Christian leaders across denominational lines responded to the unprecedented open letter signed last month by 138 representative Muslim leaders with their own letter, calling on the two Abrahamic faiths to love God and neighbors together.
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Christian Leaders Invite Muslims to Love God, Neighbors Together
By
Ethan Cole
Christian Post Reporter
Fri, Nov. 23 2007 09:18 AM EST
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Comments
mturner
In my posting of 18 January I said 'Of course when it comes to our neighbours we must be 'kind' and 'hospitable' [see 1st Corinthians 13:4 and Hebrews 13:2]' and as a Christian that I seek by the grace of God to do with all that I come in contact with but not to the point of in any way compromising the glory of the only true God [see Isaiah 42:8] who is not the God of false religious systems such as Islam.
HOWEVER this letter is talking about 'religious peace' and from God's perspective He tells His people that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" [Ephesians 6:12].
The reality is that there is ongoing 'religious conflict' between God's truth and Satan's lies. In the same chapter God tells His people how to deal with such 'conflict'. Beginning at verse 13 He says "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day".
You will I am very sure be very familiar with the 'armour of God' so I won't go into all the details but in conclusion let me draw attention to verse 17 that reads "And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God".
If there is to be genuine 'religious peace' it will only come through the faithful testimony and 'Spirit energised' teaching/preaching of the truth by those who are God's people. Any other claimed way to arriving at 'religious peace' conflicts with what God tells us in His Word.
Takeheed,
I don't agree with your interpretation of scripture, which does not admit any basis of peace between Christians and Muslims other than in having Muslims convert to Christianity.
I believe 'religious peace between these two religious communities' CAN be accomplished, because 'religious peace' does not mean that both communities must practice the same religion, it means that each community respects the right of the other to practice theirs.
People of different religions CAN live together without fighting and denying others the right to practice their beliefs. We do it here in America, where Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and others live together in peace. I believe it's possible for us to do it throughout the world, if well-meaning people from different countries, whatever their religion, work together to make it happen.
A major obstacle to this happening is the view that there is no merit in even talking to people who practice a religion different from ours unless and until they convert ours first.
mturner
In Romans 8:8 Paul said "So then, they that are in the flesh (ie those that are not "born again") CANNOT please God"
The writer to the Hebrews said in Hebrews 11:6 " But without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please him (God)" and "faith" is God's gracious gift to those who are "born again" and so "saved" [see Ephesians 2:8]
Of course when it comes to our neighbours we must be 'kind' and 'hospitable' [see 1st Corinthians 13:4 and Hebrews 13:2] but the goal of this communal letter to Muslims, as expressed in these words, 'religious peace between these two religious communities' can NEVER be accomplished when one of the parties rejects the very core of true 'faith' namely the Deity and Death of the only Saviour of men, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The only basis for 'peace' between God's people and those who are currently Muslims is set out in our ministry tract 'Dear Muslim neighbour' the text of which can be read on this link
http://www.takeheed.net/DearMuslimneighbour.htm
Takeheed,
If I understand you rightly, you are saying that the only people who are able to love God and neighbor are born-again Christians.
mturner
The common ancestor of ALL humanity is Adam and not Abraham and "as in Adam ALL die" [1st Corinthians 15:22] the only solution to the problem of the absence of peace between God and man and between man and man is found in being "reconciled FIRST to God" [2nd Corinthians 5:20] through" Jesus Christ and Him crucified" [1st Corinthians 2:2].
To avoid 'conflict' these letter signers are attempting to put 'the cart before the horse' by sidestepping the message of the cross. True 'peace' is only found "in Christ" who "made peace through the blood of his cross" [Colossians 1:20].
Only when someone has 'peace with God' through the miracle of the new birth are he or she then able to love the one true God and to love his or her neighbour as themselves. The parable of the Good Samaritan is not to teach Christians who their neighbour is but rather to teach them how to treat their neighbours who have "fallen among thieves".
In John 10 the Lord identifies those [like Jews and Muslims] who seek to enter God's fold other than by the one door [Christ Himself] as robbers - Christians are to reach out to their neighbours who have fallen victim to 'robbers' who deny the unique Gospel of Christ (as in false 'Christianity' and non-Christians faiths) and we are to pour in the only remedy for their desperate spiritual plight and that is the truth of the Gospel [the 'oil and wine' of the parable].
Takeheed
So you agree, then, that the quote RadicalChild included in his posting is true, that "We Muslims, Christians and Jews can all agree on at least one thing!" The one thing being descent from the person and teachings of Abraham.
Yet you feel this is not enough to justify dialogue with Muslims?
mturner
Obviously the Lord Jesus identified certain characters as belonging to the seed of Abraham but it was in the sense of 'after the flesh' and today that would embrace not only Jews but many Muslims also through the Abraham/Hagar relationship.
Paul in Galatians 3:29 is obviously making it plain that the spiritual seed of Abraham who will share in the promise made by God to Abraham are NOT identified as being the seed of Abraham 'after the flesh' but are those who have been regenerated by the Spirit of God and so belong to Christ - he wrote "if ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise"
Paul also wrote "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his" [Romans 8:9] and in consequence unregenerate people cannot currently be "Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise"
In Galatians, Paul was arguing against the view that to be a Christian one must also observe the Torah laws, including being circumsized. He was not saying that Christians are Abraham's seed but Jews (or Muslims) are not. See Luke 13:16, where Jesus calls the crippled Jewish woman who came before Him to be healed "a daughter of Abraham", and Luke 19:9, where Jesus calls the Jewish tax collector Zacchaeus "a son of Abraham".
This 'common identity' in Abraham that Jews Muslims and Christians are supposed to share doesn't seem to resonate with the Apostle Paul who wrote in Galatians 3:29 "And if ye be Christ's [which Jews and Muslims clearly are not] then are ye Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise"
Larry Lovelaw, author of "These Radical Children of Abraham" put it this way, "We Muslims, Christians and Jews can all agree on at least one thing!"
His excellent book sets out exactly what issues need to be addressed and how to address them before there can be lasting peace here. Check it out at ___ www.spiritwar.info ___ I especially like the last part of the AUDIO on that site.
As Larry says, "people are not the real enemy".
Dear mturner,
You are correct. It is good for people to get along and live in peace. We would all cherish such an ideal. You say, "So I think it's good for people to try to find some ideas that they share and can agree on together, especially ideas like love of God and love of neighbor. It's a starting point." This can only be done if we agree upon the foundation for our essential beliefs about who God is and what has He said to His creation. Otherwise, let's have dialogue about the weather, sports, favorite restaurants, or various altruistic endeavors. We, then, would have much more to agree on. But if we are to seek peace through religious discussion, we must first find points of agreement. And serious-minded, bible-believing Christians will not resort to reductionism and the stripping of our convictions in order to find harmony in the world. To sacrifice one's beliefs on the altar of religious unity is nothing more than idolatry.
So how about those Patriots?
It seems to me that the issue here is not that of trying to unite Christianity and Islam. It's not about whether or not the two religions have the same God, or whether or not Christians should embrace the words of Mohammed.
It's not about religions at all. This issue is about people. Some people practice Christianity, some people practice some other religion. But we're all people, and we all live together on the same planet. We have to respect each other and help each other and live together in peace. That's hard to do when we don't even talk to each other. So I think it's good for people to try to find some ideas that they share and can agree on together, especially ideas like love of God and love of neighbor. It's a starting point.
To attempt agreement upon that which we have in common sounds great on the surface. Many treaties and peace agreements have held for a time under such conditions. However, in this case, it's what we don't have in common that is much more important. As Christians we can only be certain of who God is based upon His only divine and faithful revelation of Himself as given to us in the Holy Bible. Although some similarities exist, the Allah of the Koran is not the same God. God will never contradict Himself. The God of the Bible has revealed Himself directly to us in the person of Jesus Christ. No apostle nor any other recorder of God's word ever contradicted the words of Christ. Mohammed is not a prophet that Christians can embrace. Thus, how will we ever be able to unite with those who think he is? Yes, we must pursue peace with Arabs whenever and wherever we find them as our neighbors. But let's never cry "peace, peace, when there is no peace."
Dear mturner
I hope you'll forgive me for yet again challenging what you have written but you really do have an inaccurate 'rose-tinted' view of the ideology of Islam and in all humility I would recommend to you to obtain the following DVDs - there may be moderate Muslims but there is no such a thing as moderate Islam. The DVDs are
'Obsession: Radical Islam's War With The West' and
'Islam: What The West Needs To Know'
They can be purchased on this rather long link
http://www.amazon.com/Islam-What-West-Needs-Know/dp/B000PE0GQO/ref=sr_1_3/002-4102940-1531266?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1182465686&sr=8-3
The majority of Muslims are good, kind people. The minority, who commit attrocities in the name of their religion, are uneducated, narrow-minded fundamentalists, with a primitive view of what Islam is all about, and with an ignorant suspicion of all things Western. Christians are the same way. Most are good, kind people. Some
What's the problem with good, kind people talking with good, kind people? Let the narrow-minded misanthropes on both sides stay home and talk to themselves, if they want.
Round up the usual suspects! Why am I not surprised at the names of the usual ecumenicals so ready to sign on to a proposal so obviously designed to isolate the Jews and Israel from as many Christians as possible. Score one more for "taqiyya". Looks they are trying to come up with another meaningless hudna. We need to be realistic in dealing with a religion that is also a political ideology of force. How does one make peace with people whose credo is: convert,submit, or die until they rule the world?
Watchman wrote - 'I just wanted to know how worshipping one God could be considered common ground '
Watchman you are quite right and you echo Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 " What fellowship hath righteousness (those in Christ) with unrighteousness? (with those still in Adam as Muslims are) What communion hath light (those in Christ) with darkness? (those still in Adam). What concord hath Christ with Belial? (Mohammed/Allah/Islam) What agreement hath the temple of God with idols? (The Kaaba is still as pagan as when it housed 360 idols)…Come out from among them and be ye separate…and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you”.
sorry, thanks to the cat, i accidentally flagged my own post!
I just wanted to know how worshipping one God could be considered common ground since we worship Tahweh, the God of the Bible and Moslems worship Allah who has a prophet called Mohammed. I cannot find Mohammed in my Bible, so how does that work?
If we take this principle further, should we be entering into dialogue with Satanists and other monotheistic, anti Yahweh groups? I think not.
mturner wrote - 'I believe it is good for people to talk to each other, and listen to each other'
Most of the 'Christians' who issued this letter would appear to be classed as 'preachers'. The Apostle Paul , a first century preacher with a concern for the eternal well-being of Non-Christians wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:16 "woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel".
In Athens, when Paul encountered religious Non-Christians he preached of the true God who will one day "judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained concerning which he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead" [verse 31] - he didn't sit down and discuss certain common non-essentials when it comes to eternity.
The common ground between Chrisianity and Islam is that both religions worship one God and preach love of God and love of man. Regardless of all the other things they disagree on, they do have this in common.
The common ground between Christians and Muslims is that they are both people. People are valuable in their own right, no matter what religion they follow.
I believe it is good for people to talk to each other, and listen to each other, and be kind to each other, no matter what color their skin is, what language they speak, or what religion they practice.
IÍt is really unbelievable that they could have signed such a thing. Allah is Not the God of the Bible, he has no Son and he hates Christians and Jews.He is very lenient with sin, specially Muhammad's sins, allowing him to rob passing caravans and murder the rightful owners, take the booty and the women for himself. Allah was a stone god of the Kaaba before the so called 'prophet' invented Islam. How can Christian leaders behave so foolish as to sign that paper?
mturner wrote 'I believe it is good for Christians and Muslims to talk with each other, and that there is common ground between us’
Perhaps mturner could explain what ‘common ground’ there is with a religion that denies the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ [see Sura 18:4-5 and Sura 25:2] and that denies the death of the Lord Jesus Christ [see Sura 4:157]
There can be no ‘common ground’ for we read in 2nd John 9 “Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ (including His deity and His death) HATH NOT GOD”
In her/his latest posting mturner wrote ‘One doesn't spread good news by standing on a soap box and shouting at others that they are sinners and will go to hell unless they give up everything they've been taught since they were children and believe what you say instead….Spreading the Good News is more like going up to someone, with love in your heart, and touching them on the arm and looking into their eyes and telling them how much God loves them’
In the light of these comments how does mturner understand what we read in Luke 13:3&5 where no less a person than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, in answer to questions concerning recent tragedies, said to His listeners “Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish”.
Then what of John the Baptist, of whom the Lord Jesus Christ said “among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist [Matthew 11:11] – he didn’t go up to sinners and tell them ‘God loves you’ but rather he told them “bring forth fruits therefore worthy of repentance “ [Luke 3:8] and he was obviously as direct with Herod for we read some verses later “But Herod…being reproved by him (John) for Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife…shut John up in prison” [Luke 3:19&20].
Unsaved sinners need to have “the truth in love” preached to them [Ephesians 4:15] that “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son…the WRATH of God abideth on him” [John 3:36].
Two articles that I think are helpful in the age we live in are found on
http://www.takeheed.net/EARNINGTHERIGHT.htm
http://www.takeheed.net/whentol.htm
As Christians we are in humility but yet with boldness to scatter seed [the truth of the gospel] like a farmer – after that the results are in God’s ‘hands’ – I shall be eternally thankful that a fearless and faithful preacher did that on 19th August 1984
Thank you for your comments takeheed. Too many out there are lukewarm like mturner. Our socialist society here in the U.S. has forced situational ethics and political correctness on everyone for so long now that people, such as mturner, have become brain washed into thinking it is possible to just be appeasing to each other and everything will go as it is hoped. This way of thinking totally disregards the fact that evil exists and desires to conquer. It greatly concerns me that these leaders who claim to be saved by the blood of Jesus Christ have turned againist Him by signing this letter of response as it was written in order to appease, or surrender to, the leaders of the Muslems. I have friends who are Muslems. I love them dearly. However, as much as I do love them, they are very wrong in their beliefs, dead wrong. I have lovingly disagreed with their views and pray for God to open their eyes. I would not sign my name to a document stating that we love or worship the same God. I love my risen Savior too much to do that. We must not be lukewarm, regardless of the cost!
Why does everyone thing 'preaching the gospel' means 'talking at' people and not 'talking with' them? "Preaching the Gospel" means "spreading the Good News". One doesn't spread good news by standing on a soap box and shouting at others that they are sinners and will go to hell unless they give up everything they've been taught since they were children and believe what you say instead. Where's the good news in that message? Spreading the Good News is more like going up to someone, with love in your heart, and touching them on the arm and looking into their eyes and telling them how much God loves them, and that God has come into the world to help them and save them from suffering.
I believe it is good for Christians and Muslims to talk with each other, and that there is common ground between us.
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.law-enforcement.london-ontario/browse_thread/thread/a10ffa62bed24f16
Please visit the blog at www.myspace.com/outofbabylon for urgent news concerning this article.
mturner wrote - 'Other people would rather 'be right' than be loving' - was the Apostle Paul simply being 'right' but not 'loving' when he wrote "Love...does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in the truth" [1st Corinthians 13:4&6]? Christian 'love' must never be at the expense of our God's glory and truth and this 'Christian' invite to what amounts to 'ecumenical dialogue' compromises both. Islam's 'god' is a false 'god' that would seek to usurp the glory of the only True God who declared in Isaiah 42:8 "I am the Lord: that is my name and my glory will I not give to another". Cain and Abel both had a common 'love' for God but each had their own approach to God - one was right and one was wrong - when they entered into 'dialogue' with each other we all know the end result and this modern-day invite to 'dialogue' will have exactly the same end result. Should mturner doubt my love for Muslims who are lost and currently on their way to hell then again I invite her [or him] to read 'Dear Muslim neighbour' on
http://www.takeheed.net/DearMuslimneighbour.htm
Maybe it's as simple as this: Some people have love in their hearts and think it's important to practice loving-kindness toward other human beings. Other people would rather 'be right' than be loving, see others as being wrong. Christianity and Islam each have both kinds of people.
Wilderness quoted from the letter - 'we want to begin by acknowledging that in the past (e.g. in the Crusades) and in the present (e.g. in excesses of the “war on terror”) many Christians have been guilty of sinning against our Muslim neighbors'
It is time these letter-signers realised that the Crusades were not 'Christian' but 'Roman Catholic' and Roman Catholicism does not equate to Christianity - the then Pope promised that those who would die in battle would by-pass [the fictional] Purgatory. Likewise today the 'war on terror' was not instigated by either genuine or faithful Christian politicians on either side of the Atlantic despite claims to the contrary.
wilderness:
I think Round 1 to the Muslims! They've got prominent Christians asking for forgiveness from the All-Merciful One [Allah?] for the killing of Muslims during the Crusades and a general apology to all Muslims everywhere! Yes, certainly Round 1 to the Muslims!
When we get them to apologise for the persecution of Christians in their countries and for on-going jihad and senseless terrorism around the world, then we might be getting somewhere with Muslims. Until then, this peace overture is doomed to failure.
"Over 100 theologians, ministry leaders, and prominent pastors have thus far signed the response letter issued by the Yale Center for Faith and Culture."
The following is a portion from their preamble:
"Muslims and Christians have not always shaken hands in friendship; their relations have sometimes been tense, even characterized by outright hostility. Since Jesus Christ says, “First take the log out your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye” (Matthew 7:5), we want to begin by acknowledging that in the past (e.g. in the Crusades) and in the present (e.g. in excesses of the “war on terror”) many Christians have been guilty of sinning against our Muslim neighbors. Before we “shake your hand” in responding to your letter, we ask forgiveness of the All-Merciful One and of the Muslim community around the world."
Hmmmm.
I think a very important thing to keep in mind here is that we are not talking about the same God!
I do not doubt for one minute the sincerity of the latest comments of mturner but God's Word should be our guide - "lean not unto thine own understanding" [Proverbs 3:5]. ALL non-Christians represent "the world" and GOD [Father, Son & Holy Spirit - not the false 'god' Allah] says "whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" - James 4:4. In 2nd Corinthians 6:14-17, we are specifically commanded not to yoke ourselves with unbelievers, and again in Ephesians 5:11 we are instructed to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness." Jesus said in Matthew 10:34, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword" - the Word of God divides, not just from other religions, but even from our own family members.
"For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household." - Matthew 10:35-36. We are commanded to "keep the unity of THE SPIRIT' [Ephesians 4:3] - when God the Holy Spirit is not present [as in Islam] there can be NO unity. That is not name-calling that is just articulating what God tells us in His Word. We should never lose confidence in His Word for it can accomplish mighty deeds as we read in 2nd Corinthians 10:4-5]. Paul never shunned to declare the whole counsel of God and in his letter to the Galatians he laid out the truth before them and added "Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?" [Galatians 4:16]. The greatest demonstration of Christian love by any believer is to tell the truth, not be ashamed of it - Paul wasn't [see Romans 1:16'] and we should follow his example.
When you have love in your heart and want to make peace with someone, it makes sense to start with what you have in common, not with what you disagree about.
Christianity and Islam have in common love of God and love of neighbor. That seems like a fine place to start. What good does dwelling on differences and calling names do?
Corrected version: The article states 'The letter’s main emphasis is the “absolutely central” commonality between both religions: love of God and love of neighbor'. The CENTRAL message of Christianity is not 'Love of God and Love of neighbour' - the Lord merely confirmed those sentiments as a summary of God's Law [The 10 commandments]. The Law was never designed by God to forge unholy alliances but rather to illuminate man's sinfulness [Romans 3:20] The CENTRAL message of Christianity is THE GOSPEL - "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures and was buried and rose again the third day according to the scriptures". Christ's MESSAGE to all was "Repent and believe the gospel" [Mark 1:15] and the disciples preached the same [Mark 6:12]. When it comes to Muslims and all other non-Christians the Lord said to his disciples "Preach the gospel to every creature" [Mark 16:15]. These so-called evangelical Christians who sent this letter are "enemies of the cross of Christ" [Philippians 3:18]
mturner, what you said was beautiful. You are a good person. Although they are devout, they can be intolerant. But total acceptance of sin is as bad as religious intolerance
mturner
Amen and Amen to that!
Such injustices show that there are Muslims who don't live their lives according to the idea that the most important things are to love God and neighbor. There are Christians, too, who don't live their lives according to the idea that the most important things are to love God and neighbor. Let's all of us, Christians and Muslims together, agree to live our lives according to the idea that the most important things are to love God and neighbor. Then let such like-minded people work together to eliminate such injustices.
I wonder what Christians in Muslim countries are doing wrong? Why are they being whipped, raped, and persecuted? Are they failing to show the Love of Christ?
“In July 2007, an Iranian Christian couple was sentenced by the Justice Court of Revolution to be whipped, two years after they were accused of attending a house church.” If you would like to see the result of their whipping, follow this link: http://www.persecution.net/pnp.htm#5
Do not put God in a box. Imagine the possibilities of those in Islam to know the love of Christ. I think muslims have a incorrect view of Christians and until we can show the Love of Christ to the muslims then they will be in the dark for a long time.
I think Rick Warren and Bill Hybels are acutely aware of the difference between Christianity and Islam. Pray that God the Father uses the message of Christ the Son to send the Spirit.
Which of these two groups gets to decide what works of love are permissible?
It's true there are many things Christians and Muslims can disagree about, if they so choose.
Christians can quote passages in the Bible that appear to refute what they think Muslims believe. Muslims can quote passages in the Koran that appear to refute what they think Christians believe. It would be hard for the two groups of people to come together over such passages.
But what the letters from the Muslim and Christian leaders are saying is that both religions agree that the two most important things are to love God and love other people. Wouldn't it be wonderful to come together over that! Other points of disagreement exist, but agreeing that these two points are the most important can be a starting point. Imagine a world where the actions of people and governments are based on love of God and of people.
Christians worship The Triune God of Father, Son & Holy Spirit. The only true God says "The Father sent The Son to be The Saviour of the world" [1st John 4:14]. Muslims reject this truth so they do not worship the only true God of Christianity. My message to Muslims [and others interested] is found in my article 'Dear Muslim neighbour' that can be accessed on
http://www.takeheed.net/DearMuslimneighbour.htm
I write this with love in my heart for Muslims. There is no common ground between Muslims and Christians because we worship different Gods, have separate "holy" books, preach different gospels and live worlds apart in other ways. We can only pray that Muslims who seek God and truth so zealously will be lead to the one true God Jehovah and experience his love and mercy on a daily basis. I love Muslims because Jesus died on the cross for them also, and I want them to know that I bow to my God in humble adoration, that I love him with all my heart and that the sweetest thing on my lips is to call him Abba Father! Having a personal relationship with Jehovah God is the most exquisite thing imaginable. God bless us and the Muslims.
If anyone knows anything about Islam they will know this. Muslims DO NOT COMPROMISE WITH NON-MUSLIMS! It is a law within the Koran and Hadith that they will not tolerate any other religion other Islam. They will not coexist with any other religions other than Islam. Many will lie to your face and say they will and can coexist - but they are not being upfront with what they mean by this. Understand Islam converts by three methods:
1. Conversion through willful Submission
2. Those that will not submit will be executed through beheading
3. Jizya - a ridiculous taxation on non-Muslims who vow to practice their religion secretively and under extreme humiliation & abuse.
When a Muslim tells you they coexist with other relgions they are not telling you this is Jizya - a humiliating set of rules and laws forced upon these "infidels". To live under Jizya is to live like the Jews did under Hitler!
Besides, when did we take vote within Christianity and make Rick Warren and Bill Hybels and company the spokes persons for Christianity?? By whose authority??! Remember, Jesus said Do not be yoked with unbelievers. The only way to bring peace to the Middle East is to preach the gospel - maybe this is what Rick and Bill need to focus on rather than playing United Nations or New World Order! BTW - Maybe they need to focus on their own church since a recent study came out and found out the "Seeker Friendly" model is an utter failure!
(III) A Common Word Between Us And You
Finally, as Muslims, and in obedience to the Holy Qur’an, we ask Christians to come together with us on the common essentials of our two religions … that we shall worship none but God, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside God … (Aal ‘Imran, 3:64).
Let this common ground be the basis of all future interfaith dialogue between us, for our common ground is that on which hangs all the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 22:40). God says in the Holy Qur’an:
Say (O Muslims): We believe in God and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered. / And if they believe in the like of that which ye believe, then are they rightly guided. But if they turn away, then are they in schism, and God will suffice thee against them. He is the Hearer, the Knower. (Al-Baqarah, 2:136-137)
Source: http://www.acommonword.com/index.php?lang=en&page=option1
We all want peace in the world, but not at the cost of compromising Christ. As long as Muslims worship allah and not Jehivah, and as long as their Koran teaches "death to the infidels", there can be no common ground for Christians and Muslim peace overtures. What has happened is a triumph for Islam. When their clerics condemn terrorism against the Christian west and push for religious freedom in Muslim countries, that might be the beginning of meaningful dialogue. Until then, let us beg to differ.
We can agree to
opps I accidently flagged my self.
Every one check this out, http://www.yale.edu/faith/abou-commonword.htm
These false Christians that are trying to force a union with Muslims don't know the living true God Yahweh. He is a jealous God and will have no other gods before him. What he's says about himself. "I am the only God. Neither is their any strange god before me. I know not any other." He is from everlasting to everlasting. Yaw/Jah everlasting. "For there are no gods at all.". These false Christians apostates have joined themselves, blaspheming the God of Heaven, to a demon. Allah is the moon god. The chief god of 360 gods in the Kaaba in mecca. Since allah is a demon he is Satan himself. These false apostate evangelical Christians have joined themselves to Satan.
The one they god in their letter to the muslims on the Yale web site above Allah or illah. Yale has been Apostate every since they threw out Daivid Brianed in the 17th century. The chief god in Kaaba is supposed to be merciful which is one of the 99 names of allah. Out 99 name of the Muslim god none of the is love. How different that that of the God of Abraham Issac and Jacob. Yahweh in the Person of his Son Jesus/Yahshua. For God is Love 1John. His loving is spoken all through the Tanakh and the New Testament. Neither is this demon satan god merciful. He was a murder and liar from begining.
This grievous and abhorrent abomination and apostasy should not go unchallenged. I am surprised more believing Christians are not more outraged. Why is no one challening this??!
Saints the hour is late. We need to speak out and raise a standard while we have the freedom of free speech to do so. Call forth revival! Pray fast. Who needs stupid feel good movies and television when this kind of evil is taking place. Please stand up to this evil. Isn't God worth it?
Fast Pray, reach souls for Christ. Preach the word in fear and trembling. He may yet be Jealous for his inheritance. God will not content with man forever. The hour is late. Get right people.
God Bless
Danny
Bad company corrupts good character.
I don't get it. How can Christians object to the idea of Christians and Muslims agreeing together that the most important thing is to love God and love people? Yet, many of the people posting messages here do object to it, calling those who support it 'false Christians', and quoting Biblical passages out of context to support their position. The feelings of these messages seem to be those of self-righteousness and hatred, not the love that Jesus taught.
MUSLIMS DO NOT BELIEVE IN GOD. They believe in Allah. They are not the same. To invite Muslims to love God is absurd.
Ooops! There are several "typos in my comment below. Sorry. That's what I get for writing a comment at 2:00am in the morning!
When the letter from the Muslims was first published I commented that it was unfortunate that some leaders would fall for this PR stunt hook, line and sinker. But I must say that I am surprised by the number of "prominent" leaders that are (1) ignorant of the basic and extremely important differences between Islam and Christianity regarding God (2) ignorant of history (3) ignorant of current affairs (4) ignorant of how Muslims show their "love" for their Christian "neighbors" in areas of the world where Muslims dominate and (5) ignorant of their responsibility to Christians to NOT be ignorant of these things. Maybe these "leaders" should spend less time writing "feel good" books, going on lecture tours and getting involved in political causes and spend more time in basic study before they "apologize" for the West trying to defend itself against attacks by fanatical adherents of Islam. BTW when are the Muslim clerics going to apologize for their followers aggression against adherents of other faiths? What's next, these "leaders" signing a letter apologizing to Satanists because God cast Lucifer out of Heaven? As I looked at the list of "leaders that signed he letter, it occurred to me that the more formal education these "leaders" have the less they know.
It seems odd to me that I read Matthew 10 just before I came onto this site and read this article. I recommend it to those who think that there can be peace between the followers of Christ and the world. Don't be surprised if some who call themselves servants of Christ eventually sell us "fundamentalists" down the river at some point. Be strong and couragous because, "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32. However, "But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:33. I would just say to those who are seeking peace, that there is nothing wrong with seeking peace ("Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God," Matthew 5:9), but don't water down the Gospel to achieve it. The peace that Jesus is speaking about is peace between God and men, and if that happens, then there can be peace between men, but not until. "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." Matthew 10:34. Division is inevitable as long as people reject the only remedy available to them for salvation, namely, Christ.
Yes, I know that there is division even among those who proclaim Christ. Those divisions are also important. They occur for a number of reasons. One is authority. This is what led to the reformation. Another is compromise. You can see that from a number of articles on this site. Still another, ritual interpretation such as the elements of the Lords Supper. Many, if not all of these, could be solved if we would, when we read Scripture, try to determine the authors intent in a given passage, instead of bringing in personal and cultural biases and presuppositions to determine what a passage means. And when there is confusion as to what a given passage may mean, to use the rest of the Bible to give it meaning. May the Holy Spirit lead us into all Truth.
Of course the Muslims would welcome conversing with the so-called Christian church leaders AS LONG AS they (Christians are the only ones saying 'please forgive us.) They have put the Muslims/Islam in the position of being right as no apology was forth coming from them, nor was one demanded. So I guess denying Christ as the Son of God and Savior to the world is acceptable. I guess beheading infidels is acceptable. I guess the oppression of Islam is acceptable. This is a very dangerous game these church leaders are playing.
The Koran
The Dinner Table
[5.51] O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.
[5.82] Certainly you will find the most violent of people in enmity for those who believe (to be) the Jews and those who are polytheists, and you will certainly find the nearest in friendship to those who believe (to be) those who say: We are Christians; this is because there are priests and monks among them and because they do not behave proudly.
We as Christians are called to "love our enemies, and pray for those who persacute you", as Jesus said to do. But to dialogue and have realtions in the context of "understanding" is not biblicial. The Bible says that in the last days there would be a " falling away" from the faith. I"m sure these leaders are God-fearing men and women, but have sadly missed the point of "love not the world, nor the things of the world". Jesus warned His disciples to "Be not deceived". Sadly the modern church hasn't heeded the words of our Messiah/Christ. Lord, give us all eyes to see and ears to hear. Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus.
say this as tactfully, and as lovingly as I can to all who side with Rick Warren in this ecumenical drive to unite the worlds religeons. Be warned, for this is what the Bible says: God is gracious and merciful, and will forgive those who turn to Him thru Jesus Christ with a repentant heart, and choose to fllow Him. However, He is the Righteous God, and He will judge those who deliberately turned their backs on Him and His Son - Jesus Christ because of their obstinate rebellion and continual rejection of His Son. Read the Bible in context, and then comment on it. We cannot, and should not have felowship with those who claim to be Christians yet don't obey His Word, and HIs Salvation Message. The post modern liberal Emergent church, and it's seeker sensitive counterparts want people to believe that if we all save the environment, and save the whales, the events of the Book of Revelation will not happen, and we can actually prevent it from happening. This similar social gospel which claims that we should make the world a better place, and usher in peace prior to Jesus' second coming, as well as unite with all people of faiths has been adopted by Rick Warren, and has caused whole splits in the Southern Baptist Convention, because he has gone down the Purpose Driven P.E.A.C.E Plan agenda, which by the way is a false doctrine my friends. These movements which align themselves with Bono from U2 and the whole COEXIST crowd have more in common with humanism, one world religeon, and the new age than what the Bible says will transpire. The problem today is that we have so many "Bible teachers" who are more motivational speakers than true shepherd's of the flock of God. No wonder the Body of Christ is split. The Bible talks of a great falling away in the end times. Men will naturally gravitate towards what their "itching ears" want to hear. What more itching do you need than what you hear on TBN, and the like: "find success", "you are the controller of your own destiny" "God will prosper you if you just have faith [and send me your money]". They take Scripture out of context to suit their own desires, and fleece the flock of God for their own matierial gain. OPEN YOUR EYES and STUDY the WORD IN CONTEXT; for Christ will return soon.
I agree with you akonda; we are called to love our enemies and neighbors alike, however, we cannot blind ourselves to the realities of this world. We must not sacrifice biblical truth for the sake of unity.
Dear akonda,
God Bless you. Thank You for standing for the truth and declaring it. This a very wicked day. It's encouring to see people on this site who trully love the Lord God Yehweh. The God Of Abraham, Issac, and Jocab.
'Rick warren always wanted to find some way to lead the Church of Christ to Islam. Check out his interview on Charli Rose on google video.
Ingrid Sculeter of Slice of Laodiecia and VYCAmerica has always stood against him. These people supporting this are false Christians. There is a great apostacy taking place today. Keep Keeping the faith dear one. I encourage you the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. the God of Israel but in land and in spirit
Danny
love God? which God? dont these so called christian leaders know that the God of islam isnt the same as the God of the christians? so how can they call on them to love God? will islam agree that Christ is God in flesh? i think not? and if they cant love God (Christ) then how can they love their neighbors? most of these leaders have been in the ministry for decades and they should know all this. do they really think that one can mentally persuade themselves to love God when the bible clearly states that the natural man is at enmity with God. dont we require the Holy Spirit to lift the blinders and help us see the truths of scripture? if this is the case then why write letters urging for a peace that isnt to be? wouldnt it be much better instead to preach the gospel?
on top of that, i cant understand why they go around apologizing for something like the crusades. the crusades were started by the apostate RCC in the name of Christ. and they only fuel their(muslims) suspicions by adding the war on terror and likening it to the crusades.
both these religions commands its followers to proselytize. how can there be any peace? it can only come about if both agree to stop conversions. which isnt going to happen. these fools are asking for a peace that wont last. they are looking for a peace that is of this world. but we are to look for the peace that comes in believing on the prince of peace, the Christ. and this can come about only by preaching the word of God.
those who want to live godly in Christ will suffer persecution. and there were times in history and even now that our brothers in Christ suffered under islam. and that is the nature of this world. it is always opposed to true christianity. and if this opposition to christianity has stopped then it is only going to be because the christianity we hold onto isnt the christanity of the bible and it is time that we repent.