May 2003
"I am a Muslim. Is it alright if I read the Bible?"
For several years I have been privileged to be a panel member of a
television program, "Ask the Pastor". The program reaches Grand
Rapids,
Kalamazoo, and Battle Creek areas. This is a "live" program with an
appeal
for persons to "call in". We respond to "live" calls as well as
answering
questions that have been called in, or written, from a previous
program.
Last Thursday, April 17th, I was on the program.
Frank (not his real name) made a "live" call. Without hesitation
he
stated that he was a Muslim. He wanted to know, from us, if it would
be
alright if he read the Bible. You can imagine the positive responses
from
the panelists.
I responded that I had been privileged to be in the Middle East
fifteen
times. While this didn't make me an authority, I did have some input
relating to the Middle East. Once one has heard the "call to prayer"
for
Muslims, over the loud speaker from the Mosque, it is easy to recall
the
experience. I let Frank know his call had touched me deeply, within.
Since the dastardly acts of September 11, 2001, I have had a
special
interest in how the Muslim religion is having a telling influence in
the
secular and Christian world. The United States and the rest of the
world
can not ignore a population of 1,200,000,000.
Mother's Day is just around the corner, Sunday, May 11th. Multiple
cards will be mailed and gifts purchased. And there certainly is
nothing
wrong with that happening. To ignore mother on "her day" is probably
classified as a sin.
Mothers (and Fathers) I am appealing to you. The Muslim religion
and
the Christian faith both talk to us about God. The Holy Scriptures
teach us
that there is only "one God". God sent His Son to our world to be born
"of
flesh", live among us, die on the cross, be three days in the tomb, and
rise
again, for our salvation.
The Muslim religion teaches that God's Son, Jesus, was a great
prophet.
Jesus did not come to save us from our sins. If we teach our children
that
all Jesus was was a prophet, a good man whose example we should follow
and
emulate - if that is as far as our belief system takes us, we have
nullified
the purpose of Jesus' coming.
Turn to the Old Testament, and read from Deuteronomy 6:20-25 and
Joshua
4:1-12. It is a Christian parental responsibility to read from our
Bibles
and teach our children, so they can give a reason for "the faith that
lies
within them".
If ever there were a time in America when we should be reading our
Bibles, it is today. Mark my word. The Christian world has been
changed
forever. God gives us wisdom and courage that we have never before had
to
face the future.
Please join me in prayer for Frank. That he will read the Bible.
That
the Holy Spirit will touch his life and make him a new person in
Christ.
your friend and Pastor, John
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