See here for news article: http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_16026/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=WDo8QTdD
As a Spirit-filled Christian, I have a difficult time reading this news article and reconciling the passion this pastor must feel that he is doing the right thing with my own conviction that Muslims and Christians both need to encounter the Creator and know His perspective on humanity. We need to know God’s love and see Muslims and Christians from His perspective.
I also read Scriptures such as 1 Peter 3:15-16 and wonder why Christians aren’t applying this to how we treat our Muslim neighbors. I think fear has indeed replaced love as the overriding force that governs our interactions. Fear has prevented us from realizing His great love for us and His great love for “the other.”
We all, Muslims and Christians, need to encounter the one true God and know experientially the great, fierce, passionate love He has for us and the true destiny He has designed for us if we will surrender ourselves to Him completely.
I leave you with my own theme Scripture for how I ought to interact with my Muslim neighbors.
1 Peter 3:15 But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.
1 Peter 3:16 Yet do it with courtesy and respect, keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you.
I agree with you, Chris. This pastor and those who follow him are dangerously misguided.This is appalling and surely NOT in the Spirit of Jesus. Burning Korans is sinking to the same level as Muslims who riot and burn when Mohammed is caricaturized in cartoons (Denmark). To burn a Koran is a huge offense and will surely cause the Muslim community to lash out in a deadly way around the world. People will die, violence will erupt. It puts our soldiers in Afghanistan at risk. The Christians who are doing this are ignoramuses of the first degree. What is most sad is that Al Jazeera will run video tape of this, and the whole Muslim world will find justification for believing this is how all Christian think about Islam and Muslims. They wil think this pastor speaks for us all. He does NOT. Surely a cause for much prayer during these day… Bill Bjoraker