Via VirtueOnline:
By Peter Akinola
April, 2009
That the Christian Church is today facing challenges on many fronts is an understatement. As the world is suffering a time of great economic distress, churches are dividing over the authority of the Bible and the place of the ancient creeds of the Christian Church. We are literally torn apart over issues pertaining to human sexuality, sin and salvation. And as we prepare to celebrate Easter, many among us are confused about the physical resurrection of Jesus the Christ from the grave, and some will hear Easter sermons which will tickle their ears with curious doctrines designed to gain favour in a post modern generation.
Added to these complications and challenges is the global growth and agenda of a resurgent Islam. No longer are the painful experiences of Christians who are suffering at the hands of Islam confined to Africa, Asia and the Middle East, they are increasing and alarmingly occurring in the West.
In her recently published testimony, The Imam's Daughter, "Hannah Shah" describes her life in north England where she converted from Islam to Christianity. She writes among other things about threats to her life, all in accordance with the Islamic Law of apostasy.
The Anglican bishop of Rochester, Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, a vocal and dogged fighter for the Christian faith has been under police protection after he and his family received death threats when he claimed that parts of Britain had become "no-go areas" for non-Muslims.
Most people in the West take for granted the right of individuals to change their religion. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights includes the freedom to change religion or belief. But, in Shari'a [Islamic] Law, adult male apostates suffer the death penalty and there are many cases where zealous Islamic leaders take the law into their own hands and carry out execution of apostates who are believed to have committed blasphemy against Islam.
Added to this suffering is the agenda of Moslem leaders to impact every part of Western society with Islamic doctrine and the implementation of Sharia Law. Numerous Muslim leaders in the United States have articulated that Islam's agenda is to be dominant in religious and political life
Unable to determine how best to deal with Islam, leaders from the political arena and now the Church are capitulating to Islam in an effort to establish man-made peace and cohesion in society.
Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams recently reiterated his belief that it 'seems unavoidable' that some parts of Sharia would be introduced into the British legal system -- two legal systems in a sovereign nation. Earlier this month he stated that a 'number of fairly senior people' shared his view.
Christians in Nigeria acutely understand the challenges associated with Shari'a Law. In this country, 12 of the 36 states have introduced and implemented Shari'a Law and thus discriminate against non-Moslems and women who have been reduced to the status of second-class citizens in their fatherland. In the last 22 years the country has witnessed over 20 religious crises resulting in worshippers being prevented from attending church services, Christian properties and churches have been burnt and destroyed and not a few Christians have been maimed and killed. In a recent development Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima has called for the total Islamization of Nigeria. This attitude threatens the very existence of the Nigerian nation.
Sadly, amidst all of these very difficult and challenging circumstances, evangelical leaders in the West are divided about how to respond to a resurgent Islam. Some Christian leaders have taken offense at the writing and position of fellow Christian brethren and some have traded shots at each other across the Internet on blogs and websites. In this totally unnecessary battle of words some individuals have been wounded and hurt, others have felt misunderstood and maligned.
Such behaviour only strengthens the hand of the opponent. Those faithful to the historic Christian faith are already fighting many battles on many fronts.
Be reminded that those who never wished the Church well have always sought to divide the faithful and turn Christian against Christian. This we all know has weakened the Church's position to confront evil and injustice. As a result, the Church is distracted and unwilling and in some cases unable to declare the life giving, life transforming, hope filled, gospel message - a message that has been entrusted to us - a gospel which evangelical Christians must never compromise. Jesus declared, "Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall."
Though Islam is growing in the West and with demographic shift in its favour, it is likely to grow even faster; the Christian Church must wake up to its prophetic role and remind all that it has a message that will change the world. The Judeo-Christian heritage of most Western nations provides a proven and tested foundation for challenging the abuses of human rights, suffering and injustice.
I appeal to you, brethren, in the name of our only Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
If we are to be united, then, let us be one in our confession of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, in our adherence to the authority of the Bible, and our agreement about the seriousness of the 'perilous' times in which we live. If disagreements arise, let them not be at the expense of standing for the truth and the prophetic voice of the church.
Rather than investing your God-given money, time and energy into unprofitable arguments, paying for publicity for point scoring, leaders of the Christian Church must commit every possible and available resource to faithful proclamation of the gospel message, which has once for all been entrusted to the saints.
The LORD be with you all in the fullness of His power and grace.
+Peter Abuja
Lent iv,
March 2009.
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