Ethics for applying force

I was told in my dojo, that if you want to carry a weapon, you should only do that if you are ready to use it to the end. Let me give an example: If you carry a knife, you have a big chance to draw it in a point or brink of a physical conflict.
Thus it is of vital importance to understand that carrying a weapon means that you should obtain the skill and will to use it in the way it is meant to use; Otherwise it is best to disgard those weapons. If you carry a blade or a gun and want to draw it just for scaring of the attacker there is a serious risk that the attacker(s) gets more provoked and/or so scared that he/she tries to grab your weapon and use it against you, or draw his/her own weapon.

Some Christians want to forbid all kinds of weapons, even unarmed self-defence from their brethren and to justify this they (mis)quote Jesus' words like:
"Return your sword to its place, for all those who take the sword will perish by the sword" (Matthew 26:52).
Of course Jesus was strongly against violence, but he did not forbid self-defence in all its forms in this situation. Christians who use this verse to do so fail to see that Jesus said Peter not to throw his sword away, but to return it to its place (for the possible need in another time). Also, Jesus himself had earlier instructed the disciples to obtain swords! We can read at Luke 22:36-28:
"Then he said to them: “But now let the one that has a purse take it up, likewise also a food pouch; and let the one having no sword sell his outer garment and buy one. For I tell YOU that this which is written must be accomplished in me, namely, ‘And he was reckoned with lawless ones.’ For that which concerns me is having an accomplishment.” Then they said: “Lord, look! here are two swords.” He said to them: “It is enough.”
Clearly did the Lord not told his disciples to commit a sin!
Also the ultra-pacifists use the verse: "However, I say to YOU: Do not resist him that is wicked; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other also to him" (Matthew 5:39).
Actually people who do not resist violence ever would turn away or flee from the situation of being hit. But many scholars claim that slapping to cheek was a claim of one's superiority over other, in turn, turning another cheek was an assertion to be equal with the one who slaps (Source for the interpretation of slapping to cheek: ACC website).
It is true that God does not want us to kill. However, if we or our loved ones are in danger to be killed, it is the attacker who has broken God's commandments of not killing, and if the attacker happens to perish in attempt, "his blood is upon his own head", for it is written: "For whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap" (Galatians 6:7b). If we fail to save an innocent life, it may be that our conscience blames us for permitting that happen.

Certainly the important aspect of the issue are the Christian ethics. It is clearly told us in the Christian Scriptures that we ought to love our enemies. It is evident that the true Christian wants to avoid conflict at all cost and when it is unavoidable, the Christian tries to apply as little force as possible to subdue the attacker. This in mind, it is usually best and suitable not to carry any weapon at all and learn as much about diplomatics, getting away and using unarmed, non-leathel self-defense. If necessary to obtain and carry the tools of self preservation, non-lethal are to be recommended as first option. Non-leathal weapons included for example pepper spray, stun gun and baton. Also, from the more leathal arsenal, the so-called archaic weapons suit fine in the ethics of the Christian Knight. These include for example, the sword, dagger, throwing blades, sticks and staffs, bows and spears. Let me assure you that the blade in its various forms is as dangerous and convinient as in earlier eras (at least in civil environment and especially in countries like mine, where hand guns are not very common). There are also times and places where guns are necessary, both because of the beast and men. If a Christian should own a gun, one should learn to use it as effectively as possible, in order to avoid accidents and friendly fire.

"With great power comes a great responsibility", goes the saying. This means responsibility to apply force when necessary, and also to use reason and ethics to which extence the force should be applied.
Christians with a calling to protect (the 'knights') should decide for example in an encounter of sudden terrorist attack, if it is morally wrong to let fifty people die instead of taking down one or two attackers, because of one's lack of manly valor and self-sarfice and/or misguided extremism in understanding of the doctrine of Christian non-violence.

God the Mother?

It has been always a question of pondering and argument wheter or not God is male or female. I decided to cover this subject here, because it is of current interest and question in the minds and lips of many today. Also, the Christian Knighthood will evidently have to face popular fiction/interpretation that the Templars were perhaps worshipping God's feminine side.

Many ancient cultures worshipped not only male deities but also female goddesses of fertility and motherhood. With little philosophical evaluation we can assure ourselves that God is not a white man with white beard. So, is He a She after all? Does the Gnostic/Apochryphal Gospels and Dan Brown shoot the Judeo-Christian perspective of God down? We do not need to rely on them to understand that general view is misguided.

"Traditional" or "mainstream" Christianity depicts God as a Trinity composed of the three persons of Father, Son and the Holy Ghost. As I have stated in the article "My Christology and Theology Proper", I do not share this view as such it is laid down in Nicean Creed and 'orthodox' creeds post-Nicene. If I believe in Unipersonal God of Israel (and God of Jesus the Messiah), do I anyway see God as an antropomorphic Lord?

First we ought to consider what is the nature of God. Jesus of Nazareth said:

"God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

- John 4:24

It is clear and apparent in the testimony and spirit of the canonical Scriptures and that of logic and reason, that God is not something we can comprehend by mere human terms and consepts. God must be beyond human wisdom. Two Scriptures show this clearly:

Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord;
Nor are there any works like Your works. -
For You are great, and do wondrous things;

You alone are God.
- Psalm 86:8,10

He counts the number of the stars;
He calls them all by name.
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding is infinite.
- Psalm 147:4,5

Further, we must understand that God is not limited by time, space or place. His existence exceeds our understanding and our own existence. This will be covered in another topic in more detail, but I give one Scripture to show this even in this topic:

“ Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD.
- Jeremiah 23:24b

So we see, by our God-given sense and from the Judeo-christian Scripture that God is beyond our grasp. Even when he is beyond it, we may know him by his revelation, which has many faces.

To get to our issue of God's gender, we may rest assure that God is beyond sex. Even so, in God we have both aspects which we by our mortal understanding and experience label "masculine" and "feminine". This is clear in the (canonical) Scripture also, though not emphasized by mainstream Christianity.
Now, let's have a look in some of the evidence provided. Both the man and women were made as image of God:

So God created man in His own image;
in the image of God He created him;
male and female He created them.
- Genesis 1:27

Also, God's Holy Spirit, Ruach HaKodesh is gramattically a feminine noun. In my theological understanding, Holy Spirit is not a seperate entity/person from God, but an integral part, which is beyond being simply a person or power. So it is clear to me that God has both feminine and masculine 'sides', in perfect harmony.

It is also very interesting to note, that a Scripture in Proverbs chapter 8 about Divine Wisdom is feminine. This chapter has often been interpreted to apply to Pre-existent Son of God or the Logos (i.e Jesus Christ).
Jesus in his earthly ministry also lamented Jerusalem and referred apparently to himself and/or his Father in these words:

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you,
how often I have longed to gather your children together,
as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!"
- Luke 13:34

So we see that God is not restricted to human understanding of genders!

Bible quotations from:

New King James Version (NKJV)

Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Notable historical character relating to my ideas of Chivalry and Christianity

Some, perhaps even all of them held some theological or practical opinion which I would consider ‘wrong’. Even so, their tale seems to tell they were sincere people at least in some points of their lives. Nearer to modern times we get, the people become more controversial in some sense. Thus I will refrain from including modern people in this list. Also, as the framework of these writings is European and Christian, though with universal leaning, I currently include mostly western people; but this does not mean characters with similar importance would not be found in different cultures;

By no means I want to present these people as ‘saints’ or accept all their actions. However, all of them showed some qualities worth imitating and respecting. (This list may be edited later).

Clement, Bishop of Rome, Martyr (??-98)

Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, Martyr (68? -155-167?)

Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, Martyr (50? - 98 -117?)

Justin the Martyr, apologetist (100-165)

Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyon (Lugdunum) (130-202)

Lucian, presbyter of Antioch (240-312)

Arius, presbyter of Alexandria (possible Martyr) (250/256-336)

Ulfilas (Wulfila), Bishop and Missionary to Goths (310-388)

Theodoric the Great, King of Goths and Italy (454-562)

Charles Martel, Duke of the Franks (686-741)

Alfred the Great, King of Wessex (849-899)

Peter de Bruys, a preacher, Martyr (10??-1130)

Henry of Lausanne, “heretic” monk, (possible Martyr) (10??-11??)

Hugh de Payens, first Grand Master of the Knights Templar (1070-1136)

Richard I the Lionheart, King of England, crusader (died in a battle) (1157-1199)

Peter Waldo (Pierre Valdes), preacher (12??-????)

Jacques de Molay, last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, Martyr (1244-50?-1314)

John Wycliffe, theologian (1320-1384)

John Huss (Jan Hus), scholar, theologian, Martyr (1369-1415)

Constantine XI , the last Emperor of Byzantium (died defending Constantinople (1405-1453)

Leonardo da Vinci, polymath, (1452-1519)

Ludwig Haezer (Häzer), theologian, Martyr (1500-1529)

Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam, humanist and theologian (1466-1536)

William Tyndale, priest, Martyr (1494-1536)

Juan de Valdés, nobleman, religious thinker (1509-1541)

Martin Luther, monk, theologian, reformer (1483-1546)

Michael Servetus (Miguel Servet), polymath, theologian, Martyr (1511-1553)

Laelius Socinus (Lelio Sozini), humanist, reformer (1525-1556)

Sebastion Castellio, preacher, theologian (1515-1563)

John II Sigismund (János Zsigmond Zápolya), King of Hungary (1???-1570)

Francis David (Ferenc Dávid), theologian (died in prison) (1510-1579)

Giorgio Biandrata, physician, theologian (obscure death) (1515-1588)

Faustus Socinus (Fausto Sozini), theologian (1539-1604)

Gustav II Adolph, King of Sweden (died in battle in the Thirty Years War) (1594-1632)

Isaac Newton, polymath (1643-1727)

Symbolism in Saint Michael the Archangel

In the Book of Revelation 12:7-9 we read:

"And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

While remaining in position that the account of the above Scripture is/was a quite literal event at the Spirit Plane, I see much useful symbolism in these verses.

Michael the Archangel, though invested with the power of God, has to fight against the Devil. Regarding our human life, God provides us with the instruments of battle, but neverthless leaves the job to us. We all have to battle against our fleshly desires, our past, our present, demons that lurk inside our mind and outside it. Scripture shows us that we have to wage the inner battle:

"For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish."
(Galatians 5:17)

Also there are external powers we have to deal with, like Michael the Archangel:

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
(Ephesians 6:12)

With the power of God, trough His Holy Spirit, we can prevail.

Bible quotations in this post are taken from:

New King James Version (NKJV)

Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Christian Knighthood - an Introduction

One of my ambitious aims conserning this blog and my future publication of these essential thoughts, is not only to restore the lost concept of Knighthood, but also partly to re-define both the concept of Christianity and the Knighthood.

While it is my sincere belief that in the heart of every human, there is but a single Truth, that beyond of dogma and creeds, I still have confidence on the factual and spiritual truths of Christianity - Christianity which is properly interpreted! While I promote the Freedom of Consciense, of Thought and of Religion, and respect healthy pluralism in spiritual views I also understand that not all religions and philosphies can be true in all aspects at the same time.

Even though the whole Truth of the cosmos and beyond, and the concept of God are things we humans are incapable of grasping completely in this time, place and body, I myself as a rational person believe that there are certain things that indeed are relevant to know, and can be known wheter true ore false. One of these things is the doctrine of salvation and that of the Hell. Hell as a literal place either is, or it is not - this is how I look upon some religious doctrines. (See my post on the issue "The Truth about Hell").

My personal study and quest for the Truth will last the whole of my life, and beyond! Even so, I am certain and firm in some things, and even if not 100% certain in some, I feel I am not doing the Truth a bad favor by giving food for thought to fellow seekers. Jesus said that the Truth shall set us free (John.8:32).

Knighthood is not only European concept. We can see hints of it in the Bible and in various cultures of men, including Arabic, Native American, Japanese (Ninja and Samurai) and many others. Knighthood is about defending something holy. Most will agree that Life it self is holy, and so knights have always been the ones who guard the lives of their neighbours, loved ones and of themselves putting themselves at the risk on the sake of others.
The Truth is also holy, and so it is the mission of the knights to defend the Truth. If you do not know the Truth, you cannot defend it. Thus it is of vital improtance to strive to know the Truth, however desperate quest it may be (reference to the don Quixote). True Knighthood is a spiritual jorney rather than mere curriculum of physical improvement (though physical activities also are important).

So, why the Knighthood symbolism? Aren't we living in the 21th century?
C. S. Lewis wrote in his book, "The Necessity of Chivalry", that there are two types of people, those who are fierce in battle but cannot be gentle elsewhere, and those who are gentle in their real lives, but otherwise completely useless. The knight is a person who can be both fierce and gentle.
This is something I read from an article of certain wise Budo Sensei. He said that without rei, or the ethique/moral, taijutsu (fighting methods) are only a way of killing. The rei is what makes them Budo.

With the concept of Knighthood, we can teach the youth moral and values, self-sacrfice and will to preserve Life. Knigthood is partly esoteric in nature, and thus in it's full-fledged form, it isn't for everybody, and those who do not understand it, are not intrested in it.

The truth about Hell

It is said in the website of a certain motorcycle organization, in answer to the question why there isn't an apostrophe in the word 'hells' (i.e rather hell's), that "That would be true if there was only one Hell, but life & history has taught us that there are many versions and forms of Hell."

This is true. In modern translations of the Bible, there are usually three or four words that are depending on the context, translated "hell". These words are "Sheol","Hades", "Tartaros" and "Gehenna". Sheol means pit or a grave. There are numerous references in the Tanakh (i.e the Old Testament) that not only the unrighteouss but also the righteouss people go to Sheol when they die (see Job 3:11-19). In the early Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, called the Septuagint, Sheol is translated Hades. This custom is followed in the original Greek New Testament.
There is only one direct reference to 'Tartaros' in the Bible (2.Peter 2:4). In ancient Greek mythology, Tartaros was a prison where the Titans, the elder deities were imprisoned. As the Greek myth is clear echo from the Biblical and Hebrew story of the Nephilim (see Genesis ch.6 and the apochryphal books of Enoch) it was convinient to choose this term to be applied to place, or state were rebellious angels (the Ancients) are imprisoned.
Gehenna is a Greek traslitteration of the Hebrew GeHinnom, or the Valley of the (sons of) Hinnom. Valley of Hinnom was a place outside Jerusalem, which was pre-Israelite times used as a sacrificial place of human infants to demon gods of Canaanites. Later it was used as a graveyard of executed criminals by Israelites. Fire was used there to get rid of the bodies, but no living criminals were thrown in to fire. Thus we see that the Gehenna, or the Lake of Fire is a symbol of destruction, not of eternal torment.

Also there is simple philosophical argument against the doctrine of eternal suffering, derived from the Bible.
It is said in the First Epistle of John, 4:8 that God is Love. If we believe that even one creature would be eternally tormented, if loving God would allow it, He would be a tyrant.
Doctrine of eternal torment is blasphemous instrument of controlling people with fear. Apostle John wrote further in his Epistle that "perfect love casts away all fear". God wants us to serve Him because of Love, not fear.

Philosophically we can also use the term Hell to describe a negative and disharmonic state of mind and lack of morality and spirituality, all which are prevalent today.

Activities that support the path to the Knighthood

Important physical activities:

Budo Martial Arts,
Other Eastern Martial Arts,
Combat or Fighting arts (European, American and Israeli Martial Arts, easier path with somewhat better possibility to end up a killing machine - something we ought not to seek as a basic value),
Ancient European Martial Arts,
Body Building and other Gymnastics,
Aerobic sports, such as swimming or hiking or ball games,
Archery,
Shooting,
Hunting (if you also use all the meat you hunt! In my country this is even altruism in some way, since there is sometimes too much moose, and that causes much lethal traffic accidents),
Pathfinding,
and much more!

Some other important hobbies:

Chess playing and strategy games,
Good spirituality which includes prayer, meditation and Bible study,
Basics of one's national and wider cultural (i.e western) history and culture,
Geneology,
Books of leadership and also of obedience, classics
Learning about disarming explosives,
First Aid skills and wider healing skills

My Christology and Theology proper

I subscribe and adhere the Shema of Israel, that Yahweh, my God is only ONE. He is One in person, in glory and worthy to receive ultimate worship.

Jesus Christ was prior to his Incarnation a personal entity called the Wisdom and the Word. He was not an angel (in particular sense) and neither was he the God Almighty. Jesus was first-born, begotten Son of God.
He was begotten again in the womb of virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit (which I believe is the power of God - when referred as person, He is the very person of Unipersonal Yahweh).
When Jesus walked on earth, he did not only appear to be a man, but was a man - he was a 100 % man - only without sin like Adam before he fell. Jesus had his "previous life" in Divine Dimension, but abandoned it and took the form of a servant, the very form and nature of the man, thus being the Son of (Hu)man and the antilutron or the corresponding price of ransom for all of humanity."

Let me clear the picture of my view on Jesus Christ more:

- I do not believe that preincarnate Christ was the God Yahweh

- Pre-existent Christ is a creature, but different kind a creature than anyone else, because all other things are created thru (not "by") him. (John 1. , Col. 1.)

- Christ was the Logos and also called the Wisdom - but this does not mean that Christ as a Wisdom is the Wisdom of God, as a part of God and his quality, but rather a name or term. (Prov.8.)

- Bible tells that there are many 'gods' and lords [or those who are called as such] (this very term used in 1.Cor.8:4-6) and even people are called gods. Pre-incarnate Christ was El Gibbor, "a mighty god", i.e divine creature.

- There is only One Yahweh. He is the only source of energy and life force. His is the Holy Spirit. He is the only El Elyon. He is only who lives without beginning, providing all things to all others (including his Son).

- What Jesus was prior to his birth to earth as a fully human? He was the Son of God, firstborn of creation! Lord of the angels, not "an angel", but "the Angel of Yahweh", who moved before the House of Israel in the wilderness.

- From the Bible I recognize that many a creature are called "gods", but no one else is called Yahweh, the only true God. This Unipersonal God of Israel I worship."

Revival of the Christian Knighthood

It is true that there isn't literally the concept of Christian Knighthood in the Holy Scriptures. Even so, the Old Testament tells us about valiant men of God, who stood for their people and religion and did great deeds, or small deeds and showed great humility and self-sacrifice. These people include Abraham, Joshua, Caleb, Samson, Jonathan, David, Joshia and many other.

Old Testament includes a wonderful Psalm (45) that suits to usage of Christian Knighthood:

3. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most Mighty,
with thy glory and thy majesty.
4. And in thy majesty ride prosperously, because of truth and meekness and righteousness;
and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
5. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies;
whereby the people fall under thee.

New Testament tells us not to resist evil with evil, and that is the first course of action for true Christians to take. Scripture tells us that we do not only have to fight against the flesh, but the powers of the air, that is the fallen angels. Thus, differing from the Old Testament warriorhood, Christian Knighthood is based primarily on spiritual warfare, which constitutes from zeal that is gentle.

Christian Knights value respect and honesty towards people, loyalty, valor and willingness to defend the Congregation and humility and fidelity to Christ and God.
Christian Knights ought to follow healthy and sporty life styles, thus setting good example to the youth of their congregation and community. Knights may take responsibility to teach children and youth scout skills, pathfinding and survival skills and self defence, healthy manners and etique to the grown parishioners.

Though true Christians shun the violence, in extreme circumstances they may be the ones to use acts of immediate counter-terrorism or self-presevation when they or the people in general are in peril.