This is a topic that separates many Christians so much so that many have left churches and even the faith all together because of how this topic is handled.  Jesus said to give to the poor but evangelical Christians don’t want government social programs.  This seems to be in direct contradiction of scripture!  Is this an instance where the Christian only follows certain teachings but not others?

What The Atlantic and other news organizations fail to do is look into why Christians don’t want government subsidies to the poor.  More to the point, Christians do not want the government to control subsidies to the poor.

I have never met a Christian that said that compassion is something that we shouldn’t do.  In fact, often times, Christians are judged for not being compassionate enough (probably who other topic, but let’s move on).  The thing that makes compassion so powerful is that it’s a choice and it’s voluntary.  The two words are strikingly similar and even related, but refer to two different ideas.

In order to be compassionate, one must be first able to provide aide and comfort and second be ready and willing to provide them.  When compassion is legislative, it removes the second part, making compassion a job and not a joy.  All of the sudden, something that people did out of the kindness of their hearts is now required.  Even worse, those who are receiving compassion now expect it instead of being blessed by it.

The irony in compassion by force is if a church required its members to serve the community, to the point that attendance is taken, members are shamed for not doing more, that church would be considered a cult.  However, when it’s done by the government, it’s viewed as taking care of the less fortunate.

I have yet to meet a Christian who is not compassionate.  Rarely do I meet a Christian who isn’t humbled by the needs of others.  A Christian who loves God is a Christian who is called to love others, not because he has to but because he wants to.

Compassion must come from the heart.  It allowed a person — Christian or not — to serve another person.  What makes compassion powerful is that it is a choice.  It was not forced or coerced.  It was a genuine outpouring of their heart.  Legislating compassion robs it of it’s power.  After all, this is the very message of the Gospel.  God so loved the world that he gave — not relinquished — his only Son.

First and foremost, I do not believe the actions of Dove World Outreach Center, the church hosting the event, is sinful.  Without more information concerning the motives of the church and the pastor Rev. Terry Jones, I cannot pass judgement. This post will not discuss why Christians can judge other Christians.  Nonetheless, before a Christian can make a judgement against another, there must be clear evidence.  Even though there has been a lot of coverage concerning this event, the fact is that very few have actually sat down with Rev. Jones to examine his motives and ultimately his heart.

Second, God calls Christians to hate all that is evil and cling to what is good.  So the question Christians must ask themselves before hating the Muslim teachings — vis à vis the Qur’an — is “Does God consider it (the Qur’an) to be evil?”  This could be a very long post should I go in-depth of this subject.  I will do my best to summarize my position.  Revelations states, “If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”  The Qur’an contains parts of the Old Testiment but does not contain the entire book of scripture.  (Yes, I realize the irony of using one holy text to debate another holy text.  For a non-spiritual perspective on this topic, visit my sister-site.)  Additionally, the Qur’an teachings are different from Christian teachings.  Finally, the nail in the coffin comes the diety of Christ.  Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  The Muslim faith treat Jesus as a prophet, not God in flesh.  Because the Apostle Paul warns, “If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing”, Christians are called to “have nothing to do with them.”  Because of these reasons, the Qur’an must be rejected by all God-fearing Christians.

However, there is a difference between the Qur’an and the Muslim.  There is a maxim (read not scriptural) that says “Hate the sin, but love the sinner.”  While there is no direct scriptual reference to this, it should be the motto of Christians everywhere.  God condemns sin.  However, God so loved his people that he sent his Son to die for our sins.  Nowhere in scripture does God call Christians to kill Muslims (despite the beliefs of the early Crusaders).  Additionally, scripture does not call Christians to burn the Qur’an or any other sacred texts.

God does, however, calls us to be at peace with everyone as much as we are able.  Additionally we are not to “repay evil with evil.”  Finally, we are called to live so that “no one can criticize [us].”

While I believe that burning the Qur’an is not sinful, I do believe it goes against the spirit of the word of God.  While burning the Qur’an can be justified by the letter of God’s law, it does not take into account the spiritual consequences.  While Christians should not be overly concerned with how the world views them, if we are to influence hearts and minds, we must be willing to let some things go.  This is one of those situations.  Yes, the Qur’an and the Muslim faith are evil.  However, God loves Muslims as much as he lives Christians.  Burning the Qur’an will only further the divide between Christians and the heart of Jesus.

Therefore, I humbly encourage my Christian brothers and sisters to pray for this church and this event.  God is still in control, regardless of whether Rev. Jones follows through with his book burning.  Let us pray that God speaks to the church boldly and that the church hears his voice.

Update: According to various sources, Rev. Jones has canceled the burning of the Qur’an. Hopefully, any other planned burnings will follow suit.

The faith that children have in their adult caretakers is astounding.  This is easily proven when a child reminds you of a promise that you made several years prior, which you have no recollection of because you made the promise to get the child to do something.  And it’s amazing that children always find the must inopportune time to bring up these promises.

I think this speaks very loudly to the kind of faith God wants us to have with him.  A faith that simply believes that he will do what he promises.  A faith that never forgets.  A faith that is pure and simple.

Many of us fondly remember what it was like to be a kid and wish we could go back there.  None of the responsibility and all of the fun!  But we never remember the time-outs, the “go clean your room”, and the “no, you can’t have a cookie before dinner.”  I think it’s because they remind us that we still have to do those things…well, except the last one.  And yes mom, I still eat cookies before dinner!

We wish desperately to have the carefree attitude of a kid, but completely forgetting that it had it’s downsides.  But the amazing thing with God is that this carefree attitude is still available to Christians.  I truly believe that Christians who have a child-like faith live a carefree life simply because it would be a natural product of that faith.

Think about how often you worry about something or wondering what will happen.  So many times in our adult life, we are encouraged to trust God and to live the life of faith unleashed but don’t because we simply cannot see past our circumstances.  More often than not, it is our own view of God that hinders our relationship with him.  If we simply trusted God to love us, take care of us, knows what’s best for us — much like we did when we were kids — I think we would find ourselves in complete joy.

Yet, perhaps somewhat ironically, it is our childhood that inhibits this faith.  Many times our parents made promises that they couldn’t — or wouldn’t — keep.  Our teachers treated us unfairly.  The principal didn’t believe our story.  Today, many of us unfairly tribute these same characteristics to God.

Perhaps this is the best place to start.  Looking back on your life, seeing the places where the adults in your life failed, are you expecting that same result from God?  Is that what keeps you from having a child-like faith in him?