Tags
"life lessons", American Conservative, American Interests, compromise, Conservative opinion, cooperation, Good Samaritan, humanitarian, International Red Cross, Islamic Sharia Law, Salvation Army, Sojourners, spiritual, World Evangelical Alliance
Christian Groups Call for Cooperation
But when does it become compromise?
“As part of the nation’s observance of the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America, a meeting of evangelical leaders from was convened on September 9, 2011 to discuss a call for unity between different religious groups “to bring about lasting change.”
“The primary sponsors were Sojourners and the World Evangelical Alliance. Speakers such as Pastor Steve Stone of Tennessee, Rev. Floyd Flake of New York City, and Sojouners CEO Jim Wallis issued calls for “working closely with the Muslim community to feed and clothe the poor,” learning to “live together in peace” and “protecting and respecting those who share national origins, ethnicity or religion with those who attacked us.”
“Many such statements made at the conference were of a similarly benign nature. Some speakers, however, were a little more provocative.
“Consider this statement by World Evangelical Alliance’s Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe: “I could point to hundreds of examples around the world where Christians are reaching out to those of a different faith in caring for the poor, no matter what their faith or lack of faith may be. We have to create a new way together, the old way should not be there.”
“It is difficult to imagine what “old way” Dr. Tunnicliffe is talking about. The implication that Christians have never given generously to the needs of non-Christians not only defies the history of Christian missions for the last 200 years, but also the amazing humanitarian work of the Salvation Army, which is done in the name of Jesus without regard to race or creed. Even the International Red Cross, founded by Swiss Calvinist Jean Henri Dunant, formed a cooperative humanitarian league with the Red Crescent of Turkey as far back as 1919…”
Dr. Askew continues in the article …
Cooperation vs. Compromise
“Leviticus 19:34 has been quoted in the immigration debates recently because Israelites are exhorted to love the aliens among them “as yourself.” Jesus expanded this idea in the parable of the Good Samaritan. When asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Christ made it clear that charity should extend across ethnic and religious boundaries by casting a despised Samaritan in the role of the “good neighbor.” It should be unambiguous that Jesus expects you to be a good neighbor, both at home and internationally, and regardless of the race or religion of the persons in need.
“On the other hand, the Israelites were commanded to require the visitors among them to obey Jewish law. “For the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you…you and the sojourner shall be alike before the Lord. One law and one rule shall be for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you.” (Numbers 15:15-16). In the case of Israel, this clearly placed God’s law above whatever law the stranger may have brought with him. This is important to remember in the United States, as England is now allowing the establishment of jurisdictions within their national boundaries where British law is superseded by Islamic Sharia law.
“Some Christians are confused by seemingly contradictory passages in the New Testament. Christians are to “render unto Caesar” (Matthew 22:21) and “honor the king” (I Peter 2:17, NASB). Although Paul exhorts in Romans 13:1 that “there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God,” Peter and the apostles with him proclaimed in Acts 5:29, “We must obey God rather than men.” PLEASE READ MORE
