R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Should Christians 'Respect' Other Religions?

takeheed »

Thu May 21, 2009 8:12 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Dear DelightntheLord »

If you would care to resend your comments to my email address of takeheed@aol.com I will be happy to respond directly to you as I don't want to 'clog up' this blog with matters unrelated to Dr Mohler's article

Cecil Andrews

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Should Christians 'Respect' Other Religions?

takeheed »

Thu May 21, 2009 1:14 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 1

I would invite readers to read the text of our ministry outreach tract called "Dear Muslim Neighbour" that can be viewed on http://www.takeheed.net/DearMuslimneighbour.htm
In it I use an approach based on the ponts Dr Mohler has been identifying and I will gladly send supplies of the tract free of charge to anyone who feels they could use them in outreach to Muslims. I can be contacted through our website details below.

Cecil Andrews
'Take Heed' Ministries
www.takeheed.net

Christian Leaders Invite Muslims to Love God, Neighbors Together

takeheed »

Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:36 pm Agree: 7   Disagree: 2

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.

Christian Leaders Invite Muslims to Love God, Neighbors Together

takeheed »

Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:17 pm Agree: 6   Disagree: 1

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

Christian Leaders Invite Muslims to Love God, Neighbors Together

takeheed »

Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:24 pm Agree: 6   Disagree: 2

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].

Christian Leaders Invite Muslims to Love God, Neighbors Together

takeheed »

Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:43 pm Agree: 8   Disagree: 2

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"

Probe Puts Prosperity Teachings Under Critical Eye

takeheed »

Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:00 am Agree: 4   Disagree: 0

knightopia - apologies for the delay in responing to you but I had Internet connection difficulties for a number of days.

To help you assess whether you are right in your thinking of my assessment of the teachings of Brian McLaren could I direct you to this extensive article that is posted on our ministry website - I think you will see that I have extensively 'looked into ' his teachings and am certainly not guilty of 'slandering' him. The link is
http://www.takeheed.net/SummerMadnessMcLaren.htm

As for the teachings of ‘prosperity preachers’ such as those mentioned in the article we have likewise identified them as being unscriptural on links such as
http://www.takeheed.net/BELFASTBEWARE.htm
http://www.takeheed.net/Index_for_NFTF_articles.htm [look under ‘charismatic-type’ issues]

As regards ‘speaking the truth in love’ in Luke 13:3&5 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”.

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 ignore spiritual error but rather he told those in error to “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].

Those in and promoting error need to have “the truth in love” preached to them [Ephesians 4:15]

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 “mark them who cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them” [Romans 16:17]

Probe Puts Prosperity Teachings Under Critical Eye

takeheed »

Sun Dec 30, 2007 3:29 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 1

Apparently my citting of Brian McLarens' denial of 'penal substitution', his rejection of the Biblical teaching on 'hell' and his claim that the Bible is not clear on the sin of 'homosexuality' has been flagged as inappropriate. It would appear that someone thinks that believers like myself should not obey Romans 16:17

Probe Puts Prosperity Teachings Under Critical Eye

takeheed »

Sun Dec 30, 2007 12:38 am Agree: 3   Disagree: 2

The report states concerning Brian McLaren - "We've pretty much ignored what the Bible says about systemic injustice," he said.

That's a bit 'rich' coming from a heretic who denies the Biblical teaching on the Lord's substitutionary atoning death for His people, denies the Bibilcal teaching on hell and denies the clear Biblical teaching on the sin of homosexuality, opting rather for what he calls a 5-year moratorium in order to let the Holy Spirit clarify the issue - what's to clarify in the light of for example Romans chapter 1?

Mr McLaren is as much a 'Christian' as are those who are the focus of this report.

Christian Leaders Invite Muslims to Love God, Neighbors Together

takeheed »

Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:23 am Agree: 12   Disagree: 1

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"

Christian Leaders Invite Muslims to Love God, Neighbors Together

takeheed »

Fri Dec 07, 2007 3:06 pm Agree: 6   Disagree: 0

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

Christian Leaders Invite Muslims to Love God, Neighbors Together

takeheed »

Fri Dec 07, 2007 3:54 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

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”.

Christian Leaders Invite Muslims to Love God, Neighbors Together

takeheed »

Thu Dec 06, 2007 9:48 am Agree: 3   Disagree: 0

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.

Vatican: Pope Open to Meeting with Muslim Leaders

takeheed »

Wed Dec 05, 2007 5:51 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

HyperionOverseer

Thank you for your kind comments.

If you go to these 2 links you will see a 2-part article explaining why Roman Catholicism is not Christian. I hope the Lord will use them as you seek to witness to your parents.

http://www.takeheed.net/news6.htm
http://www.takeheed.net/news7.htm

Vatican: Pope Open to Meeting with Muslim Leaders

takeheed »

Wed Dec 05, 2007 1:02 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

I would invite agbawebaim@yahoo.co.uk to read my article on Catholicism contained in my ministry newsletter located on http://www.takeheed.net/news26.htm and to read why true Christians disagree with Billy Graham's sentiments on the 'brotherhood' of Roman Catholics and Christians who identify with Protestantism.

Christian Leaders Invite Muslims to Love God, Neighbors Together

takeheed »

Mon Dec 03, 2007 8:07 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

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”

Christian Leaders Invite Muslims to Love God, Neighbors Together

takeheed »

Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:39 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

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

Vatican: Pope Open to Meeting with Muslim Leaders

takeheed »

Sun Dec 02, 2007 11:41 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 2

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.

For decades the Vatican and several Popes in particular have been misrepresenting Christianity to Muslims. The true Christian 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

Many of course will think this is a loving, Christian offer by the Pope but genuine Christian 'love' must never be at the expense of God's glory and truth and this 'Christian' offer in 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".

The Vatican’s ‘god’ is equally false as their ‘Son’ continues to offer himself in an unbloody sacrifice [the Mass] to propitiate the anger of their ‘Father’ and all of course by the transubstantiating power of their ‘Holy Spirit’ who is at the beck and call of their ‘priests’.

Christian Leaders Invite Muslims to Love God, Neighbors Together

takeheed »

Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:30 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 2

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

Christian Leaders Invite Muslims to Love God, Neighbors Together

takeheed »

Thu Nov 29, 2007 12:34 am Agree: 5   Disagree: 2

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.