Monday, February 9, 2015

The Christian Conundrum

In an interview with Der Spiegel of Germany, Egyptian President Sisi said the following:

... these extremists not only insult Islam, they also offend the image of God, the all-mighty. Their false beliefs lead many people to ask themselves: What kind of a religion is this Islam?

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/islamic-state-egyptian-president-sisi-calls-for-help-in-is-fight-a-1017434.html

Apparently he was talking about violent Muslim extremists, such as the jihadis of ISIS.

However, extremism per se is an essential part of Christianity. Jesus Himself said the following:

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:17-20 KJV

And by "the law", he meant the Torah and the Old Testament laws, which many Christians of today disregard or violate constantly.

This leads to a conundrum for Christians: Jesus commanded us be to "extremists" in our thirst for righteousness, but our worldly government is saying that "extremism" of any kind is unacceptable. This situation should lead us to understand the meaning of another Biblical passage as well:

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Matthew 24:9-10 KJV

It would have been inconceivable to the America of 100 years ago that the US would be in the forefront of the persecution of religious extremists, but how times have changed. It's Muslims today, and it will be Christians tomorrow.

And I don't mean the sort of "Christians" who listen to Joel Osteen. I mean the Christians who do what Jesus said to do.

No comments:

Post a Comment