Friday morning Bible study

This morning at the men's Bible study, we discussed Matthew 5:43-48, which says, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

It strikes me how unlike our world, in general, and Islam, in particular, this passage (and, thus, Christianity) really is. Everything in our world tells us to hate our enemies and to persecute those who persecute us. But that is not what Christ says.

In regard to Islam...some genuine muslim leaders would have us believe that Islam is not a religion of the sword. I'm not here to determine whether they are right or wrong. I only want to point out, in the first place, that it is hard to get around the clear passages in the Quran and in select Hadith ("inspired" accounts of Muhammad's words and deeds) that plainly direct muslims to use the sword.

For example, several places in the Quran seem to advocate the sword:
"Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But God knoweth, and ye know not" (2:216).

"But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practice regular charity, then open the way for them: for God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful" (9:5).

"Fight those who believe not in God nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by God and His Apostle, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book (Christians and Jews), until they pay the jizya [tribute] with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued" (9:29).

One widely-accepted Hadith records Muhammad's words to the commanders of his expeditions: "When you meet your enemies who are polytheists, invite them to three courses of action. If they respond to any one of these, you also accept it and withhold yourself from doing them any harm. Invite them to [accept] Islam; if they respond to you, accept it from them and desist from fighting against them. ... If they refuse to accept Islam, demand from them the jizya. If they agree to pay, accept it from them and hold off your hands. If they refuse to pay the tax, seek Allah’s help and fight them" (Sahih Muslim, Book 19, Number 4294).

In the second place, although it is true that the Quran does seem to advocate a non-violent propagation of religion--i.e., “Let there be no compulsion in religion” (2:256a)-- it is also true that Muhammad was not simply a religious leader alone but a military general par excellence as well. As one author has commented: "No matter how you cut it, Muhammad was not only a religious leader, but a military leader who waged war against his enemies as soon as he had the means. Following his example, Muslims quickly carved out an enormous empire. And what ended Muslim expansion was not a change of heart or doctrine, but European military might" (http://www.answering-islam.de/Main/Terrorism/by_the_sword.html).

Christ, on the other hand, came not wielding the sword but laying down the sword. His was not a kingdom of this world but a heavenly and spiritual kingdom. He came loving His enemies and praying for those who persecuted Him and calls His disciples to do the same. Not only is it unlike Islam, it is unlike everything in and of this world.

Now, in the interest of fairness, I need to admit that much that has transpired (and may still be transpiring) in the name of Christ by professing Christians has been deeply troubling. But there is (although there ought not to be) a difference between what Christians DO and what the Bible says that Christians OUGHT to do.