1. How did Bernard of Clairvaux distinguish between the new chivalry that he advocated and the old chivalry he sought to replace?
According to Bernard, he claims that the new Chivalry entails that as a Christ knight is any person chosen as God’s agent for those doing evil things and he or she is a beneficiary of both to Christ and to himself. When a Knight dies, he or she is a beneficiary to himself, but when he survives, he is considered to be a beneficiary of Christ. He points that when an agent of God is killed, he does not simply perish, but he is considered to have won through until the end of his life. On the other hand, secular chivalry has been defined as some mode of wickedness outright, since Bernard considers it as some sort of unbearable madness that leads a knight into some chivalrous doings that end up being a crime or even causing death. In the secular chivalry, knights were fighting for the sake of acquiring wealth such as jewels, silver and gold. In that case, Bernard points that they were indeed rushing towards downfall that was in shameful madness and their idiocy.
• What did he think was a knight’s principal duty?
According to Bernard Christ Knights were those chosen by God and they were gathered from different points of earth and considered as servants that came from the bravest people so as to protect God’s sepulcher with their swords in hand and ready for battle with lots of faith.
• How did he believe that knights should respond to the dangers that lay before them?
Bernard believed that as an agent of God, one should not fear anything ahead of them since God was in control of everything. Moreover, he believed that the Christ Knights would not perish like the Knights in the secular chivalry.
• Based on your reading of the excerpts by Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, on what you have read about Stoicism in the textbook, and on what you have learned in class, what do you think the Stoics believed the principal moral duty of life to be?
The Stoics believed in life as some sort contract between the living humans and nature. In this case, humans have been constituted in order to develop reason, since they are believed to have some sort of intelligence, and therefore this reason might eventually benefit them or transform how they understand themselves.
• How did they advise people to respond to the difficulties that life presents?
According to the Stoics, anger was perceived as a piece of stupidity and a dangerous indulgence in a person. In addition, they argue out that it also a bitter fruit of naivety. Stoics believe that one should learn to expect less outcome from life in order for him or her to avoid anger and be calmer. On the other hand, anxiety was seen as always flourishing between what people feared might come up and what human beings hoped could occur. In that case, they propose that people are required to intelligently and systematically crush all the remnants of hope. Stoics propose that one has an obligation to courageously accept the situations that happen and come into to terms with the worst outcomes of situations. The Stoics way of life make one to feel heroic under difficult situations.
• Where do you think the Stoics would have agreed or disagreed with Bernard’s advice to the knights of his age?
Stoicism points out that a knight should not got to fight for the sake of meanness or lavishness but for a reason. This is similar to Bernard’s point where a Christ’s Knight fight for the purpose of the Kingdom of God. In this case, the Knight will not die of shame, but rather with utmost glory.
2. Based on your reading of the Sermon on the Mount, and on what you have read in the textbook and learned in class, how do you think Jesus believed that life should be led?
Jesus believed that human beings should live in obedience to God’s commands and directions, since God is the Mighty one over everything on earth. As a good leader, one can be used by the Holy Spirit to influence other people to follow him into the kingdom of God. Jesus operated on the basis of fixed principles and truths rather than making up other rules as he move on. In the modern day, many people act like chameleons, they change their views and hues so as to fit into their situation, thus confusing his or her followers who are not always certain of what the person is pursuing. Jesus believed that people should love each other and be ready to help each other in times of difficulties. As a leader, Jesus was a great listener of his followers, his conscience and to God’s promptings. According to Jesus, a person who listens to the reproof of life abideth among the wise. In proverbs. 15:31-32, it says that He that refuses instructions despiseth his own soul, but he that hears instructions gets understanding.
• How did he advise his disciples on how to respond to the challenges they would face?
Jesus describes challenges as a narrow gate that one passes through his life. Jesus emphasized more on love for people and points that this is always a solution to most issues that may happen to a person. Jesus advises his disciples that they should turn to God at any point that they feel any sort of difficulties. God promises to protect, strengthen, guide and comfort all those who follow and love him; those who maintains a personal relationship with God, including the Christians.
• What similarities or differences do you find between on these points between Jesus and Bernard of Clairvaux, and between Jesus and the Stoics?
The Stoics way of life invites one to feel heroic and defiant in times of difficulties in life while Jesus advocates that people should the Kingdom of God in times of difficulties. On the other hand, Jesus says that those who fight for God’s kingdom have absolute protection from God and they are destined for glory. This relates to Bernard’s words which state that Christ knights are chosen by God and they can fight in safety, without fearing the danger of losing their lives. He states that those who die by God’s name, hold no crime and they merit great glory from the almighty God.