In light of recent venomous criticism raised by self-proclaimed Christians against Christian author and apologist James White because of his willingness to dialogue with and debate Muslim apologists and imams with respect and fairness, an important question needs to be asked of the Church. Do we, as followers of Jesus Christ, really want Muslims to come to know the love of God that is in Jesus Christ? Do we want Muslims, any and all of them, to be violently killed or saved by love and grace?
If you actually do, as a Christian, want Muslims to come to know the love of Christ, (like any of the Lost: Atheists, Mormons, Hindus, etc.) what attitude would best help that evangelistic effort? Do expressions of hatred help spread the Gospel? Does calling all Muslims terrorists help them see that they need to come to Jesus by faith? Or do we actually push forward the cause of the Gospel through dialogue, openness, respect, honesty, and charity?
James White has been the lightning rod of this issue, but it is far bigger than him. The Church is being challenged by the violence of terrorism to reject hatred and remain steadfast in the embrace of the peace of Christ. Giving in to hatred it easy, it appeals to our fallen human nature, it appeals to our tribalism and racism, but it is the opposite of the Fruit of the Spirit which we are supposed to be cultivating as disciples of Jesus.
Consider Saul of Tarsus. He was a violent man, full of hatred, responsible for the deaths of Christians. Should the Early Church have killed him in self-defense? Should they have spewed hatred at him in return? What did God do about Saul of Tarsus? He showed him Jesus, and turned him into the Apostle Paul, perhaps the greatest missionary the Gospel has ever seen. If Peter or John had given in to the temptation to respond to Saul with hate, how many souls would have remained Lost instead of hearing the Gospel?
A related question that we, as Christians, need to answer: Is our hatred of Muslims being driven by our politics? When contemplating the criticism directed his way, much of which has only a token connection with the truth, James White recently said, "If your politics destroys your passion for the Lost in your life, dump the politics, stick with what has eternal value."
Are you a Christian? Do you want Muslims, the vast majority of which are non-violent no matter what nonsense you read online or hear from politicians trying to get your vote or businesses trying to get your money, but even the terrorists who have killed Christians, to find forgiveness in Christ? You have been forgiven for your sins, you came to Christ by grace, are you willing to be so ungrateful an adopted child of God that you would push others away from God's love? All have sinned, all need a savior, if you think you have any right to be God's gate-keeper and decide who deserves God's grace and who deserves God's wrath, you are woefully and dangerously mistaken.
If the Gospel you claim to believe isn't for everybody, then you don't really believe it.
If you don't show love to the Lost, you have failed in your responsibility to share the Gospel.
Well said!
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