Should a Christian burn a Koran?
Discussion question for September 17, 2010.
A lot of opinions and emotions have been expressed since Pastor Terry Jones initiated the International Burn a Koran Day. How does this action fit with your idea of the role of Pastor? Irrespective of what Rev. Jones or his detractors say, is there a purpose for this kind of action that is consistent with your spiritual values? What does it say about religious intolerance, freedoms, and / or peace?
Here’s my summary of our discussion.
As Christians, especially in the role of Pastor, we are called to reach out to people, all people. Intentionally taking action that offends that person will kill any hope of dialog. The mere threat of burning the Koran was enough to cut off positive communication between Rev. Jones and adherents of the Islamic faith.
However, the intended audience may not have been Muslims. It might have been docile or passive Christians that have been unwilling to take a stand based on their convictions. There has been war between Muslims and Christians for over 1,400 years, and the roots of the bitterness may go back to the time of Abraham. The message to Christians could have been that it is time to speak out according to your convictions.
In the particular case that sparked the question, the answers are complicated by extenuating circumstances. A person could get lost in questions such as: Is it legal to burn the Koran in America? Is it politically pragmatic to do so? Is it economically or socially warranted? But our question focus needs to be on the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Paul’s experience in Ephesus (Acts 19) records a great burning of books on magic and divination. The difference is that the books were being burned as a response to a supernatural event. God overcame the spirits of demons and authorities in that area. The citizens were convicted in their spirit and repented to the Truth. As a result they burned their books, demonstrating the destruction of their former bondage.
As Christians, and especially in the role of pastor, we must be involved with God’s plan. Rev. Jones initially stated that he was obeying what God told him to do. When challenged by the media, government officials, high ranking military officers, and Islamic religious leaders, Rev. Jones seemed to shift his conviction from spiritual obedience to political statement. Nevertheless, the blatant hypocrisy of the loudest world view was apparent to anyone with eyes to see it. From the president of the United States to the imam in New York, the cries of religious intolerance were ironically religiously intolerant.
The Truth of God needs to be demonstrated and Christians must stand on their convictions. To do so, we must hear the instruction of God and then obey in faith. The battle will be won in the physical and spiritual realms through God’s supernatural means. There is nothing supernatural about burning a book (or a flag). When God makes a point it is with regeneration and resurrection power.
Like the Apostle Paul in Ephesus, we participate with God’s supernatural outpouring as witnesses, not instigators. Then the message comes through loud and clear, causing division not peace (Luke 12:51). The goal is NOT to live peacefully with the unrighteous, but to bring about the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 24:7-14). “… And then the end will come.”