A group of Christians in Florida wants to burn piles of Korans and I have to ask why? What's it going to do except provoke violence in the Muslim world?
I am reminded of this Bible verse....
Romans 12:18 (NIV)
18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
I know these Christians mean well. I know they are really sending out a message to the many radicals in the Islamic world. However I think choosing to have a prayer service for them would be much more powerful, burning their Koran's won't serve any purpose except to ignite anger. Why not fervantly pray for them, ask God that they would one day come to Christ, and why not get involved with a Christian charity ministering and giving in the Islamic world?
Also I think thus far they are showing disregard for our top general in Afghanistan who has asked them not to do this. He firmly believes this will harm our troops and any progress we are making in the Islamic world. Not to mention the missionaries abroad in Islamic countries.
I hope these Christians change their mind. This is not the message we want to send as Christians. Oh don't get me wrong we should defend ourselves and attack when we have to against any terrorist, there is indeed "at time for war," but as Christians we still need to love our enemies and this is not the way to do that. We should "live at peace as much as it depends" on us. Provoking them isn't going to accomplish that.
Romans 12:17-21 (NIV)
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord. 20On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good
I think we share a brain. My husband and I were just discussing this today and I said "whatever happened to living peaceable lives like Paul wrote"? Ha ha. I did say that yes, God takes seriously false doctrine, and I do think at times its necessary to draw attention to those people. However, I do not think burning their holy book is going prove anything except that you are acting just like them. I can't remember the verse either, but it talks about kind words turn away wrath. These people already hate Christians. Today I just saw a video that made me sick of some muslims in Sudan burning Christians. The video showed them alive on fire and these muslims hitting them with sticks and yelling at them. It made me really mad. But the answer isn't for me to go burn their holy book. That's just stupid. Great post J.
ReplyDeletegreat minds think alike my friend. The answer isn't to burn their book, but to show them ours. Via our lives, and via the proclaimation of his word.
ReplyDeleteI like your word: "Christian charity ministering and giving in the Islamic world". i hear from groups like "OPEN DOORS" and "CRM" that there are more conversions to Christianity in the Muslim countries then anywhere else at this time. Burning books is not presenting the gospel of Christ. Since Jesus is the Savior of the world, we must pray for the world that does not know the Lord and speak the TRUTH in love, so that they may too find forgiveness and eternal life at the foot of the cross.
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