They are strict monotheists who hold their collective noses at what they perceive as the polytheism of our faith. They use our most advanced communications and travel technology against us. They are fundamentalists who believe theirs is the only true path, and they are disgusted and repulsed by the pluralism and tolerance of our culture.
While they on some level see us as their forbears they also see us as people who have went the wrong way, and they see themselves as the proper and fulfilled version of our faith.
Their radical leaders condemn our morality and way of life. Theirs is the fastest growing religion in the world.
Now… am I talking about early Christianity or radial Islam? Hum? MLK’s speech about Vietnam inspired me to look at the world from our "enemy’s" perspective. Perhaps the administration should ask the question of what could the Roman Empire or Judaism of the time could have done to stop or contain Christianity.
Peace,
Chris
PS quick caveat. I am in no way saying Paul is the same as Osama, or that the goals of Radical Islam are the same as that of the Early Church.
1 comment:
I don't think it's our place as belivers in Messiah to contain Islam. Even though the governments of the West think it is their job and believe they are in control, we know better, we know Who is ultimately in control.
Government containment of Islam is a lost cause. But what of us, what are we supposed to do about Islam? The best thing we can do as believers is show Muslims the love of the Messiah. I don't mean that in a facade kind of way, either. I mean, if you truely show people that you love them and care for them, your actions will speak louder and clearer than any hell fire sermon can.
If God is in control, the best thing we can do is love and care for Muslims like we love and care for other Christians.
Now as far as what's going on with Islam and its explosion of popularity and extremism, it seems to me God may be raising up Islam for something big; perhaps in order to bring about the downfall of the secular west. We've certainly rebelled against God far more than any time in history and we're certainly not repentant for it. If I were to take a shot at predicting the future, my guess is God is raising up Islam for use in his ultimate plan.
It brings to mind the history of the ancient Israelites. We rebelled against God time and again without any apology. When there is rebellion without repentance, there becomes no option left but judgement and correction. So what happened to them? Well first there was the harbinger: God's little way of saying, "heads up, this is serious!" -- the walls of the city were taken down, but the people held strong and fought back the enemy. The people's response--was it one of repentance in recognition of God's correction? No. Instead it was an attitude of defiance, one of, "Ha! We will rebuild these walls and buildings, but this time even stronger than before!" Of course, their stronger walls, fortified defenses, and redoubled military meant nothing to hand of the living God; the whole country would soon lose the war and the people taken away. It's sad, but what option did God have left for a people that responded in defiance to warning and correction?
That history of the ancient Israelites is reminiscent of the modern war on terror. I have no doubt in my mind that this Islamic terror is just another harbinger: God's way of warning us that strong correction is on the way if we don't turn from our secularism, our humanistic "we don't need God" society. We've denied God for so long now, even boldly proclaiming that our God is dead--I'm surprised God's patience has lasted this long. Unless we turn, unless there is some revolutionary turn back to the Lord in the West, this war on terror is as lost a cause as the fortification of Jerusalem was in ancient Israel.
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