Muslim scholars authored a historic letter entitled A Common Word Between Us and You. In a bold move, these scholars made an overture of unity with Christians worldwide.The Yale statement that responded to this document has been signed by many prominent evangelicals. Among them, we may find John Stott (author and theologian), Chuck Colson (Prison Fellowship), Rich Nathan (Senior Pastor, Vineyard Columbus), Brian McClaren (noted heretic, author), Leith Anderson (President, National Association of Evangelicals), etc.
Due to the supremacy of Scripture, I can easily question how such vaunted members of evangelicalism would sign such a document. The document refers to god as the "All Merciful", a clear reference in the Islamic mind to Allah. More specifically, it states "...we ask forgiveness of the All-Merciful One and of the Muslim community around the world." It goes on to describe the foundation of future dialogue to be Islam's and Christianity's common understanding that God is a God of love. This syncretistic hash is expressly forbidden by Scripture.
The signers of this blighted document will no doubt state that the document iterated nothing that they did not intend -- God is a god of love -- Christians can evangelize using this common understanding of God. Unfortunately, what does it mean to the people who read the document from a perspective outside of orthodox Christianity? Have we so succumbed to post modernism that we can lend our good names to a document that will definitely be interpreted in a different light than within the pall of our evangelical tradition? I cannot believe that the evangelical signers for a moment did not understand that this document could be read in many different ways. Ways counter to the Christ-centered Gospel.
While I do not blame these leaders for reaching out to Islam, they have lent their names to a document that will give creedence to universalism and a myriad of other absurdities. Their theological and social capital will be used without their permission to spur all kinds of hopeless ecumenical gatherings that seek to unite Islam and Christianity on a spiritual plane. Christ tells us that such spiritual unity is impossible.
Franklin Graham had it right when he stated that all non-Christian religions are wicked in the eyes of God (Matt. 12:30-31; I Peter 3:4-6). Muslims are lovely people, but they have a deplorable religion.
The best that we can hope for within the Christian-Islam dialogue is a temporary detente or a temporary cessation of hostility. To expect open arms and long lasting harmony is naive at best and idolatrous at worst.
Christ calls us to love those wrapped in idolatry. He also tells us that we will be abused by these same people that we reach out to (John 15:18-25). Unreciprocated love and hopefully a smidgen of respect is all that we can expect.
We should reach out in a non-syncretistic, non-compromising fashion. The politics of ecumenicity can only disgrace the Gospel. Someone should draft a better and more well-thought-out document that does not sell Christianity's soul for an ounce of good will...
Sources:
- Yale Center for Faith and Culture - A Christian Response to A Common Word Between Us and You
- A Common Word Between Us and You
- An interview with one of the authors, Emilie M. Townes.
- Testimony of Joseph Cummings, one of the authors of the Christian response.
- Leith Anderson's rationale for signing the response.
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