It was as if “God had devised a new instrument for mankind 's spiritual welfare to supplement all the long-established ministrations of the church.”8 “For centuries, Christians had held the Holy Land in high esteem, and pilgrimages to its holy places had become one of the highest acts of devotion.”9 During the years of the crusades, servants of God had a new way to show their devotion to God. Being able to offer your service and possibly your life, fighting for the Lord 's Holy Land was an opportunity few before and few after the Crusades were afforded. In the sense of encouragement, service, and commitment the Crusades were a positive event in church …show more content…
“My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” (John 18:36) While the thought behind the Crusades, of regaining the promised land, the Holy Land, God is bigger than that relatively small area of the world. God does not need human country boundaries, He is ruler of the whole universe. It is all under His control. Since He is everywhere it is all by default Holy. He did not allow His apostles to fight for Him physically in the first century, and fighting is still now what He desires