What Is Chivalry?
Chivalry originated in medieval Europe within the tenth century. Chevalerie, chivalry’s original French root, means “horse soldiery,” reflecting the skill of a cavalryman. However, King Charlemagne’s European empire sought to mold the term “chivalry,” using the Christian church as a tool to revive the Frankish army, a violent military group composed of Germanic tribes that got here to power after the autumn of the Western Roman Empire.
Thus, chivalry’s original definition, which related to soldiers or knights, evolved right into a man’s personal character as a soldier, primarily defending the weak and practicing the virtues of honor and respect.
Unfortunately, simply because the church introduces a cultural concept doesn’t at all times mean it reflects Christian principles. In fact, if we study a few of Charlemagne’s forced conversions, we are going to discover that his use of chivalry was not ethical or something Christians should applaud. Therefore, these culturally muddied waters leave us with the foundational query: Is chivalry biblical?
What Does the Bible Say about Honor and Respect?
Given that the Bible, each Old and New Testaments, was written long before the tenth century, we all know the term “chivalry” can’t be present in Scripture. However, the chivalrous principles Charlemagne introduced, like virtue and uprightness, are definitely highlighted within the Bible, most notably through the terms “honor” and “respect.”
Consider these notable verses that not only highlight but in addition define the terms:
In relation to God —
- “…that each one may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever doesn’t honor the Son doesn’t honor the Father, who sent him.” John 5:23
- “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I’m, my servant also shall be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” John 12:26
- “In a loud voice they were saying: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’” Revelation 5:12
In relation to others —
- “Be devoted to at least one one other in love. Honor each other above yourselves.” Romans 12:10
- “Children, obey your parents within the Lord, for this is correct. ‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the primary commandment with a promise—‘in order that it could go well with you and that you might enjoy long life on the earth.’” Ephesians 6:1-3
- “Marriage must be honored by all, and the wedding bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all of the sexually immoral.” Hebrews 13:4
In relation to the federal government —
- “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no such thing as a authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Romans 13:1
- “Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” Romans 13:7
- “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” 1 Peter 2:17
In relation to oneself —
- “Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” Proverbs 21:21
- “…you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God together with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:20
- “…that every of it’s best to learn to regulate your personal body in a way that’s holy and honorable…” 1 Thessalonians 4:4
The resounding theme amongst these verses is straightforward but hard to practice. Respect and honor call us to die to ourselves. In relation to God, we must give up pride and admit that, through God alone, we’re saved, redeemed, and preserved. In relation to others, we must realize that our spouse, our parents, our neighbors—everyone, in truth, should be considered before oneself. In relation to government, we must pay our taxes and honor the laws, despite our opinions regarding the ruling authority. In relation to ourselves, we must literally sacrifice our desires every day for the sake of godly pursuit.
So although chivalry isn’t a term mentioned explicitly in Scripture, the chivalrous knight’s code of conduct, including honor and respect, undeniably calls a soldier to put others above himself, and in that way is consistent with biblical principles.
Was Jesus Chivalrous?
I feel it’s at all times dangerous to suit Jesus inside any man-made box, even when it’s one with righteous, holy intentions. After all, nobody and no thing taints righteousness and holiness quite like human beings. However, given Christ’s continual willingness to defend the poor (Matthew 11:4-6, Luke 14:16-24), dignify women (Mark 14:3-6, Luke 8:43-47), and show respect and sacrificial like to everyone (John 3:16, 1 John 4:16), it’s hard to disclaim that Jesus’ character was not only endearing but gentlemanly in every respect.
Many modern women, feminists included, willingly admit that there’s something compelling a couple of man who’s willing to pay for dinner, open the door for her, respect her voice and her body, etc. Hundreds of years following the understanding of chivalry, it’s natural for girls to label a person like this chivalrous, and as John Stonestreet points out, this type of chivalrous behavior is usually perceived as sexy. But if a girl were to dig even deeper, beyond the knightly sex appeal, she might notice that the virtues she truly desires aren’t merely chivalrous acts but characteristics of the Son of God who lived amongst us millennia ago, long before knights and white horses were cultural phenomena.
Is Chivalry Compatible with Christian Virtues?
Within its proper bounds, chivalry is definitely compatible with Christian values. Meanwhile, it’s crucial to know that a person can’t uphold such consistent honor, respect, and self-sacrifice without the center of God prompting him, whether he realizes it or not. Sure, someone can use his devotion to an ethical country, an ethical cause, an ethical people, to stir his desire to serve with honor and respect, but chivalry can’t exist aside from the code of conduct God established from the start of time.
To remove the Bible’s definition of sacrifice, love, honor, and respect from a chivalrous code of conduct is to upend its righteous foundation that many, even nonbelievers, gravitate towards.
This jogs my memory of John 3:8, when Christ says to Nicodemus, “The wind blows where it wishes, and also you hear its sound, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it goes. So it’s with everyone who’s born of the Spirit.” Jesus is explaining the undeniable movement of His Spirit in every single place. People recognize this movement, as one recognizes nature’s undeniable force of the wind, but nonbelievers are trapped within the mystery without awe. They wonder, they even see, but they don’t know what makes the wind move, what makes chivalry so enticing. As with the wind, chivalry prompts awe, wonder, and gravitational pull because God’s Spirit has this unyielding effect on us, filling our hearts with desires we were created to pursue and have fulfilled.
Conclusion: Should Christians Practice Chivalry Today?
We can query the true character of King Charlemagne (as we will query all men and ladies in governmental positions of power), and we will scream the modern-day cry, “Chivalry is dead!” These pessimistic views undoubtedly dampen an individual’s desire to practice chivalry. But within the righteous sense of upholding honor and respect, defending the poor, and elevating women, Christians must be compelled to practice these chivalrous traditions.
Even so, if these sacrificial principles aren’t rooted in a love for God that naturally produces a love for people, even the least of those, these chivalrous attempts will either be short-lived or mean little to nothing in light of eternity.
I encourage Christians, especially Christian men, to pursue chivalry, but pursue chivalry that’s rooted within the unshakeable, unquenchable, undefeatable love of Almighty God.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Karthik B K
