Reason for The Crusades explained

  • Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.

    You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Matthias

Well-Known Member
May 3, 2022
32,133
24,090
113
Kentucky
Faith
Other Faith
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Outstanding analysis.

I look forward to the "Yea but" rebuttal. LOL

Did Jesus harm anyone when he drove animals out of the Temple?

AI Overview response -

“Biblical accounts do not state that Jesus physically injured anyone during the cleansing of the Temple. While he made a whip of cords to drive out the sheep and cattle and overturned tables, scholarly and theological consensus indicates this was a disruptive, prophetic demonstration rather than a violent assault on people.

The narrative can be explained from a few different angles:

• The Whip (John 2:15) : The Gospel of John mentions Jesus making a whip of cords. Many theologians interpret this as a tool used strictly to herd and scatter livestock, rather than as a weapon used to strike the merchants.

• The Merchants: Because the Temple guards were present, it is widely believed that physically striking people would have resulted in an immediate arrest. Instead, Jesus targeted the commercial operations by overturning tables and pouring out coins.

• Historical Context: Thus act is largely views by historians as a highly symbolic, prophetic protest against the exploitation and price-gouging of worshippers by the money changers, rather than a malicious or harmful attack.”

There is no support in the text for counseling people to physically harm, let alone kill, their enemies.

The action of Jesus in the Temple doesn’t contradict his teaching concerning how his followers are to treat their enemies.

@Armour of God @NayborBear

Jesus wasn’t “armed, ready to kill.”
 
Last edited:

Matthias

Well-Known Member
May 3, 2022
32,133
24,090
113
Kentucky
Faith
Other Faith
Country
United States
Gender
Male
1780485764796.jpeg

The pattern in the world is to hate your enemy, which leads to killing your enemy. That’s not the pattern which Jesus and the apostles taught his followers to live and teach others. What’s needed in order to follow them is a transformed mind.

@Wrangler @Armour of God @NayborBear
 

Matthias

Well-Known Member
May 3, 2022
32,133
24,090
113
Kentucky
Faith
Other Faith
Country
United States
Gender
Male
1780489473901.jpeg

The cycle is broken by living the teaching of Jesus and the apostles.

@Wrangler @Armour of God @NayborBear

Your counsel is for followers of Jesus to perpetuate the cycle of violence.

My counsel is for followers of Jesus to break the cycle of violence.

P.S.

”Humanity has long suffered under the perpetuation of violence and revenge. Jesus desires for his followers to take action that breaks this cycle of violence, and create opportunities for those who were once our enemy to be transformed into our neighbor.”

(Alex Ferren, “Jesus on Breaking the Cycle of Violence - Matthew 5:38-42”)


Will you hear him out?
 
Last edited:

Matthias

Well-Known Member
May 3, 2022
32,133
24,090
113
Kentucky
Faith
Other Faith
Country
United States
Gender
Male
We're counseling violence …

I acknowledge that you are indeed counseling violence. That’s an indisputable fact.

Did the apostles counsel followers of Jesus to kill their enemies?

AI Overview response -

“No. The apostles never counseled followers of Jesus to kill their enemies. Instead, New Testament teachings emphasize non-violence, forgiveness, and responding to hostility with love and kindness.

The foundational teachings from Jesus and his apostles strictly forbade retaliation and physical violence:

• Love for Enemies: Jesus instructed his followers to ‘love your enemies, do good to those who hate you’ (Luke 6:27-28)

• Prohibition of Revenge: The Apostle Paul directed Christians to ‘never pay back evil for evil to anyone’ and ‘never take your own revenge’ (Romans 12-17-19).

No Counter-Violence: The Apostle Peter explicitly commanded believers not to return ‘evil for evil or insult for insult’ (1 Peter 3:9).

Historically and theologically, early Christian leaders were known for their pacifism and refusal to harm others, even when facing severe persecution and execution themselves.”

@Armour of God @NayborBear

I strongly advise my readers to see, hear, understand, believe, and obey apostolic counsel.
 

Matthias

Well-Known Member
May 3, 2022
32,133
24,090
113
Kentucky
Faith
Other Faith
Country
United States
Gender
Male
“So much of our justification for killing and war flows out of our allegiance to a nation, instead of the Kingdom of God. We are willing to hold one rule for our nation state and one for ourselves. But in Christ there can be no such inconsistency. The first Christians spoke out clearly against this as well - …

For me to make these statements today would be seen as overly political, radical, subversive and naive. And yet these were the leading theologians, bishops and leaders of the early church. So why should we dismiss them so easily? They are simply expounding on the radical teaching of Jesus to love our enemies - a posture that is incompatible with killing them.”

(Craig Greenfield, “THE EARLIEST CHRISTIANS KNEW HOW TO RESPOND TO A VIOLENT WORLD - BUT WE‘VE LOST OUR WAY”)


@Wrangler @Armour of God @NayborBear

What Greenfield wrote in 2019 has been acted in this thread.
 

NayborBear

Active Member
Jan 21, 2020
679
227
43
73
Midwest
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Outstanding analysis.

I look forward to the "Yea but" rebuttal. LOL
Sure as the 'Ol Bear Poops In The Woods Wrangler!
And, Sure As The Pope's Catholic!
But? I got A "News Flash" For Matthais!
The 'Ol Bear?
He Poops?..........On COMPANY Time! :Laughingoutloud::jest:ppptttzzz
 

NayborBear

Active Member
Jan 21, 2020
679
227
43
73
Midwest
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Gender
Male
There is no indication in scripture that he harmed anyone.
OIC!
You're one of those "Inerrancy People" Eh?
If it AIN'T in the Bible, or in all those books you keep "toutin'" about how "Awfully Evil and Barbaric" Defenders and Contenders of, and FOR the faith are?
It simply DIDN'T happen or occur!
RIGHT?
Think Again.GIF
 

Matthias

Well-Known Member
May 3, 2022
32,133
24,090
113
Kentucky
Faith
Other Faith
Country
United States
Gender
Male
OIC!
You're one of those "Inerrancy People" Eh?
If it AIN'T in the Bible, or in all those books you keep "toutin'" about how "Awfully Evil and Barbaric" Defenders and Contenders of, and FOR the faith are?
It simply DIDN'T happen or occur!
RIGHT?
View attachment 85143

You created and offered a comical fantasy for me to consider. I did.
 

NayborBear

Active Member
Jan 21, 2020
679
227
43
73
Midwest
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Gender
Male
View attachment 85154

@Wrangler @Armour of God @NayborBear

I take it as a given that you believe Jesus led the Crusades. If you don’t, please say so.

A 1st century timeframe question: How many holy wars, if any, do you believe Jesus and the apostles led?
Matthias? I really "tire" of going through this round and round with you! Always coming back to this SAME OLD PLACE!............AGAIN? AND AGAIN!
Jesus and the apostles were "ESTABLISHING and spreading" the GOOD NEWS! So? During this time? They allowed themselves in enduring the persecutions afflicted upon them! In establishing "CREDIBILITY!"
Not to mention the FACT that Rome would CERTAINLY have killed them off HAD they even "follyed a HINT" that these guys were were even TRYING to form a "Military" force! To which Jesus and the apostles didn't! And the government as well as Jews didn't "see" them AS a threat! To which was stated: "Let them "do their thing!" "Time will tell!" "There's been many others doing things similar!" "And? After awhile? The people lost interest and they dwindled to nought!"

So? (yet) AGAIN! I'll say this to you. It wasn't too awfully long afterwards (coupla 75-100 Years er so) that Christianity did get established to the point that they WERE seen as a threat that needed "wiping out!"
So? Yes!
I don't believe Jesus "led the Crusades!"
But His Father DID! On behalf of His SON'S SAKE? YES! HE DID!
Psalms 110:
The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, UNTIL I MAKE THINE ENEMIES THY FOOTSTOOL.
 

Wrangler

Well-Known Member
Feb 14, 2021
20,736
8,989
113
57
Shining City on a Hill
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Not to mention the FACT that Rome would CERTAINLY have killed them off HAD they even "follyed a HINT" that these guys were were even TRYING to form a "Military" force! To which Jesus and the apostles didn't! And the government as well as Jews didn't "see" them AS a threat!
The perversion of the Crusades debate is the Crusaders were NOT a threat to their own country but do what was necessary to defend their own country. @Matthias is equating a patriot with a traitor, a. Christian patriot at that!
 

Matthias

Well-Known Member
May 3, 2022
32,133
24,090
113
Kentucky
Faith
Other Faith
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Matthias? I really "tire" of going through this round and round with you! Always coming back to this SAME OLD PLACE!............AGAIN? AND AGAIN!

I led you here but no one forced you to come.

Jesus and the apostles were "ESTABLISHING and spreading" the GOOD NEWS! So? During this time? They allowed themselves in enduring the persecutions afflicted upon them! In establishing "CREDIBILITY!"

The apostles were engaged in carrying out the Great Commission. They weren’t armed, contrary to what @Wrangler would have us believe.

Not to mention the FACT that Rome would CERTAINLY have killed them off HAD they even "follyed a HINT" that these guys were were even TRYING to form a "Military" force! To which Jesus and the apostles didn't!

Jesus, though, was deemed an enemy of the state; a political threat to Rome.

And the government as well as Jews didn't "see" them AS a threat!

That’s not historically accurate.

To which was stated: "Let them "do their thing!" "Time will tell!" "There's been many others doing things similar!" "And? After awhile? The people lost interest and they dwindled to nought!"

You’re mixing Roman history and the advice of Gamaliel.

So? (yet) AGAIN! I'll say this to you. It wasn't too awfully long afterwards (coupla 75-100 Years er so) that Christianity did get established to the point that they WERE seen as a threat that needed "wiping out!"
So? Yes!

This is where reading Ante Nicene history comes into play. You’ve taken us into the early 2nd century. The Ante Nicene Christians weren’t armed. They spoke against killing their enemies. Quotations from them illustrating the truth of this have been provided many times in the thread.

I don't believe Jesus "led the Crusades!"

Thank you. I’m happy to have this point of agreement between us.

But His Father DID! On behalf of His SON'S SAKE? YES! HE DID!
Psalms 110:
The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, UNTIL I MAKE THINE ENEMIES THY FOOTSTOOL.

I mentioned previously in our conversation that this is possible.
 

Matthias

Well-Known Member
May 3, 2022
32,133
24,090
113
Kentucky
Faith
Other Faith
Country
United States
Gender
Male
The perversion of the Crusades debate is the Crusaders were NOT a threat to their own country but do what was necessary to defend their own country.

As has been pointed out many times, the knights who went on the crusades had a history of warring against one another.

@Matthias is equating a patriot with a traitor, a. Christian patriot at that!

Traitors to the Kingdom of God; not traitors to their respective countries.
 

Matthias

Well-Known Member
May 3, 2022
32,133
24,090
113
Kentucky
Faith
Other Faith
Country
United States
Gender
Male
TRYING to form a "Military" force! To which Jesus and the apostles didn't!

That’s right.

”We do not use the weapons of the world.” - Jesus, via Paul

“Imitate me as I imitate Messiah.” - Paul

That is apostolic counsel. That is why it is my counsel.

We‘re counseling violence” is the counsel of the hidden identity church.
 

Wrangler

Well-Known Member
Feb 14, 2021
20,736
8,989
113
57
Shining City on a Hill
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Gender
Male
The cycle is broken by living the teaching of Jesus
Exactly right! The cycle of evil is broken by living the teaching of Jesus - which is to annihilate all evil, such as throwing them in the Lake of Fire.

I’ve been thinking about your basic argument that the most violent person who ever lived was peaceful BEFORE he became ultimately violent is willfully ignoring the whole story of Jesus.
 
Last edited:

Matthias

Well-Known Member
May 3, 2022
32,133
24,090
113
Kentucky
Faith
Other Faith
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Exactly right!

Thank you.

The cycle of evil is broken by living the teaching of Jesus -

The teaching of Jesus is to love enemies and do good to them. That is what I live in a society that doesn’t.

- which is to annihilate all evil, such as throwing them in the Lake of Fire.

He hasn’t annihilated all evil - it still exists and is increasing - and he hasn’t annihilated those who commit evil - he will when he returns. He will in the second resurrection.

I’ve been thinking about your basic argument that the most violent person who ever lived was peaceful BEFORE he became ultimately violent …

He hasn’t become ultimately violent yet.

… is willfully ignoring the whole story of Jesus.

You haven’t grasped the timeline of his story.

@Armour of God @NayborBear
 

Matthias

Well-Known Member
May 3, 2022
32,133
24,090
113
Kentucky
Faith
Other Faith
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Spurgeon is one of my favorite Christian authors …

“Train up a child in the way he should go - but be sure you go that way yourself.” -C.H. Spurgeon

That way for a follower of Jesus, as the famous pacifist preacher well-knew, is love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.

@Armour of God @NayborBear

Your counsel is against Spurgeon. That would be fine - Spurgeon isn’t infallible - if not for the fact that it‘s also counsel against Jesus and the apostles.
 

Matthias

Well-Known Member
May 3, 2022
32,133
24,090
113
Kentucky
Faith
Other Faith
Country
United States
Gender
Male
For THIS is how it APPEARS in (not just) my eyes, how y'all INTERPRET "living peaceably!"

“If possible, as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

(Romans 12:18)

Jesus and the apostles: Did they tell with their words and show with their actions how to live peaceably with all men when not all men were willing to live peaceably with them?

@Wrangler @Armour of God
 

NayborBear

Active Member
Jan 21, 2020
679
227
43
73
Midwest
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Gender
Male
I mentioned previously in our conversation that this is possible.
Yet? You are STILL Throwing Jesus and the apostles heavenly Father "Under the bus" at EVERY turn!
Just as ALL the authors from ALL these books (can you even THINK "traditions of man" here?) in theirs and yours CONTINUED RELENTLESS degradation's of not only WHAT GOD the FATHER DID? But even the "WHY HE DID IT THE WAY HE DID!"
So as you keep insisting that ones' such as Armour of GOD, and Wrangler, and I, are playing "devil's advocates?"
None of "yours", and ESPECIALLY all the authors of all these books fail COMPLETELY, save for the "gaslighting effect", in even SLIGHTLY giving any credit, let alone homage, to those "advocates of GOD the FATHER!

I wonder how you and these authors would "VIEW" the "Flood of Noah?"

Wasn't that "evil and dasteredly and horrible" that ALL those "INNOCENT PEOPLE" were DROWNED? Along with the ones' that were NOT SO innocent!

You might retort that: "He didn't use weapons of the WORLD did He?"
Well? When "advocating for HIS OWN sake, AS WELL as HIS ONLY begotten Son's SAKE?
HE HAS to! Call THESE "atrocities" if you will?
"OBJECT LESSONS!"
In the HOPES that the "SHEEPS" of Jesus and the apostles, would "GET A CLUE!"......."PLEASE!"......."GET A CLUE!"


Matthew 21:1-4
And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet,......

The owner/s of the ass and the colt were "obviously" NOT Jews! As they would have already BEEN in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover!
I'm thinking they were PROBABLY "ESSENES!" In other words? "ADVOCATES FOR GOD THE FATHER!"
Luke 9:50
And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

Jesus knew! GOD the FATHER KNOWS!

Men?.........Over the years?.........NOT SO MUCH!
Meaning what?!
Meaning that over the past 75-100 years or so?
The "Mustard Seed" had not even "germinated!"
And? 2100 +years er so LATER?
It STILL hasn't "germinated!"
PSY OPS.png
Brought to us ALL by that "prince of darkness!"
 
  • Love
Reactions: Wrangler

Matthias

Well-Known Member
May 3, 2022
32,133
24,090
113
Kentucky
Faith
Other Faith
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Yet? You are STILL Throwing Jesus and the apostles heavenly Father "Under the bus" at EVERY turn!

In fact, I’ve never thrown the heavenly Father of Jesus and the apostles “under the bus” at any turn. Just as they are Jewish monotheists, so am I.

Just as ALL the authors from ALL these books (can you even THINK "traditions of man" here?) in theirs and yours CONTINUED RELENTLESS degradation's of not only WHAT GOD the FATHER DID? But even the "WHY HE DID IT THE WAY HE DID!"

The books I’ve quoted and alluded to were written by the New Testament authors, church leaders in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, church historians, Christian and Muslim participants in the Crusades, 19th century preachers - one of which @Wrangler has identified as one of his favorite Christian authors, 20th century Christian pastors and theologians, 21st century writers who converted from Islam to Christianity, etc.

So as you keep insisting that ones' such as Armour of GOD, and Wrangler, and I, are playing "devil's advocates?"

What I keep insisting is that you aren’t following the teaching and example of Jesus and the apostles. You’ve acknowledged that you aren’t. The other two haven’t.

None of "yours", and ESPECIALLY all the authors of all these books fail COMPLETELY, save for the "gaslighting effect", in even SLIGHTLY giving any credit, let alone homage, to those "advocates of GOD the FATHER!

The authors, most of whom you’ve never read for yourself, haven’t persuaded you.

I wonder how you and these authors would "VIEW" the "Flood of Noah?"

For their view, read them for yourself. For my view, see below.

Wasn't that "evil and dasteredly and horrible" that ALL those "INNOCENT PEOPLE" were DROWNED? Along with the ones' that were NOT SO innocent!

What the Father did wasn’t “evil and dastardly and horrible.” There were no innocent people drowned.

You might retort that: "He didn't use weapons of the WORLD did He?"
Well? When "advocating for HIS OWN sake, AS WELL as HIS ONLY begotten Son's SAKE?
HE HAS to! Call THESE "atrocities" if you will?
"OBJECT LESSONS!"
In the HOPES that the "SHEEPS" of Jesus and the apostles, would "GET A CLUE!"......."PLEASE!"......."GET A CLUE!"

The Father didn’t use the weapons of the world. He used water. What he did wasn’t an atrocity. It was righteous judgement.

While the Father can use the weapons of the world - I’ve cited biblical examples demonstrating that he has - to accomplish his purpose, he doesn’t ever have to use them. The flood in Noah’s days proves that. The plagues in Egypt prove it. The fire and brimstone at Sodom and Gomorrah prove it. A spoken word from his mouth can accomplish it. I’m sure we could identify other examples that prove it.

Matthew 21:1-4
And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet,......

The owner/s of the ass and the colt were "obviously" NOT Jews! As they would have already BEEN in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover!

The donkey was procured in a village on or very near the Mount of Olives. When the disciples untied the animal, bystanders asked what they were doing. Who are the bystanders? Jews or Gentiles? Those are our only options. If they were Jews friendly toward Jesus there would be no objection or resistance offered. That fits the narrative. If they were Jews hostile to Jesus, they must either have worked for the Jewish owners of the donkey or were made aware by the owner that some Jews would be coming for the donkey and had permission to take it. That fits the narrative.

That leaves Gentiles for us to consider. Gentiles didn’t live on the Mount of Olives at the time, nor in small villages located nearby. We can quickly and easily rule them out.

The owners of donkey were obviously Jews.

What day of the week did Jesus ride the donkey into Jerusalem on? Sunday. Right? It occurs on the Sunday before the Passover meal is prepared and eaten. What day of the week was the Passover meal prepared? Thursday. When was the Passover meal eaten? Early on Friday, which began at sunset.

The distance from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem is roughly 2/3 of a mile. Jews living on or near the Mount of Olives could easily have walked to Jerusalem in plenty of time to celebrate the Passover.

Your assertion that if the owners of the donkey were Jews they would have already been in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover is untenable.

I'm thinking they were PROBABLY "ESSENES!"

You just asked me to believe that the owners of the donkey were “obviously not Jews!”

The Essenes were members of a Jewish sect. Essenes are Jews. They aren’t mentioned in the New Testament. We know about their existence from other sources. Have you read Josephus?

In other words? "ADVOCATES FOR GOD THE FATHER!"

So your argument then is this: the owners of the donkey which Jesus rode into Jerusalem on were probably Essenes, not Gentiles but part of a religious community who were “obviously not Jews,” advocates for God the Father.

I’m not persuaded.

@Wrangler @Armour of God are either of you persuaded?

Luke 9:50
And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

Jesus knew! GOD the FATHER KNOWS!

Men?.........Over the years?.........NOT SO MUCH!
Meaning what?!
Meaning that over the past 75-100 years or so?
The "Mustard Seed" had not even "germinated!"
And? 2100 +years er so LATER?
It STILL hasn't "germinated!"
View attachment 85181
Brought to us ALL by that "prince of darkness!"