The Knights Code of Chivalry dealt with three main areas: military, social life, and religious piety. As parents, students, teachers and administrators we can translate these into the modern equivalents of school, community and faith.
There is an excellent representation of the Knights Codes of Chivalry described in the Song of Roland. For each maxim the Crossings Knight takes a modern cue based on our beliefs and goals:
To fear God and maintain His Church
Proverbs 1:7 says, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”
A Crossings Knight is a Christ follower who values a relationship with God more than accomplishment and accolades. As a student the Knight knows that “Knowledge without wisdom is a load of books on the back of an ass.”
To serve the Lord in valor and faith and obey those placed in authority
The Knight understood that authority is God ordained and to respect authority is to honor God.
“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.” Romans 13:1-2
The Crossings Knight honors her father and mother, the elders in the community and the teachers and administrators of the School as a demonstration of her faith in God.
To protect the weak and defenseless and give succor to widows and orphans
“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” James 1:27
Often those who are week and defenseless are disguised as our enemy. By focusing on the things that make us similar, the foremost being God having made us all, the CCS Knight is sensitive to the needs of those around him and meets those needs in tangible ways.
To refrain from the wanton giving of offense
Charles Spurgeon once said, “There are many points and particulars in which the Gospel is offensive to human nature and revolting to the pride of the creature. It was not intended to please man. However, we do not need to add offense to it.”
“Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.” I Corinthians 10:32-33
The Crossings Knight defers to others so her life might be attractive and give others cause to seek what she has, namely, salvation through Christ Jesus alone.
To live by honor and for glory
Romans 11:36. For of Him, and through Him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”
Honor is gained by doing what is pleasing to God. Glory is His and His alone. As Knights we strive to do the will of God on earth in such a way as to lift the eyes of those around us to heaven.
To despise pecuniary reward
Ecclesiastes 5:10 says, “Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!” and Psalm 119:36 says, “Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money!”
The Crossings Knight seeks the kingdom of heaven first and trusts God for daily provision. He knows that it is foolish to gain earthly things at the expense of his soul.
To guard the honor of fellow knights, and fight for the welfare of all
Philippians 2:1-2 “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.”
A Knight is not selfish or self serving. She puts the interests and needs of others above her own and strives to have the same attitude that Christ had.
To eschew unfairness, meanness and deceit and at all times to speak the truth
The commandments given to Moses by God gave us insight into what matters to God. He is first and foremost jealous of His rightful glory and worship, but he is equally concerned about how we treat one another.
Christ went on to say, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” Matthew 25:40
The CCS Knight in all things and at all times sees others as men and women created in the image and likeness of God and bearing His spirit. He treats others as he would treat Christ himself.
To keep faith
Hebrews 11:1-3 “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.”
Without faith we are lost. With faith we cannot fail. The Knight keeps the faith.
To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun
Perseverance is a character quality we are to develop in the lab of life. Each task, each hardship, each opportunity and obstacle provides a chance to trust God and be carried by His grace, mercy and strength. When we trust in ourselves we falter and fail.
Romans 5:3-5 “we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
By perseverance the Knight gains hope and that hope is the gift we can then give to the world.
To respect the honor of women
Medieval knights thought highly of women and protected their honor and their safety.
1 Corinthians 12:27 says, “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.”
The CCS Knight treats his peers as members of Christ’s body and cares for each one as if for himself. The Knight does not put the body of Christ in danger through immoral, unethical or risky behavior. The Knight protects the safety and sanctity of everyone.
Never to refuse a challenge from an equal
Taken in the context of the middle ages this maxim could lead to unnecessary competition and fighting. Taken in the context of the Gospel we can be encouraged and empowered by the knowledge that God will strengthen us to do His will even when the obstacles seem impossible to us.
Philippians 4:13 “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
The Knight knows that if she is walking with the Lord, she already has every thing she needs to overcome any obstacle that is placed before her. There is no one who is the equal of God, so if God fights for us, who can stand against us?
Never to turn the back upon a foe
The only true foe we have is the devil and those who do his bidding. We do not need to fear the devil, but we should respect his limited power and his ability to deceive us.
“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
The Crossings Knight is humble before God, listening to God’s voice wherever it is heard, in order to recognize and resist the temptations of the evil one. He resists the devil in the strength of the Lord and the devil flees.