What About the Crusades?

"The fruits of Christianity were religious wars, butcheries, crusades, inquisitions, extermination of the natives of America and the introduction of African slaves in their place".

Arthur Schopenhauer

The Bible being used to dominate others and destroy hundreds of millions of lives has deeply troubled me. Sometimes, I have trouble reconciling my faith with its past. But then I pray and ask GOD for guidance. I do not claim to have all of the answers but I think GOD has shown me that just because people chose to do evil (even evil in GOD's name) doesn't mean that GOD is in the deed. JESUS says this,

"Not everyone who says to me, 'LORD, LORD,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the person who does the will of my FATHER who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'LORD, LORD, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers" (Matthew 7:21-23)!

JESUS is saying that just because someone does something in GOD's name doesn't mean that GOD is leading. I humbly and confidently submit that GOD was not in the degradation, subjection, raping, domination, slaughtering, of people of color within the last 500 years! 

JESUS says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that (all) may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10: 9-11 - New International Version). 

If a person or group of people is invading another person's land to steal, kill, and destroy, which has happened to people of color, then the group of people who participated (and only those who participated) was/is being used by the devil. I AM NOT CALLING ANY GROUP OF PEOPLE DEVILS BECAUSE COLOR OF SKIN DOES NOT DETERMINE WHETHER SOMEONE COMMITS EVIL!!!!! But what I am saying is that those who have participated in the destruction of peoples' lives in the name of GOD in my opinion are being used by the DEVIL!!! BUT thank GOD for JESUS. JESUS tells us that GOD is not in destruction but for reconciliation with all of us - if you would ONLY BELIEVE IN THE LOVE THAT GOD HAS FOR YOU!!! JESUS LOVES YOU!! JESUS DOES NOT HATE YOU!!! JESUS came to earth, lived a sinless life, died for you and rose again for you! JESUS came down to earth to save you and me from our sins. JESUS came to earth to understand the human condition and in GOD's timing JESUS will return to heal all of the damage that has been done on the earth - THROUGHOUT ALL OF HISTORY - PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE!!!!

"Therefore, if anyone is in CHRIST, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from GOD, who has reconciled us to himself through CHRIST and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that GOD was reconciling the world to himself in CHRIST, not counting our sins against us. And GOD has committed to us the message of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:17-19 - New International Version). 

GOD is saying that love draws a person to the good news, and the good news is that GOD loves you and made a way for you to be saved. We do not even have to create this ourselves!! It is impossible to do so :). GOD is awesome. GOD loves you! GOD loves everyone. 

GOD is so awesome that HE can take the damage that has been inflicted upon all people of color and transform it to give HIM the praise. GOD can restore us and GOD will. People of all races need to turn to GOD so that healing can occur. GOD is the way out of suffering and pain. When GOD touches people who are perpetuating evil, then change occurs. When GOD touches the victims of pain, then healing occurs. When healing eclipses evil, then GOD's glory is revealed. Would you consider turning your life over to GOD? GOD loves you! JESUS is the savior! JESUS is the redeemer. JESUS doesn't war against people but against sin! Sin is what separates all of us from GOD. JESUS died to destroy sin, and rose again to help you and me to destroy sin in our lives. 

No matter what negative historical occurrences happen, GOD will overcome it and use it for HIS glory! Consider this: "With people this is impossible, but with GOD all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). Do not think that GOD cannot heal you and me!!! GOD will!!! GOD will restore people of color and heal the people who have hurt us and bring them to repentance.

"The LORD is not slow in keeping HIS promise, as some understand slowness. HE is patient with you and me, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). 

May GOD bless you!

Edmund W. Walton