Bernard basically calls non-Christian knights women, claiming that they do not have the strength to fight for themselves. He says they cover their horses in silk and paint their shields hoping that these frivolous habits will protect them from death. He says that they do not have solid grounds to be knights and this would inhibit them from being great knights. “There is …show more content…
They are immoral and lustful and do not respect others. They are shown taking other men’s wives and fighting each other for the honor of being a dominate man in their country. They are good at fighting for their reputation and hiding the things that might damage their reputation.
Bernard says that the ultimate advantage in being a Christian knight is the safety of knowing where he will go if he is killed. The Christian knight will be able to fearlessly fight in a battle without fear of death. Because in death the knight gains Christ, and the honor of being a Christian who fought against evil. He should have no fear because, “The knight of Christ, I say, may strike with confidence and die yet more confidently, for he serves Christ when he strikes, and serves himself when he falls.” This shows that at the time people viewed Christian knights as the …show more content…
He cries for “Both swords of the faithful fall upon the necks of the foe, in order to destroy every high thing exalting itself against the knowledge of God, which is the Christian faith, lest the Gentiles should then say, ‘Where is their God?’” Bernard wants people to know that God is real and live and ready to fight for his people. This is the first step in the reasons for Christian knights.
The second reason for having Christian knights, is to bring part of heaven down to earth. Bernard believes that if the knights fight for the city and create it into an oasis for Christianity they can have a little piece of heaven on earth. Bernard says that Christians knights can help to foreshadow the future fulfillment of God’s promises to his people to have a great city. However, he does leave a warning to remember that this earth is not heaven, and to be reminded for the future heaven that will come