Civil Wisdom and Spiritual Truth
     After the attacks of September 11, there was an immediate surge of people pointing out that we are not at war with Islam, but with terrorism. In a Purpose Perspective letter, Terrorism and Peace on Earth, I too chimed in, making a similar statement. It was probably a wise thing to say. The last thing we needed, then or now, was groups of vigilantes going after Muslims. Though we must never advocate vigilantes, we should not be so naive as to assume that Islam has had no part to play in terrorism. Even though Islam may not be directly responsible for terrorism, who can honestly deny that some of its teachings have, at the very least, provided many terrorists a means of justifying their cause? As Christians, we must not let civil wisdom corrupt spiritual truth. However, since September 11, 2001, it seems there has been an increased sympathy for Islam, to the point that it enjoys greater ease in its propagation. Here is a case and point: 

     A Muslim Youth Camp is proposed to be built on a 106 acre tract of federal land adjacent to Coralville Reservoir in Iowa. If it comes to pass, it will be the first of its kind in America. There are many locals who have concerns and are opposed. “Will this be a place where anti-American and anti-Christian ideas will be poured in to thousands of young minds? Could the seeds of future terrorism be planted right here in our own back yard?” These are legitimate concerns, but gathering opposition has proven to be difficult, especially when it comes to getting any help from the media or political officials. Why? Because anyone who voices opposition might be perceived as being discriminatory or a bigot. Too many are timid and silent.

There Is No Neutrality
     It is a Christian and biblical understanding that God has given the civil government the responsibility and the authority to protects its citizens, no matter what religion they are. But do not believe the ridiculous idea that civil government can or ever will be neutral! God has ordained civil authorities to provide order in society. But the bare naked truth is this: civil government will reflect the beliefs of those who hold its offices of power. It is a naive Christian who does not bring his views to bear in the civil arena and thinks those of other religions will do the same. Those who believe and promote such a view only serve as weights about the ankles of Christianity while other religions march boldly forward unhindered and unchallenged. 

    The misconstrued idea of separation of church and state that is so popular today is an other example of a “ball-and-chain”designed for the ankles of the Christian Church. The First Amendment was never intended to be such. It was intended to liberate the Church from government control so it could freely go about its work of spreading peace on earth and good will toward men. We must realize that we are indeed in a spiritual war against Islam while, at the same time, endeavoring to influence our civil government to provide a safe place where Muslims can hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and find eternal life.

Christianity 101
     It seems that many in the Christian camp need a refresher course in the basics. Christians believe and teach (or at least they should) that Jesus Christ is the one and only path to salvation. Jesus made it clear when He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”(John 14:6). The apostle Peter believed it. He said of Jesus, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). If Jesus, Peter, and countless thousands of other Christians through the centuries are correct, then Islam and every other non-Christian religion is anti-Christ and false. I know that doesn’t fly very well in our politically correct atmosphere of tolerance, but it is the truth nevertheless. We must not be afraid to believe it and say it! Jesus is not just one of many good men or great moral teachers who have lived through history. C. S. Lewis put it this way:

“A man who was merely a man and said the things Jesus said wouldn't be a great moral teacher.  He would either be a lunatic on the level of a man who says he is a poached egg, or else he would be the devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this was and is the Son of God or else a mad man or something worse. You can shut Him up for a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God but don't let us come up with any patronizing nonsense about Him being a great moral teacher – He hasn't left that alternative open.”

     So make your choice. Who’s side are you on? Do you believe Jesus to be whom He claimed? If not, then disown Him as a lunatic. But if you do believe Him, then fall at His feet, call Him Lord and God, and do not be afraid to lend your voice to His cause. The timid and the silent will not win the war!