Motivational Poster: Christian Warrior Culture

My barber sent me this motivational poster appropriate to Christian Warrior Culture.

Committees of Safety

I was interested to see the following article by Amelia Foxwell in Guns & Patriots:

Americans Take Back Their Country with Committees of Safety

What interests me is that I wrote on the topic two-and-a-half years ago, with the idea of an order of Christian warriors who would each take a neighborhood under his wing. You can read my post here:

Christian Vigilance for the 21st Century

Beautiful!

(Got home from Illinois yesterday afternoon. Wedding of daughter #3 was Saturday. Thanks to our gracious God for preserving us through blizzard & from foolish drivers on the trip home.)

I suppose every man thinks his own wife and daughters are beautiful. Maybe they don't, and I'm just making a generalization based on my own mindset.

Over the last weekend, though, I found myself impressed by the beauty of the girls and women of all ages at the wedding and then at worship the next morning. From preschool to elderly, I saw an attractiveness that really struck me.

I am going to go out on a limb, here and say that the grace of Christ in the heart can be seen in the countenance. I saw (and still see) it in the woman I chose to love for a lifetime, and I know my sons-in-law have seen it in countenances of my daughters, as well.

For some reason, though, it really impressed me over the weekend that Christian ladies have it all over the world in the beauty department. To keep this post true to the purpose of WARSKYL, I guess I should analogize an application for Christian Martialism, here.

As a woman's beauty begins within, so does a warrior's strength. Strength of character translates into strength for the battle.

I've written about this  before in a post about Sir Galahad. In the words of Tennyson's Galahad,

My strength is as the strength of ten
Because my heart is pure.

Christian Martialist, may your righteous strength complement the gracious beauty of the Christian women in your life.

Leadership and Localism

Some readers may remember a post I wrote a while ago called "Christian Vigilance for the 21st Century." In it, I  indulged in spinning some daydreams about a modern order or knights who serve their local communities in a number of ways.

As far as I know, no one has yet tried to implement any of the ideas I set down in that blog post. If you have done so, I hope you will share your efforts in the comments section.

I also want to share an idea that I've recently started to work on in my own locale -- Possum Kingdom, South Carolina. It includes starting a new blog: Possum Kingdom Prayer Page.

If you check out the tabs on that page and compare to the "Christian Vigilance for the 21st Century" article, you'll see how this kind of personal ministry may help to bring neighbors together to fulfill some of the functions I listed there.

Would any other Christian Martialists like to undertake a similar responsibility for their own neighborhoods? If so, please send me a link to your neighborhood prayer blog page. You are free to use any ideas you find on my page, and/or let your own sanctified creativity prevail.

Odds and Ethics

Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall chase ten thousand; and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword. (Lev 26:8)

The Lord gave the promise above to Israel, but the promise had a condition: "'If you walk in My statutes, and keep My commandments, and do them." (Lev 26:3)

For the believer, victory in any area of life is covenantal, which means that it is inescapably ethical. It's just another way of stating the message I gave some time back in my post about Sir Galahad.

Banning Islam

We, as Christian Martialists, must never forget that -- contrary to modern Islamic-influenced scholarship -- the knights of medieval Christendom fought a defensive war against a virulent Islamic tide that sought to dominate the world by the terror of naked force.

Last week, RPC sent me a link to an article in the Canada Free Press that talked about how the U.S. could ban Islam, using the Constitution as a pretext. I wrote the following as an answer to that article:

Ron,

The premise of this article rests upon the presupposition that religion consists merely of internal opinion rather than the idea that one's religion constitutes the foundation of all one's external actions.

This error also leads the author to ignore the fact that every law passed and enforced upon the citizenry is an outworking of someone's inner beliefs and standards of morality. The idea that the realm of law & government can be neutral toward religion is a myth.

The myth of neutrality has served as a smokescreen for the religion of Secular Humanism as it has consolidated its control over the institutions of our society. As Secular Humanists have succeeded, they have enforced their beliefs upon the nation.

Murder of the unborn is one practical outworking of their religious beliefs. Treating public protest of that murder as terrorism is another such outward expression of someone's religion.

The fact that Islam is bent on world conquest is used as an argument for banning it. Well, Secular Humanism is likewise bent on conquest (see Humanist Manifesto I & II). Why is it not likewise banned from the public square?

Of course only a tiny minority of Christians recognize that the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20) is also a call to world conquest. Pietists are actually more comfortable with this author's assertion that religion be confined to one's inner opinions.

While I agree that the practice of Islam should be outlawed, my reasons for doing so would be the antithesis of the author's. Every idolatrous religion that raises itself in rebellion to the Kingship of Christ is treasonous to Him.

It is the duty of civil government to submit to God's Anointed (Psalm 2). If this goes contrary to the Constitution, then so much the worse for the Constitution.(end of email)
To his credit, RPC wholeheartedly agreed with my evaluation of the article.

Today, an interesting article came to me from American Vision. It's by Bojidar Marinov, who has undertaken as his life mission the reform of the nation of Bulgaria.

In the article, he draws a parallel between the House of Elrond in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and the present-day nation of Switzerland. Here is how the article begins:

‘Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.’

The change in the wizard’s voice was astounding. Suddenly it became menacing, powerful, harsh as stone. A shadow seemed to pass over the high sun, and the porch for a moment grew dark. All trembled, and the Elves stopped their ears.

‘Never before has any voice dared to utter words of that tongue in Imladris, Gandalf the Grey,’ said Elrond, as the shadow passed and the company breathed once more.

‘And let us hope that none will ever speak it here again,’ answered Gandalf...

The small nation of Switzerland taught the civilized world a lesson once again. In a time when Europe is disarming itself through political correctness and delivering its future in the hands of Islam, the small mountain nation told the most aggressive and savage of the world religions: “No to the minarets.” In a referendum, 57 percent of the voters and 22 out of 26 cantons voted in favor of a ban on building minarets to the mosques in the nation. As of the moment, Switzerland has only 4 minarets for its 350,000 Muslims, and the building of more minarets is declared unconstitutional and against the law. The Swiss people made that declaration in a remarkable display of peaceful exercise of popular democracy vote, against the will of their own government, against the disapproval of the other European nations, and against the wrath of the Muslim world.

Read the rest of the article here:

Switzerland, the House of Elrond

Christian Vigilance for the 21st Century

Okay, I've pretty much opined the subject of vigilantism to death, but I am going to now share a dream. Dreams tend to be impractical, so don't think I'll be disappointed over the fact that it probably would not work. So here it is, from the ethereal realm of pure theory:

I envision a modern-day version of knighthood. A Protestant religious order, if you will, that performs the following functions:

1. Local [parish] surveillance (a la the Neighborhood Watch programs);
2. Safety patrols (a la the Guardian Angels);
3. Service projects as a witness for Christ (a la the Paladins);
4. Fighting crime and political corruption through investigative journalism (to be published on the order's website).

And (of course!) each member of the order would be a resident sheepdog in his local church.

While I'm dreaming, let me dream a little bigger. Members of the order would be trained as medical 1st responders, so as to handle medical emergencies while on patrol, until the ambulance arrives. Local groups might also train in search and rescue techniques.

Training could be as involved as local individuals or groups desired for their service projects: auto mechanics, rappelling (not RE-pelling, please), firearms safety & instruction, becoming a CPR instructor, etc.

Local members of the order might look for gaps in the plans of their local or regional disaster agencies and make a niche for themselves by filling those gaps.

The order would appoint chaplains in each locale who would direct the devotional and evangelistic aspects of each local group. He would also lead in prayer or give short messages at community events sponsored by the order (e.g., CPR classes, self defense seminars, childhood safety classes, community surveillance groups, etc.)

The investigative journalism aspect of the order is, I think a suitable compromise in terms of pursuing justice. It would not leave us open to the same kinds of criminal charges that full-fledged vigilantes would face. However, bringing criminal activity and public corruption under public scrutiny is bound to have an effect resulting in suppression or possibly even prosecution of wrongdoers.

Members of the order engaged in this endeavor would have to be trained in journalistic methods and legal boundaries. Nonetheless, the American Establishment sees the 1st amendment of the US Constitution almost wholly as the "free press" amendment, so that this is probably the safest avenue for the order to take in pursuing justice for the guilty.

Local surveillance; safety patrols; service in both stable times and disaster; pursuing justice through investigative journalism -- a worldwide religious order with local teams of Christian Martialists who serve their King and their community -- that's my dream. The name for my dream organization? Order of the Cherethites, after David's personal guard, led by Benaiah the warrior-priest.

While this is as close to vigilantism as I'm willing to commit at this time, please recognize that a local chapter of this order could well serve as a nucleus for community organization in times of natural and economic disaster as well as civil disorder.

The Master Warrior's Land

As I climb toward the peak, I stop often to rest. Why does the Master Warrior insist I meet him in such difficult places? Then I glance down at my expansive midsection, and I wonder no more.

I seek the wisdom and the warrior spirit of his ancient land -- a land with terrain not unlike this. As I draw near the craggy peak, I hear him chanting. It's a traditional song, beloved by his people.

I try to approach quietly . . . respectfully, but his trained senses know my approach. He speaks. "Come. Stand before me, Clodhopper."

I see him, standing relaxed but straight and strong in spite of his advanced years. He wears the venerable war garb and weapons of his ancient land: great kilt, claymore and dirk. He is the Master Warrior.
Last Saturday, I went to the Greenville Highland Games and Scottish festival. Merrianna, my youngest daughter and I ate haggis for the first time -- very good, but then again I like steel-cut oats without sugar for breakfast. That was just one highlight.

Another was the bagpipe bands. At any time of day, you could find small groups of pipers playing. The sound of the war-pipes provided a constant background to the day's activities. I love the sound of them.

For me, though, the best part was watching the medieval warriors from the European Martial Arts of America (EMAA). They were impressive. They used real weapons (not sharpened, but still able to wound) in their unchoreographed fighting exhibitions.

The temperatures rose into the high 90's, and still they performed. I liked talking with them, for they displayed knightly courtesy and wit. I could clearly see their camaraderie and their love for historic combat arms.

Dame Jennifer regaled Merrianna & me with some entertaining stories. She spoke of how Celtic wives and mothers knew the combat arts and tutored their children in fighting techniques. She also revealed that the EMAA teaches unarmed self defense. And I was pleased that their approach has definite similarities to my own.

Sir Teahawk offered me a welcome drink of ice water. And Sir William gave me one of his organization's promotional coins because I cheered for him in the contests. A more courtly group of medieval warriors I have never met.

As we watched them fight, Merrianna said, "Daddy, look." A burly man with a bushy black beard walked by, dressed in a bright plaid kilt with a big two-handed broadsword slung across his back. O, for a land where men walk freely about, armed or unarmed, as they please. Later, I paid way too much for an authentic carbon steel Culloden dirk, but it was a souvenir, and souvenirs are always overpriced.

All the way home, I could hear in my head the pleasant drone of bagpipes. Merrianna said she could, too.

"Master Warrior, I have been to a gathering that makes me homesick for a place I've never been, a land of haggis and tartans and warpipes and fiercely independent men who toss the caber, fear God and sing the Psalms."

"In that case, Clodhopper, there is hope that you may yet become a warrior."

Henry V

Some time ago, my barber sent me the link below. I want to dedicate it to my brother sheepdogs.
Henry V is a just a story by Shakespeare. But in the end, there is only One Story. There is but One King. And there is but One War. God grant us grace to choose sides wisely in every conflict, and to remain faithful.

Though we may never meet in this life, yet we stand together for the King and by the Book. We few. We happy few. We band of brothers.

Click here

Jesus

I did not post yesterday, as I had planned because I had to go in to work to cover a 12 hr. shift for someone who called in sick. It destroyed my short, weekly escape from wage slavery, but it did provide me with a topic for today's post.

A truck driver was signing into the log at the entry gate. "Let's see, 7:50 . . . that's 1950hrs, right?" I assured him that 7:50PM would, indeed be 1950hrs, but that in actuality it was now 7:56 or 1956hrs. He said, "Jesus."

Now, he wasn't upset or angry, or anything like that. It was said in the same tone that one might say, "Ooops." Just a casual remark using the King's name as a curse word.

I was not in a mood to hear the Name sullied. I said, "That's my Lord."

"Mine, too," he replied.

"Then . . . . Never mind." Some things you shouldn't have to explain.

In Muslim countries you could lose your tongue, or your life for disrespecting Mohamed. In America, a self-professing Christian feels no shame or sense of wrongdoing when he drags the name of his Savior down to the gutter. In the Middle East, it would be a major offense mistreat a copy of the Q'uran. In America, I've seen a supposedly Christian teen drop her Bible, then kick it out of the way so she could move her desk.

A far cry from the honor given to the name of Jesus in The Crusaders' Hymn. There is some question as to whether 13th Century knights actually sang it, but if they didn't they should have.
Some scholars say the hymn originated among participants in the pre-Reform movement of John Hus.

Christian Martialists could do worse than to reverence the Person and the Name as described herein:

1. Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
 O Thou of God and man the Son,
 Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
 Thou, my soul's glory, joy and crown.

2. Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
 Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
 Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
 Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

3. Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight,
 And all the twinkling starry host;
 Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
 Than all the angels heaven can boast.

4. Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations!
 Son of God and Son of Man!
 Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
 Now and forever more be Thine.

Christian Martialism: Ego vs. Service

I came to know KB because we worshiped at the same church. He had been in the USMC for . . . I think it was about 13 years. Before he left the Corps, he was training to become an instructor in the Marine Corps Martial Art Program (MCMAP).

Before I met him, this man with a warrior's heart tried to organize a group of Christian young men who would train together and function as a service organization. The service part of the plan was to patrol the roads carrying 5 gallons of gasoline, bottled water, a cell phone and a tool kit. The object was to find motorists in distress, help them and then give them a piece of Gospel literature.

KB called his group the Paladins (after Charlemagne's knights of the palace guard). I thought it was a neat idea, but he told me the members of the group didn't want to get involved in the service aspect. They just wanted to learn to fight. Because of that, KB disbanded the group.

I think disbanding was a wise move. I guess a young man will always be enamored and impressed with the idea of becoming a warrior. But if the purpose is only to inflate his own ego, then he will never be a true paladin, a Christian Martialist.

The whole idea of Christian Martialism is service to the King and Shepherd of our souls through serving and protecting His Church. Our service includes true worship, support of the local church (time & tithe), and submission to the government & discipline of the spiritual leaders whom Christ has appointed. It's simple; it's humbling; and often it's hard.

A Christian Martialist wannabe can't resist bragging that he's a warrior, and how important he is. The true Christian Martialist does not advertise his unusual calling. For him, it's not a matter of ego; it's a matter of service.

Sheep rarely understand the sheepdog and his role. They'd like to think that peace is normal and automatic. They don't appreciate the idea that it often takes force and blood to purchase peace and safety, and they resent those who bring such realities to their attention.

Therefore, the Christian Martialist trains, studies and watches without fanfare or recognition. He knows who he is, and so does his Master. That is as it should be. And that is enough.

Sir Galahad

Sir Galahad provides a counterbalance to a false view that plagues us. In our culture, good people are often portrayed as helpless. Devout Christians are often seen as pacifists who must be protected by the irreligious but compassionate warrior. We have seen this in the movies going way back. Contrast this with the following poetic description of Sir Galahad from the poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1834). (Unless I'm mistaken, a casque is a helmet.)

My good blade carves the casques of men,
My tough lance thrusteth sure,
My strength is as the strength of ten,
Because my heart is pure.

In Sir Galahad, most noble of King Arthur's knights, we see purity of character as a source of strength rather than of weakness. Wikipedia refers to him as "perhaps the knightly embodiment of Jesus in the Arthurian legends." This may be because Sir Galahad is represented as sinlessly pure.

However you view him, I believe Sir Galahad stands as an example to us as Christian Martialists. Like him, we find great strength in righteousness and conformity to the character of God in Christ.

Paladin

The term paladin comes from the Latin, palatinus (palace guard). The word entered Twentieth Century popular American culture via the TV western, "Have Gun Will Travel", in which the main character was known simply as Paladin. Few realized that this "knight without armor in a savage land" was named after a legendary group of Christian knights in the early Medieval period.

Charles the Great (Carolus Magnus or Charlemagne) was king of the Franks and grandson of Charles Martel (Charles the Hammer). The Hammer stopped a group of Islamic terrorists at the battle of Tours in A.D. 732. (Of course, as the media & our government tell us, it is only a tiny minority of Muslims who comprise the body of Islamic terrorists because they do not understand that Islam is a religion of peace. Mohammed died in A.D. 632 after gaining control of Arabia by force of arms. Then a tiny minority of his followers, who misunderstood his peaceful religion thundered across Christian North Africa, demanding conversions at the point of the sword. Within a century this comparative handful of terrorists had conquered Spain and were on the verge of overtaking Western Europe, except -- in God's providence -- for Charles the Hammer.)

Charlemagne's select knights were known as the paladins. As much or more than tales of Arthur's Knights of the Round Table, stories of the paladins, shaped the mindset of the Age of Chivalry. The most notable was The Song of Roland. Over time, mythic embellishments wove themselves into the story and took over altogether.

Of course, troubadours read the religion of the High Middle Ages back into this story set in the context of the era of the Old Catholic Church. Still, it makes good inspirational reading for the Christian Martialist. There is even child's edition called Stories of Roland. It's the kind of thing I wouldn't mind reading to my grandsons (with appropriate explanations of the fact that some pre-reformation Christians were untaught and did things they shouldn't).