorse. Nero is considered to be the worst, historians have found writings supporting that he used Christians as human torches to light his courtyards. During this time the Christians had to submit to the ruling of the Empire which had the power over the church. The involvement of Christians in the military involved in the bloodshed of men was considered to be problematic, because it went against the very teachings of Christ. It wasn’t until the time of Marcus Aurelius that the first written record of Christians in military was found. Early Church Fathers did not see a need for involvement in the military, for there eyes were set on eternity, and no political reign would come close to lasting. There fore, there was no need for that part of the government. For they were looking toward the return of Christ, the main focus was the showing of unconditional love that Christ showed.
A Shift in the Paradigm
Around the year 800, Charlemagne king of the Franks is best known for the marriage between the churches to the state. He was given power by the Leo III who was facing much opposition by his enemies. Rushes to Charlemagne for protection and by doing so offers the blessing of the church to him, Making him the Holy Roman Emperor. This sets the stage for the struggle for power between the church and the state. From that point on there has always been a push for one to be over the other. With the blessing of the church the empire was in control, but not for long. Over the centuries the power of the church to the state switched back and forth from one another. For years the church was the object of persecution, but now has had a taste of what power feels like. That taste has made the church crave it more and they have become drunk with it. The very thing that persecuted them is now the object of their affection. With this shift from state to the church wars are now being fought with the blessing of the church and a Holy Roman Military. Almost two hundred year later, there was the rise of Pope Urban II who was to be the one to bring power back to the church. Pope Urban II declares war on the Muslims, which the authors refer to Christian Jihad.
The Crusades
As Pope Urban II gives his speech to the people he declares war on the people of the Muslim, stating that it is the Will of God. The speech stirs the emotions of the people into a frenzy. The once pacifist church is now declaring war in the name of God. The teaching of unconditional love has been thrown out and just war is now in affect. Urban goes as far as to offer Salvation to those who fight whether they live or not will have remission of sins. By doing this assures a greater number of men and support behind the war. With the people behind him and “God” the church has swung the power from the state beck to the church again. Pope Urban used the name of God to wage war to merely gain control and use this war for political power.
Thoughts
The early churches main purpose was to follow the teachings of Christ nothing more. The idea of involving them selves in government was not even an option for they were living for eternity in mind. After tasting what true raw power tasted like, they wanted more and more. Even to go as far as to use the name of God to achieve this goal. Church leaders used their positions to unite Rome under them selves, as they struggled for power between them and the secular branch of the empire. They threw out the teachings of Christ and started following their own heart and desires. This shows how they basically left what they fought so hard to preserve during the early persecution. Then becoming that very entity that once persecuted them so long ago. The church of Christ needs to be a church that is founded upon the teachings of the Bible and not what man thinks is best or more important. It is east to see that when that church left what they fought for to follow what man had created, they fell into the desires of this world.