A very good summary of the perspectives of various christian leaders on the subject. The ongoing war against terrorism makes the message given here even more important. There is a huge need to see past the foolishness of the media elite, and many of their favorite spokespeople (singers, actors, and other entertainers - I will not mention any names :) who believe everything this administration has done has been completely without merit if not downright evil. There must be an understanding that, believe it or not, our country is still really engaged in a terrible, yet noble, war. In light of this, the following article, Is it right to fight? recent evangelical voices, is very well stated and worth the read for any christian thinking about this topic.
Should Christian's Ever Fight?
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Very Interesting Thoughts
One of the things that goads me is the blatantly ignorant misunderstanding that such media spoke-holes spew forth as ligitimate commentary. Just to name a few, Christopher Robins and Susan Sarandon, would rather have an Iraqi tank role through their living room than admit that perhaps some aggression is acceptable.
What we are missing in the commentary of modern aggressions is the simple truth that Muslims, those who are zealous and faithful, want us dead simply because we exist. The western culture is the antithesis of the Islamic world, and Christians and Jews are declared enemies. They do not hate us because we hurt them, they hate us because we are who we are; and they are commanded by their religion to destroy us. We cannot afford to sugar coat the truth, Islam is an evil religion.
Now, do christians go searching for conflict? No, but we do need to understand that the spiritual battle on earth has physical manifestations.
Muslims, So Hard To Reach
You are funny. I wasn't going to name names because we all know who these people are ; ).
Many Muslims are very aggressive in their hatred of 1. the West, 2. America, 3. their view of Christianity (I don't think they, or much of America for that matter, have a real understanding of Christianity.) and 4. ultimately Jesus. This hatred is so clearly evidenced by the way Christians are persecuted in most of the Muslim world. See Christians Attacked in North Maluku & Central Sulawesi, Indonesia for one of many possible examples. So my question is how do we reach folks like that? There is a good piece on this by Norman Giesler Understanding And Reaching Muslims well worth the read.
Too Far To Reach Out To Muslims?
In light of what you share here, it looks like Fuller Seminary is taking the same stance as the 'celebrity' political 'commentators' only in the theological arena. See Seminary Is Reaching Out to Muslims .
Ahhh!Ahhh!Ahhhhhhhhh!
Alright, the gloves have to come off. This is one of the most disheartening things to come out of Full-of-it Seminary. Perhaps only second to hiring professors who do not believe Christ is the Son of God, this is appalling. Why can't christians take a stand for what is right?
Oh, and an even bigger problem with this article; the program is federally funded. Are we going to allow the government to pay us to stop evangelizing to these people? To accept their lies? Are we forced to accept their version of god as equal to our true God? The reprecussions of this are immense, but simply that we can dilute our message because the government offers us money to do so is a disgusting thought that provides a very dangerous precident.
Too Far To Reach Out to Muslims?
Okay, that was worth going through the invasive registration process at latimes.com To summarize for those not wanting to tell LA Times their life story:
The Justice Department, through legislation proposed by Representative Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank), has given a $1 mil grant to Fuller Theological Seminary to promote peace between Islams and Christians. The plan is to do this by focusing on the proposed similarities between the faiths, namely that both worship the same God. Part of the project is an agreement not to proselytize.
There are so many things disturbing about this news, starting with my tax dollars funding hyper-ecumenism. While I believe that Christians should demonstrate the love of Christ to all unbelievers, it is important to do so, while standing for truth. Missing from the discussion is the fact that the whole reason we are discussing this is because of actions caried out by islamics who believe islam and christianity are mutually exclusive. Truth is mutually exclusive by nature, and there can be only one God.
Perhaps one could say, because of general revelation, that islamic persons have a innate desire to have relationship with the true God. But clearly that is not what is being said by Fuller in this context. They acknowledge that they "had different understandings of the divine nature".
Can someone with a grossly improper view of God truely worship Him? Is there any way to worship God in Spirit and in Truth while denying His revelation of Himself? Is God God, without all three persons?
jamesj- JID: hystrix@jabber.g4g.org
Reaching out does not equal giving in.
I do not understand why christians are expected to give up their beliefs to hold hands with those who disagree with us. This does not only apply to the Muslim question, it applies to homosexuality, divorce, et al. I don't hold anything against a person who disagrees with me, but by no means do I feel the need to change my beliefs to accept their behavior.
You raise the excellent question "Can someone with a grossly improper view of God truely worship Him?" Let me answer with another question. Can a person who believes a carpet is a car
drive one?
Here is the ultimate issue, something that forecasts disaster for thie plan with Fuller. We do not simply disagree about the nature of God; they hate us because we love Jesus. That's what it boils down to, and if the wet noodles at Fuller want to succeed, they will have to stop loving Him.
Panel of Christians Speaks Out on War With Iraq
http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0303/11/lkl.00.html
larry king live panel on "Panel of Christians Speaks Out on War With Iraq"
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it's the balm diggety!
http://www.balm-of-gilead.org/