Sookhdeo: Liberal Christianity intensifying threat from radical Islam
by Michelle A Vu, US Correspondent
Posted: Saturday, February 9, 2008, 10:06 (GMT)
The Western church's growing tendency to blur theological differences and not uphold the absolute truth is contributing to the threat of radical Islam to the Western world, according to Islam expert Patrick Sookhdeo.
Sookhdeo, the director of the Institute for the Study of Islam and Christianity and of the Barnabas Fund, said churches are moving away from central doctrines that teach about separation and instead conforming to secular society's ideology of inclusion.
"When faced with the uniqueness of Christ we become inclusive. He loves everybody so we talk about love, and hell and damnation goes out the window," said Sookhdeo. "It becomes too embarrassing. So our church has conformed itself according to society."
Sookhdeo - a former Muslim and advisor to British, American and NATO military officials on jihadist ideology - recently spoke to 1,500 people at Focus on the Family (FOTF)'s headquarters in Colorado Springs in the US about the threat of radical Islam to the Western world. The event was broadcast in two parts by FOTF this week, the last part of which aired on Wednesday.
Christians are afraid to admit that only believers in Jesus Christ will be saved and others - Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists - are lost, because that would be arrogance in a society dominated by secular humanist ideology, Sookhdeo argued.
"If the US church goes the way of Europe and embraces liberalism in its theology then it will embrace liberalism in its life," said the British Anglican canon. "And if it embraces liberalism in its life then the church will die and not only will the church die, but society around it will also die.
"What worries me is this," he added. "I say this to churches in Britain. I can't say it of the US. Is the Lord taking His candlestick from Britain and from Europe? Is the Lord saying: 'I'm going to vomit you out of my mouth, because your sickness is beyond cure? You are so taken with other gods, you have prostituted yourself enough. I'm finished with you.' It is a question and a question we must address, not just in Europe but here also."
Islam is one of these gods which Christians are embracing, said Sookhdeo.
The Islam expert acknowledged in the beginning of the programme that Muslims are diverse and emphasised that there is "chaos within Islam" where its own members kill one another.
Some Muslims live peacefully among Westerners while others like Al-Qaeda want to "blow us up to bits". While some Muslims say our religion is one of peace, the Koran has been used throughout history to justify violence.
"How do we compute, not just the hundreds, not thousands, but the tens of thousands who are dying within a religion that claims to be unified and claims to be a religion of peace?" Sookhdeo asked.
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Added: Monday, February 11, 2008, 21:21 (GMT)
Interesting that Ahmed in his last words said do we want war or peace. This once again brings to light a belief system that is far removed from Christianity and their extreme examples are seen in Iraq and other Muslim nations keeping people under their thumbs of religious Islamic moralism with fear, intimidation and murder.
As a Christian I do believe that Jesus is the way and understand that the church has done some horrible things in the name of God/Christ. With that we have to admit it and learn from our errors/sins. But we as well have to stand for what we believe even if it sounds damning or damaging to others.
The real issue is how do we live it out day by day with our actions. Are our actions as believers steeped in the mind and heart of Christ or are they more steeped in our own beliefs and responses to those around. If we the church really do put on Christ then the world will know and therefore will be challenged and have to deal with their own choices.
I know for myself it is a balance of grace and truth that many times is heavier on on side than the other. I know that as a Christian gay man that many in the church deny me the possibilty of coming into friendship with God and a life of eternity in his presence. So I know that we have to be careful in how we present the message to the hearers for their is much dirty history that is swept under the carpet that we can not deny nor defend.
It is not a matter of conservative verses liberal for we see so easily the misguided attempts by the religious right to say our way or no way. Which is where the church has sinned in the past. It is a matter of prayer, conversation, relying on Holy Spirit and willingness to humble ourselves, admit our misgivings our mistakes and living that day by day that can and will change the world.
Jeffrey Coe, Seattle WA USA
Added: Monday, February 11, 2008, 8:03 (GMT)
Please could comments from readers such as Ahmad be barred from such public sites. This is clear proof an individual lacking the ability to understand that what others say. This is clearly relative to that of millions more aound the world misunderstanding media which has resulted in modern day babarians commiting manslaughter in the name religion (eg. Northern Nigeria).
Ebong, London, UK
Added: Sunday, February 10, 2008, 23:48 (GMT)
Romans 8:31-38 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.
Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on HIM shall not be ashamed.
Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Acts 4:10-12 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for THERE IS NONE OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN, whereby we must be saved.
Philippians 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of JESUS every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, to the glory of God the Father.
Pilgrim, TX
Added: Sunday, February 10, 2008, 21:33 (GMT)
Well Done Dr Sookhdeo! At last, someone who is willing to challenge Christians about being so worldly in their thinking and behaviour. Ahmad thinks he knows european history. Well let him find out what Hitler thought of Jesus Christ and whether he was a believer in Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
Richard G Buckley, Glasgow, Scotland
Added: Sunday, February 10, 2008, 18:21 (GMT)
Hi Ahmad, truth is bitter and you can't simply swallow the truth. This man is simply telling the truth. If Christians called themselves Christians then they must follow what their Holy Book says.
Are you threatening Christians if they want war or peace? If they say war, what is your intention?
No one is talking about war. If its all about war, I don't see muslim standing in the way of Christians. Be practical..
Amir, India
Added: Saturday, February 9, 2008, 13:42 (GMT)
This is an extremely insulting article. Europe only Socially and Intellectually progressed when She overthrew the Chains of the Church. Much of USA'a intellectual progress has been achieved by 'the liberal sector'. With Her demented 'Only Jesus is Thy Saviour' message, The Church committed atrocities on a massive scale (eg Spanish Inquisition, Holocaust etc etc).
Please do not insult my 'inferior Islamic Intellect' with this rubbish. We know your history just as well as you. At a time when we want to build bridges and heal some VERY deep wounds, you throw this into the arena.
Please be consistent in your strategy. Do you want peace or war?
Ahmad, Birmingham
