“Crusade” Sounds Cool… But It’s Wrong

I am deeply passionate about the word 'CRUSADE' because of how it has been so grossly misused to incite people toward evil. The term has been corrupted through constant abuse, stripping it of its original meaning from the Middle Ages and transforming it into something unrecognizable and empty.

Don’t get me started on how badly the history books have distorted what actually happened during the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd “crusades”! The actual accounts are so distorted by people who want to justify the religious reasons for the “crusades” that they misrepresent the facts from 900 years ago even more than the major US news outlets during the presidential election cycle.
 
With this article, I want to encourage you to consider using the word "crusade” in your everyday language. When any honest historian looks at the crusade era from a biblical perspective, they might suggest that true "crusades" never really took place in history as we often imagine. With that in mind, I invite you to replace this word with a more honest, biblically accurate term to deepen your understanding of history and faith.

There are three criteria that must be met for a fight to be considered a true “crusade.” I have no issues with two of these criteria. The other, I absolutely disagree with, and I denounce the theology behind it. Therefore, over the course of human history, I don’t believe any battle can be considered a true “crusade.”

Here are the 3 criteria.

Historically, the word 'crusade' has symbolized a righteous battle between good and evil. Sadly, in modern times, its meaning has been distorted, now often referring to any conflict claimed to be for the sake of 'good,' regardless of its true nature.

The original crusaders saw their struggle as a battle against evil. Because of this, they considered themselves the forces of good, fighting for justice and righteousness. This powerful conviction has inspired generations and continues today.

The Bible urges God's people to fight the good fight “of faith”. When you forget these last two words and equate your struggle with a crusade for goodness, you miss the mark. Faith is always a spiritual battle, not fought with bombs or bullets. That’s why the good fight “of faith” is not waged on any human battlefield but within the heart and spirit.

Crusades are not only a fight between good and evil but are also always considered God's way of fighting human battles. In other words, in theological terms, only God can initiate a crusade because the battle must be for “God’s glory” and by “God’s will.”

While I firmly believe that God has historically sent warriors to combat evil—and continues to send good men and women to restrain it—I am convinced that God does not rely on human weapons to achieve ultimate spiritual victory. This is where the word “crusade” becomes problematic.

Jesus made the case in Matthew 26:52-54 that human violence cannot accomplish God's justice. Even though God sends people off to constrain evil by doing battle, that doesn't necessarily lead to a crusade in and of itself.

Here's where the train of logic derails for me. The notion that only those engaged in a battle against evil will receive special grace from God—known as a “plenary indulgence”—implies that merely fighting on earth can improve one's eternity. I find this theological idea deeply problematic and unconvincing.

My objection to the idea of a plenary indulgence granted simply for fighting against evil is that it seeks to circumvent the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the pursuit of salvation. No man or woman can be deemed acceptable in God's sight apart from His sacrificial death and bodily resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. A plenary indulgence is broken theology.

When religious leaders declare a crusade, they not only escalate human bloodshed but also diminish the profound power of Jesus's blood for salvation. This is why I am convinced that no true crusade has ever taken place in human history. In fact, the very term 'crusade' is a theological abomination that tarnishes genuine faith.

I believe that the word should be removed, as what I truly mean is a war fought for holy purposes—something that demands our serious consideration.

The Bible shows in Romans 13:4 that war can be seen as a tool God uses to keep order. It reminds us that, even though people in battle may not always be perfectly virtuous, war generally helps curb evil and allows society to thrive. Understanding this divine purpose highlights how important it is to support government authority in maintaining moral values and social stability.

It’s time to fix our vocabulary. If you still seek a powerful term, consider 'holy war' to ignite your expression.