February is a time when we think about love and part of that is the Lenten emphasis on repentence for not loving enough. As I thought about that I reflected on my experiences with our Muslim neighbours.
I want to share with you some of the experiences I've had in the last several months. At the last General Assembly, Imam Hamid Slimi was invited to speak to the Court and assured us we had much in common including the doctrine of Predestination, which a member of the committee hastened to assure him we weren't sure we believed anymore. The response of the assembly concerning his presence ran from those who were excited to have a Muslim address us, through those curious about what he might say, to at least one minister who resigned from the denomination because he saw this as shared worship with those who worshipped a different God.
Later in the year I was preaching at a church anniversary service and was introduced to a smiling and charming man who attended the service and explained that he was a Muslim missionary working among Canadians.
A few weeks earlier I had seen in the local paper an advertisement inviting people to visit the local Mosque to learn about the Islamic faith and the same week a local Presbyterian church was hosting a seminar led by prominent Muslims explaining their faith to the Christians in attendance. It ended, I'm told, with the group praying together. I also stumbled onto a webpage entitled “How to convert to Islam.” The attempt to persuade others is not one-sided.
The last story is one about a professional Presbyterian, who is an elder in his congregation. He was approached by one of his Muslim clients who proceeded to attempt to proselytize him. His response was that he was a Presbyterian elder in his church and the conversation ended. The elder speaking to me later asked what the Renewal Fellowship or church offices was doing to educate Christians about such meetings with Muslims they encounter.
How do we prepare to meet with our Muslim neighbours?
As Christians we are told to love everyone we meet and that includes Muslims who now outnumber Presbyterians in Canada. It is likely, barring a great revival, that this trend will continue. But whether we are in the majority or minority we need to remember that we need to love our neighbour as ourselves. The golden rule given by Christ is as binding on us now as it was in the past. We need to treat all people with respect remembering that they are all created in the image of Christ – that includes even those some would consider our enemies. As Jesus challenges us we need to even bless those who curse us and pray for those who treat us shamefully. It is only as we are able to do that that we will see the earth renewed and His kingdom come.
But specifically how are we to be with them? Should we ignore them? Should we confront them? Should we try sharing with them? Only the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, can direct you in each situation, but I believe that the best approach is to show them love and acceptance as people and protect their rights to freely express their faith within the laws of the land. This is the same freedom we desire to exercise our faith. The response suggested however, is a long way from affirming their faith as having equal saving value as faith in Christ. To affirm their faith as of equal value in reconciling us with God is patently unchristian. As Living Faith reminds us, we acknowledge that other people may have different faiths and we are to acknowledge the good we see in them. At the same time however, in humility, we need to share the “truth that will set people free.”
Living Faith concludes the discussion well saying “We witness to God in Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life and invite others to accept from him the forgiveness of God. We are compelled to share this good news.” [Emphasis mine.]
In this season of love let us love our neigbours enough to learn about their faith and customs and let us learn how our faith can be shared with them in a way that brings them God's saving grace in a new and full way.
