The Crusades were a counter offensive after 3 1/2 centuries of Islamic expansion. An effort to retake the geographic See of Christendom which had been taken by assault. Medieval Christians did spread Christianity by the sword. Charlemagne’s
war with the Saxons is a good example . But Christianity’s early spread was done in the face of violence not by violence. By the time of Mohammed the Mediterranean world had become Christian without the sword.Nestorian Christianity spread as far as China. Christianity, Coptic, Chaldean, Orthodox, or Roman succumbed to Muslim arms not the superiority of faith.
Thanks for the well-put and thoughtful response, xkaydet65 (post 51). I appreciate it.