I imagine this could be a fun topic to run with for a long time and that I could write a nice piece on it that would justify a certain church’s actions in regard to the Qu’ran. I’m not going to mention the church nor link to their website or their blog. Instead, here’s a link to the story at foxnews.com where we learn that even General Patraeus is warning of the potential danger of burning the Qu’ran.
“Images of the burning of a Koran would undoubtedly be used by extremists in Afghanistan — and around the world — to inflame public opinion and incite violence ,” Gen. David Petraeus said. “Were the actual burning to take place, the safety of our soldiers and civilians would be put in jeopardy and accomplishment of the mission would be made more difficult.”
In the interest of developing a good practical interpretation of Acts 19:17-20, one that all of us can benefit from, I ask you the following questions: Is this particular church right on or suicidal? Is this what God demands of us as citizens in this world? Is this at all helpful in the cause of evangelism?
The foxnews.com story also quoted from the church’s blog:
“We are using this act to warn about the teaching and ideology of Islam, which we do hate as it is hateful. We do not hate any people, however. We love, as God loves, all the people in the world and we want them to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
Is this how we help ‘the Word of the Lord’ increase and prevail? Is this how we demonstrate our love for ‘all people’? What are your thoughts on this very sensitive, hot issue?
![Image of The Prodigal God (An Unabridged Production)[2-CD Set]; Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31Jl6fhDLxL._SL75_.jpg "The Prodigal God (An Unabridged Production)[2-CD Set]; Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith")
43 Comments(+Add)
I think that Muslims ought to have a right to build a mosque wherever they want to in the US.
I think Christians ought to have the right to burn the Koran or any other book they feel like burning.
Allah is a false God, Mohammad is a false prophet, the God of the Bible is victorious in the end.
If this church wants to evangelize the Muslims, this is the wrong way to go about it, however.
I’ve read the Koran and I admit I’m no expert on Islam. Having said that, knowing full well how Muslims hold the Koran, not just the words in it but the book itself, as holy be it feigned or a real view, this church isn’t offering a good witness to the Muslims. Even more so when we look to history and see what ideologies seemed to go hand in hand with book burnings.
By taking these actions this church, in my opinion, is not interested in evangelizing Muslims. Why stop with burning the Koran, why not just burn down a mosque, that’ll show ‘em the love of Christ!
Gen. Petraeus is right!
I don’t have a problem with burning books of false religions… if they’re materials of individuals who have become Christians who are completely giving up their old way of living for their new. I’ve seen individuals destroy all of their CD’s that they felt convicted about listening too.
But that is not what is going on here. I wonder if they are paying for these Koran’s. That would be ironic.
I burnt all my old Carman albums because I felt convicted about listening to such crap… OK, that’s not true, but I did throw them away.
There’s actually a few secular albums that I got rid of that I ended up buying again.
The significant point is how a church of less then 50 people, can become such a world wide news item..
What’s the motive by the news agencies : information or anti Christian propaganda ? Would this even make the news if it was a Buddhist retreat of 50- doing it??
CNN top news sheesh
#5 That was rolling around in the back of my head too, Andy.
I’m amazed at the amount of press the Westboro gang has gotten too.
Things that are permissible are not always profitable. I think this is ill-advised and does not show the love of Christ to a lost world.
To Christian P’s point it would be one thing for a converted Muslim to burn the Koran, but it is an entirely different thing in this case. Also to intentionally and knowningly inflame passions is wrong in my opinion.
I would say that I might fight for, or even die for the my right to point out the errors of the Koran and the Muslim religion in both word or print. But even in this case I would say that lampooing Islam (as in the case of drawing Mohammed) is in poor taste, and again unnecessarily inflammatory.
I cannot see what good buring the Koran or the Book of Mormon or any other false religious text does in advancing the Kingdom of God.
I used to love Carmen. I went to two of his concerts. Then in his later work it seems his music evolved into almost a lampooning of the Christian faith, (especially his Elvis period) like if Comedy Central made an album of Christian music that would be what it sounded like.
Then his Word Faith theology got old also, but I did enjoy his earlier work.
I am however setting up a bonfire for the Purpose Driven Life books and associated paraphernalia this coming Saturday. All are invited!
Point of order:
Carmen = French opera by Georges Bizet
Carman = Cheesy Christian singer known for hitting Satan with boxing gloves.
Carry on.
I saw Carman in concert once. He also did a really cool song with Petra called ‘It’s our Turn now’ and I’m still a big fan of the song, ‘The Champion.’
But, to your point Phil, Carman is probably not in the best interest of those truly interested in quality music.
(I just rebought Pearl Jam’s ‘Ten’ for the third time and Van Halen’s ou812.)
Phil,
I think you’re being a little rough on Carman…after all, he did also write a really cool song about Satan biting the dust. That has to count for something.
jerry
All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful.
Don’t burn books… burn bushes instead!
i agree with rick… it’s not helpful.
i’ll go even further, i think it plays into the hands of the evil one. it is a stunt. it is stupid. but like so many other tings we talk about here – it will make them feel better about themselves.
# 14 “tings” ? As in “I tought I thaw a puddy cat?”
This just in: Angelina Jolie opposes the book burning.
http://thinkinginpublic.blogspot.com/2010/09/on-burning-sacred-texts.html
#18 – I agree with a lot of the sentiments of the editorial, but this comment:
boarders on the ludicrous.
Again, I don’t believe the burning of sacred texts by outsiders to said releigion accomplishes anything but more anger and distrust between the parties.
God sacrificed His own Son, anything else (like burning His own book) is superfluous.
I noted the pastor in question sports a pistol. Any assination attempts should prove interesting except one can’t really defend against a suicide bomber.
#19 – I know the author of that blog. I’m pretty sure he’s not actually saying he would do that or suggest others to do it, but that it reflects God’s heart (i.e., He sacrificed His own Son for His “enemies”).
I do find the timing interesting in exposing the consistency (or lack thereof) in the worldview responses between this and the Ground Zero Mosque:
GZM:
Progressive Response: They have the right to build it, and anyone who opposes it is an Islamophobic bigot!
Classic Liberal Response: They have the right to build it, but it would be better if they voluntarily chose another location.
Q’uran Book Burning:
Progressive Response: What Islamophobic bigots!
Classic Liberal Response: They have the right to burn it, but it would be better if they voluntarily chose a different action.
________________________
One could just note, though, that the City Clerk of Ephesus (Acts 19:37) testified that neither Paul nor his followers blasphemed Artemis (the patron god of Ephesus), and that the riot that broke out against them was because of their effectiveness in converting the populace to Christ, which cut into the profits of the idol sellers. To the earlier point, it would be a far more effective witness if the Q’uran’s being burned were those of Christians rescued from Islam (a demonstration of strength in Christ) rather than by Christians in protest of Islam (a demonstration of weakness/impotence).
Nationalistic Parallel (just to tick off Rick F): You don’t see Americans burning the flags of other countries who oppose them, because – in general – the Americans aren’t afraid of them, and see such demonstrations as pointless, lending too much fear/legitimacy to impotent foes. You do see, however, all sorts of wingnuts and enemies of America burning the American flag – exactly because they are impotent and fearful of it, and need some sort of symbolic “victory” to assuage their impotent, tortured psyches.
It does not matter what “progressives” or “classic liberals” say or do. What should followers of Jesus do. Grandstanding and sensationalism is usually just that.
I am going to burn a few ribs today and eat them as well.
I am going to burn “The Cat in the Hat” to protest humanism.
In my quest to love people I have refrained from mentioning the Notre Dame game last Saturday.
#9 We are burning Purpose Driven Life books- that is we are using them to warm ourselves on Oct 1 and 2 in front of the Minneapolis Convention Center. If you have been saved out of purpose/seeker sensitive/ religion, donate your books and we will add them to the flame.
Oooh, I’ll be there PB! Can I burn MacArthur and Piper books too?!?!?!
cuz I’m sure glad I’ve been saved out of that stinking pious religiosity too!
On a more serious note, I don’t think people should have the right to burn books ever.
It’s better to make people address their disagreements with rational arguments. That kind of “rationalism” is at the core of classic liberal social-political theory.
As the famous saying goes…(paraphrasing here):
Burning books too often leads to burning people.
oh, yeah…
and Carman sucks.
I burned the Andorran flag back in ‘78. Damn those Lilliputian want-a-bees!
Burning books is a barbaric and self gratifying act of sensationalism and violence. It usually indicates a lack of spirituality as well as a lack of intellect in general.
Americans generally do not burn flags of other countries. They are much more creative and economic in their approach.
Boycotting French wine and renaming french fries comes to mind.
freedom fries!!!!
The Purpose Driven Life and Purpose Driven Church would better serve as lining for bird cages. However, due to the nature of weather in Minnesota in the fall, I thought burning them would be better to keep us warm.
I actually think if I were a writer, I’d take people wanting to burn my books as a compliment. First of all, in order to burn them, people have to buy them first. Second, the worst thing that can happen to a book is for it to be ignored.
#29–you’re on thin ice buddy…thin ice…
#34, I agree, because there is nothing worse in the world than a person knowing why they were made to begin with.
Damn purpose! Hail Anarchy! Hail Sloth! Hail Meaninglessness!
Three cheers for lethargy!
ah, Jerry. I love you, man…but I just can’t love CarMAN.
Quote of the day:
Three Cheers for Lethargy!!!
What shame, Pastorboy started out so well in this thread…….I should have guessed…….
This one is just too good!!
Phelps-Roper annoyed by Fla. church’s Quran plans HERE
they want bees?
pastorboy, as i have said many many times – i am no fan of warren. but given the two choices, i would take his purpose over yours any day.