Christian Leaders Invite Muslims to Love God, Neighbors Together

rfrancis »

Sat Dec 15, 2007 12:31 pm Agree: 4   Disagree: 0

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?

Christian Leaders Invite Muslims to Love God, Neighbors Together

rfrancis »

Fri Dec 07, 2007 3:40 pm Agree: 7   Disagree: 3

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."