911
We all need to remember the lives lost during the events that occurred 5 years ago on this day. Like Pearl Harbor, the Kennedy assassination, or the Challenger Space Shuttle accident, many people recall exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard.
I was sitting in a Hebrew refresher class with some fellow linguists. We cherished our annual refresher classes, because they gave us a chance to recall and improve our language skills. During the class break after the first hour of class, word came back from people watching a TV that one of the towers had been struck by a plane. Incorrect assumptions that it was probably an accident were made. Initially I didn't give it a second thought. Cars have accidents, trains derail, airplanes crash.
During the second hour of our class, we were interrupted with the news that a second plane had hit the other tower. Then it was clear. We were under attack.
At that time in my life, I was burnt out on world affairs, fighting, and conflict. Being consumed with the events of the Intifadah in the West Bank and Gaza, I tried to avoid world events as much as possible. Of course avoiding news about Laden's attack on American soil was clearly impossible.
I remember the American lives that were lost that day.
I remember the symbols of the American economy that fell.
I remember the untouchable Pentagon caving in.
I remember the news coverage that seemingly would last as long as our country's grief.
Mostly I remember one evening Dixie and I stood in our kitchen and shed tears for God's mourning. While the country was overwhelmed with a dark sadness, I think that must have paled in comparison to what Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac felt. His heart had to break as his children killed each other because of their different understandings of who He is and what He wants.
Twenty descendents of Ishmael thought Allah God would be pleased if they killed thousands of Isaac's descendents (both blood line and faith descendents). I think neither Abraham, nor God were pleased.
A few short months later, in Janin and Ramallah, an army of Isaac's descendents oppressed and killed thousands of Ishmael's descendents (these events received little to no press attention).
While it is important to remember the events of 9-11, I think it's even more important to remember them in the context of God's story. While we are saddened and have to overcome great grief, the author of life and maker of our bodies must suffer even more greatly.
I don't think we'll ever be able to solve this cycle of violence and hatred. The only thing that can alleviate it is the Shalom of God. The completeness and fullness of His kingdom is all that can break it.
We see glimpses of His Shalom even now. But, one day God will let it take foothold and completely break out. Oh, what a glorious day that will be.
I was sitting in a Hebrew refresher class with some fellow linguists. We cherished our annual refresher classes, because they gave us a chance to recall and improve our language skills. During the class break after the first hour of class, word came back from people watching a TV that one of the towers had been struck by a plane. Incorrect assumptions that it was probably an accident were made. Initially I didn't give it a second thought. Cars have accidents, trains derail, airplanes crash.
During the second hour of our class, we were interrupted with the news that a second plane had hit the other tower. Then it was clear. We were under attack.
At that time in my life, I was burnt out on world affairs, fighting, and conflict. Being consumed with the events of the Intifadah in the West Bank and Gaza, I tried to avoid world events as much as possible. Of course avoiding news about Laden's attack on American soil was clearly impossible.
I remember the American lives that were lost that day.
I remember the symbols of the American economy that fell.
I remember the untouchable Pentagon caving in.
I remember the news coverage that seemingly would last as long as our country's grief.
Mostly I remember one evening Dixie and I stood in our kitchen and shed tears for God's mourning. While the country was overwhelmed with a dark sadness, I think that must have paled in comparison to what Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac felt. His heart had to break as his children killed each other because of their different understandings of who He is and what He wants.
Twenty descendents of Ishmael thought Allah God would be pleased if they killed thousands of Isaac's descendents (both blood line and faith descendents). I think neither Abraham, nor God were pleased.
A few short months later, in Janin and Ramallah, an army of Isaac's descendents oppressed and killed thousands of Ishmael's descendents (these events received little to no press attention).
While it is important to remember the events of 9-11, I think it's even more important to remember them in the context of God's story. While we are saddened and have to overcome great grief, the author of life and maker of our bodies must suffer even more greatly.
I don't think we'll ever be able to solve this cycle of violence and hatred. The only thing that can alleviate it is the Shalom of God. The completeness and fullness of His kingdom is all that can break it.
We see glimpses of His Shalom even now. But, one day God will let it take foothold and completely break out. Oh, what a glorious day that will be.
posted by Eric Livingston at
9/11/2006
4 Comments:
I struggle with this entry. I extend God's love to everyone who suffers, regardless of their beliefs. But, I have a hard time including Islamic faith into the same general ball park as Christianity, or part of the same ancient heritage. The reason is this:
The main mantra of Islam is that "God is separate and one. He was not begotten nor did he beget, etc.". They quote this after sermons, readings, etc. Islamic scholars make it the primary point in their dissertations.
I John tells us how to identify the spirit of the Anti-Christ. "Those who deny the divinity of Christ." This fits Islam to a "t". I am not saying that Muhammed was THE ultimate and final AntiChrist, but I am saying the spirit of the antichrist is alive and well in the Islamic faith.
I am not sure God looks favorably upon a whole body of people who refuse to acknowledge who his son is. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and no man comes to the Father except through him.
The struggle is this: it is becoming more and more difficult to be a Christian and an American. Why? Because as Americans, it is becoming more and more the norm to be acceptable of everyone. I cringe when I see American Christian denominations inviting Islamic representatives into their pulpits. They preach about how the Koran honors Jesus as a great prophet, even in believing in his virgin conception. But they deny the divine nature of Christ (although they don't say this in front of a Christian audience). It is insidious.
Christians are told to not be so arrogant and condemning. I say that I am not condemning, but rather inviting. But, a true Christian believes in Christ's divinity and is commanded to spread that word. So, as time progresses, true Christians will be seen as radical, arrogant, condemning people because they cannot accept the tenets of Islam. I will still show God's love through action to anyone who is suffering, regardless of their background. But, I will be looked upon as a religious zealot because of what I believe.
Funny how Islamists who show passionate fervor for their belief system are not criticized the way Christians are. Islamists believe if you are not Muslim, you are an infidel, not worthy of anything. Christian teaching says that if you are not a Christian, God wants you to be, and Christians should help non-Christians get to the point of accepting God, never labeling them as infidel or unworthy. They are to be viewed as something precious that is currently lost.
There are some who want to make friends with Islam. That is a dangerous proposition. We must activiely oppose Islam, showing compassion to those who are trapped by it. Radical? By today's standards yes. But, who do you have to ultimately answer to in the end?
I undestand what Paul said, but John 3:16 states God loves the whole world and I think he hurts even when those who deny him are hurt.
We sre made in His image snd he gave His son to reconcile the world to Him. I believe he grieves when he sees that sacrifice rejected.
Sam
... whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life".
"Don't throw your pearls to swine".
These are hard teachings. As I mentioned earlier, yes show God's love to all people. But, at what cost? To seek appeasement with the Muslim faith by saying it is a valid alternative (or to spend time dwelling on the similarities) so that we have peace on earth is a dangerous path. Besides, peace on earth is an unattainable goal, a pipe dream. We should be peacmakers (Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God), but know we will never be completely successful.
After all "this world is not my home, I'm just passing through".
Modern Islamic doctrines aside, and whether we like it or not, we do share roots in our faiths.
Gen 17:20 "And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation."
It's clear that the Islamic people are that great nation.
God blessed Ishmael, but made his covenant with Isaac. His intention wasn't to make a covenant with a small group of people to be exclusionary, but so that all nations would see the relationship Israel had with Jehovah and come to know the Great I Am.
Since I have faith in Jesus as the divine Son of God, I believe him when he says, "No one comes to the Father except through me." I do believe that Muslims' faith in Mohammed is misplaced, and that their Jihad is completely unjustified. But I don't think that has any affect on God's love and desire for them. Just because someone is lost, they are no less valuable.
One final note - I don't think you can say, "Funny how Islamists who show passionate fervor for their belief system are not criticized the way Christians are." Bin Laden is criticized because of his passionate fervor in his belief system. The world, including the vast majority of Muslims are critical of Bin Laden and people like him.
Lastly, we need to be careful not to lump people into the Muslim extremist category just because of where they live. In the example I mentioned about the Israelis oppressing the Palestinians, it's important to realize that there is a good number of Palestinian Christians living in the West Bank and Gaza.
I fully agree with you that Jesus is the truth and that Islam is not true. But without even discussing the right and wrong of each faith, I think it's easy to say that God is saddened when his children have conflict with one another.
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