Here’s a headline from the past that certainly grabbed my attention at the time, and perhaps yours as well:
‘Pope Francis Defends Muslims, Claims Islam and Christianity Share ‘Same Idea of Conquest.’ (The Guardian, May 2016)
The following is a direct quote from the Pope. “Islam and Christianity share the same idea of conquest.”
The Pope was also quoted as saying, “It is true that the idea of conquest is inherent in the soul of Islam; however, it is also possible to interpret the objective in Matthew’s Gospel, where Jesus sends disciples to all nations, in terms of the same idea of conquest.”
Sorry, but those statements are completely false.
Pope Francis was comparing Islamic conquest (known as jihad or holy war) which is waged against infidels to Christianity’s missionizing (or what we in the Body of Christ know as the Great Commission) which is a battle waged with the words “For God so loved the world.”
In case you haven’t followed Pope Francis over the years, he argues in favor of co-existence, peace and tolerance in all areas of life, especially towards Muslims.
He also said, “The Western world attempts to export democracy to Arab countries is partly to blame for the collapse of central control and rise in Islamic extremism in Middle Eastern states. Westerners must also consider the issue of cultural relativism.”
Hmm, cultural relativism. According to GotQuestions.org, that term is defined as follows:
“It is the view that all beliefs, customs, and ethics are relative to the individual within his own social context.”
In other words, right and wrong are culture-specific. What is considered moral in one society or culture may be considered immoral in another, and since no universal standard of morality exists, no one has the right to judge another society’s customs.
Pope Francis didn’t stop there. He had this to say about co-existence:
“Ultimately, co-existence between Christians and Muslims is still possible.” Really?
It was back in May of 2016 that Sadiq Khan was elected the first Muslim mayor of London. The Pope, at that time, mentioned that Mr. Khan would be a positive role model. Keep in mind, Mr. Khan’s past reveals he has been affiliated with terrorists, but let’s look at one in particular who carries an infamous history.
You may remember Zacharias Moussaoui. As an Al-Qaeda member, he was one of the perpetrators of 9/11. Mr. Khan, a lawyer at that time, defended Moussaoui after that Islamic terror attack done in the name of Allah, the moon-god.
On January 4th, 2010, the US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit affirmed Moussaoui’s conviction and life sentence.
As for Pope Francis, you may recall, back in 2016, he washed the feet of Muslim migrants, proclaiming them ‘children of the same god.’
My question to Pope Francis on that last statement is this: if Muslims are children of the same god, how is the manmade moon-god, Allah, the same God of Christianity?
Just wondering, because it is only our Creator who has no beginning and no end. However, His creation does, whereas Allah was created by mans’ hands. How in the world does the Pope get to that conclusion? After all, there are inscriptions on different areas of the Dome of the Rock containing a part of what Islam falsely believes about Jesus. Here’s just one:
“The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a Messenger of God, and His Word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in God and His messengers, and say not ‘Three’ – Cease! (it is) better for you! – God is only One God. Far be it removed from His transcendent majesty that He should have a son. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And God is sufficient as Defender. The Messiah will never scorn to be a servant unto God, nor will the favored angels. Whoso scorneth His service and is proud, all such will He assemble unto Him. Oh God, bless Your Messenger and Your servant Jesus son of Mary. Peace be on him the day he was born, and the day he dies, and the day he shall be raised alive! Such was Jesus, son of Mary, (this is) a statement of the truth concerning which they doubt. It befitteth not (the Majesty of) God that He should take unto Himself a son. Glory be to Him!” (From Islamicawareness.org)
Somehow that doesn’t quite fit with what Paul wrote in Galatians 4:4-7.
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”
Uh-oh! Did I read of a Triune God in that passage? Hmm… God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Just sayin’.
So, being the loyal and obedient children we are who want to please our Abba, this is not only a time such as this to share the Good News of Jesus, this is also a great opportunity. Only God the Father could take a pestilence and turn it into something good. Sounds like Genesis 50:20.
“But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.’”
Salvation is a free gift which comes from God’s saving grace, and it is still available, but for a limited time only. So, let’s please our Abba and be obedient to the command Jesus gave his disciples in Matthew 28:19.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Be blessed and stay safe.
Mark Susswein/mssusswein@comcast.net