Crusades: History, Perspectives, and Lasting Impacts
The Crusades: Origins and Early Interpretations
Pope Innocent IV (1243-1254) was the first to name the Crusades as such. He was the first to write a comprehensive history of the Crusades, labeling the events as ‘Crusades’.
Key tenets of the Crusades, according to Pope Innocent IV:
- They had to be initiated by the Pope in Rome.
- Participants were promised forgiveness for their sins, offering Christians an opportunity to enter Heaven.
The Crusades were presented as a defensive war against an aggressive Muslim
Read MoreMorality, the New Testament, and the Structure of Christian Scripture
Jewish Morality and the New Testament
Moral: The morality of the Jewish people is not a consequence of religiosity, but one of its constituent elements. Yahweh is the author; the one who has rights over man. Through the covenant, Israel is a legislator with holy law, ordered for the health and happiness of the individual and society.
The New Testament as a Will
New Testament: A will is a legal act, *mortis causa*, unilateral, solemn, and revocable, by which the grantor disposes of their property,
Read MoreDante’s Paradise: A Journey Through the Heavens
Dante’s Journey Through Paradise
Beatriz continued her reproaches of Dante’s remorse before the infidelity. The procession moves away again, and Beatrice acts as a guardian of the church. Beatrice gives a series of warnings to Dante and also explains the vicissitudes suffered by the chariot. Dante and the church are preparing to climb to the stars.
Paradise
Canto I: Preface of Paradise – The glory of Him who moves everything pervades the universe. Dante invokes Apollo to fill him with worth. Dante
Read MoreUnderstanding Human Suffering and Faith in God
Understanding Human Suffering and Faith
Evil and pain are among the most puzzling of human experiences. Any protest of meaning for life should be approached from this dimension. Some ills come from our status as beings of nature. Nature has its laws, and we are subject to them. Similarly, the natural biological cycle ends in death. However, other types of suffering are caused by evil people, evil that sometimes nests in the human heart.
Jesus’ Experience of Pain and Suffering
Jesus faced these realities
Read MorePower Ministry: The Holy Spirit in Action
What Mandate Did Christ Give the Church?
To evangelize all nations.
Advancing Christ’s Kingdom
The only way to advance Christ’s kingdom is by applying force against force. God’s primary force is the power of the Holy Spirit in operation through the Church.
Reasons Why Power Ministry Is Essential Today
- We are involved in a war.
- The enemy has power.
- The task is great.
- Power ministry works.
Elijah’s Contest with the Prophets of Baal
God sent fire from heaven to consume the water-soaked sacrifice to show that
Read MoreNietzsche’s Critique: Re-evaluating Western Culture and Values
Nietzsche’s Critique: Re-evaluating Western Culture
Nietzsche critiques Western culture as decadent, betraying life’s values. He proposes an improvement on traditional values to produce true human liberation.
Critique of Morality
Nietzsche deeply criticizes Western culture, particularly Platonism, for its unnaturalness. He considers it the biggest mistake, prioritizing ideas located beyond everyday life and denying the real man. Morality creates slaves and masters throughout history, culminating in
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