James-Michael Smith joins millions who are disgusted by the Koran burning plans. I am inclined to think the media’s decision to give this guy attention has created more problems than there would have been; that means I’m inclined also to think that even mentioning the event attracts more attention to it; but I’m committed to speaking out against what he is doing, and Smith’s piece is a good statement.
If you had two minutes with this Koran-burning pastor, what would you say to him?
These concerns are not overblown and those who don’t understand this are simply naive and do not understand the mindset of extremists who will use anything they can to incite hatred and violence in the name of religion. In the name of the Prince of Peace, Dove World Outreach Center is directly contributing to the continuation of violence and hatred.
Pastor Jones, God is not pleased by your church burning Qur’ans. It does not honor His name. It does not reflect His Son. It does not minister the truth of the Gospel to anyone. Please, in the name of Jesus whom you and I both desire to serve wholeheartedly, do not go through with this incendiary display! It’s not too late … but it WILL BE after you’ve gone through with this foolish display … particularly from those who bear the consequences of your actions while you and your congregation sit home comfortably protected by the Constitution they are — whether rightly or wrongly, regardless of one’s stance on war and pacifism — risking their lives fighting to protect!
I couldn’t agree more with what Smith has said.
I would say, the only people Jesus antagonized were the most self-righteous sect of his own ethnic and religious group, and never in some violent, showy display of power. Jesus didn’t pick a fight with the Roman pagans. He didn’t pick a fight with the Greek philosophers. He didn’t pick a fight with the misguided Samaritans. He was neither an exhibitionist nor an arsonist. He had no time for intimidation tactics or gutless antagonism. Instead, he took the short road through Samaria. He dined at the home of a traitor and an extortionist. He let a prostitute anoint his feet with oil and kiss them. He laid down his life of his own volition, refusing to make use of an overwhelming show of strength from Heaven. So, Pastor Jones, in whose name are you doing this again?
I also agree entirely with Smith. And Andy Holt said it well too.
WWJD? He would not be provoking and antagonizing people. He would be ministering in humility and love.
I would tell Pastor Jones that he is giving Christians everywhere a bad image and playing into the hands of non-Christians.
J-M has been a great voice on this issue in my small node of the blogosphere. I appreciate my friend taking on this issue with great class! I also have written on this issue using JM as a source, along with Chad Holtz piece. Below is my thesis:
“Perhaps if more Christians had better exegetical methods for approaching the Bible, then maybe many would not jump too quickly to unfair fundamentalist based conclusions about the Koran.” (Islamic Cultural Center and Fundamenalists Exegetes of the Koran)
Have more to say but am in a rush to go with my wife to the grocery store…
Blessings!
I really like what both James-Michael Smith and Andy Holt said above.
I would probably add that his actions will do nothing to attract others to Christ but will only antagonize. These actions do not communicate love, compassion, or even genuine concern.
After the burning, he and his church will leave. They will have dinner, watch television, and go to bed in the safety of their homes.
Meanwhile, young men and women who serve in the American military will be put in an even more dangerous and vulnerable position than they were before.
This is sad.
I really hope that they don’t go through with the burning, that is just really sad. Hopefully someone in there community will step up and convince them not to do this.
Even General Patraeus has now weighed in and asked this pastor not to do this; saying that it will make the troops’ work in Afghanistan more difficult and dangerous. Frankly, I would not expect the calls of fellow pastors to matter much to this pastor, but I would think that the statement by General Patraeus would/should matter to him. The act of this church will inspire more violence–not likely for the members of this church in Gainesville–but for some innocent civilian(s) somewhere, or to the US troops who are trying very hard, with their blood, to win the support and trust of the Afghan people. Has this church actually considered that reality–that they will risk additional US lives and cause the loss of blood-earned trust? Do they care that they will be pushing those efforts backwards? Do they know that they will be giving ammunition and recruitment power to the extremists they’re protesting?
I pray that the Lord will stay the hand of this pastor and his church, for the sake of our service members, the cause of our nation and the cross of Christ.
One of those service members is my future son-in-law, a United States Marine on an EOD team somewhere in Afghanistan. Gen. Petraeus’ warning is quite personal for me.
This church’s contemplated action is more than sad. I’m sure I could not speak to this pastor without sinning. God have mercy on us all.
Unfortunately, someone else in the blogosphere made the point that even if the media were to refrain from reporting on this craziness, it would be all over the Internet via email, Facebook, etc.
Dana
If there were any evidence needed that only 50 people could have a huge impact and potentially change the world, this pastor and church is it. I only wish it were something positive for the Gospel.
Thanks for sharing this for me, Scot. There’s still hope that God will stir Jones’ heart and he will relent from this. Let us all pray that this happens and that Muslims worldwide see the love of Jesus carried out in an unmistakable way by His followers.
I was saddened when I heard of this pastor’s desire to express his anger in this way. I can understand some of the anger and frustration some folks feel, but this is not the model of what Christ has for us as Christians in the Bible. This week and last week, one of the prayer books I use, is dealing with forgiveness and this is a topic in our Sunday School this fall. I read this morning in Exodus where God relented in his anger to destroy the nation of Israel after Moses pled for God’s mercy after they worshiped the golden calf. In the gospels there is the admonishment from Jesus to forgive someone who sins against us not seven times but seventy-seven times. Sometimes we are too absorbed in what we think is our rights or what is due us that we forget what the Lord has taught us about reacting to others that attack us or hurt us. May the Lord have mercy on us and that church.
It’s one thing for my obedience to cost me something; it’s something entirely different when it costs me nothing and others – perhaps – everything.
I know this is not the topic of the post. But the irresponsibility of the media and their lack of accountability is amazing. From what I understand, and I could be wrong, this pastor has zero influence on the evangelical movement as a whole and has a church of less than 50 members. Over half of his small church has voted with their feet and left to protest this! Why did the media give this pastor an international platform when he had no platform to begin with? I am glad to see evangelicals united to protest his actions, but did anyone really think evangelicals would support him?
Glen, the media only picked up on this after the group’s use of social media spread the story around the world. The “International Burn a Koran Day” group on Facebook generated most of the initial publicity. In this age of social media, it’s far easier for a group to have a disproportionate impact it seems.
Thanks JM. There is something to be said that in this day and age a fringe pastor with such a small church with minimal influence could so quickly wield such power that heads of state would be required to respond.
In many ways this is very sad. I am a follower of Isa, non-North American. This act not only continue to give North Americans/Europeans a bad fame, perpetuating stereotypes but also putting in risk many who in the name of the same Lord are serving Him in places where people does not have the same freedom of doing such a provocative and unthinkable act. Not only that… in doing this, this person is jeopardizing many nationals friends/sympathizes/brothers and sisters who might be affected by this. Please pr**ay for us in distant lands where in some cases freedom means running the risk of sacrificing our own lives. We want to live a life worthy to The Call but we do not need this kind of help. Thank you.
@JM
From what I can tell, only a few hundred people actually liked the Burn a Koran Day on Facebook. Even if that number were a few thousand, how is that a news story, unless you want it to be one?
I would tell him that it is against Jesus to do what he is doing. The I would tell him that I hope that god would bless him and allow him to understand the true teaching of Jesus.
@Kevin s. – Once Muslims around the world picked up on it via FB, its notoriety increased dramatically. Combined with the date being 9/11 and all the current tension regarding the Manhattan Islamic community center (aka. “The Ground Zero Mosque”), it generated the current hoopla we see.
JM,
That makes sense. But isn’t the real story Muslim efforts to highlight the actions of one tiny church? I mean that from a journalistic perspective. As Christians, yes, we should condemn the churches actions.