Radical Islam meets Biblical Christianity

We live in confusing times. These are uncertain times. As I write this article, a debate is taking place about building a Mosque within 2 blocks of where the World Trade Center fell. Yet, I’ve read this morning to, “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2). Am I to be so heavenly minded that I’m no earthly good? No.

I am commanded to be so heavenly minded  so that I am earthly good. Therefore, how do we live as Biblical Christians and how should our Biblical worldview and love for Christ and for others affect how we live and respond?

Consider this.

The building of a mosque in lower Manhattan doesn’t matter.

The discussion of this project is a victory for radical Islam, whether the physical building is erected or not.

As conservative political radio and Christian radio stews and verbally charges against this proposal, and as politically liberal leaning Americans and liberal Christians bend and contort, the culture continues to be colored and shaped.

Dormant Muslims who may not be Koran literate or observant are further alienated with the United States, its people, and especially Christians. They are further separated most importantly from the eternally saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The god of this world comes to seek, kill and destroy. Satan comes to divide, distract, separate and confuse. The whole world is under the sway of the wicked one. (1 John 5:19).

Christians, let us be reminded that we are to be in the world but not of the world. We have more freedom than millions of Americans, freedom from the law of sin and death. We have a command that other religions don’t have, to love our enemies. We surrender to the one who cannot be usurped by radical Islam, and He offers the forgiveness of sins to all who believe and trust in His Son.

Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sins is the answer to this issue. In fact, the Gospel is the answer to every issue.  We’ve been commanded to love one another, even our enemies. We are commanded to set apart Christ as Lord and be ready to give an answer. Christ as Lord means actively setting our minds, plans, and will on the eternal.

So let me ask you this?

Do you love your enemies as Christ has commanded you to do? Have you smiled, greeted, or befriended someone of the Muslim faith?

Recently, the largest denomination in Lutheranism held a conference on evangelism. One of the three keynote speakers is a Muslim. Eboo Patel is the executive director of Interfaith Youth Core.  This denomination promoted working together with Muslims and others for social justice, while respecting the profound differences in faith. This is eternally hazardous for our Muslim friends.

To begin evangelizing, we must work, live, fellowship, invite, and love people of other faiths.

I suggest we actively pray and seek opportunities to do this. While we do this, let us keep our eyes on Jesus and the eternity of others. Let us love more and more people sharing the eternal answer that is found in Christ alone, by faith alone, through grace alone. 

Amen

by Marcus Dahl, August 25th, 2010

Comments

[Spencer]

Marcus -

Why "radical" Islam meets "biblical" Christianity as your heading? To me, it doesn't connect with the content of your blog. I agree with what you are working to communicate but I am thrown off by your heading. It's as if you are starting the article by initially demeaning Islam by calling it "radical" in contrast to "biblical."

Maybe a better title might be: "Islam as Friend"...or something to the effect of what your point is at the end of the article.

Spencer