A Christian King Henry Research Paper

Is a Christian king possible? In a time of separation of church and state, it is hard to imagine a religious leader without thinking of the theocratic caliphs and shahs or some shallow prosperity preacher trying to impose his views on everyone. It ultimately has a negative ring to it for most people. A Christian king however, is not someone who goes around beheading infidels or someone who has the ten-commandments as his screen-saver. Rather a Christian king is someone who governs his country, and himself, according to the principles laid out in Scripture. In the play Henry V, Henry is repeatedly called the model of all Christian kings. Henry’s actions however, would not indicate the heart of a believer upon closer examination. There are three
reasons Henry is no model of a Christian king, much less that of a believer: He does not accept responsibility for his actions, he is greedy, and he does not reflect the mercy and love of Christ. Any King or leader who cannot bear the burden of his office, should not rule. Shirking responsibility is reserved for those who do not want to succeed in life, but the ruler of the land cannot enjoy that luxury. At the beginning of the play, Henry is debating whether or not God would sanction his choice to take lands away from France. He listens to a couple of bishops who convince him to transfer any blame to their own shoulders. So, Henry is now free to take land from France without feeling any guilt. After all, the bishops will be held responsible if this is not a noble venture. This is bogus. No one can transfer the guilt of their sins onto someone else. A truly Christian king would pray to God himself for direction, and he would take full blame for any of his actions. Henry is also greedy, which played into him vaulting into total war for so little cause. The claim on France was disputable and Henry’s own claim to the throne could be thrown into suspicion. Henry could not allow anything that was even possibly his to escape his clutches. Not only is he greedy for possessions, but he is also greedy for honor. If the French had pled with Henry about the land, war could most likely have been avoided. Instead, the impetuous Dauphin sent Henry an insult. This would have been the true test of a Christian king. If Henry had been able to look at the tennis balls for what they were, a foolish message by an equally foolish leader, and then ignored the insult and been content at home, then war would have been avoided. Obviously, no leader should allow those under his care to be endangered, but England was not endangered by France. The French were incompetent and arrogant, and Henry did not need to step in over that one point. He was too greedy to be considered a Christian King. Ultimately, the true test of a Christian king is to measure him up to the King of kings, Jesus.
In this respect, Henry is sorely lacking in the love and mercy category. God is love, so any leader trying to imitate God must also be love. The most obvious lack of love is at the battle of Harfleur. At Harfleur, Henry threatens to release his “Christian army” to pillage the city and misuse the inhabitants if they do not surrender the city. While war is extreme, there is no instance where it is permissible to sin. God will not “understand” that Henry was in dire circumstances and should therefore be pardoned. While no one can measure up to Jesus, Henry does not even appear to try to measure up, except to give Him lip-service. Henry does not reflect Jesus in any way. Henry’s actions do not indicate the heart of a believer upon closer examination. There are three reasons Henry is no model of a Christian king, much less that of a believer: He does not accept responsibility for his actions, he is greedy, and he does not reflect the mercy and love of Christ. No human can ever measure up to God, but what they must do is strive to be like God. Henry could act benevolent and kind and Christ-like until something did not go his way. Ultimately, Henry V is no model of a Christian
king.