Seminar offers view of Islam

By Steve DeVane

BR Managing Editor

EMPORIA, Va. - About 75 people, including several N.C. Baptists, spent the third anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks learning about the religion associated with the attackers.

A conference on a "Christian Perspective on Islam" at Main Street Baptist Church in Emporia took on added meaning when four members of the local mosque, including the leader, attended.

The seminar was led by George Braswell, professor of missions and world religions at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, and Charles Beckett, director of the Center for Christian Understanding of Islam in Richmond, Va.

Muhammad Jara, the imam at the mosque in Emporia, spoke during a time of discussion toward the close of the conference. He asked those attending not to equate all Muslims with Osama Bin Laden.

"A Muslim would never kill a human being," he said. "That is as if you killed all mankind."

He said Muslims and Christians should co-exist and work together.

"We pray that one day we'll come to the understanding that we need to work together," he said.

The Muslim leader also had a theological question.

"Our question is, when Jesus was buried, who was taking care of the world?" he said.

Braswell said he appreciated the imam's comments about working together, but said it's clear that Christians and Muslims come from different places theologically.

"You've got non-negotiables and we've got non-negotiables," he said.

Braswell said earlier in the conference that those types of discussions should not keep Christians from getting to know Muslims. He said he has heard harsh words and kind words in his talks with followers of Islam.

"It's not an easy subject, but it's a necessary one," he said.

Beckett talked about how churches might respond to Muslims. He said some churches tend to say, "It's just a 'war on terror' and that is our government's mission."

Other churches exhibit apathy, indifference, denial, bewilderment or inactivity, Beckett said.

Still others tend to say, "The post 9/11 environment offers little hope for change," he said.

"All of these are troubling," Beckett said.

Instead, Beckett offered several ideas for churches to use in their response.

Churches should cherish the truth and finality of the gospel, preach a strong Christology and recognize the spiritual condition of Muslims, he said.

Beckett also provided a list of how passages in the New Testament can address Islamic teachings. He suggested that churches also try to identify how many Muslims are in their communities.

Beckett said church members should be aware that fellow church members and family members could become attracted to Muslims romantically. Recent high school graduates are likely to meet Muslims in their workplaces and on college campuses, he said.

Beckett said Christians should let Muslims know that God offers grace, immediate forgiveness, true peace, certain mercy and freedom from guilt and the fear of standing before Him at judgment. Christians should also point out the spiritual dimension of heaven.

The Islamic view of paradise promises rewards for successful Muslims, but Allah is not there because he is too great. Christians believe those in heaven are in the presence of God.

Braswell said Islam is a system that integrates religion, culture, government and politics.

"I believe our gospel presents to the world a person - Jesus Christ," he said. "That makes all the difference. We're not out there to give them a system, but a relationship with Jesus Christ."

Braswell said the Christian outreach to Muslims has been less than that to other peoples. The 1.3 billion Muslims represent about 21 percent of the world's population but receive only about 3 percent of mission resources, he said.

"In hindsight, we need a lot of relationships with Muslims," he said. "We have a lot of differences but that doesn't mean we don't have the capability to understand each other."

As the imam left, Braswell told him he hoped to talk with him in the future.

David E. Roberts, pastor of Main Street, echoed that comment.

"I hope this won't be the end of our dialogue," he said. "We hope it's the beginning."