"Throughout our history, Islam has contributed to the character of our country, and Muslim Americans and their good works have helped to build our nation...every day Muslim Americans are helping to shape the way that we think..."
Are those comments accurate? Does criticism of the remarks demean Muslims? Let's reason together.
1. IF YOU DISAGREE WITH THE REMARKS, DOES THAT MARGINALIZE MUSLIMS OR IMPLY GOD DOES NOT LOVE MUSLIMS?
Of course not! God loves every face that He made. He is the Author of love and impartiality, and He proved as much @Golgotha when His death was offered for the men shouting hateful insults at Him...for men like the thief who were "late to the game"...and for men who had responded to His message and loved Him back. Jesus' death was once for all who will sign onto His generous offer.
Jesus says "to as many as receive Him, to THEM He gives the right to be called children of God". And so you might say that this life is a sorting ground to see which ones want to go into forever with Him. Men cannot accurately read other men's hearts, but we CAN fully trust God's justice to sort 'em out. Our responsibility is just to throw out the lifeline. (Note: It is encouraging to read that in the last decade, Muslims have been coming to know Christ in record numbers.)
2. THEN WHY DO THE COMMENTS RUFFLE FEATHERS?
The words distort history. The President said historically Muslims have contributed to the character of our country. But we know America's character to be built on a different foundation. It was not Muslim names on the Declaration of Independence...nor Muslims who founded places to care for the sick or schools to enlighten. Instead, Judeo-Christian tradition was what shaped the way that we think and became the basis of our legal system. Our law is based on the Ten Commandments of the Bible, not Muslim law or the Koran.
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| Harvard's motto: "Veritas" (truth) |
It is an insult to God's honor to give His credit to another. America's structure (both government and private sector places of service such as hospitals and universities) were begun by Christians because their faith views others as image bearers and therefore valuable.
Inscriptions on D.C. government buildings bear testimony to our beginnings. And education? Public schools were born because it was considered critical that man be able to read so they could read the Bible. Higher education like HARVARD and YALE and PRINCETON were all founded by Christians because they needed seminaries to equip men for the ministry.
God says He will share His glory with none other. Shall we give applause to Whom applause is due?
3. BUT DON"T ALL PATHS LEAD TO GOD?
Our pluralistic society thinks so and political correctness says so. Trouble is, God Himself spent the whole of Scripture to say that following Him was the "narrow way". That sounds pretty exclusionary. God repeated over and over that in this world of faux gods, He alone is El Elyon, the Most High God. Claiming first place is another dividing line.
What makes this issue such a head-scratcher is that inclusivism sounds so righteous. On the third grade playground we learned to include everyone and that was a good thing. But in religious matters, pushing many gods into the blender denies the uniqueness of God's Son. Did Allah have a son whose death bought our redemption? If a philosophy insists that everyone is right...then truth takes a hike because they can't ALL be right at the same time.
Inclusivity can become an idol when God's Word isn't consulted. It is far from the humble position it would seem to be. When we embrace a position that God has not embraced, haven't we set ourselves over God?
God does not show partiality, but He does divide. He spoke in Luke 12:53 about how loving Him could result in the division of the family unit. He said in John 17:16 that believers aren't of the world any more than He was of the world. Then at the end of time, a final division is coming. The Lake of Fire is reserved for those who stubbornly insist on their own way rather than His way. That fire will not be because HE couldn't/wouldn't save, but because THEY have that awesome thing called "choice". What have you done with these words?
Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me." John 14:6
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