Western Civilization I
Crusades (Historiography)
The Christian Crusades, a series of battles against Muslims in the Holy Lands, occurred on 1096. These battles were carried out exclusively by Christians and Muslims, fighting over control of Jerusalem among other proclaimed Holy Lands. The reasoning behind the Crusades has been debated several times over by different historians, claiming the Crusades were violent and showcase the worst of religion while others claiming that the Crusades were a necessary evil against a much larger evil. Both Christians and Muslims blame each other for the gruesome battles, a battle some believe is still going on today.
While most Christians in the modern day are not as aware of the Crusades as theologists are, it is debateable as to how much theologists choose to acknowledge. Dr.Stephen Flick, a scholar who has earned his doctorate in Theology and studied church history, seems to take a more "Christian" approach to the Crusades. In his article, "The Truth about the Crusades", he tackles the controversial topic with a one sided view of the situation. He begins his article by stating, "The Christian Crusades against the Muslims began nearly 470 years after the first Muslim Crusades against Christians were initated in 630, when Muhammad himself led the way."(Flick) He begins the article by placing blame on the Muslims for forcing the Christians to react this way. He makes the Christians appear as victims while telling the reader to blame Muhammad and the Muslims for forcing that reaction out of them. Beginning the article this way has a strong persuasive effect and portrays Muslims as the villain in the entire article. The thesis of the article demonstrates this persuasion more appropiately. He adds, "It should be noted that originally Christians did not conquer these lands with the sword, but with the life changing influence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. During the lifetime of Muhammad, Islam began a bloody campaign of...