It is not my practice to take on the "issues of the day" in this blog. It is meant to be more of a devotional experience. However, sometimes what is going on in the world becomes so alarming that I would be remiss NOT to comment.
By now we have all heard about the Reverend Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center (what a misnomer!) in Florida. We have heard all the criticism from the president to the General of NATO forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have heard from peaceful Muslim leaders how this man is backing them into a corner just like he would to Jews and Christians if he burned the Bible. We have even heard from his gun-toting congregation that plans to remain inside and "let the pastors take all the risks."
I have spent most of this morning on Fox News' discussion board talking with others about what is about to happen. Here is a summary of what is being discussed.
1. The major Biblical argument comes from Acts 19: 18-19: "Many also of those who believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of all; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver."
There is one major flaw in using this as a proof text. The people that are burning the books are the owners of the books. The some 200 copies of the Qu'ran being burned on 9/11 are NOT being burned by their owners, but by people who have now nor ever had any belief in the book they are burning, thereby making this an act of hatred instead of an act of faith.
2. They are protected by the first amendment right to free speech. That's right. They are. But I Corinthians 10:23 says: "All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify." Yes, it is lawful to burn these books. However, it is not in any way edifying. Just ask General Petraeus. Because of this one pastor and his flock of 50, all the thousands of troops , American, Iraqi, and Afghans, will be placed in danger of their lives. The violent and deadly backlash from this will stretch around the world to people of all faiths that had NOTHING to do with it and disagreed with him, but could not stop him because of his freedom.
2. The Qu'ran contains the first five books of the Bible, the book of Psalms and portions of the Gospels. This man is willing to say to the world that this part of his Bible is worthless and deserves burning. II Timothy 3: 16-17, "ALL Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." If a missionary want to convert a Muslim to Christianity, he will use these parts of the Qu'ran to open a dialogue with him and gain common ground. And yet, this Florida pastor is will to burn part of the Scripture that he supposedly believes in.
3. There are going to be armed men both at the book burning as well at services.
The king of Syria had sent his army to capture Elisha. (Elisha had disclosed every military plan that the king of Syria had made to overthrow Israel.) The next morning, Elisha's servant awoke to discover that the whole Syrian army was surrounding the city where he and Elisha were. With fear, he woke up Elisha, and Elisha did see the Syrian army. But he also saw hundreds of God's angels surrounding the Syrian army (II Kings 6:14-17).
Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego: These three young men refused to give up their belief in the one true God of Israel, and were cast into a furnace of fire. However, God sent them some company--an angel of God (not Jesus!). Only their clothes that had been used to bind them were burnt in the fire. They came out of the fire without even the smell of smoke--or a singed hair! (Daniel 3:23-28).
Daniel: Daniel was faithful in his prayer life, even though the price for his faithfulness seemed sure death. He was cast into a den of lions (not just a lion's den, as some say). A heavenly visitor, an angel of God, came and shut the lions' mouths, and evidently tamed their nature, because there is more than one way a lion can kill a prophet (Daniel 6:19-22)
The Old Testament prophets did not need guns to protect them while spreading the Word of God. The angels as well as the Angel of the Lord (preincarnate Christ) protected them.
4. He believes this is God's Will. I can't say if it is or not. But , in conclusion I would like to offer up these verses of Scripture which are repeated in three out of four Gospels: "But I (Jesus) say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you...And just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way. And if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same....But love your enemies and do good, and lend , expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men." Luke 6:27-28; 31-33; 35.
I know this is a controversial issue and many will not agree with me (they didn't on the discussion board) but I truly believe that this minuscule band of misguided believers are about to make a false statement about Christians around the world.
My plea is with all forms of media. I beg you, please, do not give this issue any more air time. You have heard from everyone from the President, to the NATO leaders, the Secretary of State, and MANY interfaith groups about how cover this even is putting many millions, possibly billions, of innocent people in danger. Are all these possible deaths worthy this man's 15 minutes of fame. I don't think so and I hope you don't either. Shutting down the media coverage is our only way of stopping him. Please, please do not cover this mania on 9/11. I am sure there will be many more interesting stories that day. Cover those instead and ignore him!
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