Some thoughts...

One of the requirements to graduate from NSA is to write a thesis of quite some length. For this reason, I’ve begun to toss certain ideas around, such as…

Sports
Modern politics
The Life of Ronald Reagan
Cathedrals… the Hagia Sophia
Eschatology of Lewis and Tolkien
The Siege of Malta – the Knights of the White Cross and Islam
The Church Past and Present – a study of the saints

Each of these topics/ideas has their own advantages, but the one I’ve probably considered the most, and am most interested in is the one regarding the Knights of the White Cross and their battle against the Turks at Malta. Since Abraham and Ishmael, the Turks have strained against the Jews – God’s people – calling themselves God’s Chosen. During the Middle Ages, Islam spread like a wildfire and brought havoc on Christendom. The pope appointed one group of knights to defend Europe against the infidels – the Knights of the White Cross. He gave them the island of Rhodes, from which they based their galleys and plagued the Muslims. But they were attacked finally by the Turks, and were split up for a time. But they banded once again, and formed once again against the Turks at Malta. On this “island of rock” in the middle of the Mediterranean, they prepared for the forces of Soleyman the Magnificent to invade, knowing that he desired to rid the sea of these “Christian pirates.” The invasion came, and 40,000 Muslims came to wipe out some 10,000 knights and slaves. For 3 months the Knights held out, and in the end, the Turks had to fall back and return to Constantinople. Christendom had been bravely defended by the Knights of the White Cross.

Today, as Islam once again makes its voice heard around the world, the “Knights of the White Cross” need to rise up and take their stand for Christendom and for the Lord Jesus Christ. We must stem the tide and ride boldly out to face the enemy, bringing the good news of the Gospel to the Muslims, and overthrowing Mohammed, the Koran, and its followers. Christ is on His throne, and His enemies will become His footstool.

This is our fight. This is the challenge which is facing our generation. Just as the Knights of the White Cross stood up to the tremendous force which was raised against them, so must we stand up to the enemies of Christ and His Kingdom today. We must unabashedly raise the banner of the Cross, which marked the defeat of Satan and his henchmen, and proclaim the Gospel to the heathen, praying that God would save those whom He will, and crush those who defy Him. Our God and King has triumphed over His enemies, and is continuing to do so. And as His people and disciples we, like Paul, should put on the armor of God and prepare for battle.