More On Islam

In my recent sermon on the Islamic Faith ('What About the Muslims?) I tried to advocate both respect for Islamic people -- but also -- a clear call to share with Islamic people -- graciously, lovingly -- the undeniable,definitive truth of God, found only in Christ.

But is it worth the effort? Aren't all Islamic people inherently evil, 'far-gone,' with no hope of salvation? Frankly, that's the point of view 'making the rounds' in many sectors of the church, with Islam being tagged as the anti-Christ.

As I continue my own exploration of that thought-line, and other views of Islam, I 'ran across' an interesting piece in the August 23, 2011 edition of USA Today, entitled: "9/11 traced new spiritual lines."

The article advances many different themes, some of which are provocative. One of the helpful themes, was the article's discussion about understanding other religions. An excerpt follows. You can access the full article through the following link: http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2011-08-19-spiritual-impact-sept-11_n.htm#usl

"...Sept. 11 revived old arguments about whether violence is inherent in Western religion. The Rev. Franklin Graham stands by his 2001 comment calling Islam "evil," while offering Christian love to individual Muslims.

Psychologist and theologian Fraser Watts of the University of Cambridge in England, where 53 died in a terrorism attack July 7, 2005, says the 2001 attack affected people's thinking about religion in general, and for some, pointed an accusatory finger at Islam.

"A decade later, I would like to think people are getting their minds around the diversity of Islam, just as Christianity is quite diverse. I think we are becoming more discriminating about religions — finding that some aspects of all religions are good or bad," Watts says.

"Just as 9/11 forced people closer toward unhealthy black-or-white views, polarizing views on religion, it also highlighted the urgent need to move the opposite way, toward a growing awareness of the need to understand more about each other's religions."

R. Scott Appleby, professor of Christian history at the University of Notre Dame, notes that media-star atheists such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens rushed out a wave of bestselling books condemning Sept. 11 as symbolic of "the new face of religion."

For Appleby, a Catholic scholar, the attacks became "a moment of decision. I had to step up and affirm the vast majority of believers in Islam and other religions who are represented by mercy, compassion and education — not extremism."

Appleby cites examples of "scholars, public intellectuals and religious leaders stepping forward in new ways to connect with each other and isolate extremists on all sides."

•The Common Word, an open letter to Pope Benedict XVI from 100 Islamic scholars and leaders of Islam in 2007, explored Muslim and Christian teachings on universal brotherhood, love and forgiveness.

•Former British prime minister Tony Blair created the Tony Blair Faith Foundation to sponsor interfaith community action and university studies around the world.

•Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Willams, head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, has written books and initiated a series of interfaith dialogues..."

What other articles, books are your finding that help navigate the demanding waters of respect/understanding among persons of other faiths -- but -- also encourage a clear declaration that Jesus is truth?

These are demanding waters, demanding our best effort to love Jesus first and foremost -- but also our neighbor as yourself.