Are Transgenders Like Terrible Nuclear Weapons?

            Some Christians slam the door in the face of transgenders. Apparently, Pope Francis compared transgenders to nuclear weapons because they do not recognize God’s order of creation [1].

            “Transgender” is an umbrella term for a man who considers himself a woman or a woman who thinks of herself as a man. They consider themselves as trapped in a wrong body.

            Former Olympic champion and pop celebrity Bruce Jenner, a man by birth, recently underwent sex reassignment to become a woman. Some Christian leaders deemed this gender transition as a sin against God. Some ultra-conservatives even hustle transgenders to hell.

            Intriguingly, the Bible is silent about transgenders. There is not a single reference that deems transgenderism as sinful.

            Why do some Christians consider transgenderism as sinful?

            God assigns our gender during our creation (cf. Genesis 1:27). Since our genders are assigned by our creator, any sex change endeavor is a violation against God’s creational intent.

            God’s design of mankind as male and female is consistently attacked by Satan. People with gender confusions succumb towards sex reassignment. Satan causes this gender confusion and the popular western culture endorses it, “We see the profound tension between God’s design and Satan’s attacks on this design. The Lord created man and woman and gives them specific roles to play for His glory; Satan targets man and woman and induces them to upend God’s design. God orders and structures; Satan tears down. God brings life; Satan destroys it. These tragic patterns are as old as the earth. They are not new, but they do morph with the times. Western culture is making good on this rebellion. It denies the distinctness of divine creation; it tears down the uniqueness of the sexes; and it rebels against the lordship of Jesus Christ. The wisdom and design of God is rejected, and the Word of God, in sum, is reviled”[2].

            When we succumb to Satan’s schemes, we sin against God.

            God does not make mistakes. Transgenders often develop “gender dysphoria” - a form of depression, during which they accuse God in anger and frustration for having trapped them in a wrong body. Dissatisfied transgenders ask, “how can I be a man yet feel like a woman?”

            Some consider man’s feelings as a cause of this problem than his body, “Traditionally, if a man felt like a woman yet inhabited a male body, his feelings, not his body, were viewed as the problem. They were considered something to be resisted, modified if possible, and contrary to what was” [3].

            Consider a similar instance where a person may feel worthless. A feeling of being worthless is not a valid thought because all mankind are made in the image of God. Hence every man and woman is precious in God’s sight. If we are precious in God’s sight, we cannot consider ourselves worthless.

            In both instances, our feeling is deceptive. God, a perfect being, cannot and would not commit mistakes. It is man who makes mistakes. Therefore, man’s negative thought that he/she is trapped in a wrong body ought to be dealt with and changed.

            Sex change does not provide satisfaction to transgenders. Let us, for a moment, assume the legitimacy of transgenders’ negative emotion - that they are indeed trapped in a wrong body. If transgenders are legitimate in their anger and frustration of being trapped in a wrong body, then a sex reassignment should offer them peace and satisfaction, isn’t it? 

            On the contrary, in many instances, sex reassignment failed to provide transgenders with the peace and satisfaction that they so desired for before sex reassignment. A study of 324 sex-reassigned persons (191 male-to-females, 133 female-to-males) in 2003 concluded that “Persons with transsexualism, after sex reassignment, have considerably higher risks for mortality, suicidal behaviour, and psychiatric morbidity [diseased state] than the general population. Our findings suggest that sex reassignment, although alleviating gender dysphoria, may not suffice as treatment for transsexualism”[4].

            If sex reassignment does not alleviate the pain of transgenders, then their frustration, anger and negative emotion of being trapped in a wrong body is invalid.

            Can we endorse or justify transgenderism since Bible remains explicitly silent on this subject?

            Any act that violates God is a sin even if Bible is silent about that very act. Consider pornography as a case in point.

            Pornography cannot be justified because of a lack of direct reference to pornography as a sin in Bible. But various passages in the Bible implicitly deems pornography as sinful (e.g. Matthew 5:27-28; 1 Corinthians 6:18; Colossians 3:5).

            In the same manner, the consideration that transgenderism is a sinful act is indeed credible, for transgenderism violates God’s creational intent.  

            Would practicing transgenders go to hell?

            By virtue of our repentance and belief in Christ, we are washed clean of all our sins by the blood of our crucified and risen Savior. Hence, transgenders, who consider themselves as sinful humans but washed clean by the blood of the Savior through their faith in Christ, will not go to hell.

            But if a transgender considers the act of sex reassignment as not sinful, then there is a certain danger, for there is sufficient evidence that transgenderism violates God’s creational intent.

            However, I believe that it is not for us to determine who goes to hell especially when the Bible is silent on that very matter.

            How then should a repented transgender live?

            Consider a man, who underwent a sex reassignment surgery to become a woman. If this person genuinely repented, he would live as a man and not as a woman i.e. he would live in his birth-gender. 

            How should Christians respond to transgenders?

            Love them unconditionally. This is essential. Insults and ridicule should be avoided.

            If a transgender considers the act of sex reassignment as not sinful, then we ought to graciously point them towards reality. The reality is that transgenderism violates God’s creational intent, hence it is sinful. Any sinful act would be forgiven upon repentance.

            How should Christians respond to transgenders considering sex reassignment?

            Explain why transgenderism is a sin against God. Inform them that sex reassignment does not actually change a person’s gender, for their birth gender DNA remains absolutely intact, despite the sex change surgery.

            Sex reassignment may make one feel like a man or a woman but in reality they are not that gender into which they have surgically transitioned into, “The only thing the surgeon can change is the medical record, birth records and the perception that a change took place on the operating table. A DNA test would prove no sex change took place. Sex change regret may come years later when you understand the surgery did not make you a female or change your DNA gender/sex” [5].

            Significantly, depression in the individual before the sex change surgery could remain intact after the surgery. Moreover, their actual gender does not change with the surgery for their birth DNA remains absolute. Therefore, transgenders ought to look to Christ for their inner healing. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can set us free.

Endnotes:

Websites referenced here were last accessed on 30^th November 2015.

Please read this article for more valuable information on Transgenderism:

http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/9-things-you-should-know-about-transgenderism

[1] http://www.news.com.au/world/europe/pope-francis-transgender-people-are-like-nuclear-weapons/news-story/82ac600853b4bc8647843bdc211bdb51

[2] https://answersingenesis.org/family/gender/transgender-identity-wishing-away-gods-design/

[3] http://www.equip.org/article/the-transsexual-dilemma/

[4] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21364939

[5] http://www.sexchangeregret.com/Things-Ive-Learned

If NASA Fakes The Rapture & The Second Coming of Christ, What Do We Do? (Project Blue Beam)

            When a giant floating city appeared over the skies of Chinese city Foshan, the grapevine was abuzz with NASA’s secret plan to fake rapture and Christ’s second coming. Canadian journalist Serge Monast, in 1994, alluded to “Project Blue Beam” as NASA’s brainchild to technologically simulate rapture and Christ’s second coming to establish a “New World Order” with Antichrist at its head.

            How would NASA fake rapture and the second coming of Christ? News.com provides excerpts from Serge Monast’s book “Project Blue Beam” detailing the four steps [1]:

            “STEP 1: The breakdown of all archaeological knowledge…NASA would aim to discredit all existing religions through the breakdown of all archaeological knowledge. “[Step 1] deals with the setup of earthquakes at certain precise locations of the planet where supposedly new discoveries will…falsify the teachings of all major religions, people will be more likely to accept the New Age religion when it is formed.

            STEP 2: A gigantic space with 3D holographic laser projections…the second stage in creating a new world order would be using a gigantic space show with 3D holographic images, lasers and sounds to seduce people into believing in the new god. “The show will consist of laser projection of multiple holographic images to different parts of the world, each receiving a different message according to predominating regional/national religious faith,” he said. “From the depths of space, astonished followers of the various creeds will witness their own returned messiah in spectacularly convincing lifelike realness…This one god will in fact be the anti-Christ…”

            STEP 3: Telepathic two-way communication… It is believed NASA will use low frequency radio waves to telepathically communicate with humans in an attempt to shape their beliefs to match those taught by the New Age religion…the telepathic communication would be used as a form of mind control to trick people into thinking their god is delivering them messages directly. “[The message will be sent from a] device that can deliver audible signals directly to an individual while they remain undetectable by anyone else,” he said. “The microwave beam generated by the device is moderated at audio frequencies and can broadcast voices directly into the brain.”

            STEP 4: Universal supernatural manifestations using electronic means…The final step of Project Blue Beam is to create chaotic event that will leave people willing or desperate enough to accept the new world order…this could occur with up to three different orientations. “One is to make mankind belief that an alien invasion is about to strike down on each major city of the earth,” he said. “The second is to make the Christians believe to a major rapture with the supposedly divine intervention of an alleged good alien force coming to save the people from a brutal satanic attack. “The third orientation in the fourth step is a mixture of electronic and supernatural forces … the goal of this one deals with global Satanic ghosts all around the world in order to push all population on the edge to drown into a wave of suicide, killing and permanent psychological disorder.””

            Evidence validating these steps are not scarce. Many strong earthquakes in recent years have puzzled seismologists and the recent discovery of the Talpiot tomb, which ineffectively attempts to refute Christ’s resurrection gives credence to step #1.  Hologram sightings in the sky that includes Jesus’ crucifix [2], a floating city over the African village Dulali [3] etc. offers evidence to step #2.

            Pentagon’s mad science division DARPA’s project “Silent Talk” lends credibility to step #3. The objective of “Silent Talk” is to “allow user-to-user communication on the battlefield without the use of vocalized speech through analysis of neural signals” [4]. Step #4 lacks significant evidence but cannot be utterly ruled out.

            Currently, Project Blue Beam remains a conspiracy theory due to the absence of concrete facts. What then is the purpose of this article?

            Why did I write this and why are you even reading?

            Technology could facilitate simulations of Christ’s second coming and Rapture. The Bible provides adequate information about these events, so these simulations could adhere to the biblical narrative.

            It is possible to provide eyewitness accounts and extensive media coverage for these simulations. So a well-planned and executed simulation of end-time events could deceive Christians.  

            This then is the purpose of this article, “How could Christians identify and protect themselves against fake rapture and the second coming of Christ?”

            Deception is a given. In fact, the Bible mandates us to watch out and not be deceived (Matthew 24: 4). Although we should watch out, we ought to know our weakness, which is that we are capable of being deceived (cf. 2 Corinthians 11: 3-4). Hence, we should remain in Christ through the reading and studying of HIS Word and passionate prayer.

            Project Blue Beam, if it is a reality, would frighten Christians away from Christianity. Anything that turns us away from Christ is not from God. We ought to trust in God and in HIS Word - the Bible that you and I have. The Bible, inerrantly and infallibly, reveals God’s plans.

            Standing firm in our belief is crucial to not yield to messages that contradict Christianity. Focusing on teachings that guard us in historic Christianity is equally vital for us to stand firm in Christ.

            Know the Antichrist – “the man of lawlessness.” “He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God,” says the Bible (2 Thessalonians 2: 4, NIV). Anyone who proclaims himself to be God is not God. Do not believe such a person.

            Do not get carried away by signs and wonders. The Bible reveals that the antichrist will perform signs and wonders, “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing…” (2 Thessalonians 2: 9-10a, NIV). Antichrist will perform signs and wonders, and we should not be deceived by those signs and wonders.  

            Persecution leading to the death of believers is a sure sign of end times. Any individual or an entity that coerces Christians to abandon their faith in return for their lives is either the Antichrist or his entity. We would rather die than live in rejection of Christ, “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God” (Luke 12:8-9, NIV).

            Equip young people to remain in Christ. Living in the future would be more difficult than the present. So it is imperative that our next generation be equipped so that they remain in Christ despite all odds and dangers. This is our responsibility. 

            Project Blue Beam could be a hoax. But antichrist and Christ’s second coming are not hoaxes. These events will happen in the future.

            Simulating rapture and Christ’s second coming is not totally out of the realms of reality. Let us be watchful so as to not be deceived by Satan and his deceptive entourage.

Endnotes:

[1] http://www.news.com.au/technology/project-blue-beam-conspiracy-theory-suggests-nasa-has-secret-plans-to-create-new-world-order/news-story/25266f2c57e89e139f0fa9daddeb0953

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxkngzG41ZE

[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoUMZOMavB8

[4] http://www.wired.com/2009/05/pentagon-preps-soldier-telepathy-push/

UFOs Are Demons?

            UFO aficionados’ joy over the floating city video from China that went viral a few weeks ago was momentary. This was a fake or fata morgana (mirage) [1].

            Reports of UFOs captivate everyone. We love to hear strange fascinating phenomena bordering on the miraculous.

            It is valid to probe UFOs from a Christian perspective, since there is a religious nuance to the UFOs. It is believed that aliens abduct humans to transmit religious messages to mankind.   

            Kenneth Samples, coauthor of “Lights in the Sky and Little Green Men: A Rational Christian Look at UFOs and Extraterrestrials,” describes “Residual UFOs” (RUFOs). RUFOs are the real UFO sightings because they defy naturalistic explanations [2].  Although RUFOs are a minority (5-10% of all UFO sightings), they number in tens of thousands of unexplained UFO sightings.

            Consider the three hypotheses that explain RUFOs [3]:

            1. Misidentified Hypothesis (MIH) posits UFO occurrences as natural phenomena. So, a majority of UFOs become IFOs (Identified Flying Objects), which are either man-made or explained in a naturalistic perspective e.g. floating city video.

            2. Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) proposes UFOs as alien spacecrafts. But serious scientific, technological and logical problems motivate the most credible ufologists to reject this theory.

            3. Interdimensional Hypothesis (IDH) asserts that UFOs are real but belong to another dimension of reality. Some Christian ufologists posit certain UFO reports as demonic.

            To reiterate, 90-95% of UFO sightings are IFOs; they are grouped under the misidentified category. But a minority of UFO sighting is authentic.

            While concrete evidences for extraterrestrials visiting earth are yet to be substantiated beyond doubt, the notion that UFOs are demons trying to mess around with human beings could be considered for its credibility.

            Secular scientists consider the possibility of UFOs being demonic. Dr. Carl Sagan, Arthur C. Clark, Preston Dennit, and Dr. Jacques Vallee, among others, have expressed views that UFOs could be demonic manifestations [4].

            The Bible accentuates the angelic power to transform / masquerade / disguise to deceive humans (cf. Genesis 2:1; Deuteronomy 4:19; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; 2 Corinthians 11:14-15) [5]. So the possibility of evil angels a.k.a. demons manifesting as UFOs is real.

            Christian ufologists emphasize the demonic deceptions of UFOs for it influences people away from the worship one true and living God, “The emphasis here is that many people groups throughout history have turned from worship of the true God to created things – including the “hosts of heaven” in the historical Biblical sense, but more recently, to accepting the teachings of modern “aliens” that THEY are humanity’s creators, and saviours…Our hope in posting this information, as always, is that people will learn from the Word of God that the “aliens” reported today are deceptive entities, wicked hosts and false gods who wish only to destroy those they come in contact with. (Yes, even the tall blonde Nordics – “made to look like mortal man… and reptiles” from the scripture above. They’re playing “good cop, bad cop” people, and we’re being had.)” [6].

            In this context, the phenomenon of “alien abduction” requires consideration. The 1991 Roper poll claimed approximately 4 million people in the USA experienced alien abduction [7].

            Typically, in an alien abduction, people claim to be paralyzed by an unknown force, transported to an unknown location, examined and probed (with a special focus on genitals and rectum) by unknown creatures, but returned to their original and known location in a state of amnesia – without any memories of the abduction encounter. But, when placed under hypnosis, these people narrate their alien abduction experiences.

            The CE4 Research Group [8], researching into alien abduction for many years, posits the “Demonic Hypothesis” to explain alien abduction:

            A. The experience of “Alien Abductions” can be terminated or stopped in the name and authority of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

            B. The abilities of fallen angels, described in the Bible, match the experiences from alien abductions. Paradox Brown, the author of “The Bible, Physics, and the Abilities of Fallen Angels” says, “…the Bible teaches that fallen angels can victimize people with their ability to cause dreams and Visions, using these to scare and terrify, even to the point of severe traumatization from them… fallen angels can also cause False Dreams and False Visions to communicate a lying or deceptive message, false information, to a person with the intent that the person might become a false prophet, who shares the false message as truth… after looking at several “alien abduction” cases it seems that the abilities of Fallen angels to cause False Visions (and all that entails) and terrifying dreams, as well as elements of Physical manifestation, are sufficient to explain what abductees experience”[9].

            C. Those abducted by aliens, report of anti-biblical messages from the aliens, which is the character of the fallen angels.

            The CE4 research conclusions are credible since it has worked with over 400 people with alien abduction experience. Thus it is a reasonable conclusion that alien experiences are demonic.

            Similarly, when aliens are compared to angels in the Bible, the aliens match the description of the fallen angels, “True biblical angels would help, not harm, an individual, but aliens are notorious for leaving people physically injured, confused, scared, and paranoid…“Aliens” are indeed angels, but they are not the good angels which scripture tells of. Their actions, abilities and doctrines most resemble that of the fallen angels who have deceived and spiritually enslaved mankind at different points all throughout history – who work against the purposes of God, and the interests of all humanity.” [10]

            To conclude, the following information is in our domain:

            1. Some secular scientists consider UFOs as demonic.

            2. Having studied 400+ alien abduction experiences, CE4 research posits alien abduction experiences as demonic.

            3. Aliens match the description of fallen angels.

            4. Extraterrestrial hypothesis faces serious scientific, technological and logical problems.

            5. Therefore, it is highly reasonable and responsible to consider UFOs and aliens as demonic. Alternatively, we cannot discard the notion that UFOs are demons.

            The Bible and Christian research posits UFOs as demonic. Therefore, serious dabbling in UFOs could lead people away from Christ. Kenneth Samples implies this notion, “…we should stress that historic Christianity provides powerful and livable answers to life’s ultimate questions, and those answers are more convincing than anything UFO religions can provide” [11].

Endnotes:

Websites referenced here were last accessed on 16^th November 2015.

[1] http://edition.cnn.com/2015/10/20/world/china-floating-city-video-feat/ 

&

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/10/151020-city-sky-china-mirage-fata-morgana-weather-atmosphere/

[2] http://www.reasons.org/blogs/reflections/ufo-interview-with-biola-magazine

[3] http://www.reasons.org/articles/ufos-three-general-explanatory-hypotheses

[4] http://www.alienresistance.org/ufo-alien-deception/ufology-research/

[5] http://www.alienresistance.org/ufos-the-bible/

[6] Ibid.

[7] http://www.csicop.org/si/show/abduction_by_aliens_or_sleep_paralysis

[8] http://www.alienresistance.org/ce4.htm

[9] http://www.alienresistance.org/ufo-alien-deception/christian-ufology-research-overview/

[10] http://www.alienresistance.org/ufos-the-bible/comparison-of-angels-and-aliens/

[11] http://www.reasons.org/blogs/reflections/ufo-interview-with-biola-magazine

Paris Terror Attack - Reason, Response, Recovery & Recur; A Christian’s Insight

            Brutal, barbarous, callous, cold-blooded, cruel, inhuman, merciless, sadistic, savage, vicious, vindictive….none of these words truly reflects the heart of terrorism. Terrorism is far beyond the cumulative meaning of such words.

            Don’t blame this primarily on intelligence failure, sinister agendas, vengeance, brainwash, innocence, ISIS or religion. Blame this primarily and squarely on EVIL.

            ISIS accepted responsibility. It is jihad, they say. Jihad is synonymous with Islam. But don’t blame ISIS, jihad or Islam. Blame it on EVIL.

            Transcend individuals, organizations and worldviews. Transcend physical entities. Focus on the spiritual. Focus on the root cause of evil – the Satan.

            Satan causes evil. Evil yields terrorism and bloodshed. Satan is the reason for terrorism. Period.

            The French President pledges a ruthless and merciless response. An act of war it was, he said. Truly so. Respond Mr. President and all the Presidents and Prime Ministers of this world; respond with an outright war against evil. Evil deserves nothing less.  

            I beg to disagree with the words of Martin Luther King Jr. being quoted extensively on the social media, “…hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” Love will not and cannot defeat the evil perpetrated by Satan. The most adequate response against evil is an outright war that includes every tangible possibility and abstract perspectives.

            Common sense response will inundate the victims - prayers, sympathies, relief aids and what not! Will this suffice? Are these the best responses? Will these responses heal the pain of the victims? No, not totally!

            It may take years to overcome the emotional turmoil caused by terrorism. The pain inflicted by terrorism resides in the heart and soul of the victims. So our best response ought to medicate the pain in the heart of the victims. Do you or I have the power to medicate and heal the pain from the heart of the victims? No!

            God alone has the power to heal this pain. Our prayers will not and cannot motivate God to heal this pain. If our prayers motivate God, then God is man’s assistant. God is God and not man’s aide.

            May we pray that the victims seek healing from the life-giving presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. May the victims reach out to the living God. This is their best response. By doing so, may they be filled with the strength and power of Christ.

            It’s only the suffering Savior, who with HIS nail pierced hands, will touch the heart and heal the pain of these victims.

            Respond also by praying for the terrorists; may they repent and seek forgiveness from the living God. Let them not blindly and insanely slaughter and mutilate lives in an absurd belief that a sensual reward awaits them in their mythical, senseless and hellish heaven.

            Recovery of victims and nation is vital. All available resources of every possible entity should aid the process of recovery.

            Recovery of body and of the mind is of paramount importance. Recovery of the mind could be painfully slow but may it be scrupulous. The sole agenda of this recovery should lead the victims to gradually regain normalcy - in the lives of people and society. May God bless this recovery.

            Terrorism will recur. Until Satan, the father of lies and evil, is annihilated, terrorism will recur.

            Beirut, Paris and other parts of our world are reeling under the effects of terrorism. Terrorists could attack another location, maybe even our very own, in the days to come.

            While terrorism will recur, normal life cannot and should not be lost. Giving up our normal lifestyle is a victory for terror. Life should go on. May God enable us to live normally or as normal as we can live.

            Will our unmitigated war against evil be successful? No! Why? Our physical attacks cannot destroy the spiritual enemy Satan. Our war against evil will possibly annihilate Satan’s human stooges, but not Satan himself.

            Satan is far more powerful than man. Until he is destroyed forever, Satan will continue to release his vicious stooges to inflict carnage and bloodshed against humanity.

            God alone can destroy Satan and God will destroy Satan. Satan will be annihilated. Until then we need to bear the brunt of evil. Be prepared to face terrorism explicitly and implicitly.

            Finally, let’s not forget Beirut and the other parts of the world that suffer because of terrorism. Let’s sympathize, pray and aid the victims in Beirut as much as we care for victims in Paris. May our focus on the needs of our world be impartial, for God is not partial.

            May God bless every victim reeling under terror. We pray this in Christ’s name. Amen. 

A Christian’s Response To Religious Intolerance In India

            “Intolerance” has raised its ugly hood again in India.

            In the recent past, M.M Kalburgi, former Karnatak University Vice Chancellor, was gunned down for apparently criticizing the Hindu practice of idol worship [1]. A Muslim man was mobbed to death by his Hindu neighbors over rumors of cow carcass sighting in the vicinity. A few days later, two Muslim men were attacked over matters relating to beef transportation in separate incidents.

            Intolerance is being condemned by the opposition parties and quite a few celebrities. A few award winning writers have returned their awards as a mark of protest against intolerance.

            This recent intolerance seems to be a new low for Indian democracy, for, as always, it violates religious freedom and freedom of speech and expression. Reasons for intolerance are being analyzed in the public domain, so that’s not the intent of this article. We will instead focus on Christians’ response towards intolerance.

            Persecution is not solely innate to Christians. Baha’is are persecuted in Iran. Hindus are persecuted in Bangladesh. Muslim minority is persecuted in Myanmar. The list is rather endless; every religious group faces persecution when they are a minority.  

            Intolerance is a subtle term for persecution. How then should Christian minority respond to intolerance?

Pray? Pray for What?

            Praying for intolerance to cease is one option, but is that our only or our primary option? When Bible emphasizes that persecution is certain in Christian life (2 Timothy 3:12), and when religious persecution is increasing, should we really think our prayers would impede or preclude persecution?

            If our prayers are in accordance with God’s will, and if God’s will is for persecution to stop, then persecution will cease. But what if God’s will is for persecution to continue? What then happens to our prayers, if we merely focus on praying for persecution to stop?

            While we pray for persecution to stop, we should primarily pray for strength to endure persecution and a godly response to persecution while and if we are being persecuted.  

            Significantly, we ought to pray for the persecuted; that they would receive God’s comfort, strength and encouragement in abundance.

To Strengthen Faith?

            A frail response to persecution is to renounce one’s religious worldview e.g. to renounce Christ. An equally important response to persecution is to strengthen the faith of Christians. The local church ought to assume this responsibility.

            A majority of Christians are superficially strong in their faith. This superficial strength cannot retain a Christian in Christ during persecution. Hence, the local church ought to disciple their flock to remain and grow strong in Christ (cf. Hebrews 6:1-3).  

Christians Stand United?

            They say that persecution unites Christians. History suggests that the otherwise detached denominations tend to unite during persecution.

            Although this instance of intolerance is not against Christians per se, it could very well turn out so in the future. But do we need persecution for unity? Shouldn’t Christian denominations constantly strive towards unity?  

Help The Persecuted?

            To help the persecuted is a no-brainer. Religion cannot prevent us from helping each other.

            During persecution, we need to transcend religious barriers to help those in need. Some may need kind words of encouragement and support. Others may need material or spiritual support.

            Whatever the case maybe, we exist to love and serve each other.   

Give Up Beef?

            We should consider this option without discrediting it. Isn’t giving up eating beef another valid response?

            Let’s say we love to eat pork.

            Sale of pork is banned in certain Islamic countries because Islam forbids Muslims to eat pork. So we cannot eat pork if we live in those Islamic countries.

            Having lived in such a country for a few years, I know it’s perfectly possible to give up a certain choice of food – in this case, eating pork. So it’s all in the mind. If we do want to give up eating beef, then it is possible indeed.  

            If what we eat, especially in the context of Hindus’ reverence for cows, would offend their sensitivities, then aren’t we perfectly legitimate to give up eating beef? Should we continue eating beef or create communal harmony?

            But in this context, is it necessary to give up eating beef in India?

            Hindus in the Indian State of Kerala eat beef [2]. There seems to be no religious nuance to beef consumption by Hindus in Kerala. Hence, the Hindu protest over beef consumption certainly is inconsistent.

            Within the perspective of legislation, India is a democratic country unlike an Islamic State. In an Islamic State the law of land could prohibit consumption of pork. In India there is no such legislation banning beef consumption. So why give up eating beef?

To Expect Unbiased Governance?

            Good governance is to manage every situation impartially. Impartiality and tolerance is of paramount value, for governance includes administration of multicultural and multi-faith population.

            I lived in the Kingdom of Bahrain for a few years. Many years ago, there was a ban on pork consumption in Bahrain. The Quran forbids eating of pork (Sura 2:173, 5:3, 6:145 &16:115) [3]. Ban on pork consumption in Bahrain was highly valid since Bahrain is an Islamic State; hence those who live there ought to abide by the law of the land.

            However, the rulers of Bahrain relaxed this ban on pork and allowed the sale of pork in the island Kingdom. This remarkable instance of tolerance ought to be hailed.

            But that’s not it! The second most astounding instance was that of the Arabs living in Bahrain. Although they detest the sight and odor of pork, the Arabs behind the billing counters would tolerantly bill the purchased pork to the satisfaction of the customers.

            This instance of tolerance in Bahrain clearly contrasts the intolerant situation in India. The Bahraini tolerance teaches a valuable lesson to the Indian governance. 

            Need we say more? Tolerance could prevail if the rulers desire unbiased governance.

            Every one is intolerant of various aspects that occur within our domain. Absolute tolerance is not the need of the hour.

            However, entailment of intolerance should not viciously injure human life. Extreme intolerance should be condemned. Killing and maiming of human life, created in the image of God, should never be an entailment of intolerance.

Endnotes:

[1] http://time.com/4016747/mm-kalburgi-india-murder-rationalist-idol-worship-hindu-nationalism/ 

&

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/ex-vc-m-m-kalaburgi-who-had-run-ins-with-hardliners-shot/

[2] http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-kerala-a-beef-eating-fest-to-protest-against-beef-ban-745587

[3] http://www.islamicvoice.com/february.99/zakir.htm

Would Chrislam Replace Christianity and Islam?

            Chrislam is a religion that seeks to merge Christianity and Islam. Chrislam, established in 1970, is of Nigerian origin. Proponents of Chrislam believe that both Bible and Quran are Holy Scriptures, and that Allah and the God of the Bible are one and the same.

            Chrislam is also a missionary strategy for Muslims by the missionaries from the West [1]. They encourage Muslims to follow Jesus by being a Muslim. These missionaries share Christ from Quran. Since Muslims are encouraged to be Muslims and follow Christ, Chrislam’s alias is “Insider Movement.”

            Muslims and Christians are those who are submitted to God. Hence Insider Movement claims that a Muslim can remain a Muslim, go to Mosque, but secretly follow Christ. (This premise presupposes that the God of the Bible and Quran are the same. Conservative Christians and Muslims will passionately deny that God of Bible and Quran are same.)

            Insider Movement re-translates portions of the Bible offensive to Muslims. Hence, the Lord Jesus Christ will not be mentioned as the Son of God, which is the literal interpretation of the Greek texts.

            Instead, Jesus would be referred to as the Prince, King, Messiah, Representative etc. The first person of the blessed trinity, the Father God, is referred to as Lord, Guardian, Most High and God. (This is a stark mistranslation of the Greek texts.)

            While Christ’s deity is denied by Chrislam, it affirms Mohammed as a prophet. Very minimally, Chrislam affirms Mohammed to be a prophetlike figure. 

            Apparently, quite a few Bible translation projects from Chrislam’s context are active. These translation projects dilute the Bible so to conform more to the Chrislamic perspective than remain true to the Christian faith.   

            Chrislam or Insider Movement lends credibility to the Quran by using it as an evangelistic tool. When credibility is ascribed to the Quran, the fact of Quran’s denial of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection is concealed.  

            Christian missionaries belonging to the Insider Movement in certain Islamic countries function as Imam’s of local Masjids. They preach the Islamic khutbah (traditional sermon) in the mosques.

            Members belonging to a certain flavor of Chrislam call themselves as Muslims and believe that Mohammad is a prophet of God but deny the trinity. Obviously they are more a Muslim than a Christian. 

            Insider Movement does not require Muslims to convert to Christianity if they believe in Christ and Dr. William Lane Craig exposes this fallacy, “So I'm very worried about this syncretistic movement, and not at all persuaded that this is wise to encourage Muslim background believers in effect to masquerade as practicing Muslims rather than to affirm their faith in Jesus Christ” [2]. 

            Those belonging to the Insider Movement are encouraged to not have any contact with the local Christian churches. This exposes Chrislam’s leaning towards Islam than Christianity.

            Missionaries belonging to the Insider Movement falsely emphasize that trinity is mentioned in the Quran (Sura 4:171). Any Muslim worth his salt will deny this teaching. In fact, Sura 4:171 denies trinity.  

            Proponents of Chrislam argue for its legitimacy from within the Bible by quoting Melchizedek, who was not a Jew but had a personal relationship with God. Hence they argue that one could worship Christ from within Islam.

            The error in this argument is that Melchizedek was not a pagan priest as the proponents of Chrislam claim. Melchizedek was a priest of the The Most High God (Genesis 14:18 & Hebrews 7:1) – the first person of the blessed trinity. Hence it is illogical and improper to argue that Christ could be worshipped from the precincts of Islam.

            The other character quoted by Chrislamists to defend their worldview is Naaman the Syrian from the Bible (cf. 2 Kings 5). They cite the following biblical narrative as an affirmation to worship Christ from Islam, “Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel….for your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the Lord. But may the Lord forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to bow down and he is leaning on my arm and I have to bow there also—when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the Lord forgive your servant for this.” “Go in peace,” Elisha said” (2 Kings 5:15-19, NIV).

            While reading this text, we should be aware of two aspects. First, Naaman acknowledged a sin i.e. bowing to a pagan god Rimmon. Second, Naaman asked God to forgive him for his sin of bowing to a pagan god.

            Naaman cannot justify Chrislam. Chrislamists do not agree that they are sinning against God while worshipping Christ as a Muslim. Instead they argue that it is perfectly legitimate to worship Christ as a Muslim. They falsify the biblical narrative of Naaman to defend Chrislam by fabricating a lie that Naaman justifies Chrislam. To reiterate, Naaman does not justify Chrislam.

            Therefore, Chrislam cannot be a legitimate denomination of Historic Christianity. Chrislam or Insider Movement is a cult or another religion.  

            There seems to be another facet to Chrislam. Could Chrislam be the holy face of an unholy agenda?

            The unholy agenda is to cleanse the Bible of its Jewishness, “Of all the anti-Israel discourses that exist today, Chrislam is perhaps one of the most disturbing. Disturbing because it wants to de-Judaize both Jesus and the Bible, and because it wants to neutralise Jewish identity and history. Moreover, the remarkable post-Holocaust reconciliation of Jews and Christians is being undermined by the emerging cooperation between left-wing evangelicals and jihadi Muslims, both of whom hold unsavoury attitudes towards Jews and Israel” [3].

            If Chrislam seeks to cleanse the Bible of its Jewishness, it’s quite plausible that Chrislam seeks to satisfy the anti-semitic Islamic agenda. 

            Finally, Chrislam is touted as an offshoot of interfaith dialogues between Islam and Christianity. Quite a few movements are building bridges between Islam and Christianity.

            While such bridge building efforts could be appreciated, we should ask, “At what cost is an interfaith dialogue occurring?” In many instances, Christian pastors praying at these interfaith dialogues would intentionally not pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. They choose not to pray in Christ’s name, which is effectively denying Christ so not to offend the sensitivities of their Muslim counterparts.

            Christ is usually denied in interfaith forums because Muslims refuse to acknowledge Christ as God. Diluting Christianity for the sake of making peace with the Muslim neighbor could in essence ruin his peace with God while discarding the foundations of Historic Christianity. 

            Think about this, would a Muslim Imam acknowledge Christ as God while being a part of an interfaith dialogue with Christians to satisfy his Christian counterpart? No.

            These peace efforts and Chrislam are quite similar since both underplay Christ. While Chrislam denies Christ as Son of God, those in peace efforts deny Christ as and when possible. 

            Will Chrislam replace Christianity and Islam? No! Not by any stretch of imagination. Chrislam offends both Islam and Christianity, for it neither satisfies the core tenets of Christianity nor Islam.  At most, Chrislam will remain a cult and will not replace Christianity or Islam.

Endnotes:

If you are interested in digging deep into Chrislam, please read the following articles:

[1] http://www.equip.org/article/chrislam-insider-movemenets-moving-wrong-direction/

[2] http://www.reasonablefaith.org/what-about-chrislam

[3] http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/2015/March09/094.html#zD4BtxLwURgWvslz.99