The Challenge of the Crusaders

Volume 1 1995

To this day, the Crusades of the Middle Ages remain a controversial and even an emotional issue. Strong views have been expressed both for and against the Crusades. Yet there is much we can learn from the faith that inspired those epic undertakings.

The fact is that the Crusades were a reaction to the Islamic invasion of the Holy Lands (those places where our Lord was born, lived, ministered, was crucified and raised from the dead). The Saracens (as the Muslim invaders were called) had desecrated Christian places of worship and were severely persecuting Christians. Pilgrims were being prevented from visiting those sites sacred to their faith.

Bernard of Clairvaux, the author of the classic devotional book “On Loving God” and of the hymn of worship “Fairest Lord Jesus”, urged Christians to join in the Crusades to liberate the Holy Lands from Islamic oppression.:

“Our King Jesus is accused of treachery. It is said of Him, by the Saracens, that He is not God, but that He is falsely pretending to be something He is not. Any man among you who is His vessel ought to rise up to defend His Lord from the infamous accusation of treachery; he should go to the sure fight, where to win would be glorious and where to die would be gain... I ask you not to put your own business before the business of Christ."

Whatever we may believe about the Crusades, we have to admire the incredible devotion and steadfastness which inspired over 15 000 Crusaders (10% of whom were knights and 90% footsoldiers) to journey over 3 000 km and sacrifice life and limb to liberate Jerusalem. The first Crusaders were away from home for 4 years. Later Crusaders were away from home for up to 16 or more years. One widow sold the only thing she owned - her house - to pay for her only son to “go and free Jerusalem”.

Now I know that many will raise all kinds of protests and objections, but for myself, having studied the writings, prayers, and battles of many of the Crusaders - I am very impressed by the evident sincere devotion of many of the Crusaders. These were real Christians. They deplored their sins. They longed to do something noble and lasting for their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Their prayers, fasting, sacrifices, courage and devotion make our faith look juvenile.

They saw a need and they rose up to meet that need. They committed themselves to liberating the Holy Land and they steadfastly persisted to overcome all obstacles, dangers and discomforts for years, over thousands of miles - by foot or horseback - in inhospitable terrain until they reached their objective. At incredible cost they sacrificed and suffered unbelievable deprivations - hunger, thirst, boiling heat, freezing cold, storms, floods, fire and vicious hand to hand combat - to honour their commitments, to fight for their Lord and to defend the religious liberties of their fellow believers. I personally believe that the average Crusader knew more about Christianity than our average complacent, pew-warming church-goer of today.

In the book of Judges, Deborah asks:

“Why did you stay among the campfires to hear the whistling for the flocks?” She notes that “there was much searching of hearts,” but Gilead “stayed”, Dan “lingered”, Asher “remained”, while “The people of Zebulum risked their very lives... ‘Curse Meroz’ said the angel of the Lord. ‘Curse its people bitterly, because they did not come to help the Lord, to help the Lord against the mighty’”. Judges 5:16-18,23

Now, before anyone accuses me of attempting to launch a new crusade - I’m not. However, I believe that we as Christians have the obligation to love our neighbours and this love must be shown in action. When Christian brothers are suffering persecution in Nagarno Karabagh and Sudan, we must respond in prayer and action. Publicise their plight. Alert other Christians to the crisis. Pray both privately and in public meetings for the persecuted. Mobilise pressure against the persecutors. Be generous in your support of those who are practically helping the persecuted. Encourage others to contribute whatever skills or resources they can towards helping those brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering. And if God calls you to personally go and serve His people in Sudan, Nagarno Karabagh, Angola or wherever - then be prepared to respond with the same wholehearted enthusiasm as the Crusaders.

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