Florida Pastor Burns Quran: A Christian's Viewpoint

A rash believer or somebody there just to stir trouble? I'm sure you would choose the latter.

"I mean ask yourself, have you ever really seen a really happy Muslim? As they're on the way to Mecca? As they gather together in the mosque on the floor? Does it look like a real religion of joy?" Jones asks in one of his YouTube posts. "No, to me it looks like a religion of the devil."

That was Pastor Terry's justification.

When asked if he would decide not to act, the response was, "We are actually very, very concerned of course; we are taking the general's words serious. We are continuing to pray about the action on September 11. But we don't know, how long do we back down?"

Luke 6:29, “If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also.”

From my understanding Christ never decided it was time to not “back down”. In fact, Judas believed it was time to stop backing down and he betrayed Jesus, Peter believed it was time to stop backing down and he cut of the servants ear. Christ, however, went passively from the garden, to the courtroom, all the way to the cross.

As Christians, is our solution, and is our witness an uncivilized act of violence? Yes, it is true that Muslim religion does not have the correct beliefs that God imparts to us, but as witnesses and stars for Jesus, is this the way we shine for God?

I believe that this is the most important question we could and should ask at this moment. What is the message of Christianity? Why are we here on Earth? If we want people to see Christians as the more mature religion, let’s act like Christ and not like Goliath. Or Hitler. Or Osama Bin Laden.

I think that, when we look at the life of Christ, we can gain a wonderful understanding as to why we are here.

Before Jesus told the prostitute to sin no more, he saved her from being stoned. Had he not prevented her stoning, not only would she have not been able to hear his message, but she would have had no desire to hear his message. The first thing that Jesus did was reveal that he truly cared for her (saved her life) – and then he taught her how to live a better life.

Perhaps then, the answer to witnessing to a Muslim is to show up in his village, give him a meal to eat, talk with him, and then discuss religion.

John Terry seems to be a very fervent believer who seems to practice "what God tells (him) to do", as quoted from his press statement.

Will God, the creator who teaches us to "love our enemies" send a message to treat our enemies by "not backing down" and burning their books? I highly doubt so. I am sure love, kindness and respect would be more possible alternatives God's message to his servants will deliver?

I assume, since John Terry is really a Christian, that he see Christianity to be a superior religion to Islam. then my advice to this pastor is this: If we want people to see Christians as the more mature religion, let’s act like Christ and not like Goliath. Or Hitler. Or Osama Bin Laden.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” Matthew 5:9, Pastor John Terry of Florida Church.