Being that it is in the news everywhere, I couldn’t help but weigh in on this story.
Has anyone ever stopped to ask, “Why are we so worried about what Pastor Terry Jones does?” Sure, there have been many, from Franklin Graham to President Obama, who have stated their opinions. People in the news all the world over have commented about it saying, “Nothing good can come of this…” and all that. The main reason that is stated by Christians is that this Florida pastor, by burning Korans, will not only incite violence, but turn people away from Christ. The “Christians” say that this pastor is not acting according to Scripture. Maybe.
I would like to submit that the real reason that most people are against this pastor burning Korans in public, which he has a right to do, is because they are AFRAID! Did you read what I just said? People are AFRAID of what Muslims, the “peaceful” people, will do. Now, would someone tell me, prior to 9/11, would this have been an issue?
It seems to me that terrorism is winning, and winning big!
Why is it that Terry Jones is/was wanting to burn the Koran? The reason probably rests in the desire to see some resolution to the inequity in the world. Just recently I showed to my congregation the video, Obsession – Radical Islam’s War Against the West, in which there were multiple scenes of Muslims burning American flags, crosses, etc., and speaking publicly of how Christians, Jews, and anyone else that differs with them are just “cattle.” In one of the scenes there was an Islamic group standing in New York City, speaking English, proving their loyalty to the Qua-ran and Islam by walking on an American flag and saying, “Allah Akbar!” Not one person did a thing to stop them. But could you even imagine the opposite happening? Death and mayhem would take place, not just on the streets of New York, but all over the world. So it’s ok to burn a Bible, but not a Koran. RIIIGHT!
Protesting in Afghanistan
Protests have taken place all over the world over the POTENTIAL burning of Korans at the Florida church. Nothing had even happened, yet people were rioting, burning stuff, threatening to kill. Where are the protests, the riots, the murders, the fires of destruction when crucifixes were dipped in urine (see picture at left) by Andres Surrano and called art? Did Catholics march through Rome burning American flags? Did Baptists burn art studios? When Christians did speak out in this country over the funding of such art with tax dollars, the media accused the Christians of being bigoted and incapable of “understanding true art.” What happens when a cartoonist just draws a picture of Mohammed? Oh, well, cutting his head off is the only logicgal thing for “peace-loving” people to do. Just doesn’t seem too fair, does it?
So, you see, Pastor Terry Jones is feeling the frustration that comes with seeing others do things that offend you, but never being allowed to speak out. If everything was fair, Christians should be able to burn Korans just as easily as Jihadists can cut of the heads of people they don’t agree with (Kaafir).
But let me be fair, there are, supposedly, Muslims who do not believe in what the so-called “radicals” are doing. The don’t believe in terrorism. They hate what happened on 9/11. They say that the Koran is being misused in order to justify killing. For example, here are some verses from the Koran:
(Qur’an 60:7-8):
“It may be that God will grant love (and friendship) between you and those whom ye (now) hold as enemies. For God has power (over all things), and God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
God does not forbid you, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for God loves those who are just.”
(I don’t want to sound like a pessimist, but really, does not the Muslim world consider us as those who “DO fight you for your faith, and DO fight you for your homes?“)
The fact is that most of the world runs in fear at the thought of offending a Muslim, but Christians can be made fun of at every turn. Islam is on the rise, and it is primarily because FEAR that they are able to grow. Even if there
are “peaceful” Muslims around us, their sympathies still lie with their brethren, and few will stand up and condemn groups such as Hamas, the PLO, etc. The average Muslim, whether he likes it or not, is benefiting from terrorism in its purest form. The world, including America, is changing its habits, beliefs, and customs, not to mention the Constitution, in order to placate a TERRORIST religion.
Well, back to Terry Jones. Does he have the right to burn the Koran? Yes, he does. Should he? I don’t think so. The reason for not doing it should not be based in fear, though. The reason for not doing it should be based on the Bible. Not a Bible of milk-toast, wimpy, cowering Christianity; but a Bible filled with the courage of Christ. Jesus was the MOST offended of all people. He came to love and to save the lost, but they mocked and crucified Him. He, of all people, could have poured out unspeakable horrors upon the earth in a matter of seconds, calling ten thousand angels to His defense. However, He did not. He knew that His purpose had to be completed, to die for sinful man, so that those who “know not what they do” could be saved.
Even though we have the right to be angry and demand justice, we should show Biblical love.
Ephesians 5:1-2 tells us to “be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. And walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.” And as verse 15 says, we should “pay careful attention” to how we walk, “because the days are evil.” Fact is, people of the world, including Muslims, are watching us. Even though Satan would blind their eyes to the Truth of the Gospel, they can still see the love of Christ when it is expressed through the life of a Christian. Admittedly, giving up our right to respond to injustice, as with burning the Koran, might seem unfair, but doing such things, just to make the other side angry, defeats the command of Romans 12:14, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” Further more, verse 17 says, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil.”
Burning the Koran is either an act of revenge, or an attempt at justice.
I would say to all of those like Pastor Jones that I understand your frustration and pain, not to mention your anger at obvious inequities in what is considered fair and just. But to intentionally provoke, knowing the consequences, would be stirring up unnecessary strife in an already troubled world. There may come a time when one can no longer “turn the other cheek,” but Romans 12:18 tells us, “whenever it is possible, live at peace with all men…” What is the reason for this? Because as verse 19 says, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” The best thing that we can do in this world to reach the lost, including the Muslim, is to love them. Granted, that may be easier said than done. On the other hand, consider God knows what He is doing, and He makes a promise that is found both in Proverbs and in Romans 12:20-21:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in doing so you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.”
Maybe, instead of burning Korans, we should be “heaping coals.”
The Recovering Legalist 