Back to Christian History & Biography
Member Login:    


My Account | About Us | Forgot password?

 

CH Blog | This Week in Christian History | Ask the Expert | CH Store
 

Related Channels
Christianity Today magazine
Books & Culture





Christian History Home > Issue 74 > Christians & Muslims: A Gallery of Spiritual Warriors


Christians & Muslims: A Gallery of Spiritual Warriors
As their brethren attacked Muslim fortresses, these evangelistic crusaders fought for Muslim souls.
Steven Gertz | posted 4/01/2002 12:00AM

Trailblazing preacher
Francis of Assisi
1181-1226

Writing his first Rule in 1209, 27-year-old Francis called on his followers to preach to and convert Muslims: "Let any brother who desires by divine inspiration to go among the Saracens and other nonbelievers, go with the permission of his minister and servant."

Francis, a radical who had renounced his father's wealth to embrace a lifestyle of poverty and relentless preaching, sent his first missionary to one of the crusader states in Syria in 1217. Two years later, he commissioned six more men to go to Morocco. News eventually filtered back that five of the friars reached Morocco and began preaching in the streets, but they were decapitated by angry Muslims.

As the father of a growing order, the Friars Minor, Francis debated whether he should visit the war zone himself. Eventually he responded to a call from Pope Honorius III, who sought preachers to invigorate the soldiers of the Fifth Crusade.

In 1219 Francis set sail for Damietta, Egypt, ...

To view this item, you must be a member of ChristianHistory.net.


If you ARE a member
of ChristianHistory.net…


Please login:

E-mail:  
Password:  


 
If you are NOT a member
of ChristianHistory.net…

Please click here to see our membership options. As a member, you will be able to have access to all of the content on ChristianHistory.net.




Browse More ChristianHistory.net
Home  |  Browse by Topic  |  Browse by Period  |  The Past in the Present  |  Books & Resources

FREE E-Newsletter
Sign up for the ChristianHistory.net e-mail newsletter. Discover more about your Christian heritage with this weekly e-newsletter that features key people, topics, and events from the history of Christianity.
 
   RSS Feed   RSS Help





















ChristianityToday.com
Home CT Mag Church/Ministry Bible/Life Communities Entertainment Schools/Jobs Shopping Free! Help
Books & Culture
Christianity Today
ChristianityTodayLibrary.com
Christian History Back Issues
Church Law & Tax Report
Leadership Journal
Men of Integrity
Your Church
Church Finance Today
BuildingChurchLeaders.com
ChristianBibleStudies.com
Christian College Guide
Christian History
Christian Music Today
Christianity Today Movies
ChurchLawToday.com
Church Products & Services
ChurchSafety.com
ChurchSiteCreator.com
Kyria.com
PreachingToday.com
PreachingTodaySermons.com
ReducingtheRisk.com
Seminary/Grad School Guide
Christianity Today International
www.ChristianityToday.com
Copyright © 2009 Christianity Today International
Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Advertise with Us | Job Openings