With the recent killing of Bin Laden I thought it would be an appropriate time to discuss the Christian's approach to the Muslim religion, and whether we need to be bold or passive toward their beliefs. Is it better to be passive and tolerant in our approach toward the Muslim religion or does it require Christians to be firm in what they believe? I would even go as far to state that the most dangerous and reckless Christian is the one who passively lives out their life with no real zeal or passion in what they believe. On the other hand the most dangerous type of Muslim is the radical who is willing to strap bombs to their body and kill innocents all for the supposed reward of 72 virgins awaiting them in what they call paradise. Even as recent as May 8th, Muslim mobs set two Cairo churches on fire overnight (5/8/2011) during sectarian clashes that left 12 dead and more than 200 injured. The Christian's response to the Muslim religion is never to include violence of any kind. Christians have been instructed to love their enemies, and pray for those who persecute them. (Matt 5:43-48)
Recent headlines have focused on Heartsong Church in Cordova Tennessee allowing Muslims to use their facilities, and whether this was an appropriate action. Especially when the informed Christian considers that Christians do not worship the same God as the Muslim version of God. In fact a sincere Muslim cleric will openly admit that they do not worship the Christian God.
To be sure that we all understand who the Christian God is, we need to briefly look at the Trinity, otherwise known as the Godhead. The Trinity consists of three co-equal and co-eternal persons, namely the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are God. Each has a distinctive role which does not diminish their equality with each other. The Father is creator, the Son is Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit is comforter. Although the term "Trinity" is not used in the New Testament, we can clearly see the three persons in the Trinity defined, described, and at work throughout the Bible. Although the Godhead is three distinct persons with co-equal status, Christians are monotheistic, meaning they worship one God. The Godhead of the Holy Trinity. Both scholars and theologians consider it a mystery to how this can be, but we believe it is implicitly mapped out in the Bible. Muslims do not believe in the Holy Trinity because although Muslims are monotheistic, they don't believe that Jesus is God. They believe in a singular God, and that Jesus was a prophet, but is not God. This means we do not worship the same God as the Muslims. This is why phrases such as "finding common ground" do not apply when it comes to the belief of a Muslim and Christian. Don't get me wrong because I believe we can stand at the soup line and serve food together or take food to shut-ins, but we have nothing in common in the context of the God that we serve.
You may be wondering why I am spending so much time on this issue, but it is the propensity of the average Christian to look lethargically at the core tenants of their faith! We must understand the importance of studying God's Word and not just accepting truth as we think we understand it! The Bible tells us to study the scriptures so that we can learn and understand! (2 Timothy 2:15)
Recently I read a post from a person commenting about how we can show the love of Christ by allowing Muslims to use Christian facilities, but there is a big problem with this. We have seen from the pictures shown above in this article that Muslims do not tolerate being evangelized by Christians. In the next paragraph I will quote what the person said. The context of this person's comments were directed at author and apologist Dr. Alex McFarland who recently appeared on Fox News to talk about the Christian church allowing Muslims to use their facilities for their worship service.
Alex McFarland with Loren Green on a recent Fox News Show
Comments below appeared on Facebook on May 6, 2011.
"I saw your views on muslim and christians sharing a church/mosque. I commend those who share their faiths and place of worship, to deny another man his views is not Gods will. You state that one should not endorse false religions, but how about you opening your heart and place of worship to others and in that action they could see the love that God has for all? Is that not the will of our Lord? I do not know if you will let this comment stand, but we will see."
I thought about what the person said, and responded to her comments, which I will share with you in the remainder of this article. The person's comments were laced with what they thought God's will should be. In fact God's will is that none should perish, but all come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) What this person has done can be a temptation for any Christian. We want to impose what we think God's will is without truly taking the time to study the handbook of God's will, the Bible. My response to the person is in the remainder of this article.
I saw your comment and appreciate your passion for what you consider to be truth, but we have core truths in our Christian beliefs taken from the Bible that are not negotiable. Primarily that Jesus Christ was not just a prophet as Muslims believe, or great person, but he was God who came in the flesh. (Jn 14:6; Jn 1:1; Jn 1:14) Furthermore He is the only way to salvation and the Father. To allow any religion to enter a Christian house of worship and proclaim a false god is a sort of misguided hypocrisy. I believe the church has good intentions, but their actions could mislead and misguide the Muslims. If I could put this in an Old Testament context, Baal is being worshipped in the house of God. Knowing that we serve both a loving, and jealous God, do you think God would be tolerant of this? (Ex 20:3)
I agree that we do need to show the love of Jesus Christ to the Muslims just as much as we do any other religious group, but it will not be done by passively nodding or allowing them to worship a false god within the same building that the one true God is worshipped. To deny the deity of Jesus is to deny the Trinity (God). We may serve a loving God, but we also serve a God who has given us all the guidelines we need, to know how He wants us to worship and serve him. (2 Tim 3:15-16)
The Bible says that the wounds of a friend are far better than the kisses of an enemy. (Prov 27:6) When it comes to how we approach the Muslims, the most loving thing we can do is to take a bold stand, and be unapologetic about our love for Jesus Christ. To not challenge their use of Christian facilities for false worship is to passively condemn them to an eternity apart from Jesus. If you are a believer, I encourage you to be bold, winsome, and loving with your Muslim friends, but don't be timid in speaking the truth of Jesus with them. I can tell you from experience that they respect boldness much more than passiveness.
This was the conclusion of my response to the person.
So what will your approach be with Muslims, Mormons, or even Jehovah's Witnesses who live in and around you? Will you simply sit quietly by and tolerantly say nothing? Will you be the one that takes time to study, and do your research so that you will be prepared to give an answer? (1 Peter 3:15) I encourage us all to read and study so that we can be bold, confidant, and winsome with our Muslim friends. Never forget that the most dangerous Christians walking around today are never the radicals, but the passive and silent ones.
Unlike the religion of Islam, it is not the goal of Christianity to dominate the world. Jesus didn't come to earth on a mission of global domination, but to provide a way of redemption to all that would surrender their hearts to him. (Jn 3:16-17) Jesus came as someone with equal status to the Father, but He never raised one weapon in His defense. (Jn 10:30) The Christian's response to the Muslim religion is to always be one of confidant, loving, and winsome determination, which never apologizes for our belief in Jesus, our only way to the Father. (Jn 14:6) I charge all Christians to study, study, study, and know whom they serve! Be a true light of love to all that you come in contact with without apology or passiveness! Always be ready to give an answer! (1 Peter 3:15)
Some revisions and additions have been edited on the author's response to the Facebook posting for clarity.
