Kingdom Of Heaven
Last night I finished viewing The Kingdom of Heaven. It gives a pretty ugly picture of the Crusades of the 12th Century, and rightly so I imagine. It is hard for me to fathom that so many people can so readily be motivated to kill others in the name of God, especially in the name of my God. I know that the core message of the Christian faith has much to say about warfare and the overthrow of kingdoms. But such is not accomplished with sword and guns. Jesus did not hammer nails into the hands of his enemies. The war is won with the mighty weapon of the gospel. Christianity, rightly understood, is truly about destroying our enemy- not by bombarding him with deadly weapons, but fundamentally transforming him from within.
The movie portrays a Church that apparently knows nothing about loving people into the Kingdom. Instead, a bloody sword is used. It is disturbing that millions of otherwise decent people would so readily leave home and family to march off to a holy war. Would I die for my faith? I will discuss this in more detail at a later time, but I would like to think so. But, would I want you to die for my faith? I would kill no one because his faith differs from mine. It just so readily makes moral sense to me that you would have the right to believe or disbelieve as you choose. If you are to be judged, there is One greater and more capable than I who will accomplish that task. It is not the task of the church, nor the government, and God forbid that the two should ever work together to do the bidding of the Almighty.
Now, if you are hellbent upon killing me because of your faith, then I will recognize that and I will stop you if I can. And such does seem to be the case with many. We can refer to social and political inequalities of our world. But, there is a fundamental question to ask, with a fundamental answer. What would motivate an otherwise bright and healthy person to strap a bomb onto her body and detonate herself inside a crowded marketplace? And we know the answer- religion. This person has bought into a convoluted and inferior religious understanding that murderous martyrdom is the surefire pathway to the Kingdom of Heaven. It is selfish, evil, and truly ungodly. But it is parcel to the second-largest religion of our day. And it was parcel to the Crusaders portrayed in The Kingdom of Heaven. The church was authoritarian. Centuries of doctrine and culture taught the people that it could not be questioned. Complex geo-political issues were allowed to be defined by the church alone. And so men and boys were marched off to war, to die for God. It sounds a lot like the Muslim culture of our day. And I wonder if the so very ugly brand of Islam, of today, will similarly evolve into something better?
“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight…” – John 18:36
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
*Have you seen this movie?
*How, in God’s name, can one be so very religious and yet treat human life so very cheaply?
*Is it a fair comparison: Modern-day Islamic Fundamentalism to the Christian Crusaders of the Middle Ages?
*Would you die for your faith?
03.30.07 (12:06 pm) [
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posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
03.30.07 (11:25 am)
Yep, I saw the movie. I'm not sure how accurate its portrayal of the times was, but I imagine the prevailing attitude was captured. I don't understand how supposedly religious people justify the killing of people simply because they share different beliefs.
You shouldn't let the actions of extreme fundamentalist Muslims taint all of Islam just because it makes it easier for you to prop up your own beliefs. The majority don't condone all the bloodshed.
I'd die for my family, but not my faith.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
03.30.07 (11:42 am)
I only take issue with one thing you said here. The proper "weapon" isn't the gospel... Hell, that's what started the problems. The proper weapon is what Christ taught, NOT how it was recorded and parced.
Once again, what did Jesus say was the most important thing? Complicate it? You get the crusades - or today? -people thinking "Jesus is on our side" in current wars. -Just as sick, really.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.30.07 (7:31 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
When I speak of the "gospel", I refer to the New Testament concept of God's power to transform a human life , made available to all through the death and resurrection of Christ. When this message is shared and received, then darkness is overcome and God's kingdom is advanced. There are militaristic terms aplenty in the New Testament used to explain this. But it is clear it does not have to do with coercion or actual physical warfare. And that was the context I was using.
You often speak of love being the essence of what Christ is about. I agree, but only partly. It was because of love that Christ came into our world. But he did more than teach and espouse love. He died upon a cross for the sins of all mankind, and rose again from the grave in victory over sin and death. Because of this great act, when we trust him, then we too gain this victory. So, again I say, the most important thing Christ did was to emerge from the grave. Christianity rises and falls on the resurrection- not his teachings about love.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
03.30.07 (7:34 pm)
"the most important thing Christ did was to emerge from the grave."
Not according to him.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.30.07 (7:38 pm)
Reply to: bawdy
Please convince me that the majority of Muslims, in our world today, do not condone all the bloodshed. There are plenty of Christians in this fight with Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan, but as far as I can tell none are killing for the glory of their God. It's a ludicrous, even blaspehmous idea for most Christians. But, it is the fuel for the heart of the Muslim warrior. Kill innocent people? Kill non-Muslims? Fly a plane into the World Trade Center? Allah akbar, Allah akbar.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.30.07 (7:45 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
I guess one can follow a Christianity that does not include the resurrection. That person would have to cut-and-paste the Bible a-la Thomas Jefferson. And the singular event that affirms Jesus Christ as God-In-The-Flesh would be missing. It sounds hollow to me.
Not according to Him? Check out his words, post resurrection, in Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 21.
posted by:
weasy (
reply)
post date:
03.30.07 (8:40 pm)
not only would i die for my faith, but i would gladly surrender my life for the hope that my faith, or what i believe it to be, was the faith of which id gladly die for....
posted by:
seochris (
reply)
post date:
03.30.07 (10:43 pm)
Its a pathetic situation. Well many battles were fought and many won and lost. In fact I'm surprised by the growth of other religions during a short span and true christianity is in a stalemate case. Let hope peace prevail every where.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
03.31.07 (4:29 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
Yes Dave, I've read them all many times in a number of different translations. They're very nice embelishments, all different too. And in not one of them, even AS embelishments added to give thrust to the story, does he contradict HIS priorities.
May be hollow to you, and that's understandable, since you've believed what you believe for so long, but it's not. It's just accepting reality as a wonderful thing.
posted by:
C (
reply)
post date:
04.01.07 (9:29 am)
You are the same today as you were as a child...just a bit "headier" subjects to debate.
Mercy!
posted by:
Cuz (
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post date:
04.01.07 (9:56 am)
I love you cuz'n D! Believe that, but all your "thought provoking questions"....still tire this lil'ole southern gal's brain.
Have you as yet, come to an understanding of my frustration in throwing the checkers and board into the air? Geez, you always had "opinions" about the Sat. cowboy matinee we'd go watch.
Life was certainly lively! Might still be, if we saw one another more often. I really think you waited to call with your invite so late...ON PURPOSE! I needed it last spring...as encouragement to be ready for this spring. I would have worked at being ready if you'd only told me then to be ready. Have fun!....I'll be thinking about you.
posted by:
hangman (
reply)
post date:
04.03.07 (12:26 pm)
I've seen this movie as well, a couple of times actually. I think the parallel you draw between modern Islamic fundamentalists and Christian crusaders of the Dark Ages is a fair comparison, at least in my opinion. I dimly remember listening to a radio program not long ago and the guest of the hour was making this very same comparison. It was his belief, if I remember correctly, that without some sort of ratification of the Koran that the fundamentalist movement of Islam would be hard pressed to evolve into anything other than the murderous zealots that are splashed across the nightly news.
posted by:
bro (
reply)
post date:
04.04.07 (4:16 pm)
The crusades were a interesting time in history. At that time the Holy Land was occupied by Muslims and the Pope or Popes because of the centuries involved offered the Crusading knights salvation in exchange for waging the Crusades. The Crusades mobs rampaging accross Europe and the middle east destroying everything Muslim and Christian. I believe one Crusade destroyed Moscow.
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
04.08.07 (12:05 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
And what percentage of Muslims are killing for the glory of their God? It's a small percentage. The majority of Muslims are people, like you and I...no better, no worse.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.08.07 (1:26 pm)
Reply to: bawdy
I know that's the mantra of the left. But, we know better. Religion is the motivating factor of Al Qaida, Hamas, Hizballah (aka "Party Of God"), Ansar al-Islam, Mujahedeen- and I have no doubt I could google a list of Muslim terrorist organizations that would be a mile long. In common, they seek a Muslim state controlled by a strident and violent interpretation of their religion. It's just reality- cold, hard, ugly, but real.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.08.07 (1:29 pm)
Reply to: Cuz
Heady? I don't think so; I know my limitations. Just some thoughts from a movie. I like a movie that goes beyond just raw surface entertainment. Of course, Friday night I went with my son to see Hills Have Eyes II- a shallow, violent, and stupid movie that was, nonetheless, entertaining. I guess I could do a review of that movie- wait, I just did.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.08.07 (1:32 pm)
Reply to: bro
Salvation in exhange for the killing of infidels? Sounds suspiciously like the modern-day and violent Muslim religion of our day. My lack of respect for these people has little to do with their interpretation of God and living for Him/Her. Such should be respected, even when not agreed. No- I have no respect for such an evil practice of religion. To kill another, in the name of God, is far from the heart of true faith as I understand.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.08.07 (1:34 pm)
Reply to: hangman
Yes, and the silence of the broader Muslim community is highly disturbing.
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
04.09.07 (11:44 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
Yes, I know religion is the mantra of terrorist organizations, but the majority of Muslims neither belong to them nor support their views.
