Sunday, February 22, 2015

What is happening with ISIS, Islam, and the war in the Middle East. . .

Having listened to President Obama walk on egg shells to avoid admitting that there is any religious dimension to ISIS, ISIL, and the violence in the Middle East and Europe. . .  Having listened to pundits explain that religious terrorists are hijacking a noble and ancient faith. . .  Having listened to conservative talking heads bash Obama without adding much more than heat and certainly little light to the situation. . . I read what has to be one of the most powerful, profound, and professional assessments of ISIS and what this groups wants.

It was published in The Atlantic and you can read it online here. . .

Far from being the rag tag band of misfits that we usually encounter, this enemy is no mere collection of psychopaths. It is a religious group with carefully considered beliefs, among them that it is a key agent of the coming apocalypse. That ought to be enough to perk your interest. . .

The Islamic State is committed to purifying the world by killing vast numbers of people. . . The caliphate is not just a political entity but also a vehicle for salvation.. . . The Islamic State differs from nearly every other current jihadist movement in believing that it is written into God’s script as a central character. . .

Below are two videos from Lutheran Hour Ministries on the Quran and Islam:

Challenge of Islam (Promo) from Lutheran Hour Ministries on Vimeo.


Challenge of Islam (Pt2): Defending the Christian Faith - Promo from Lutheran Hour Ministries on Vimeo.






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2 comments:

  1. Janis WilliamsFebruary 23, 2015 at 8:54 AM

    No, ISIS is no rag-tag bunch of unorganized thugs. It is a part of Islam (which is a religion in which church and state are one). We might think otherwise with Jordan and Egypt's opposition, but I believe we would be mistaken. ISIS is supported by very wealthy people, and by very educated people. They recruit by the thousands men and women in countries across the world, including our own.

    Should this be a cause of fear for Christians? Do not fear those who are able to kill the body, but fear (love, and trust) Him who can destroy both body and soul in hell.

    I fear there are too many Christians who would say, "God damn you for your beliefs." We don't know enough or are too afraid to engage. The American Evangelical Industrial Complex has mostly lost the Gospel that can answer with Truth ISIS. The Copts and Christian children in the Middle East have more courage and faith to stand up to a false religfion at the cost of their lives. The Gospel is the answer we must give to this growing wave. It is the ONLY answer. May God in Christ grant by the Holy Spirit that WE repent and believe.

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  2. Janis WilliamsFebruary 23, 2015 at 9:37 AM

    I am guilty of the above failure. I have Muslim neighbors I don't speak to other than a wave as I drive by. I need to hear the Gospel EVERY Sunday.. I need the Absolution, Body and Blood of Christ for the forgiveness of my sins.

    I need the reminder that the Gospel (as Chris Rosebrough says) is not something in our rearview mirror. There are plenty of Muslims much more moral than me. Sha'ria law basically holds to the 10 Commandments (the Law is written on man's heart). The keeping of the Sha'ria in Islam makes for moral people (it's the enforcing of the law that is such a problem) by-and-large. I realize there are serious issues with the treatment of women, toleration of other faiths, etc. The Qu'ran and Hadith are contradictory at times. Nevertheless, the Gospel is the answer.

    I am not an apologist; I do not know Islam's sacred texts well enough to quote them. I do know enough to tell my neighbors that Christ kept the Law FOR them, there is forgiveness of sins and certainty of eternal life (without 'martyrdom'). I know enough that as Christ's own child I do not hate those who are not believers. I know the Truth, and should only want to tell it to those who do not.

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