Piper on How to Respond to Muslim Outrage over the Pope's Recent Comments
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John Piper recently addressed the question of How Christians Should Respond to Muslim Outrage at the Pope's Regensburg Message About Violence and Reason.
The whole thing is well worth reading. Here is the outline of his ten points:
1. Admit that the Christian church has often been too entangled with civil governments, with the result that violence has been endorsed by the church as a way of accomplishing religious, and not just civil, goals.
2. Make clear that the use of God-sanctioned violence between Israel and the nations in the Old Testament is no longer God’s will for his people.
3. Admit that there are many Muslims today who do not approve of violence in the spread of Islam.
4. Point out how Islam, in its most sacred writings and authoritative teachings, belittles Jesus Christ, not just occasionally in the news, but constantly by its dominant claims.
5. Point out that, in response to this constant defamation of Jesus Christ, there are no public threats or demands for apologies.
6. Do good to those who hate you—and, of course, those of other faiths who don’t hate you (Luke 6:27).
7. Seek to win others to saving faith in Jesus by persuading with words, not imposing with force.
8. Always be ready to die, but never to kill, for the sake of commending Jesus Christ as the Son of God who died for sinners and rose again as the Lord of the universe.
9. Pray for the salvation of all those who belittle Jesus Christ.
10. No matter the cost, continue to exalt and commend Jesus Christ as the great and only Savior that he is.
The whole thing is well worth reading. Here is the outline of his ten points:
1. Admit that the Christian church has often been too entangled with civil governments, with the result that violence has been endorsed by the church as a way of accomplishing religious, and not just civil, goals.
2. Make clear that the use of God-sanctioned violence between Israel and the nations in the Old Testament is no longer God’s will for his people.
3. Admit that there are many Muslims today who do not approve of violence in the spread of Islam.
4. Point out how Islam, in its most sacred writings and authoritative teachings, belittles Jesus Christ, not just occasionally in the news, but constantly by its dominant claims.
5. Point out that, in response to this constant defamation of Jesus Christ, there are no public threats or demands for apologies.
6. Do good to those who hate you—and, of course, those of other faiths who don’t hate you (Luke 6:27).
7. Seek to win others to saving faith in Jesus by persuading with words, not imposing with force.
8. Always be ready to die, but never to kill, for the sake of commending Jesus Christ as the Son of God who died for sinners and rose again as the Lord of the universe.
9. Pray for the salvation of all those who belittle Jesus Christ.
10. No matter the cost, continue to exalt and commend Jesus Christ as the great and only Savior that he is.
posted by JT at Wednesday, September 20, 2006
5 Comments:
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Holy theme-change, Batman!
I'm liking the new digs!
I thought I must have made a wrong turn in Albuquerque!
Looks good. I like the new scenery.
The only way (that has a chance of success) for Muslims, Christians and Jews to become PEACEFUL believers in the same "Lord God," is for them to learn from ALL the Prophets. The Hebrew, Christian and Muslim Prophets told a continous story. We cannot learn what they've taught through one religion alone.
jbd, I am quite curious about this. What would you say that you have learned from or about all three religions that has led you to a more comprehensive understanding of God and a more peaceful outlook on global affairs?
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