Koran Burning and the Great Commission

The Christian life is really not that complicated. It is difficult, to be sure, but not complicated (in the sense of being difficult to understand). God has saved His church to glorify Him. We do this through striving to live holy lives and loving our neighbors, whoever they may be.

Jesus has commissioned His followers - us - to make disciples of all nations. We can do this most effectively when we go to and love people who would hate, harm, and even kill us. This is what Jesus did, giving us His primary example. We certainly cannot die for anyone else's sins, but we can take the good news to people who (at least at first) do not want it.

As we all know, the largest religious group in the world that does not know Jesus Christ is the followers of Islam. Right now, there are many wonderful Christian missionaries from all over the world trying to reach Muslims in some very difficult places. Many of these missionaries have sacrificed greatly to be where they are. Many see little fruit because the soil is so hard. Alice and I personally know several different families and individuals who have left the comfort of the USA behind in order to take the gospel to the people of the Middle East and beyond.

To sum up the obvious: the work is very difficult.

In light of all this, the upcoming Koran burning in Florida is only going to make it more difficult to reach Muslims with the gospel. Please let me be clear: this Koran burning is evil and foolish beyond measure. I write this not because I believe the Koran is true (it isn't). I write it because one Koran-burning-party like this can cause all kinds of damage to the Christian witness here in the USA and overseas.

Let's say a Christian missionary has been living a holy life and loving his neighbors in a place like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Indonesia, or Somalia. Maybe he has been able to build friendships, gain trust, and even explain the gospel to some Muslims where he is. When these Muslims watch on September 11th as "Christians" burn Korans, what will they think of their Christian missionary friend? Even if they are interested in Christ, they may be even more fearful than ever to say so.

It is one thing to preach and teach that the Bible is true and the Koran is not. We must speak the truth. However, we must also do so in love. We tell people the Koran is false out of love for them and in the hope that they will come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Burning Korans shows nothing but hatred and, I believe, pushes Muslims farther away from the truth.

I remember about five years ago being on a mission trip to Jaipur, India. Several of us engaged a Muslim man in conversation. He was polite and cordial. He was not a devout Muslim, but he was Islamic nonetheless. We returned to his shop the next day and presented him with a Bible. We told him a bit about what it teaches. This man, who probably does not believe much of the Bible is true, set the Bible on the top shelf in his office. He did this out of respect for us and for the Bible.

What a contrast: A Muslim man showing respect to a Bible compared with "Christians" burning Korans.

I am greatly saddened by what is going to happen on September 11th.

On September 11th, 2001, many people died on a tragic day. However, in God's sovereignty and providence, this seemed to open doors of conversation and ultimately for the gospel. My fear is that the Koran burning on September 11th, 2010 many close doors for the gospel. If nothing else, Christian missionaries may find their mission fields' soil even harder come September 12th.

We followers of Jesus must loudly denounce this Koran burning. Let us speak the truth in love, but let us speak loudly so at least some Muslims will know that not all Christians agree with this sort of hateful activity.

Good Advice from John

Near the end of his second and third letters, the apostle John writes these words:

II John 12, "Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete." (ESV)

III John 13, "I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face."

We would be wise to follow this advice when we disagree in the blogosphere.

In perusing various blogs over the past several years, I have come across seemingly countless interchanges, usually in the "comments" sections, where people are downright nasty to one another. And these are Christians writing on Christian blogs!

Far too many times it seems as if the discussions in the blog world are not real communication. Instead of listening, people tend to try to "one-up" the others and delve into needless argumentation.

Misunderstanding is one of the reasons for these problematic interchanges. The obvious reason for this is that the vast majority of real communication comes through non-verbal cues and tone of voice.

Instead of getting into more pointless arguments in the blog world, we would be wise to follow John's advice. Let's make a point of talking with others in person - especially when we disagree. If we live too far apart for that, then why not at least have a telephone conversation?

Winning arguments through a witty zinger in the comments section of some blog does little to further the kingdom of heaven.

Christlike conversation in person or over the phone which leads to understanding is something that pleases God.

According to John, this may even lead to our joy.