Unless one has had their head in the sand , you have heard of the Pastor in Florida that was going to burn Korans on September 11th in protest against Islam . The Koran is of course the Muslims holy book. Supposedly given to Mohammad by the angel Gabriel , around 600 AD. The Koran is revered by Muslims , and even handling the Koran that is disrespectful can be punished , even by death.
So the fact that this pastor was going to burn about 50 Korans , angered the Muslim world . In fact sending some into a frenzy. With many threatening violence towards troops in occupied areas and I'm sure Christians in those areas would have been targeted as well. Is that not a commentary in itself.
However he has now relented and will not go through with the planned burning. Thankfully common sense prevailed and some sanity was shown .
From the outset I thought this was a foolish action . Burning anothers religious book does nothing in the way of presenting them the gospel of Jesus Christ. In fact it gives Muslims world wide, fodder to further distrust the west . It puts up a barrier even thicker than the one that already exist.
It accomplishes nothing .
If this Church really wants to stand for the truth of the gospel , share the truth only found in the person of Jesus Christ. Expose Islamic claims to the light and truth of the Bible. Just to say that that Jesus Christ is the way ,the truth and the life , will cause conflict. The religion of Islam is not compatible with Christianity .
To cause controversy is really is not the issue . To cause controversy by preaching the cross of Christ , the resurrection , is good . No matter how we present the gospel it will offend .
Hopefully out of this controversy will come a greater interest in Islam from Christians. That we would learn how to engage Muslims with thoughtful debate, with respect but at the same time without any compromise.
One last thought to leave you with. As dumb a stunt as this Pastor was going to do , over the last year more Bibles and New Testaments have been burned ,destroyed ,defamed than any other book .Since it is the only true Holy Book , God breathed , how have Christians responded? With pray and more vigilance in sharing the truth of Christ. The funny thing ,politicians , celebrities have been very vocal condemning this act, but the Bible can be burned ,exchanged for porn ,ripped apart by a black metal artist and the what is the response , silence . Telling is it not.
1 comment:
Sometimes I don't know what to say. I do not agree with this man's intentions. But, as you say, nobody blinks when it's the Bible.
Actually, this is probably a wee bit of a shock to the Muslim world. Usually, we're so wishy washy about our own religion, Christianity, that we won't even say that it is the only truth there is.
What's the saddest thing? Some who claim to be believers, say it isn't the only way. This can get complicated. Because Jesus said in John 14:6, "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
So, if you say Christianity is not the only way, you make Jesus a a liar. If He's a liar, He is not without sin. If He's not without sin, He's not the Messiah, the Holy One of God. You can't have it both ways.
Presenting the gospel and defending the faith must be done in the way that Christ has commanded us. Not as crazy people but with love. For only the gospel should offend, those still in their sin, not our actions. Love you, Mrs Reg
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