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
Showing posts with label paladin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label paladin. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
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.
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.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
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:
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.
I envision a modern-day version of knighthood. A Protestant religious order, if you will, that performs the following functions:
- Local [parish] surveillance (a la the Neighborhood Watch programs);
- Safety patrols (a la the Guardian Angels);
- Service projects as a witness for Christ (a la the Paladins);
- Fighting crime and political corruption through investigative journalism (to be published on the order's website).
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.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
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.
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.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
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).
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).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
