The advancement of Islam that began in the 7th century eventually sent Christians into a panic. Many felt that the battle for heaven was on the line and if they could reconquer the lands lost, they would save Christianity. These misguided and unbiblical views led to The Crusades.THE CRUSADES
On November 27, 1095 Pope Urban II addressed a crowd of bishops and laypeople calling for a holy war on the Muslims who now had control of Jerusalem. As a result, those who claimed to be followers of Christ traveled to a foreign land to go to war. What started as an unorganized mob later led to a formal crusade. Along the way these Crusaders fought and killed other Christians for food and killed thousands of Jews believing that their war was against all who rejected Christ.
The Crusades failed militarily almost as bad as they did scripturally. Even though the Crusaders recaptured Jerusalem in 1099, the Muslim armies regained their strength and soon took back those lands.
The most shocking aspect of The Crusades was the spiritual justification for the violent acts committed. One of the reasons for the large following was because the Pope claimed to have the power to forgive sins and eventually promised to impute spiritual merit to those participating in The Crusades. He also promised that if one died while on a crusade, they would be granted an indulgence which allowed an individual direct access to heaven.
HOW SHOULD WE AS BELIEVERS RESPOND TO THE CRUSADES?
Believers should not attempt to explain away or justify these deeds, but clarify that these sinful acts do not accurately represent the person and work of Christ nor the message of Christianity. Jesus never forced belief. He made it clear that He wanted willing followers. After many no longer followed Him in John 6, Jesus turned to the twelve and said, “Do you want to go away as well?” Peter responded willingly, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:67-68).
God’s word also calls for Christians to speak the truth in love. Peter asserted,
People may be flawed, but God’s Gospel and the ministry He calls us to partake in is not. Although many claim to be doing the work of Christ and laboring under the banner of Christianity, their works must be measured by Scripture.“In your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:15-17).
