Comments on: Islam, Christianity, and Power http://www.radicalcongruency.com/20040328-islam-christianity-and-power Spirituality // Technology // Emerging Ecclesiology Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:11:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Charlie http://www.radicalcongruency.com/20040328-islam-christianity-and-power#comment-912 Charlie Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 +0000 //?p=#comment-912 The assertion of military power in the name of Christ is arrogant presumption, but the assertion of military power in the name of Islamic jihad against infidels is consistent with Islamic teachings, even if the majority of Muslims prefer to interpret their faith differently. I find it hard to believe that history will ever again see anything like the Crusades, because the church is no longer a dominant moral and political agent in the west. Instead, we'll see intolerant liberal governments pitted against intolerant Islamic extremists, and Christians will be asked to choose sides. Both are enemies of Christ. Meanwhile, obeying the call to take the Good News into all of the world, and because the Good News is finding traction in many Islamic nations, more and more Christian faith communities will be persecuted by the Islamic majorities. Islamic extremism is growing, and Jews and Christians serve as convenient targets for the hostility of these militant factions. These will be difficult times for the church. The assertion of military power in the name of Christ is arrogant presumption, but the assertion of military power in the name of Islamic jihad against infidels is consistent with Islamic teachings, even if the majority of Muslims prefer to interpret their faith differently.

I find it hard to believe that history will ever again see anything like the Crusades, because the church is no longer a dominant moral and political agent in the west.

Instead, we’ll see intolerant liberal governments pitted against intolerant Islamic extremists, and Christians will be asked to choose sides. Both are enemies of Christ.

Meanwhile, obeying the call to take the Good News into all of the world, and because the Good News is finding traction in many Islamic nations, more and more Christian faith communities will be persecuted by the Islamic majorities. Islamic extremism is growing, and Jews and Christians serve as convenient targets for the hostility of these militant factions.

These will be difficult times for the church.

]]> By: Justin Baeder http://www.radicalcongruency.com/20040328-islam-christianity-and-power#comment-913 Justin Baeder Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 +0000 //?p=#comment-913 I think at the same time, though, Islam has a world reputation to protect. The West in general is pretty tolerant, but not of violent intolerance, as we're seeing now. I think the violent strains of Islam will eventually get themselves selected out of the gene pool. If all the violent Muslims blow themselves up... This reminds me of a quip I once heard about the middle ages. Imagine how history would be different if the most brilliant minds of Europe - Aquinas, for example - had not been selected into the clergy. The most gifted people often became scholars/monks and thus were celibate, so they couldn't pass on their genes. Interesting to think about. I think at the same time, though, Islam has a world reputation to protect. The West in general is pretty tolerant, but not of violent intolerance, as we’re seeing now. I think the violent strains of Islam will eventually get themselves selected out of the gene pool. If all the violent Muslims blow themselves up…

This reminds me of a quip I once heard about the middle ages. Imagine how history would be different if the most brilliant minds of Europe - Aquinas, for example - had not been selected into the clergy. The most gifted people often became scholars/monks and thus were celibate, so they couldn’t pass on their genes. Interesting to think about.

]]> By: Ted H http://www.radicalcongruency.com/20040328-islam-christianity-and-power#comment-914 Ted H Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 +0000 //?p=#comment-914 Here's a slightly different perspective on antagonism in general from Oswald Chambers (December 4 devotional, MUH): http://www.myutmost.org/12/1204.html "Life without war is impossible either in nature or in grace. The basis of physical, mental, moral, and spiritual life is antagonism. This is the open fact of life." I believe the Islamic issue is a mainly a spiritual battle, but there is no getting around its physical, mental, and moral aspects. Simply wishing peace won't make it so; no One can bring peace but the Prince of Peace, and assertion of military power in his name (what other name would you prefer) should be both a humbling and spiritual proposition. I'm not concerned with past, present, or future Western hegemony when my nation is under attack and my Jewish and Christian brothers and sisters are being indiscriminately slaughtered. Here’s a slightly different perspective on antagonism in general from Oswald Chambers (December 4 devotional, MUH): http://www.myutmost.org/12/1204.html

“Life without war is impossible either in nature or in grace. The basis of physical, mental, moral, and spiritual life is antagonism. This is the open fact of life.”

I believe the Islamic issue is a mainly a spiritual battle, but there is no getting around its physical, mental, and moral aspects. Simply wishing peace won’t make it so; no One can bring peace but the Prince of Peace, and assertion of military power in his name (what other name would you prefer) should be both a humbling and spiritual proposition. I’m not concerned with past, present, or future Western hegemony when my nation is under attack and my Jewish and Christian brothers and sisters are being indiscriminately slaughtered.

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