Thursday, September 09, 2010

Burning a Quran is Burning a Bridge for the Gospel

USA Today reports Terry Jones "Pastor" of the Dove Center in Gainesville, FL wants to begin an annual burn a Quaran day on the anniversary of 9/11.   What should Christians think about this?  Since the basic mission of all Christians is to make followers of Christ (Matt. 28:18-20), we need to ask the question:  Does this help us to make more followers of Christ?  Another way of looking at this is to ask "Would the apostle Paul have used this strategy to advance the gospel?"  Dr. Albert Mohler posses this very question.    In this case the muslims are asking us to follow what Christ said "Love Your enemies."  On that point I think that they are right.  Is it loving for individual Christians to publicly burn Qurans in a publicity stunt like this?  Or does it provide an offense that will put up more walls for the gospel and jeopardize humans lives around the world.  I hope that muslims worldwide will be able to tell the difference between Christian behavior and non-Christian behavior.  Don't get me wrong, I am against the teachings of the Quran and I do not believe that it is a Holy book.  The Bible is the one true Holy book given by God that provides the way of salvation and the truth that we need to know for life (John 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16).  However, our mission as Pastors is to proclaim the Word of God, not to go out an burn what other people consider to be Holy books!  Let us be about the work of the gospel and not be distracted by non-Christian work.  

1 Corinthians 1:23–25 (NASB95)

23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,

24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.


Posted via email from Caleb's posterous

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