"I am the Vine"
Knighthood
Submitted by Wayne on Fri, 2006-05-26 13:46.
Holiness
For many years, I've considered the creation of a modern order of knighthood. This idea is starting to take root in me now. To be fair, the idea is based upon the mythical ideals of Arthurian knighthood rather than the harsher reality that is more historically accurate. Nevertheless, as the Nazirite vow (Numbers 6) is a voluntary commitment to something beyond the minimal requirements of a disciple, I foresee such a knighthood as a lifelong dedication to Biblical ideals, perfect ethics, rigorous piety, and selfless service in the family, the church, and the world, all for God's glory.
I foresee a role for ladies as well as knights--different but just as dedicated to pious behavior and thought. While the knights tend to the ladies' needs, protecting and serving them, the ladies support their knights and lead exemplary lives of similar servitude and familial strength. To be sure, the knights' service is more outwardly directed, toward the community, while the ladies' is inward, toward the family--though not solely so in either case.
Not meant as a "holier than thou" order, such knighthood is certainly "holier than I was yesterday" for each knight or lady, with constant effort toward Godly perfection. This perfection is neither sinless nor self-aggrandizing, but a full maturity achievable only by the Lord's efforts in us to which we increasingly yield.
I feel led to codify these principles, ethics, behaviors, etc. Such an effort of codification would reveal much, I expect, even if only my own family were interested. In the end, I have no designs on this order of knighthood and ladyhood growing to any more than my own family, but in the rare case others may desire such discipline, I would welcome them into the order. I will give this idea much more thought in the coming weeks.
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There was a code of chivalry
Submitted by Danny Dolan (not verified) on Thu, 2006-06-01 08:02.
There was a code of chivalry in the edition of the Scout Handbook that was in use when I started Scouting. I remember reading that Lord Baden-Powell drew heavily on the ideals of knighthood when drawing up the Boy Scout Oath and Law. I'd be glad to dig that up for you, if you'd like to read them over. Alternatively, I just now did a web search for "code of chivalry", and came up with a number of modern and historic versions of these codes.
Also for your consideration, it just so happens that the subject of religious orders and communities (for men, for women, for both, and for families) was brought up in my prayer group last Saturday. We glanced through this publication of all Anglican orders and communities currently existing in the United States. A number of them follow, to varying degrees, the Rule of St. Benedict, which is another very good read.
Final thought: My impression of knightood is of something earned, not just something vowed. In medieval times, it was pretty well-known how to earn it: training (as a squire) and worthy deeds. Take it or leave it as you see fit.
Second draft
Submitted by Wayne on Mon, 2006-06-19 10:22.
The Knights page has undergone a bit more work. I would not dare say it's done, but it's advanced beyond the first draft. Links to expected values and behavior (for men, husbands, and fathers, as well as women, wives, and mothers) are included. The bar is set rather high, I believe, but not without good reason for each principle and action.
Thanks for the helpful input. I hope you can see I took it to heart.
First draft
It's likely nobody is interested, but I have put together a first draft of what I had in mind for a modern knighthood. As I stated, it consists largely of goals and ideals to which Katrina and I strive, but we've chosen such goals precisely because we firmly believe them to be correct. I expect this page to evolve significantly over time, but this seems to be a fair beginning.