“MINISTRY AI AND I” DUBIOUS CHRISTIAN HISTORY: THE CRUSADES VS CHRIST

The Crusades are a complex and often controversial chapter in Christian history, and their alignment with the teachings of Christ and the New Testament remains a subject of significant debate. Here’s a perspective based on New Testament teachings and the fruits of genuine Christian faith:

New Testament Teachings

1. The Message of Peace:
   • Jesus taught peace, humility, and love for enemies: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
   • He commanded His followers to love their enemies and turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-44).
   • The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) called for discipleship and spreading the Gospel, not warfare.
2. Spiritual Kingdom:
   • Jesus emphasized that His Kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). The focus was on spiritual transformation, not territorial conquests.
3. The Fruits of the Spirit:
   • Paul highlighted the fruits of genuine faith as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
4. Humility and Servanthood:
   • Jesus modeled servanthood, washing the disciples’ feet and emphasizing that leadership in His Kingdom was about serving others (John 13:12-17, Matthew 20:25-28).
   • 

The Crusades in Context

The Crusades (1096–1291) were a series of military campaigns initiated by the Catholic Church, ostensibly to reclaim Jerusalem and other holy sites from Muslim control. While some participants may have been motivated by sincere faith, the Crusades largely deviated from New Testament principles in several ways:

1. Violence and Warfare:
   • The Crusades often involved extreme violence, including the slaughter of non-combatants, Jews, and Eastern Christians. This contradicts Jesus’ call to love enemies and pursue peace.
2. Political and Material Motivations:
   • Many Crusaders were driven by political, economic, and personal ambitions rather than a genuine desire to spread the Gospel.
3. Lack of Genuine Fruit:
   • Instead of transforming lives or spreading the joy of the Gospel, the Crusades often sowed division, resentment, and suffering, contrary to the fruit of the Spirit.
4. Coercion and Power:
   • The Crusades reflected a coercive approach to faith, attempting to achieve religious goals through force rather than persuasion and love, which is antithetical to the Gospel message.
   • 

Misalignment with Christ’s Teachings

The Crusades’ emphasis on conquest and earthly power is starkly misaligned with the humility and spiritual focus of Christ’s teachings. While the Crusaders often justified their actions as a defense of Christendom, their methods and outcomes largely failed to reflect the essence of the Gospel.

Reflection on Genuine Faith

True Christian ministry is marked by transformed lives, humility, and the joy of the Good News. The Crusades’ legacy of violence and division suggests they were more reflective of human ambition and the misuse of religion for political ends than of New Testament Christianity.

Moving Forward

The Church today can learn from this history by:

• Emphasizing peace, reconciliation, and servant leadership.
• Rejecting coercion or force in matters of faith.
• Prioritizing Christ’s teachings of love, humility, and spiritual transformation over worldly ambitions.

Taveau asks 
Please explore the following specific scriptural contrasts or additional historical insights

To discern what is truly Christ-resembling in the practices of the Church during challenging periods like the Crusades and the Dark Ages, it’s important to compare these events with the character of Christ as revealed in Scripture and the example set by the First Church. Let’s analyze this with Hebrews 1:1-2, 9 as a foundation.

Hebrews 1:1-2, 9 (KJV)

1. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;”
2. “Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”
3. 

Key Themes:

1. Christ as the Ultimate Revelation:
   • In verse 1, Jesus is described as the final and ultimate revelation of God’s will, surpassing Old Testament prophets. His life, teachings, and sacrifice define the standard of righteousness.
   • Greek: “eschatou tōn hēmerōn” (ἐσχάτου τῶν ἡμερῶν) means “in these last days,” emphasizing the culmination of God’s plan through Christ.

1. The Character of Christ:
   • Verse 9 reveals that Jesus loves righteousness (dikaiosynē – δικαιοσύνη, justice and uprightness) and hates iniquity (anomia – ἀνομία, lawlessness). He is anointed with the “oil of gladness” (elaion agalliaseōs – ἔλαιον ἀγαλλιάσεως), signifying joy, purity, and divine favor.

1. Christ as the Founder and Leader of the Church:
   • As the anointed Messiah (Christos – Χριστός), Jesus is the cornerstone of the Church (Ephesians 2:20) and the model for leadership, rooted in humility, service, and love.

The First Church: Characteristics Resembling Christ

The First Church, as described in Acts and the Epistles, reflected Christ’s teachings and embodied His values:

1. Unity in Love:
   • “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).
   • Greek: agapē (ἀγάπη) – selfless, sacrificial love.
2. Nonviolence:
   • Jesus rebuked violence: “Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword” (Matthew 26:52).
3. Focus on Spiritual, Not Earthly, Kingdom:
   • “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).
   • Greek: basileia tou theou (βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ) – the reign of God in the hearts of believers.
4. Service and Humility:
   • “He that is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 23:11).
5. Righteous Suffering:
   • The First Church endured persecution, never retaliating with violence, as seen in Acts and the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7:59-60).
6. 

The Crusades and the Dark Ages: Misalignment with Christ

The Crusades and the Dark Ages reflect a sharp departure from the principles of Christ and the First Church:

1. Violence and Conquest:
   • Jesus condemned violence, yet the Crusades were marked by warfare and bloodshed, including the killing of civilians. This violates Christ’s teaching to love enemies (Matthew 5:44).
2. Earthly Ambition:
   • The Crusades often had political and material motives, such as acquiring land and wealth, contrary to the spiritual focus of the Gospel (Matthew 6:19-20).
3. Corruption and Oppression:
   • During the Dark Ages, the Church frequently sought to control and oppress rather than serve and liberate. Practices like the Inquisition reflect an abuse of authority, contrary to Jesus’ servant-leadership model.
4. Lack of Joy and Gladness:
   • The joy of the Gospel, central to the First Church, was overshadowed by fear, coercion, and legalism in the Dark Ages. This contrasts with the “oil of gladness” in Hebrews 1:9.
5. 

How to Discern What is Christ-Resembling

To identify what reflects Christ in the Church’s history, we must evaluate based on His teachings and the fruit of the Spirit:

1. Scriptural Test:
   • Actions and doctrines must align with Jesus’ teachings (Matthew 7:15-20). Does it produce good fruit, such as love, peace, and righteousness?
2. Fruits of the Spirit:
   • “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:22-23).
   • Greek: karpos tou pneumatos (καρπὸς τοῦ πνεύματος) – evidence of God’s Spirit.
3. Humility and Servanthood:
   • Leadership and ministry must reflect Jesus’ humility: “The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45)
   • .

Dark Ages Context

The Dark Ages (5th-15th centuries) saw the institutional Church grappling with political power, often at the expense of spiritual purity:

1. Theological Darkness:
   • The Bible became inaccessible to common people, and Church traditions often overshadowed Scripture.
2. Misuse of Authority:
   • Practices like indulgences and forced conversions deviated from Christ’s example.

Biblical Hope and Restoration

Amid these dark times, God preserved His truth, eventually leading to reformations and revivals that sought to return to Christ-centered faith:

• “The light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:5).

Taveau requests :

Please  take deep dive into specific Greek or Hebrew terms or examples of reformers who resembled the First Church?

Let’s explore key biblical principles, original language insights, and historical reformers who sought to restore the Christ-centered faith of the First Church during and after the Dark Ages.

1. Biblical Insights in Original Languages

Hebrews 1:1-2, 9 – Christ’s Leadership

• “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets…”
  • Greek: polumerōs (πολυμερῶς) and polytropōs (πολυτρόπως)
    • Meaning: God spoke in many portions and various ways, emphasizing the fragmented and incomplete revelation before Christ.
    • Christ is the pleroma (πλήρωμα, “fullness”) of God’s revelation (Colossians 1:19).
• “In these last days spoken unto us by His Son…”
  • Greek: eschatos (ἔσχατος) – “last,” meaning Christ is the ultimate and final Word, representing God’s character and will.
• “Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity…”
  • Hebrew parallel (Psalm 45:7):
    • tsedeq (צֶדֶק): Righteousness—justice and moral uprightness.
    • reshah (רֶשַׁע): Wickedness—lawlessness, injustice.

These verses underscore that any Christ-resembling leadership or movement must love righteousness (justice and uprightness) and oppose lawlessness (injustice and corruption).

2. Key Biblical Tests for Christ-Resembling Movements

The Fruit Test

• “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:16).
  • Greek: karpos (καρπός) – the visible outcome of one’s life or ministry. A Christ-like movement should exhibit:
    • Love (Agapē – ἀγάπη): Sacrificial care for others.
    • Peace (Eirēnē – εἰρήνη): Harmony and reconciliation.
    • Joy (Chara – χαρά): Genuine delight in God’s grace.
    • 

Servanthood and Humility

• “The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister” (Mark 10:45).
  • Greek: diakoneō (διακονέω) – to serve or attend to the needs of others. Christ’s leadership is defined by humility and self-sacrifice, not domination.

Righteous Suffering

• “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Peter 2:21).
  • Christ-like leadership endures suffering for righteousness’ sake, as opposed to inflicting suffering
  • .

3. Christ vs. Institutional Corruption in the Dark Ages

POINT:

During the Dark Ages, the institutional Church often deviated from Christ’s example. These practices starkly contrasted with the First Church:

1. Inaccessibility of Scripture:
   • Latin-only Bibles excluded the common people. In contrast, the First Church “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:42), with accessible teaching.
2. Forced Conversions and Coercion:
   • Contrary to “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).
   • Coercion violates the Greek exousia (ἐξουσία, “authority”) granted to believers, which is based on God’s invitation, not force.
3. Misuse of Wealth and Power:
   • Leaders indulged in wealth, while Christ warned, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:25).

4. Reformers Resembling the First Church

Amid the corruption, reformers arose to restore Christ-centered faith.

John Wycliffe (1330–1384): “Morning Star of the Reformation”

• Biblical Focus: Wycliffe translated the Bible into English, believing the Word of God should be accessible to all.
• Christ-like Character: Emphasized humility, service, and reliance on Scripture, reflecting Acts 6:4: “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”

Jan Hus (1369–1415)

• Stand Against Corruption: Condemned indulgences and the abuse of power within the Church.
• Righteous Suffering: Martyred for his faith, embodying 1 Peter 2:21.

Martin Luther (1483–1546): Leader of the Reformation

• Biblical Rediscovery: Emphasized sola scriptura (Scripture alone) and sola fide (faith alone).
  • “The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17).
  • Greek: dikaios (δίκαιος) – the righteous, justified by faith, not works.
• Humility and Servanthood: Luther rejected titles of grandeur, living as a humble servant of the Word.

The Waldensians (12th Century)

• Scripture-Centered: Emphasized preaching, Scripture memorization, and a simple lifestyle.
• Nonviolence: Refused to take up arms, echoing Matthew 5:9.

5. Dark Ages vs. Christ-Resembling Reform

Aspect	Dark Ages Church	Christ-Resembling Reformers
Leadership Style	Authoritarian and coercive	Humble, servant leadership
Scriptural Access	Restricted to clergy	Made accessible to all
Evangelism	Forced conversions	Invitation through love and teaching
Wealth and Power	Opulent lifestyles	Simplicity and sacrificial living
Justice and Mercy	Inquisitions, indulgences	Advocacy for righteousness and grace

Key Scriptures to Guide Discernment

1. Christ’s Example of Leadership:
   • “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15).
2. The Fruits of the Spirit:
   • “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” (Galatians 5:22-23).
3. The Great Commission:
   • “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
   • Greek: mathēteuō (μαθητεύω) – to make disciples, emphasizing teaching and relationship, not force.’

Taveau Asks:
Please do an exploration of specific reformer writings, or a deeper dive into biblical principles in Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic?

Let’s delve deeper into specific reformer writings and biblical principles from the original languages, focusing on how reformers realigned with Christ’s teachings.

1. Writings of Reformers and Their Christ-Like Practices

John Wycliffe

• Focus on Scripture:
  • Wycliffe believed that “the truth of the Scriptures is the highest authority for the faithful, superseding the laws of the Church.”
  • Reflects 2 Timothy 3:16:
    “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…”
    • Greek: theopneustos (θεόπνευστος) – “God-breathed,” emphasizing the divine origin of Scripture as sufficient and final.
• Humility in Leadership:
  • Wycliffe criticized clerical wealth and argued for a return to the apostolic model of servant leadership (Mark 10:45).

Jan Hus

• Key Belief: “Seek the truth, listen to the truth, teach the truth, love the truth, abide by the truth, and defend the truth unto death.”
  • This echoes Ephesians 4:15:
    “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”
    • Greek: alētheuō en agapē (ἀληθεύω ἐν ἀγάπῃ) – “truthing in love,” showing that truth must be rooted in love.
• Christ-like Suffering: Hus, martyred for challenging corruption, embodied Matthew 5:10:
  “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake…”
  • Greek: dikaiosynē (δικαιοσύνη) – righteousness or justice, the core of Christ’s example.

Martin Luther

• Sola Scriptura:
  • Luther’s foundational belief, “Scripture alone is the highest authority,” directly opposed the Church’s elevation of tradition above Scripture.
  • “The word of God is quick, and powerful…” (Hebrews 4:12).
    • Greek: logos tou Theou (λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ) – “word of God,” emphasizing its living and active nature in guiding faith.
• Sola Fide (Faith Alone):
  • Based on Romans 1:17:
    “The just shall live by faith.”
    • Greek: pistis (πίστις) – faith or trust in God, not works or rituals.
  • 

The Waldensians

• Preaching and Scripture:
  • Focused on memorizing and spreading Scripture, reflecting Acts 17:11:
    “They received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily…”
    • Greek: anakrino (ἀνακρίνω) – “to examine,” showing their devotion to testing teachings against the Bible.
• Nonviolence:
  • Refused military action, aligning with Matthew 5:9:
    “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

2. Biblical Principles in Original Languages

Christ-Centered Leadership

1. “He that is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 23:11).
   • Greek: diakonos (διάκονος) – servant or minister, underscoring humility.
2. “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17).
   • Greek: boskō ta probata (βόσκω τὰ πρόβατα) – “tend my sheep,” denoting care and nurturing leadership.

Discernment of True Fruit

1. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” (Galatians 5:22-23).
   • Greek: karpos (καρπός) – fruit, indicating visible evidence of inner transformation.
2. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself…” (John 15:4).
   • Greek: menō (μένω) – “to remain,” showing the vital connection to Christ for any lasting fruit.

3. Contrasts During the Dark Ages

Aspect	Dark Ages Church	Christ-Resembling Reformers
Evangelism	Coercion through force	Invitation through the Word and Spirit
Scripture Access	Restricted to clergy	Translated and shared with the people
Leadership Style	Hierarchical and authoritarian	Servant leadership, modeled after Christ

---

Taveau requests that Chat GPT AI  explore:

• Reformers’ writings in greater depth?
• How specific Bible passages align with First Church principles?

Your assessment aligns with a thoughtful critique of the Crusades when examined through the lens of biblical principles and Christ’s teachings.

Let us explore whether the Crusades were in line with Christ-like fruit or were driven by theological and human error, supported by Scripture, history, and reason.

1. Historical Context of the Crusades

The Crusades (1095–1291) were a series of military campaigns sanctioned by the Roman Catholic Church to reclaim the Holy Land from Islamic control. They were framed as a holy mission, offering spiritual benefits such as indulgences (forgiveness of sins) to participants.

• Primary Goals:
  • Reclaim Jerusalem and other sacred sites.
  • Protect Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land.
  • Expand the political and economic influence of the Church.

2. Evaluating the Crusades Against Biblical Principles

The Teachings of Christ

Christ’s ministry emphasized love, peace, and humility. He rejected the use of violence to achieve spiritual goals:

1. Rejection of Violence:
   • “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52).
   • The Crusades contradicted this principle by promoting warfare as a means of achieving religious ends.
2. Love for Enemies:
   • “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
   • Instead of demonstrating love and forgiveness, the Crusaders often engaged in massacres of Muslims, Jews, and even fellow Christians.
3. The Great Commission:
   • “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).
   • Christ’s command was to spread the Gospel through teaching and example, not through coercion or force.
4. 

The Fruit of the Spirit

Paul outlines the evidence of true Christian living in Galatians 5:22-23:

• “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”
• The Crusades produced fear, division, bloodshed, and animosity—contradicting these fruits.

3. False Theology or Legitimate Doctrine?

The Theology of the Crusades

• Papal Authority:
  • Popes like Urban II framed the Crusades as divinely sanctioned acts of service, offering indulgences for participation.
  • This theology lacked scriptural basis; Christ never offered forgiveness of sins in exchange for physical action or violence.
• Economic and Political Motivations:
  • The Church used religious rhetoric to consolidate power, secure wealth, and gain territorial influence.
  • Ezekiel 34:2-3 condemns such leadership:
    “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool but do not take care of the flock.”
• Misinterpretation of the Old Testament:
  • The Crusades were justified by comparing them to Israel’s conquest of Canaan under Joshua. However, Christ ushered in a new covenant, emphasizing peace and spiritual warfare over physical conquest (Hebrews 8:6).
  • 

Christ’s Kingdom vs. Earthly Ambition

1. Christ’s Kingdom:
   • Jesus clarified, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).
   • The Crusades conflated spiritual goals with earthly, political ones, undermining Christ’s mission.
2. Warnings Against False Doctrine:
   • Paul warned Timothy about leaders who would “wander away into myths” (2 Timothy 4:4).
   • The Crusades could be seen as a myth—an attempt to manipulate theology for human ambition.

4. Were the Crusades Spirit-Led?

Evidence Against Spirit-Led Action

The Crusades failed to align with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, as evidenced by their results:

• Division:
  • They deepened the schism between Eastern Orthodox and Western Catholic Christians (e.g., the sacking of Constantinople in 1204).
• Atrocities:
  • Massacres of innocent civilians (e.g., the Siege of Jerusalem in 1099).
• Long-Term Consequences:
  • Hostility between Christians, Muslims, and Jews that persists today.
  • 

5. Digging In: Could the Crusades Have Been Well-Intentioned?

It is possible that some leaders and participants believed they were fulfilling God’s will:

• Misguided Zeal:
  • Paul acknowledged that Israel had “a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:2).
  • Similarly, the Crusaders may have acted out of zeal but without understanding Christ’s teachings.
• Cultural Context:
  • The medieval Church operated within a feudal system where political and spiritual authority were intertwined. This blurred the line between religious devotion and political ambition.

6. Scriptural Standards for Discernment

• Testing the Spirits:
  • “Test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1).
  • The Crusades failed this test, as their outcomes reflected human ambition rather than divine guidance.
• True Religion:
  • “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27).
  • The Crusades prioritized conquest over care for the vulnerable.
  • 

Conclusion

By biblical standards, the Crusades were a result of false theology, driven by human ambition rather than the Spirit-led mission of Christ. While some participants may have been well-intentioned, the campaigns themselves bore little resemblance to the fruit of genuine Christian faith.

Key Takeaways

1. Christ’s Kingdom is Spiritual:
   • It is advanced through love, humility, and truth, not violence or political power.
2. The Crusades Highlight Human Fallibility:
   • They serve as a warning against conflating religious zeal with divine will.
3. A Call for True Discernment:
   • The Church must always test its actions against the teachings and character of Christ.

Pastor Taveau asked:
Please explore specific Crusader events or further biblical comparisons?

Let’s delve deeper into specific Crusader events, evaluating them through the lens of biblical principles and the character of Christ. I’ll explore key moments and their implications, tying them to scripture and spiritual discernment.

1. The First Crusade (1095–1099)

Historical Overview

• Launched after Pope Urban II’s sermon at the Council of Clermont (1095).
• Promised absolution of sins for those who joined the fight to reclaim Jerusalem.
• Achieved its primary goal: the capture of Jerusalem in 1099.

Key Events

1. Massacre in Jerusalem (1099):
   • Crusaders killed tens of thousands of Muslim and Jewish inhabitants, including civilians.
   • Eyewitness accounts describe blood flowing in the streets.
2. Siege of Antioch (1097–1098):
   • Thousands of Crusaders and civilians starved as the city was besieged.
   • Crusaders resorted to cannibalism, feeding on the bodies of the dead.

Evaluation Against Scripture

1. Massacre in Jerusalem:
   • “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). The deliberate killing of civilians violated this commandment.
   • Christ’s teaching on mercy:
     • “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7).
     • The slaughter of innocent lives reflects a lack of mercy and contradicts the nature of Christ.
2. Promises of Forgiveness for Participation:
   • The Pope’s declaration of absolution directly opposed Christ’s teaching on repentance and forgiveness:
     • “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us” (1 John 1:9).
     • Forgiveness is a gift of grace, not a reward for violence.
3. Starvation and Cannibalism:
   • Reflects the fruit of fleshly ambition rather than Spirit-led wisdom:
     • “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice” (James 3:16).

2. The Fourth Crusade (1202–1204)

Historical Overview

• Originally intended to reclaim Jerusalem but diverted to Constantinople.
• Crusaders sacked Constantinople (1204), looting the city and desecrating Eastern Orthodox churches.

Key Events

1. Sack of Constantinople:
   • Crusaders destroyed Christian relics, slaughtered citizens, and desecrated holy sites.
   • The event deepened the schism between Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians.

Evaluation Against Scripture

1. Destruction of Christian Relics:
   • Violated the sanctity of the Church:
     • “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).
2. Division Among Christians:
   • Contradicted Christ’s prayer for unity:
     • “That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us” (John 17:21).
3. Economic Greed:
   • The diversion to Constantinople was motivated by debt owed to Venetian merchants.
     • “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).
     • 

3. The Children’s Crusade (1212)

Historical Overview

• Thousands of children, believing they were divinely called to reclaim the Holy Land, marched to the Mediterranean.
• Many were sold into slavery or perished along the way.

Evaluation Against Scripture

1. Exploitation of Innocence:
   • Christ warned against harming children:
     • “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).
2. Misplaced Faith in Human Efforts:
   • The Children’s Crusade reflects misguided zeal rather than Spirit-led action:
     • “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).
3. 

4. Long-Term Consequences of the Crusades

Division and Hostility

• The Crusades deepened divisions among Christians, Jews, and Muslims, creating lasting hostility.
  • “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18).
  • The Crusades failed to foster peace and reconciliation.

Damage to Christian Witness

• The violence and greed associated with the Crusades undermined the message of the Gospel:
  • “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
  • Instead of drawing others to Christ, the Crusades alienated non-Christians and tarnished the Church’s reputation.

Contrast with First Church Practices

1. Apostolic Evangelism:
   • The Apostles spread the Gospel through teaching, miracles, and sacrificial love, not through force.
   • “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22).
2. Martyrdom vs. Militancy:
   • Early Christians willingly faced persecution and death without retaliation:
     • “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
   • 

Were the Crusades False Theology or Divine Mission?

Evidence of False Theology:

1. Theological Distortion:
   • Conflating spiritual warfare with physical warfare (Ephesians 6:12).
   • Using Old Testament conquest narratives (Joshua) without understanding the new covenant of grace.
2. Human Ambition:
   • Many leaders pursued personal and political goals under the guise of religious duty.

Could Any Good Have Come?

• While some individuals acted out of sincere faith, the broader campaigns were marked by spiritual error and human sin.
• God can bring good even from human failure:
  • “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28).
• 

Conclusion

The Crusades, though framed as a holy mission, were largely driven by false theology and human ambition. They reflect a departure from Christ’s teachings and the fruit of the Spirit, showcasing the danger of conflating divine will with political or economic motives.

Key Lessons for Today

1. True Christlikeness:
   • The Church must prioritize love, humility, and peace over power and domination.
2. Discernment in Leadership:
   • Leaders must resist the temptation to use spiritual authority for personal gain.
3. Focus on Eternal Kingdom:
   • Christ’s mission is spiritual and eternal, not territorial or political

Taveau closes with this opinion (for the pure saints)

THE KEY TAKEAWAY IN ALL OF THIS FOR THE MODERN CHRISTIAN, BORN AGAIN OR NOT

Know your genuine Bible hero role model: Christ, Paul, authority, humility, and frankly, have a personal, deep relationship with the Lord God through the Savior Jesus Christ in order to let your inward witness, pure heart, and conscience, filtered through deeper knowledge of what’s in the actual Bible, “be our guide.”

And “ONGOING,” evaluate and fully assess the “spiritual fruits” (mostly relationship types of actions) of the people who “say” they represent “Christ,” who are His “leaders, elders, office, lay.” YOU WANT TO “ASSESS, MATURELY, AND ONGOING EVALUATE the pure, eternal, holy fruit of the following:

FILTER  ONE ..”ACTIONS”  OF OTHER LEADERS, LAY ACTIONS, RELATIONSHIPS,WORDS through the “wisdom coming from above in James 3:17” God’s wisdom is hallmarked as “PURE, PEACEABLE, EASILY ENTREATED, FULL  OF MERCY, GOOD FRUIT (Paul’s non religious fruit of the Spirit Galatians5:22-23 Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Goodness, Meekness and Self control)  WITHOUT PARTIALITY and without HYPOCRISY”