Islamic views of “Christianity”

Robby Butler tells the story of a Kuwaiti Muslim who was asked what he knew about Christians and Christianity.  He replied that a Christian is someone who promotes immorality, pornography, and sexually oriented television programs like Sex in the City, Desperate Housewives, and so on.  Butler goes on to comment that “for a Muslim to say that he has become a Christian is to communicate that he has launched into a secret life of immorality.”  In short, Butler argues that becoming a Christian is perceived by Muslims to be entering a prayerless, apostate community.  Yet, despite these perceptions, Muslims generally hold positive views of Jesus Christ.  The Quran teaches that Christ had a miraculous birth, was a miracle worker, and was a prophet without sin.

A couple thoughts on this.  First, this shows very clearly why we need to get away from calling America a “Christian Nation.”  While sincere Kingdom people may struggle with any of the above mentioned issues, it isn’t who we are, and by Christ’s power we can overcome them.  However, whenever an entire nation is branded “Christian,” then the Kingdom of the world gets equated with what we’re about.  This is tragic, since it gives the Muslim nation a sad and inaccurate picture oftentimes of followers of Christ.

Second, even though I believe my first point to be valid (that our nationalism has given Muslims a misinformed opinion of what it I looks like to follow Christ), I have to admit that even among churches seeking to follow Christ today there is a lot of people living “secret lives of immorality.”  Our legalism and love of judging others has forced Christians to hide their sins in a closet, rather than bringing them to the community of faith to be healed, restored, and held accountable.  

Muslims are right to hold our feet to the fire on these I think.  Will we be humble enough to allow those from other faiths point out to us where we don’t live out what we say is important to us?  Will we be honest enough to admit that what most Muslims rejects is a form of following Christ that has be wedded to the American Democratic form of government, not Christ Himself?  Lastly, will we be humble enough to realize that it is often our lives, and not a militant resistance to Christ, that prevents Muslims from following Jesus? 

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Placher on Trinitarian Analogies Part 2

 

In an earlier post i introduced what William C. Placher called the “social” and the “psychological” analogies used to understand the Trinity.  A key consideration for Placher is that we understand that each analogy has inherent limitations, and one reveals the other’s flaws.  This post will examine Placher’s apprehensions regarding these two analogies, and what their proer use entails. 

For example, in the psychological analogy, Placher writes in his article, “there is only one person–no element in God that could pray to another or feel abandoned by another . . .   The social analogy, on the other hand, inevitably risks tritheism . . .”  From this Placher concludes that “the social analogy gives us too much threeness, while the psychological analogy does not give us enough.”

It is clear that Placher is wary of giving a lot of theological significance to either analogy.  Furthermore, the idea that these “theories” can be synthesized isn’t possible either.  For Placher, “traditional trinitarian terminology does not embody some appropriate theory of how the Trinity fits together; rather, the terms were developed to preserve the mystery of a God we cannot understand.”  Thus, the true value of these analogies is found in realizing the value of each and using them as “mutually corrective” of each other.  In a sense, these analogies should be used like guard rails, which when used properly can keep one from flying off an icy road. 

I hope to post my musings on Placher’s article soon.

10,000 Hits!

Today i reached milestone in the blogosphere.  I’ve had over 10,000 visits now.  I have to say that reaching this plateau is more exciting than it should be (and is a sure sign that i should delete this blog now).  Hopefully i can get my semester finished up and get back to doing some blogging that isn’t so “gimmicky.”  Is that a word?  Man, i really need to start writing again!

T.F. Torrance has Passed Away

 

It is with sadness that I mention that on Sunday T.F. Torrance passed away.  He died peacefully.  This is a sad day indeed.  However, as his brother David pointed out, it is fitting that he left this world to be with his Lord on Resurrection Day, the 1st Sunday of Advent.  For a summary of Torrance’s life and work, click here.