scottjacobsen

15 April, 2011

(Don't) Burn the Koran!

It is not news that Terry Jones burned the Koran, and this sparked violence abroad (see my previous post). I’ve read and heard lots of reasons why this was a bad thing, both from Christians and those of other persuasions. It usually boils down to, “it is an un-Christian thing to do,” or “Jesus did not or would not burn the Koran,” or “don’t inflame the situation.” Some even advocate limiting free speech if it is used as an excuse to burn the Koran and enrage the enragable.

I don’t find these arguments persuasive. Jesus said and did all sorts of things that insulted and offended. Many of His teachings offended, and His cleansing of the temple was certainly impolite by most standards. I find the arguments that we “mustn’t inflame them” or notion that we must somehow limit free speech to be pathetic, nerveless, and cowardly. However we feel about the actions of Terry Jones, he did not kill anyone. The murders were carried out by people who either can not or will not control their passions and emotions. If anything, the response to the burning displays a deep flaw within Islam itself.

There are two book-burning examples in the Bible, that may bring some clarity to this. King Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 36) when hearing the Word of God read, cut it to pieces and then burned them. In Acts 19:18-20, converts from paganism burned their occult books.

These two examples are instructive to the Terry Jones case. In the first, King Jehoiakim was rejecting God’s Word, spoken through His prophet Jeremiah. Unfortunately for Jehoiakim, that rejection had no impact on the coming judgement against Jerusalem. Burning the Koran, it is assumed, is a legitimate way to prove our disdain for it. It is a way to say, “We believe it to be false, so let it be burned.” But in the eyes of the Muslim, who believes it to be the infallible word of Allah, we are simply playing the role of fool, because the truth of the Koran is unstoppable; it’s future is secured and the truth will play out in history. Koran burning simply adds to this belief, because to do so is to act the infidel-fool.

Notice also the book burning in Acts. It isn’t those who preach and evangelise pagans who burn books, but those who are the converted–the ones who are turning from paganism. They were graphically repudiating their past. The rest of chapter 18 tells of the riot resulting from Paul’s preaching; we can be fairly certain that this book burning incident was reminded to the mob as well.

So is it a good idea for Muslim converts to burn the Koran? Even if they do not fear for their life, first for converting to Christianity, then for desecrating the Koran, I imagine that it is not. The reason is, that a Muslim convert to Jesus would desire the conversion of their families and friends too. It is pretty well known in the Islamic world that Christians do not believe the Koran. That’s pretty much all the offence needed; that and the offence of the cross! Burning the Koran, rather than arguing against it and repudiating it, will only indicate clearly that the Christian has no answer, no argument, no truth.

I have never converted a Jehovah’s Witness or Mormon at my door (I do think I introduced some serious doubts, however, as to the veracity of their leaders’ claims). I’m pretty sure, though, that burning the Book of Mormon or a New World Translation in their presence, would mean that my words will fall on even deaf-er ears (if that is even possible).

We need to think differently about this. We are at war, a spiritual war. Christians know this, but often take the easy way out, the way of non-thinking. Anyone can burn a book! But look at 2 Corinthians 10:1-7, especially verses 3-6. This is very tough talk, and obedience here is a challenge.

If all Christians, everywhere, did nothing to offend other religions, there would still be no peace. The Christian world-view is unique and stands against all paganisms. This means that we will not be at peace with other world views. Because of this tension, we are often accused of fostering violence (and, sadly, these accusations are often true). But true Christianity has not, nor will it ever be, spread by the sword.

Burning the Koran, or any other violence done in the name of Christ, is a serious admission of spiritual and intellectual ineptitude. We should be smarter, and holier, than that.

14 April, 2011

When Allah is Silent | A repost

The Koran was recently burned by a Florida pastor, Terry Jones. In response, UN aid workers were attacked and killed in Afghanistan. This has become a predictable outcome when some Muslims are aggrieved. A few years ago, Danish cartoons, some with pointed messages, some quite benign, and some created by Imams to create even greater outrage, caused widespread protest, rioting, and bloodshed.

Real or perceived slights to the Koran or to the prophet Mohammed are often met by violence, rage, rioting and murder. Many times, it is a Christian or a Christian community that is attacked. This is greatly due to the fact that in the Islamic world, it is (incorrectly)assumed that the West is Christian, and thus, if the crime of desecration occurred in the West, it was a Christian action.

For the Christian, there is an apologetic value in Islamic rage. By apologetic, I don’t mean that this is a chance to apologise for the foolish behaviour of the burners of the Koran. If you didn’t burn the Koran, you are not responsible and have nothing to apologise for or feel ashamed of. This is not a case of guilt by association. By apologetic, I mean that Islamic rage is itself a strong argument against Islam. I do not advocate creating more rage-provoking incidents; this will happen easily enough. What I do wish to point out that this kind of response to criticism betrays a fundamental weakness in Islam. I believe that systems that are false and untrue will have faults that are un-healable.

I think I understand the rage. It is the rage of impotence. Allah does not act: for all the greatness attributed to Allah, he does nothing in the face of insult. Allah does not fend for himself, or protect himself, but depends upon his followers for vengeance. Every unanswered insult against Allah is a sign, a proof, of his non-existence. In the face of insults against Allah or Muhammad, what other response can there be except rage.

If someone takes a crucifix and places it in a jar of urine, it is awarded a spot in an art gallery (this has happened). Why don’t Christians riot, destroy, and kill? For one thing, we aren’t disappointed that God didn’t show up to take some vengeance, because this isn’t what He told us to expect. Look at Matthew 13:24-30, and you will notice that judgement is future.

A parallel to Islamic rage may be found in the defeat of the prophets of Ba’al (1 Kings 18). But before I continue, I wish to make it clear that I do not find a parallel between Elijah and Terry Jones. I have little to say of him. While much has been said about Jones, and less, significantly, about the Islamic response.

A showdown between 450 prophets of Ba’al and Elijah resulted in the total defeat of queen Jezebel’s prophets. As you read the account, you will be struck by the pitiful hopelessness of their cause. Try as they might, their god did nothing. There was no voice, no action, no sign at all that any of their cries were heard. Ba’al, whom they expected to avenge himself, was silent. But God answered Elijah’s prayer. He then commanded him to slaughter the prophets of Ba’al. The text is clear: the prophets of Ba’all failed because Ba’al failed: there is no Ba’al. He is false, a lie, a fiction. But he was the religion of the nation. So what’s a queen to do? When Jezebel heard of Elijah’s role in their massacre, she said, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow” (1 Kings 19:2). Then, as now, impotence and defeat gives birth to rage.

3 September, 2009

No Apologies!

You are an “average” Christian. Perhaps you are not a philosopher, scientist, theologian, pastor, or lawyer. But you try to stay informed about the Faith, and you know that Christianity, if it is true at all, must be true for all. Its truth pervades every area of life. The Christian story, as it is recorded in Scripture, runs from Genesis through Revelation. It is a continuous account that tells of the creation of all things by God, the creation of humankind, the problem of sin, the promise of redemption and its accomplishment, and the consummation of creation at the end of time. But the story doesn’t end there. Christians through the centuries have lived out the Gospel and its implications from the time Christ established His church. Millions of lives have been transformed by the power of the Gospel (Romans 1:16-17. All Scripture quotations are from the English Standard Version).

But not all share this conviction. So when you tune in the television, visit your bookstore, or surf the net, you become aware of a highly organised, literate, and sophisticated attack against your faith. You may feel overwhelmed by the seemingly endless barrage of arguments, reasons, and evidences against the beliefs you have held since coming to know Christ. The onslaught is methodical, thorough, and relentless. Many of the charges against faith come from well educated sources. As North American culture turns from a traditionally Christian worldview to a decidedly pagan one, you find that your beliefs are increasingly at odds with your neighbours, co-workers, and even family members.

Welcome to the world of apologetics. “Apologetics” as a discipline of theology means “to make a defence” or, to “give an answer.” It sounds like our English word, “apologise,” because it is the origin of that term. It is important, however, not to think that when we engage in apologetics that we are “apologising” for anything. Words change meaning over time, and when we speak of apologetics we use it in its older sense, “to defend the faith.” Since the beginning of the church, God has used apologetics to answer critics of the faith, and to encourage believers. Many of our brothers and sisters abroad have had to defend their faith for many years. Today Western Christians are on the defence too.

In 1 Peter 3:15, we read, “. . . but in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” This verse has much to teach us about apologetics: First, it is written to all Christians in general—the task of apologetics is not only a job for specialists, but for all believers. Second, it tells us what the apologist must first accept as fact: Christ is Lord. Third, apologetics requires preparation. Fourth, it tells us that we have hope and that we will be asked why (if no one is asking we need to be asking, “why not?”). Fifth, it also tells us of our attitude toward those who ask: we must show gentleness and respect.

How then, do you answer these: “Isn’t the Bible full of errors?” “People don’t come back from the dead, so I can’t believe in the resurrection.” “Hasn’t science disproved creation and all the miracles of the Bible?” “Isn’t it bigoted to say that Jesus is the only way to be saved? What about other sincere believers of other faiths?” “That’s fine if the Bible is true for you, but it isn’t true for me.” “Wasn’t Jesus simply a good teacher?” You have probably of heard these and many others.

First, remember that Christ is Lord. We don’t believe that the Gospel might be true, or that God may exist. The Christian affirms that the Bible is true whether or not others believe it to be so. God is God of the facts. Unbelief does not change reality.

Second, the Christian must know what the Bible teaches. Much opposition to the Bible is against matters that are not even in Scripture. Stay with the facts, which is to say, “Stay with the Bible.” I heard once that when bank tellers are taught to identify counterfeit currency, most of their training is to identify the true currency. Just as the techniques of counterfeiters constantly changes, so do forms of misinterpretation, misapplication, and misrepresentation of the Bible and Christianity. It is better be become so well acquainted with the Bible that error is plainly evident, than to become an expert in a cult or philosophy that will be gone tomorrow.

Third, is there a question you can’t answer? Certainly! Does the entire Faith collapse because you don’t know an answer? Certainly not! “I don’t know, but I shall try to find out for you” is always a good answer. Consider this: after 2000 years of opposition to the Gospel, it is very unlikely that you will encounter an impossible question.

Fourth, know the usual questions (such as the examples above), and prepare answers to them. There are scores of books available which can help you formulate answers, whether they deal directly with the Bible, or with philosophical doubt, science, etc. As a good starting point, I recommend Josh McDowell’s Evidence That Demands a Verdict (Nashville: Nelson, 1999). The point is, you must give an answer. It is up to you to prepare.

As he faces the task of defending the Faith, the Christian may feel inundated by the varieties of unbelief. We now face the “new” atheism, scientism, political correctness, world religions, cults, the culture wars, neo-Gnosticism, new ancient texts that purport to tell the “real” story of Jesus, theological liberalism, denials of Christ’s atonement, and the “prosperity gospel,” to name a few. Still, God is God and His Word stands. The Christian must determine to know Scripture, and to learn how to answer those who oppose it.

In the West, it seems that Christianity is being singled out for criticism and disdain. While others may offer historical, sociological, or political reasons for this disapproval, the real answer is found in Scripture: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth (Romans 1:18),” and “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God’” (Romans 3:10, 11). Christianity is rejected because it is true! The doubting began in the garden, when Satan asked Eve, “Did God actually say . . . ?” (Genesis 3:1)

We are charged with the responsibility of passing the Faith on to the next generation. This will happen only when it is a lived
experience and its truth understood by the believer.