Following a four-day conference last week at YaleUniversity, Christian and Muslim leaders from around the world announced the first step of the “Common Word” exchange drafted last November.A joint statement was affirmed in their support of religious freedom and further interfaith dialogue based on their common love for God and neighbor.
But something is very wrong with this picture.
Over 140 conference participants unanimously approved a cooperative statement that signaled a “new beginning of collaboration between Christians and Muslims” where stronger assertions of faith would be required. So the statement began by affirming the “unity and absoluteness of God” and God’s merciful love as central to both religions.
Wait a minute! Allah has merciful love? And Allah is central to both Christianity and Islam? Isn’t it devotion to Allah that causes people to strap explosives onto themselves and blow innocent people to shreds? And seems he also encourages some of his followers to cut off heads of the innocent?
In attendance and in agreement, sadly, were both the head of the National Association of Evangelicals and the World Evangelical Alliance.Those two organizations represent most evangelicals in America.But both faiths pledged to spend one week a year sharing the good aspects about the other’s faith. Our pulpits are already lacking in sound gospel preaching! Now we must take one week each year to learn that Islam might really be “a religion of peace?”And that Christians and Muslims worship the same God?
The Lord’s Day is just that: A day to worship and learn about the God of the Bible, not to hear about the positive nature of Islam or any other faith. It’s tough enough that many reading this are laboring in churches that have forsaken the Bible for “new ways of doing church.” We have leftists and Emergent Church leaders praised in our pulpits, and now once a year we will have Islam praised in our pulpits—and I am speaking of “evangelical” pulpits since the heads of the evangelical world signed on to this.
Don’t these evangelical leaders know that deception is part and parcel of the Muslim religion when they deal with “infidels”?Do they really think American mosques are going to start heralding Christianity once a year and really mean it? Don’t they know that many American mosques—certainly not all—are the breeding ground for calling for the destruction of America and its takeover by Islam?
I have to conclude that the primary goal here is ecumenical unity. The second goal is to get Christians to see Islam in a positive light. Sharing the gospel with Muslims is not part of the agenda with this interfaith effort, even though thousands of Muslims are turning to Christ today. If this element were a part of the plan, it would be less egregious.I ask, “Where is the outrage toward the evangelical leaders who are promoting this agenda?”
It has long been the standard of congregations who are a part of the National Council of Churches to promote ecumenical unity and praise false religions. Now that so-called evangelical organizations are doing same, is there a dime’s worth of difference between them?
Forgive my cynicism but I think the Muslims are laughing all the way to Mecca.
Disclaimer: Worldview Weekend, Christian Worldview Network and its columnists do not necessarily endorse or agree with every opinion expressed in every article posted on this site. We do however, encourage a healthy and friendly debate on the issues of our day. Whether you agree or disagree, we encourage you to post your feedback by using the feedback button.
For my brother in England, I would like to encourage you to look for a Calvary Chapel or any other Church that uses expository Biblical teaching if you can. It is good to be in a Bible believing church that systematically goes through the Bible from front to back, book by book, chapter by chapter, and word for word! Unless the Whole Bible is the standard, then as the other brother said, our aim is going to be off and we will miss the target(Truth)! I pray for your success to find a good church home, in the body of Christ! Love in Christ Click here to reply to this post
What's the problem?
Posted On: 08/07/08 06:24:10 PM
Age 51, MN
Since the evangelical church has been praising the false religion of Judaism it might as well add the Muslims to its list of apostasy too. I hear the phrase Judeo/Christian thrown around so much it makes me sick. Christians have nothing in common with Judaism yet nary a peep from the end times folks. Jesus said their religion/traditions were of their father, the devil. The Talmud and it's followers (orthodox Jews) hate Jesus Christ with a passion. While the Muslims do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah, they do say He is a prophet, and they wouldn't think of saying anything evil about Him, or his earthly mother. The rank and file Jew who follows the teaching of the Talmud (thats every orthodox Jew bobbing up and down at the Wailing Wall) say that Jesus (God in human flesh) is burning in feces and semen at this moment.
There is nothing wrong with highlighting or "sharing the good aspects about the other’s faith." Bring the gospel to the Muslim, but first get to know them and earn their trust. After all, when they think about Christianity, most of them think of your brand of Christianity, which is men in uniform bombing and shooting them for their oil trying to usher in the 2nd coming. No wonder they reject the gospel. They're told about the "Prince of Peace", yet they've seen very few live it. Click here to reply to this post
Judeo/Christian a falsehood? G-d forbid!
Posted On: 08/10/08 01:54:18 AM
Age 49, MA
To the supposed "Christian" who wrote that all this hoopla about Judeo/Christian and our connection to orthodox Jews is basically nonsense. Can I say respectfully,
'YOU need to get a grip, and please, read your/our Bible over again. Apparently, you've never read it to begin with. Number one, Jesus was and is still a Jew. A term you use so mockingly. I'm very appalled at your blatant anti-semitism! You need to read Romans 9,10 and 11...the whole chapters if you want to understand the Bible is a Jewish book, written by Jewish authors, about the coming death, burial, and resurrection of (you guessed it!), a (the)Jewish Messiah!!! I need to pray for you, you really need to know the right Jesus, the Jewish one! Click here to reply to this post
Read it again
Posted On: 08/14/08 06:52:40 PM
Age 51, MN
You may have read my post, yet you very clearly have not understood.
I never said anything about race, but Judiasm. The term "orthodox Jew" always to the hearer implies a follower of Judiasm. No matter what you think, they follow, honor, pray, and serve the devil, not God. No different than a follower of Islam.
Jesus said "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." Nothing anti-semitic about that, yet you accuse me of it.
The followers of Islam or Judiasm, whether they be orthodox or not, do not have the Son, therefore they are followers of the devil. And they have nothing in common with Christianity.
Or do you still not understand. Click here to reply to this post
Please help me out
Posted On: 08/16/08 01:24:46 PM
Age 40, GA
First Post: "There is nothing wrong with highlighting or 'sharing the good aspects about the other’s faith.'" 2nd Post: "The followers of Islam or Judaism, whether they be orthodox or not, do not have the Son, therefore they are followers of the devil. And they have nothing in common with Christianity." So followers of the devil have something which it would be good for Christian ministers to share with the Body of Christ? I don't understand. Also, exactly whose brand of Christianity involves "men in uniform bombing and shooting them for their oil trying to usher in the 2nd coming?" I've never seen that brand of Christianity proclaimed. If Muslims have seen very few lives exhibit the "Prince of Peace," is it because they kill off the true Christians in their midst before they have much time to observe their lives? True believers will never earn the trust of followers of the devil until God does a supernatural work in the hearts of the unbelievers in question (see 1 Corinthians 2:14, for example). The world hates Christ and his followers. That is because the words of Christ convict the world of its sin. Muslims deny God's very promise (in which the belief of Abraham was credited unto him as righteousness): that Isaac, not Ishmael as Muslims believe, would be the channel of blessing for the entire world. Whatever is good in Islam (namely some aspects of its moral code)came from God's word revealed to Jews and Christians anyway, so why not take up pulpit time teaching the Bible? Then the good parts of Islam are covered,while giving credit to God rather than to Mohammed. I believe your point is correct that Orthodox Jews hate Christ. I've seen recently in the news that Christians in Israel are being persecuted (including by bombings) by the Orthodox Jews there. Also, perhaps Muslims wouldn't say anything evil about Christ in terms of the world's definition of evil, but by killing those who refute the Muslim lie (and a lie about Christ is evil) that Jesus is only a prophet, aren't they perpetrating as great an evil as the vile language used by the Orthodox Jews? Click here to reply to this post
Re: Please help me out
Posted On: 08/19/08 12:43:51 PM
Age 51, MN
You said, "Whatever is good in Islam (namely some aspects of its moral code)came from God's word revealed to Jews and Christians anyway, so why not take up pulpit time teaching the Bible?" Do not the "good parts" of all religions have their basis in our Creator?
Have you not read, "The Peace Child?" How about "Eternity in their Hearts?"
Both books authored by Don Richardson. Don and his wife lived among headhunters and cannibals in Papa New Guinea and ended up using the religion and mythology within the Sawi people group in order to bring them to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. They didn't tell the Sawi people to stop loving their families (part of their religion, and ours) but found within the ethnic and tribal traditions and culture an opening to point them to our Savior, Jesus Christ. Some believed and some didn't. Do not the missionaries first live amongst the various people groups in order to get to know them and learn the language before the gospel is presented to them? Of course they do! Why should it be any different from reaching the Muslims? You said, "Who's Christianity involves "men in uniform bombing and shooting for their oil?" My goodness. Where have you been for the last 8 years? The Evangelical church almost crowned President Bush with divinity in both elections. Young Christian men from Christian colleges around the country were encouraged to join up to go after the Muslims because of 9-11. Hagee, Markell, Lindsey, Colson, Franklin, Dobson, Falwell, Robertson, Kennedy, etc. consented along with unbelievers when Iraq and Afghanistan were attacked. About a year ago Robertson said that Chavez from Venezuela should be assassinated. Hagee wants us to attack Iran to protect Israel. As you said in the title of your post, Please help me out? Where in the New Testament are believers in Jesus Christ commanded to support, join, or partake in the murderous foreign policies of whatever country they may belong when it involves the slaughter of another people group no matter what they have done to us? Pray for our troops? How? Does not "Love your enemies" ring a bell to evangelicals. Reminds me of the verse in Acts 8:1, right after Stephen was killed. "And Saul was consenting unto his death." Click here to reply to this post
let the blind lead the blind
Posted On: 08/06/08 10:33:10 PM
Age 38, CA
Since the world says to be politically correct, many people who aren't sincere about following the Lord Jesus have been deceived. It is no suprise to me because Romans 1, 2Peter 2, Jude, Matthew 24, Rev 2& 3, and many other biblical passages reveal the spiritual disaster we are witnessing today. The true church are those who believe that JESUS is the only way and they do not subscribe to every wind of doctrine. A religious fanatic is blind and only the Father can draw them to JESUS. It is high time for "the church" to cast down any and everything that tries to exalt itself over CHRIST. The Lord said let the blind lead the blind. And that is what has to be done in this apostate age. We should strive to preach the TRUTH that JESUS commanded and make no provision for the flesh; i.e. allah or arm leg leg arm head.
The Lord is the standard and our Sovereign God will judge every motive and every soul in the end. It is sad when "the church" partakes of false doctrines and bids the deliverer of them godspeed. A Christian can't drink from of the cup the Lord and the cup of satan at the same time. This grieves the Lord. Even the scriptures say the devil comes as an angel of light but he is a murderer and the father of all lies.
These are truly the last days. Come Lord Jesus. Click here to reply to this post
We need to fervantly pray and educate
Posted On: 08/05/08 03:48:03 PM
Age 42, MN
We need to fervantly pray for our nation, its leaders, our churches, our church leaders, and our families, and our schools.
I knew how bad the culture was, and mainline denominations. I knew how bad the schools are and how dumbed down most churches are. Then I became very upset by all this stuff I am reading about the Emergent Church within evangelicalism. NOw we have this! It seems falsehoods are attacking on all fronts. This is spiritual warfare.
We need to fervantly pray. Against the forces of darkness. "We do not struggle against flesh and blood but against principalities..." Let us continue to pray: "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done. On earth as it is in heaven."
Let us be "wise as serpents and gentle as doves". Let us never give up but pray and have true spiritual discernment wherever we go. And when our antenna comes up, pray and discern what GOd is calling you to do.
ANd do it!
I talk to people when I see pagan stuff in public museum gift shops... Confront evil wherever you go, in a nice, respectful, way. But get the point across. "All it takes for evil to prevail, is for good people to do nothing."
We need to fervantly pray. And be the answers to our own prayers. TO educate and teach others. Our children, our families, our churches, our friends. We need to organize and educate everyone on the Bible, and on Christian Worldviews and what is happening. Summit Ministries is one very good ministry in this regard.
We need to continue to evangelize and to purify our world, to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Just make sure we are doing the Lord's work, not ours, and in His strength, wisdom, and timing, not ours.
Amen. Click here to reply to this post
Duality Of Islam
Posted On: 08/06/08 04:17:15 PM
Age 69, TN
Good on Jan Markell, Where are our scholars that understand what is going on in Islam and why are they not coming forward. The Muslims will do and say anything, they will lie, cheat, defraud, to farther their cause.
Their cause is to take over the World and I might add, their doing a bang-up job of it. We can only hope that our Religious Leader when meeting with the Muslims face to face are able to see behind the mask. Click here to reply to this post
We need to fervantly pray and educate
Posted On: 08/05/08 03:44:30 PM
Age 42, MN
We need to fervantly pray for our nation, its leaders, our churches, our church leaders, and our families, and our schools.
I knew how bad the culture was, and mainline denominations. I knew how bad the schools are and how dumbed down most churches are. Then I became very upset by all this stuff I am reading about the Emergent Church within evangelicalism. NOw we have this! It seems falsehoods are attacking on all fronts. This is spiritual warfare.
We need to fervantly pray. Against the forces of darkness. "We do not struggle against flesh and blood but against principalities..." Let us continue to pray: "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done. On earth as it is in heaven."
Let us be "wise as serpents and gentle as doves". Let us never give up but pray and have true spiritual discernment wherever we go. And when our antenna comes up, pray and discern what GOd is calling you to do.
ANd do it!
I talk to people when I see pagan stuff in public museum gift shops... Confront evil wherever you go, in a nice, respectful, way. But get the point across. "All it takes for evil to prevail, is for good people to do nothing."
We need to fervantly pray. And be the answers to our own prayers. TO educate and teach others. Our children, our families, our churches, our friends. We need to organize and educate everyone on the Bible, and on Christian Worldviews and what is happening. Summit Ministries is one very good ministry in this regard.
We need to continue to evangelize and to purify our world, to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Just make sure we are doing the Lord's work, not ours, and in His strength, wisdom, and timing, not ours.
Amen. Click here to reply to this post
are we about to sit on the seat of the scornful?
Posted On: 08/05/08 02:23:57 PM
Age 51, MS
Why are we even shouting about this, as if "some strange thing was happening to us", is it not written, that the son of perdition will not be reveal until their is first a falling away?" This is nothing more than the one world religion being formed. Man in his small minded mentality has incurred that if "we, accept them and join with them, that we would all get along". But we forget that in Islam, if one converts to another religion, they would be killed, ousted,beaten, or imprisioned for it. how is a religion that wants to make the world submit everyone to it, get along with the "evangelicals", I know that they are not speaking for me, and countless others who don't buy into this foolishness. Can we afford to sit at the table of the Lord and the table of demons? Click here to reply to this post
The real issue
Posted On: 08/05/08 02:01:10 PM
Age 49, AR
Jan, I appreciate your insight, and whether you know it or not, you identified the real problem when you stated "It's tough enough that many reading this are laboring in churches that have forsaken the Bible for "new ways of doing church." Shame on them. It is time for the American Church to wake up, to choose God's way, and God's Word as the principles in which to live our lives and serve Him. Find a church that preaches the unadultrated Word of God and invest your time and talents there. Then you won't have to worry about what some Evangelical Council is saying or doing. Click here to reply to this post
Find a good church!?
Posted On: 08/06/08 02:12:41 AM
Age 41, ENGLAND
If you can find one tell me where it is. Over the pond here in GB there are very few churches left that uphold sound doctrine and preach a Biblical Gospel. It is heartbreaking to see and hear christians sneer at the very idea of preaching repentance. As for the Resurrection, that too has gone missing from our pulpits. A man centered, man pleasing message is what our so called ministers want to preach and it is leading people down the broad road to Hell. Click here to reply to this post
Everything but Jesus Christ . . .
Posted On: 08/05/08 11:07:38 AM
Age 58, AZ
I'm sorry but where is Jesus lately?
If it's not the environment, then it's the social gospel, if not that, then it's the finer points of muslimism . . .
GIVE THEM JESUS!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!
There are too many people who need to hear about Jesus Christ & what He has done for those who accept Him as their Savior.
Jesus did not say tell them about alah, or curly light bulbs, or section 8 housing . . . He said to tell them the Good News.
PASTORS: Please teach them about all the wonderful things Jesus Christ did for us so we could be a child of the Almighty GOD of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob --- you only have them for 90 minutes a week, don't waste any of that time on curly light bulbs or islam. Click here to reply to this post
Evangelicals, Islamic lies; Oh My!
Posted On: 08/05/08 09:36:21 AM
Age 44, KY
First off, is anyone that surprised? The so-called 'Evangelicals', for the most part have been heading off the reservation for the last 30 years, and at an exponential rate. If you listen to many of the "big" names in evangelical circles, preach, you wonder what Bible they are talking about, as what they are preaching on doesn't match the truth found from any serious study of the Word. It is what happens when one deviates, even just a little bit from the truth and doctrine found in the Bible. Though I know this analogy will be lost on most reading this, it is like target shooting, where you sight in your rifle to shoot an inch off center a 25 yards, which isn't much at 25 yards, most would agree. However when the target is set to 1000 yards away, and you shoot at the center, you will miss the center by 40 inches! So when you even a little variation in the truth at the start, can end up way off from the truth, later on.
As for what the "heads of the Evangelical organizations" goes, who appointed them this position. I always thought the head of any ministry was Yeshua Hammashiach! Any time men seek to bestow titles and importances upon themselves, it always seems we end up with clowns in charge, and calamity ensues! All one has to be, to be an evangelical, is the desire and drive to preach the gospel, so since all "Christians" or rather all followers of Yeshua Hammashiach are told to go out and witness and teach the Word and Good News (Gospels)to every creature. So when did we need an organization to "vote" on what is to be taught... seems pretty simple. But you know, in my study of the Bible, I've never seen one passage where the scriptures promote voting on what to teach or preach, the Father and Son have taken care of that for us.
I guess you could get all hot and bother about what a bunch of self-important men and women decide to do among themselves, but I don't see the need or the benefit. We have no more control over what they preach, than I do over Barak Obama's politics! Will this affect YHWH's plan or Yeshua Hammashiach's return, no, not at all. Will it affect my salvation or my beliefs, again, not at all, for I study the Bible myself, and don't get my theology from the latest, greatest, most popular preacher on the circuit, I get it from the Word and the revelations my Father sees fit to bless me with. As for the folks that get their theology from a preacher, and not from what they have obtained through careful and diligent study and meditation on the Scriptures themselves, while it is sad, until they figure out that there is only one source for one's faith, truth and salvation, they will be left to wonder in the wilderness. For try as you might, you will likely find them resistant to every intelligent argument present and every bit of truth laid before them.
If you don't know and believe that Yeshua Hammashiach is the one an only way to Salvation; and that YHWH and Allah are not one in the same, you are still lost!
This is also the reason I don't call my heavenly Father, "God", when referring to who I worship. "God" is NOT HIS NAME! YHWH is!!! When you use a generic term such as "God" or "Lord" for the name of your Father, or Messiah, you are essentially, saying; "Insert the name of your god Here!", which is why Islamic clerics can agree, without batting an eye-lash that we worship the same "god".
But this is just my humble opinion. Mark Click here to reply to this post
Apostacy is already taking place
Posted On: 08/05/08 08:53:06 AM
Age 65, CA
Having lived in Sacramento for the last 10 years after returning from Kisumu,Kenya where my wife and I taught "a Practical Bible Course For The New Creation Believer" to pastors and lay clergy, we have not been able to find even one Church in the Body of Christ!
This psuedo spiritual organization linking the dim light of evangelicals to the darkness of Islam will not enlighten anyone...but it will enslave all to the darkenss. This is an unholy alliance that cannot be tolerated by any believer. Do NOT be deceivede!! We must fight against the darkness...this is a spiritual attack at the weakest members of the Church.
Jan, you are doing a good thing to expose the false teachings, and aspirations of this organization...But I fear, that most of this is "preaching to the choir"...those who NEED to hear of this are not listening, for they have been blinded by the enemy and cannot hear the truth!
Neal S Bishop
a Bible Ministry Click here to reply to this post
Woodrow Kroll, David Jeremiah,Sean McDowell, Josh McDowell, David Barton, Carl Kerby, Frank Harber, Kerby Anderson, and the Branson Family Reunion DVD Set! This is a $74.95 value for only $34.95! FREE worksheet with purchase!
Russell O'Quinn, Steve Saint, Dr. Michael Youssef, Dr. Erwin Lutzer, Bob Lepine, Star Parker, Kirk Cameron, Ray Comfort, and the Branson Family Reunion DVD Set! This is a $74.95 value for only $34.95!
