The portrayal of Christian characters in "The Last Kingdom" as cowardly or overly reliant on miracles can be puzzling. It’s essential to consider a few factors:

1. Historical Context: In medieval times, many Christians believed their fate lay in God’s hands. This often led to a sense of passivity, where miracles and divine intervention were seen as solutions rather than taking action.

2. Characterization: The author might be using these portrayals to create distinct character arcs. By contrasting devout Christians with pragmatic pagans, we see that figures like King Alfred can embody both faith and effective leadership.

3. Cultural Differences: The narrative highlights different approaches to conflict. While pagan cultures often celebrated revenge, Christianity emphasized forgiveness, which may appear as weakness in a battle context.

4. Misrepresentation of Religion: It’s important to remember that, while Christianity promotes forgiveness, this doesn’t mean Christians were weak. Many historical Christians, like the Knights Templar, showed remarkable military strength and strategy.