2 Corinthians 6:14 - Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
Have you heard of the document "A Common Word Between Us and You"? How about the document "A Christian Response to 'A Common Word Between Us and You'"? Are you familiar with the teachings of Miroslav Volf? The Yale Center for Faith and Culture? Rick Warren? Wait, of course you're familiar with Rick Warren, right? You've participated in 4o Days of Purpose, read A Purpose Driven Life, caught an appearance on television somewhere, watched Barack Obama's Inaugural Prayer, etc. Rick Warren is possibly the single most prolific, recognizable figure in Christendom today. What does Rick Warren have to do with these aforementioned documents? Not sure? How about Bill Hybels? Fuller Theological Seminary? The list is quite extensive. Is your pastor aligned ideologically and theologically with these church leaders and, if so, to what extent? Are their works frequently quoted from the pulpit or incorporated into small group bible studies? Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
If you are a believer, it is incumbent upon you to educate yourself, so that you will be firmly grounded in scripture and not prone to the seduction of error, whether subtle or otherwise. In fact, the only difference between subtle error and blatant apostasy is the degree to which you are able to discern, by the knowledge of the Word, for the former leads inexorably to the latter.
2 Timothy 2:15 - Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
and
Hebrews 5:13 - 14 - For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Let me preface this with a doctrinal assertion: Christians and Muslims do not worship the same God. Islam rejects the trinity and rejects the deity of Jesus Christ, relegating Him to the status of a prophet, therefore 1 John 2:21- 26 tells us :
- I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us--eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.
"In October 2007, a group of 138 Muslim scholars, clerics and intellectuals sent an open letter, entitled A Common Word Between Us and You, that was addressed to the leaders of all the world's churches." - (from The Truth About 'A Common Word') The letter can be found in its entirety here. If you are a scripturally-grounded believer then you should be familiar with this document, but be mindful of the fact that what it purports is demonically-inspired, intrinsically evil, and warned against throughout scripture. You will be playing with spiritual dynamite by engaging this material if you are not equipped with the full armor of God.
In 2009 a panel of apostate wolves (for that is what they are) operating behind the institution of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture produced a document entitled A Christian Response to 'A Common Word Between Us and You', which can be found in its entirety here. The signatories to this document include Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Fuller Theological Seminary and many of its affiliates. The fact that these men and their associated ministries not only retain credibility within the evangelical community but continue to thrive is a testament to the condition of the professing church today, diseased with terminal apostasy.
An excellent refutation of this interfaith exchange, this call for syncretism, can be found here entitled The Truth About 'A Common Word', by Sam Solomon and Al-Maqdis. Their website contains a wealth of information and is an invaluable resource.
My friend, I implore you to set aside the works of men and pick up your bible. Dust it off if necessary, repenting at its forlorn state. Hide the Word in your heart. Equip yourself, for the number of churches still boldly proclaiming the uncompromised truth is shrinking, dwarfed by the proliferation of self-seeking CEOs and celebrities in love with the world and its glamours, seeking how they might mitigate the gospel in order to render it more marketable, more attractive, to further expand their coffers, travelling land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, they make him twice as much a son of hell as themselves.
The unprecedented and global scope of this abandonment of orthodoxy is a bittersweet reminder that our Lord's return is near, as He said in Matthew 24:11 - Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And the apostle Paul tells us in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 - Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first. So let us be all the more resolute to speak truth in the face of error, preach the good news to those who are perishing, all the while looking up for our redemption draws nigh. Maranatha, come Lord Jesus!
I see. Striving for peace is inspired by the Devil. Thank you for explaining that to us!
Posted by: Aaaaaargh | 11/23/2011 at 09:40 PM