732 A.D.

Our world has been and continues to be one of constant warfare and struggle. The ideas and passions of men have always seemed to bring us to the brink of things; to the brink of discovery, to the brink of despair, or to the brink of war. In fact, one may say that we are a "brink species" that trots along life's edges with little care and caution for the small side step into oblivion. In the beginning - even during the Council in Heaven when Lucifer rejected God's plan for free agency - were these same passions made manifest in both good and bad ways. This was a time of decision and thoughtful consideration between two plans that would either ensure our salvation through power and control or allow us the opportunity to prove ourselves with the atoning help of a Savior. At that same time, when the majority of God's children vetoed the former proposal for collective control, did the devil begin to wage war against the warriors of light, drawing away the impulsive and indolent followers who sat in the rear and marginal sections of Heaven's Hall in open retreat of their reasoning capabilities. In what scripture has described as a celebratory moment, when "all the sons of God shouted for joy" at the plan for a Redeemer, even Jesus Christ, do we gain greater insight into the real reason for such rejoicings - personal responsibility. We were given the gift of agency to prove ourselves to see if we would either remain firm and steadfast unto God during the storms of life or stoop in our convictions "when stress and anguish cometh upon you." (Proverbs 1:27). To be sure, we all knew what was to come but we had hope and faith through Christ that all would be made possible if we would but sustain and defend His name at all times, and in all things, and in all places.

With that said, let us turn back in time to gaze upon a moment in history when the cause of Christians seemed to hang by a thread and the fate of a nation and an entire continent teetered on the brink of bondage. Choosing to fight in defense of their freedoms, country, and religion on a cold October dawn in the year 732 A.D. stood the Frankish Army, firm and immovable in their defense of the truth and shoulder to shoulder in their call to action. As well rose their proven leader and commander, a protector of France (and in the literal sense all of northern Europe at this point of time) who had acquired a reputation as a brilliant strategic general for his uncommon ability to discern the intentions of his enemies. Never assuming the title of king, he served his countrymen with skill and honor toward a more unified France in the face of a massive invading army which for the past hundred years had swept across much of Asia, Northern Africa, Spain, and even the southernmost parts of France itself, replacing the Cross with a crescent moon upon every conquered tower. Feeling poised to overtake the rest of Europe, the Saracen felt confident that this next engagement would end in victory. But in their haste they were sorely disappointed. With the fate of Europe in his hands, this righteous contrarian of Islamic rule rose to greatness in one of the most historic battles between two great faiths, distinguishing the defenders of Christ from the attackers of Allah. The man was Charles Martel, who, after a seven-day engagement at the Battle of Tours would be given the new name of "The Hammer."

Fear was not whispered among his ranks nor were the caws of starving crows heard above their tight formation. Snow fell in light patterns upon their exposed brows while the Muslim hoard waited and waited for the signal to march. Charles Martel acted similarly but with a cooler confidence that assured him the Muslims would be compelled to strike first. This he anticipated from the beginning and his plan had once again proven to be the right one. Finally, on the seventh day the waiting game ended at which time Abd er Rahman, the leader of the Muslim force, hurriedly advanced his army. With a heavily armored cavalry and mailed horsemen the Muslims felt the French military infantry would fall to pieces just as so many other infidels had done during their previous campaigns. But they sorely underestimated the French army who stood fast amidst the sound of thunderous hooves - drawing themselves up in a large square, unbreakable and tight. Their hold was so efficient that one Arab account described it as such:

"And in the shock of the battle the men of the North seemed like a sea that cannot be moved. Firmly they stood, one close to another, forming as it were a bulwark of ice; and with great blows of their swords they hewed down the Arabs. Drawn up in a band around their chief, the people of the Austrasians carried all before them. Their tireless hands drove their swords down to the breasts of the foe."


Still another account states that:


"The northern peoples remained as immobile as a wall, holding together like a glacier in the cold regions. In the blink of an eye, they annihilated the Arabs with the sword."

During the intense fighting, Charles Martel provided a distraction whereby some of his scouts moved into the Muslim encampment to obtain their conquered loot. Suddenly made aware of their movements, the Muslim force turned in haste back to their camp to protect their stolen goods only to be joined by their remaining force who mistakenly believed they were in full retreat. Now completely surrounded, "the Hammer" fell hard upon them, killing Abd er Rahman in the process. Leaderless, the Arab throng broke off the fight. "The Hammer" had won.


"All the host fled before the enemy," wrote one Arab source, "and many died in the fight." It's been written that the ratio of Muslim to Christian dead was about 370:1! It is highly likely the Islamic world took the loss hard referring to it as the "the deadly battle" and "the disgraceful overthrow." Needless to say, the Muslim army did not renew the battle, choosing instead under cover of darkness to retreat in full back to their own country. While there are many accounts written about this battle and just as many differing opinions about its overall significance, I believe the underlying truth of it is that a group of men stood fast in their righteous cause facing proven death and won. Just as Vice cannot stand for one moment before Virtue's uplifted arm, so will evil also run like the emperor with no clothes on when confronted by a virtuous band of Christian men. Unafraid and prepared they were in battle, every soldier a "hammer" in his own right.

Charles Martel is considered a savior among men for his war efforts in Europe which repelled the Muslim advance from taking over the entire continent. I applaud his dedication to the cause of liberty and  for his belief in Christ. Surely the world needs more men like "the Hammer" who in the face of adversity will not fall into submission, but will stand in defense of the truth no matter the cost. Men like this cannot be defeated. They assert themselves with confidence toward greater personal and spiritual refinement. For even in opposition there is that which edifies.

I close this post with the words of William J. Bennett, who gave a lecture to the United States Naval Academy on November 24, 1997. He stated:

"Honor never grows old, and honor rejoices the heart of age. It does so because honor is, finally, about defending those noble and worthy things that deserve defending, even if it comes at a high cost. In our time, that may mean social disapproval, public scorn, hardship, persecution, or as always, even death itself. The question remains: What is worth defending? What is worth dying for? What is worth living for?"

Ask ourselves: Are we merely interested in doing good and standing up for truth when it is most convenient? Or, are we committed to our first principles and the fight against tyranny and oppression at all costs? It is my hope that we may all stand fast, shoulder to shoulder, drawing ourselves into the same large square as Charles Martel and his men did only this time in defense of our own national sovereignty from political corruption and global terror. Let us hold together like a glacier, immovable as a wall in defiance of evil, being without guilt or shame in the cause of truth and our righteous values, marching farther away from the brink of national and spiritual ruin.

Long live the fighters