Koran burning on 9-11?

What should Christians think about a church organizing a good ole Koran burning to mark the 9-11 date?

For one thing, it had better not conflict with the OU – FSU game. Getting excited over hating everyone in a certain faith group is one thing; but scheduling it on the same day as such a marquee game early in the college football season is quite another.

Seriously, what should we think?

In the Book of Common Worship for Presbyterians and Cumberland Presbyterians is a prayer for Muslims.

OK, we are called to love our enemies, so I guess it’s OK to pray for them. What does the prayer say?

Eternal God,

You are the one God to be worshiped by all, the one called Allah by your Muslim children, descendants of Abraham as we are.

Give us grace to hear your truth in the teachings of Mohammed, the prophet, and to show your love as disciples of Jesus Christ, that Christians and Muslims together may serve you in faith and friendship.

Amen.

That doesn’t sound so much like praying for enemies as it does praying for brothers and sisters?

That’s right. These people who read and follow the teachings of the Koran are descendents of Abraham. They worship the same God that we worship. They do not know Christ as Lord and Savior, but they worship the same God we worship.

I don’t see anyone calling for the burning of the Torah or the Talmud even though the Jews do not profess Jesus as Lord.

Christians, Jews, and Muslims are all from the seed of Abraham. Through Abraham, the peoples of the entire world were to be blessed. For Christians, our acts of love, mercy, and service are accompanied by the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are told that one day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!

We are commission to spread this good news locally and throughout the world.

Does burning Korans really move us closer to that day?

When Paul preached the good news in the land of the pagans, he didn’t go around smashing images of pagan gods and idols. He permitted the Holy Spirit to call the people in the areas where he preached and served.  The people responded to the Spirit.

Yes, he had some confrontations, but as far as any book burning goes, those who had received the good news and believed were left to burn or cast aside whatever was a stumbling block in their own lives.

This Saturday, I’m watching the OU-FSU game. If a church in Florida thinks it needs to burn Korans to fulfill its mission, get attention, or fill pews the next day because a handful of Muslims attacked the United States in 2001; then that’s what they must do.

Most Muslims are not set upon the destruction of this country or Christianity. A handful of extremists did a bunch of damage not quite a decade ago. It was a very painful experience for our nation. Many families suffered great loss.

I wonder what a number of Christian extremists will achieve pursuing their present course.
If we truly want to set ourselves apart as a Christian nation, then we need to follow the commands of our Lord: Love One Another!

Something on the lighter side of this issue...