Christians and Muslims
I recall a sermon I heard 20 years ago when I was a new believer. A pastor declared that Christians and Muslims could never get along, that according to scripture, they are destined to live forever in enmity. He was reflecting on the speeches of Martin Luther King Jr., admiring King’s optimism, but noting that peace between Christians and Muslims is impossible.
Being the “God said, I believe it, that’s it” type of Christian, I accepted the pastor’s comments without question. However, after 20 years of reading the Bible, I can find no instance of assured enmity between Christians and Muslims. Granted, world peace is not promised, but neither is enmity between religious groups. Instead, we are exhorted to live at peace with everyone.
Tensions between Christians and Muslims are historic, but not inevitable. We can and should work toward peaceful relations. It is a moral and scriptural imperative.
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4, ESV).
Note that Paul connects living at peace with God’s desire for “all people to be saved.”
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