Would Jesus Burn a Muslim? (Part 1)
What would Jesus do?
We have all seen the “WWJD?” slogan emblazoned on bumper stickers, buttons, wrist bands and t-shirts. The implication of this maxim is that we are always supposed to ask ourselves how Jesus would behave in any situation we encounter. If we cannot possibly imagine Jesus himself doing such a thing, then it must be something to avoid.
Imagine the following scenario:
A young fighter pilot completes his training and is about to receive his first assignment. He is called into a meeting with his superior officer. The officer holds a classified file in his hands and an unlit cigar in his mouth.
“Your first mission is due to commence at an unspecified hour later this week. You will be flying into enemy territory. It will be a bombing mission into an area populated by Al-Qaeda insurgents. Collateral damage including some civilian casualties is possible, although we will take every precaution to avoid that.”
The commander pauses and leans forward. He holds the cigar in his left hand as he eyes the young pilot. “I see that you have listed your religious preference as ‘Born-Again Christian.’ Is that going to present you with any moral or ethical problems in completing this mission?”
The young man thinks for a moment and then answers, “Sir, I am willing to do anything to protect and serve my country. However, whenever I face a moral or ethical dilemma, I do the following.”
He hands his officer a button with the letters WWJD printed on it. He explains what it means.
The commander strokes his chin and appears lost in thought for a few moments. In his mind’s eye, he sees a fighter jet taking off from an aircraft carrier. After the jet arrives at the designated coordinates, the pilot’s hand reaches forward to press the button to release the bomb load. The imagines a nail scar on that hand – a hand that could belong to only one Man in history.
At the thought, his jaw drops open and the cigar drops out of his mouth.
“That’s the most ridiculous %^@# thing I have ever heard! You are clearly incapable of carrying out this mission! You are dismissed!”
A strict reading of WWJD would show us that Jesus never served in the military. Therefore, Jesus would never run a bombing mission against Al-Qaeda as a fighter pilot. The problem with this logic is that when someone asks the question, “What would Jesus do,” they are implying that if Jesus did not do “that,” then we aren’t called to do “that” either. Jesus never got married and never had any children. Do they intend to forbid us to marry, as Paul warned some would? (1 Timothy 4:3). Jesus never ran for political office or served in the military. Does that mean Christians are not called to do this either?
A fundamental problem arises when we think of Jesus as being in the form of the man revealed in the Gospels. That is not wholly accurate. Jesus appears in every book of the Bible. He appeared in the form of a man or an angel many times throughout the Old Testament – these occurrences are sometimes called “Theophonies.”
(See: Genesis 18:1-3,10; 32:24-30; Exodus 3:2-6; Joshua 5:13-15; Daniel 3:22-25).
God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is one God in three persons. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). “There is no shadow of turning with God the Father” (James 1:17).
This means that Jesus made the decision to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah by raining down fire and brimstone (Genesis 19:24). It means that Jesus commanded Moses and then Joshua to obliterate the tribes of Canaan sparing no one – even the women, children and livestock. If we think that this “wrathful” nature of God, subsided after the cross, we need to look at such passages in the New Testament as Ananias and Sapphira being killed by God for lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1-11) and Herod being struck down and eaten up by worms (Acts 12:23).
Finally, we need to look at the image of Christ as judge of all creation sitting on the Great White throne in Revelation 20:11-15:
Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
We are mistaken if we think that just because Jesus did not do something, we should not do it either. We are equally deceived to think that we can “be Jesus” to the whole world. There are some actions that are reserved for Christ alone. No, we cannot burn a Muslim. But one day, Jesus will burn all who do not repent and believe. We need to preach this message, but before we do that, we need to have a proper understanding of Jesus as both fully man and fully God from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21.
Your comments are welcome!
The Real Jesus: A Defense of the Historicity and Divinity of Christ (DVD)
Who is the Real Jesus?
Ever since the dawn of modern rationalism, skeptics have sought to use textual criticism, archeology and historical reconstructions to uncover the “historical Jesus” — a wise teacher who said many wonderful things, but fulfilled no prophecies, performed no miracles and certainly did not rise from the dead in triumph over sin.
Over the past 100 years, however, startling discoveries in biblical archeology and scholarship have all but vanquished the faulty assumptions of these doubting modernists. Regrettably, these discoveries have often been ignored by the skeptics as well as by the popular media. As a result, the liberal view still holds sway in universities and impacts the culture and even much of the church.
The Real Jesus explodes the myths of these critics and the movies, books and television programs that have popularized their views. Presented in ten parts — perfect for individual, family and classroom study — viewers will be challenged to go deeper in their knowledge of Christ in order to be able to defend their faith and present the truth to a skeptical modern world – that the Jesus of the Gospels is the Jesus of history — “the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). He is the real Jesus.
Speakers include: George Grant, Ted Baehr, Stephen Mansfield, Raymond Ortlund, Phil Kayser, David Lutzweiler, Jay Grimstead, J.P. Holding, and Eric Holmberg.
Ten parts, over two hours of instruction!
Running Time: 130 minutes
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Dr. Francis Schaeffer - A Christian Manifesto (DVD)
That Swiss Hermit Strikes Again!
Dr. Schaeffer, who was one of the most influential Christian thinkers in the twentieth century, shows that secular humanism has displaced the Judeo-Christian consensus that once defined our nation’s moral boundaries. Law, education, and medicine have all been reshaped for the worse as a consequence. America’s dominant worldview changed, Schaeffer charges, when Christians weren’t looking.
Schaeffer lists two reasons for evangelical indifference: a false concept of spirituality and fear. He calls on believers to stand against the tyranny and moral chaos that come when humanism reigns-and warns that believers may, at some point, be forced to make the hard choice between obeying God or Caesar. A Christian Manifesto is a thought-provoking and bracing Christian analysis of American culture and the obligation Christians have to engage the culture with the claims of Christ.
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Massacre of Innocence (DVD)
Exposing The Occult Roots of Abortion
This presentation looks at the spiritual roots of abortion and exposes the myths surrounding child killing. Little known historical facts about abortion and how they relate to modern feminism are presented logically and accurately. Has been effective in converting many to a pro-life position.
Massacre of Innocence goes where no pro-life presentation has gone before in “tearing the lid off abortion” to reveal the spiritual realities we must battle if we will bring an end to this crime. The presentation is absorbing, fast-paced, informative and incredibly devastating to any attempt to justify abortion.
“… an extraordinary statement … a powerfully articulate presentation about what abortion really means, and why a great and moral nation like the United States must not allow the slaughter to continue.”
— Congressman Robert K. Dornan
Running time: 85 minutes
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The Beast of Revelation: Identified (DVD)
Who is the dreaded beast of Revelation?
Now at last, a plausible candidate for this personification of evil incarnate has been identified (or re-identified). Ken Gentry’s insightful analysis of scripture and history is likely to revolutionize your understanding of the book of Revelation — and even more importantly — amplify and energize your entire Christian worldview!
Historical footage and other graphics are used to illustrate the lecture Dr. Gentry presented at the 1999 Ligonier Conference in Orlando, Florida. It is followed by a one-hour question and answer session addressing the key concerns and objections typically raised in response to his position. This presentation also features an introduction that touches on not only the confusion and controversy surrounding this issue — but just why it may well be one of the most significant issues facing the Church today.
Ideal for group meetings, personal Bible study — for anyone who wants to understand the historical context of John’s famous letter “… to the seven churches which are in Asia.” (Revelation 1:4)
Running Time: 145 minutes
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(We accept all major credit cards and PayPal.)Click here for more information
Abortion Clinic 911 Calls (DVD)
Exposes the Dangers of Abortion to Women!
These shocking eyewitness accounts expose the dangers of abortion not only to unborn children, but to the health and lives women as well. An antidote to the smokescreens of the liberal media, these six short clips show what really happens in and around abortion clinics.
Although the content is emotionally gut-wrenching, these videos have been used in church seminars and small groups to educate Christians on the abortion issue and to lead people toward a pro-life position.
Watch these pro-life videos on-line.
“These videos helped change my mind from pro-choice to pro-life. Your videos are what did it for me. I will be walking in next year’s March For Life in San Francisco.” — A. Jackson, California
“I was going to have an abortion until I saw your video. Praise Jesus!”
— M. Drew, YouTube Commenter
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