The craziness continues as more rioters are shot in Afghanistan and politicians aggressively throw in their opinions about free speech. Iran's best-selling newspaper launches a competition to find the best cartoon about the Holocaust and a bewildered Western world looks on.
Yesterday afternoon, I was working out at the gym and watching some of the coverage on the TV screens. Pundits were speculating about the people who were actually causing the most violence, stating that most of them were fundamentalists and hooligans who were easily stirred up by this Muslim cleric from Denmark that toured the muslim world with the cartoons. As France, Italy, and other European nations print the offensive cartoons in a show of solidarity with Denmark, newspapers in major American cities weigh their options, many choosing not to print the actual cartoons themselves.
Of course, we as Christ-followers have something to say, though we may not all agree. (You can read a smattering of blog reactions HERE.) John Piper has also sent out a thoughtful, rather theological and even apologetic response. However, I'm not sure how necessary it is to use this as an opportunity to say, "See - this proves Christianity right!" I think the growing tension in the world between the West and Islam (and ostensibly between "Islam and Christianity") is providing a huge opportunity for followers of Jesus to overcome with Christ-like love, NOT theological debate and "us vs. them" rhetoric.
I guess, personally, that's my biggest fear. That those who genuinely love Jesus will react aggressively to this tension in military terms, even taking on a nationalistic (i.e., American Christendom) tone. I'd really appreciate someone like John Piper thinking through and sharing some ideas about a Christian missional response. We know the difference between biblical Christianity and Islam. We know that Jesus is better than Muhammad and all that. Now how do we love, respect, and come to a better understanding of Muslim people and be faithful in demonstrating the Kingdom of God to them?
It's interesting that this whole thing started, and has continued, with the U.S. on the sidelines (though not totally disconnected). It's really a profound illustration of the rising tension in Europe between Muslim immigrants who go to European countries embracing their cultural and religious values and European societies who have been forced to decide how to accommodate them. It's a tension that the Body of Christ in Europe has an appropriate answer for, despite it's relatively quiet and waning influence.
Pray for the Body of Christ in Europe. Which reminds me. A few months ago, I started working through a European prayer schedule covering every European country in a year, which gives about 5-7 days to each country. Anybody interested in participating by adding their own prayers in the comments section? (I'll probably do it anyway.)
Categories: Europe, pray
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