How would Jesus respond to Islam?

POSTED BY ROBIN KINSTEAD

Alistair McGrath concludes, in his delivery of the 2006 Smith Lecture in Sydney entitled ‘The Twilight of Atheism,’ that atheism has failed historically and is on the wane for intellectuals seeking to explain contemporary life. His analysis of atheism demonstrates that the belief system presents minimal challenge to the Christian faith. His final observation is compelling. He asserts that ‘the most significant, dynamic and interesting critic of western Christianity is no longer atheism, but a religious alternative, offering a rival vision of God: Islam.’ See CASE 10. In recent months we have found that McGrath’s assertion bears out.

Given the immediate publicity in the media surrounding a recent documentary aired by UK Channel 4 program Dispatches entailed ‘Undercover Mosque - the Radicalisation of UK mosques by Saudi Wahabbism’ here (aired 15^th January 2007) and in light of the increasing growth and popularity of Islam both locally and globally, we decided to explore how Jesus might respond to Islam.

Whilst Islam, like Christianity, is ultimately as diverse in its manifestations as it is numbered in its adherents, we can make two broadly accurate assertions. Christians believe the Bible to be the authentic, divinely inspired word of God conferring final authority in all matters of truth and faith. Muslims believe the Bible to be corrupted and abrogated by the Qu’ran.

We shared our experiences and insights of Islam, discussing some of the similarities and differences between the Christian and Islamic faith. We then watched most of the documentary ‘Undercover Mosque - The Radicalisation of UK mosques by Saudi Wahabbism’ and reflected on the following issue... How should we engage with assertions made by Muslim leaders which seem to challenge our commitment to both Christ and country? Assertions like these...

Jews and Christians who do not follow the Kofi of Mohammed are Kuffar. They will go to hell. Anyone who helps or defends an apostate or a pagan or an atheist or anyone who attacks Islam will be cursed.”

Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Alsheik (quoted in the documentary)

Those who disbelieve amongst the people of the Book and the polytheists, where will they go? Surfers Paradise? Gold Coast? Where? To the fire of hell. And not part-time, they'll be in it for eternity. What are these people? The most evil of God's creation on the face of earth.

Sheik Taj Din al-Hilali (in 'The Australian' here)

On the other hand, how should we engage with a secular response like this?

The jihadi puppeteers peddling Sheik Feiz videos to simpletons should be effusive in their thanks for the support of the civil liberties lobby and the social justice set and the human rights and peace groups waiting to talk to the school students and to the church bodies which see themselves as the consciences of the nation.’

Piers Akerman (in the Telegraph here)

What do you think?

The Evangelism Guilt Trip

A Christian friend lays down the challenge... "Why do preachers always put the guilt trip on me about evangelism? Nowhere in the bible are all Christians commanded to actively share the gospel with their friends. I just try to live a good Christian life, give some money to gifted evangelists and missionaries, and I'm ready to give an explanation for my life if anyone should ask. Don't load this unnecessary burden on me!"
What can we say? Has it ever trouble you that the bible rarely, if ever, explicitly commands Christians to actively share the gospel with those around them.?
Here are our thoughts...
There are at least 3 beliefs taught clearly in the Bible that so completely imply the necessity of evangelism that direct commands to actively share the gospel are simply not necessary.

1. We are commanded to love our neighbours. How can we say we are loving them if we withhold from them the most important gift we have to offer?
2. From Genesis 12:1-3 onwards we see that the nations are on God's heart. The unfolding plan of salvation shows us that the gospel going out to all people is the key thing that God is doing right now in the world. If we are part of God's family then we need to be involved in the family business.
   
3. As the Apostle to the Gentiles Paul's missionary strategy was to preach the gospel in the key cities of each region. Having established the gospel in each major city he would then leave it to each of those churches to take the gospel to the rest of the city and the surrounding areas (see Paul's outrageous boast in Romans 15:19 which only makes sense if this was Paul's strategy). As the product of Paul's missionary endeavors we have now been entrusted with the task of continuing the mission.
   

Any other ideas, angles or thoughts?

Jack Bauer the Messiah

A friend has just come up to you and says... "Wasn't the new series of 24 great!"
Where do you go from there?
Well, you could simply agree and move on. It was awesome. But there are many more possibilities.
Here are some suggested segues...

1. "Yeah it was. Of course you know the whole story is ripped off from the bible." That's going to let you explain that Jesus' made the ultimate sacrifice so that we might live. "You think Jacks impressive, have you ever checked out Jesus."
2. "Yeah. It got me thinking about what I would be willing to die for. What do you reckon?" That's going to lead you to talking about meaning in life and the things that really matter to the person you are talking to.
3. "Yeah. Although I couldn't help thinking about the ambiguity of self-sacrifice. The terrorists talk about self-sacrifice for their cause. Ray endangers himself to prevent the lynching of a young man who we find out later is a terrorist. In the end Jack's potential self-sacrifice would have been in vain... it's all a bluff. We need to be sure that what we are working so hard for and are willing to sacrifice ourself for is of authentic, genuine worth."
   
4. "No. Didn't watch it." There goes another evangelistic opportunity because you are hopelessly out of touch with popular culture.

Any other suggestions from those of you who did watch it?

By the way... isn't it amazing that the story of one innocent man sacrificing himself so that others might live, resonates so strongly with our society. Surely if we explain the gospel message well to people it ought to resonate with them just as strongly. After all, here is a sacrifice that wasn't in vain... although it will have been unless we repent and believe.