Comments on: Anyone Up for a Trialogue?

By: Klados

Klados — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:56:48 +0000

I think we need more of these kinds of discussions, because without them, we can’t begin to work through theological, cultural, or social issues. For example, this thread about seeking God. I think Andrew speaks truth when he says that only by the God’s leading that we seek Him. But we’re still human and we make mistakes. Just as Christians muddle our way to God, so will Muslims. Or Jews or any other person belonging to any system of belief. Now, as an evangelical, I would hold to what I think is the truth in terms of the mechanism by which a relationship with God is established, but is doesn’t preclude that fact that others are sensitive to God’s prompting to seek Him. In fact, I would suggest that in some cases, Muslims are closer to the some of the truths of God than some evangelicals. I’m interested to try this kind of experiment in my city and with my church, not necessarily to worship at a mosque or a temple, but to learn to understand my neighbors and to show that I love and care about them.

By: Phil

Phil — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:13:11 +0000

Sorry Andrew but I have to disagree about them not seeking God. When Paul went to Mars Hill he saw the alter erected “to an unknown god”, and then used it to proclaim “here’s the God that you’re looking for!” I believe that is what Pastor Bob Roberts is attempting, and what he means by his statement.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:40:25 +0000

I’m going to have to agree with MrsGendy. It is a sad thing that anyone is ever horrified to learn someone is a Christian, but there are two things Roberts said which make me uncomfortable.

First, he said that the muslims in the mosque were seeking God. Paul clearly tells us in Romans 3:11-12 that “no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;” It seems to me that unless men have been called by the Holy Spirit, all such “seeking” is merely another form of rebellion.

He also said he wants to love them without having an agenda. It seems to me that you cannot love someone truly without also desiring that they would be saved. If all he meant was that he can love a person without manipulatively scheming to convert them, then good, I agree by all means. But if by love without agenda he meant being content to see them remain where they are (which many do mean), I will have to disagree.

Activities like this certainly are good ideas, because it is important that our misconceptions, as well as theirs, be corrected. Yet it seems all too common today to forget that our ultimate desire must be for reconciliation with Christ, not ourselves.

By: MrsGendy

MrsGendy — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:15:03 +0000

While I like the idea of organized visits, something just doesn’t sit right with me after reading the various comments, particularly those from the Christian perspective. It seems remarkably naive.

I can’t quite form it into words, perhaps because it’s early in the morning yet, but my initial reaction is frustration, not joy or happiness.