The Yale Center for Faith & Culture has responded to the Muslim letter which suggested that Christianity can be reconciled with Islam. The Muslim community and ecumenism agree that world peace can be achieved with such reconciliation.
The Yale response letter began with an apology for the way that Christians have treated Muslims both in the past and presently.
“…Since Jesus Christ says, ‘First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye,’ we want to begin by acknowledging that in the past (i.e. in the Crusades) and in the present (e.g. in excesses of the ‘war on terror’) many Christians have been guilty of sinning against our Muslim neighbors…we ask forgiveness of the All-Merciful One and of the Muslim community around the world.”
That apology sounds eerily familiar to some things our president has said.
The Yale apology letter quoted extensively from the first epistle of John.
“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” I John 4:8
That is a wonderful scripture; however, the thought is completed with the verse immediately following (which was not deemed relevant in Yale’s letter of apology) because the two verses are intrinsically linked.
“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” I John 4:9
The Yale letter continued by quoting:
“We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, ‘I love God’, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” I John 4:19-20
Again, omitted from the Yale response letter were other verses from the same chapter of the same Epistle.
“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” I John 4:14-15
And in the second chapter of the same epistle, the Apostle John writes:
“Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” I John 2:23
As stated earlier, the Father/Son relationship is also a major issue in the Koran. In fairness we should present the Koran’s position.
“O People of the Book! Do not exaggerate in your religion; nor speak lies of Allah. The Messiah, Christ Jesus, the son of Mary was (no more than) a messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. Say not ‘Trinity.’ Cease and Desist: (it is) better for you: for Allah is one Ilah (God). (Far it is removed from him of) having a son…The Messiah is proud to be a slave of Allah, as are the angels…” Koran 4:171
“Verily they are disbelievers (blasphemers) and infidels who say, ‘The Messiah, son of Mary, is God.” Koran 5:17
Remember Rick Warren, the founder and pastor of Saddleback Community Church in California and the author of the best selling book, ‘The Purpose Driven Life’? He recently addressed the Islamic Society of North America, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. In that address he borrowed from the preamble of the letter sent to the Muslim community by the Yale group by stating:
“…we ask forgiveness of the All-Merciful One and of the Muslim community around the world.”
I don’t often agree with President Obama, however, he did say something in his ‘new beginning’ speech to the world’s Muslims in Cairo in 2009 that I wholeheartedly agree with.
“…partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is and not what it isn’t.”
If Christians would learn the contents of the Koran instead of burning it they could interpret correctly the ‘olive branch’ Islam is extending to Christianity.
Just as Christians should be able to defend any passage in the Bible, Muslims should be able and willing to defend any passage in their Koran. Parts of the Koran send mixed messages which Muslims should be willing to explain so Christians will know ‘what Islam is and not what it isn’t.’ For example:
“Strike terror into the hearts of…your enemies…and slay them wherever ye find them.” Koran 8:60 and 2:191
“Fight those who do not believe in Allah…or acknowledge that Islam is the religion of Truth, even if they are Jews or Christians, until they submit to slavery to you willingly…” Koran 9:29
“We are clear…and have rejected you; and there has arisen between us and you enmity and hatred forever, unless ye believe in Allah and Him alone.” Koran 60:4
The more one learns about Christianity and Islam the more prepared one is to take a stand with one or the other. It appears abundantly clear that the two are mutually exclusive, and thus irreconcilable.
For additional enlightenment enter your church denomination with ‘Chrislam’ in your search engine and see where your leaders stand.