NOTE: This entry was written on Monday, December 3 and Tuesday, December 4, and posted online on Friday, December 7, 2007.

By now you are undoubtedly familiar with the outrageous case of Gillian Gibbons, the British teacher who was jailed by Sudan for allowing her students to name a teddy bear Muhammed. Every aspect of this case makes it outrageous.

It was outrageous that this woman was trying to do some good to a foreign people and due to a "cultural misunderstanding" she found herself not simply afoul of the law but in a precarious and dangerous position.

It was outrageous that many were quite earnest in their sincerely held belief that this woman deserved to be put to DEATH for "offending the Prophet." [How often are we force fed the line that if you are earnest and sincere in your belief you ought not be questioned about whether it's right, or wrong, or godly? And what would these Muslims do if Muhammed was portrayed as a homosexual in a play, or his depiction was placed in urine, as has happened to my Lord Jesus?]

It was outrageous that her sentence could have been as bad as a severe beating [40 lashes] or 6 months in jail.

It was outrageous that a Sudanese judge thought a fair and deserved REDUCTION in punishment was no beating, only a fortnight in jail, and then deporting the woman.

It was outrageous that there wasn't a solid and resounding condemnation in the media for the horrific actions of this government, from every corner of the globe.

It was outrageous that it took the Sudanese President as long as it did to pardon Gibbons.

It is outrageous that some maintain the Sudanese President did a courageous and nobel act.

Perhaps most outrageous to me is that anyone would think naming a teddy bear after you is offensive. Why do children name a beloved stuffed animal after someone? Maybe because that person is beloved to them? But apparently that point is lost on the Muhammedans.

In my flesh, my first reaction was to organize a movement trying to get people to name their dogs after "the Prophet," but then I thought that might offend dogs. And then I was called to my senses -- my Christian senses -- by Scripture. And so many Scriptures, to boot. Scriptures like these...

Luke 9:51-56  And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, YE KNOW NOT WHAT MANNER OF SPIRIT YE ARE OF. FOR THE SON OF MAN IS NOT COME TO DESTROY MEN'S LIVES, BUT TO SAVE THEM. And they went to another village.

Clearly, I had forgotten what manner of Spirit I should be of.

Matthew 5:43-48  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, BLESS THEM THAT CURSE YOU, DO GOOD TO THEM THAT HATE YOU, AND PRAY FOR THEM WHICH DESPITEFULLY USE YOU, AND PERSECUTE YOU; THAT YE MAY BE THE CHILDREN OF YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? BE YE THEREFORE PERFECT, EVEN AS YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT.

Should I truly consider the Muslim as my enemy? While I don't feel I have any basis for considering them my enemy, as I understand it, Muslim's consider Christians their enemies, for we are "infidels." And repeatedly we have seen -- through ministries like "Voice of the Martyrs" -- anywhere Muslims have free course and reign [ruling in a country], infidels have two choices: convert or die.

So while it seems most appropriate to say they believe I am their enemy, the net effect is that they are mine -- not by my choice, by theirs. And illustrations abound of how Muslims curse Christians, hate us, despitefully use us, and persecute us. How one goes about loving them and blessing them is a challenge, and admitting the weakness of my flesh, even knowing how to effectually pray FOR them, not about them nor their interactions with Christians, is a bit of a mystery. Yet God knows, and only in going to Him and asking wisdom -- James 1:5 -- do I find a good strategy and an excellent resource, one I need to do more of with respect to the matter before us today.

Luke 23:33-34  And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.  Then said Jesus, FATHER, FORGIVE THEM; FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

This is perhaps the most convicting Scripture of all, for if my Lord could look down from the vantage point of brutality and injustice, and view all of humanity with the eyes of compassion, understanding, forgiveness and love --  including those not yet born, like Muhammed and his followers -- what right do I have to do less today? HE certainly has the right to demand the same of me, if He truly is Lord:

John 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Luke 6:46  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Ephesians 4:17-32  THIS I SAY THEREFORE, AND TESTIFY IN THE LORD, THAT YE HENCEFORTH WALK NOT AS OTHER GENTILES WALK, IN THE VANITY OF THEIR MIND, HAVING THE UNDERSTANDING DARKENED, BEING ALIENATED FROM THE LIFE OF GOD THROUGH THE IGNORANCE THAT IS IN THEM, BECAUSE OF THE BLINDNESS OF THEIR HEART:  Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. BUT YE HAVE NOT SO LEARNED CHRIST; IF SO BE THAT YE HAVE HEARD HIM, AND HAVE BEEN TAUGHT BY HIM, AS THE TRUTH IS IN JESUS: THAT YE PUT OFF CONCERNING THE FORMER CONVERSATION THE OLD MAN, WHICH IS CORRUPT ACCORDING TO THE DECEITFUL LUSTS; AND BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND; AND THAT YE PUT ON THE NEW MAN, WHICH AFTER GOD IS CREATED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUE HOLINESS.  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. BE YE ANGRY, AND SIN NOT: LET NOT THE SUN GO DOWN UPON YOUR WRATH: NEITHER GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.  LET NO CORRUPT COMMUNICATION PROCEED OUT OF YOUR MOUTH, BUT THAT WHICH IS GOOD TO THE USE OF EDIFYING, THAT IT MAY MINISTER GRACE UNTO THE HEARERS.  AND GRIEVE NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, WHEREBY YE ARE SEALED UNTO THE DAY OF REDEMPTION. LET ALL BITTERNESS, AND WRATH, AND ANGER, AND CLAMOUR, AND EVIL SPEAKING, BE PUT AWAY FROM YOU, WITH ALL MALICE: AND BE YE KIND ONE TO ANOTHER, TENDERHEARTED, FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, EVEN AS GOD FOR CHRIST'S SAKE HATH FORGIVEN YOU.

And He IS truly the Lord, and I truly want Him to be MY Lord, so He has every right to make demands on me, and expect that I will yield each and every time, and that quite promptly.

Perhaps a large part of my problem, illustrated by this case, is a difficulty in truly being able to understand the offense and the crime. Why shouldn't this act -- naming the teddy bear "Muhammed," which seems to be borne of innocence and love -- be seen as an act of devotion to "the Prophet," rather than an insult? That's precisely how I understand the act of some Hispanic / Mexican Catholics when they name their son "Jesus" -- an act of love and devotion.

Frankly, Islam seems a rather weak and insecure faith if it can't absorb or tolerate the simple act of a small child wanting to name his teddy bear after "the Prophet," which, speaking as a father, certainly can be understood to be an act done to honor him, not at all to besmirch his character, such as it is, or at least such as it is represented by his followers.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7  CHARITY SUFFERETH LONG, AND IS KIND; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, IS NOT EASILY PROVOKED, THINKETH NO EVIL; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;  BEARETH ALL THINGS, BELIEVETH ALL THINGS, HOPETH ALL THINGS, ENDURETH ALL THINGS.

In my better moments, and I'm glad to say I still have them, I want to understand and at least give Islamists the benefit of the doubt. For example, I can understand the ire caused by publication of "The Satanic Verses" or when a Dutch cartoonist published anti-Islam cartoons. In their own context, these might rightly be viewed as more reality than perception in terms of being offensive.

But should that offense be immediately taken to the level of not just a death threat, but an exhortation, a command to "true believers," to kill those responsible? To cause violent riots in the streets? In some cases, to strike out in violence, so that Theo Van Gogh lies dead, as well as an innocent nun whose life was taken in cold blood?

[And the offense of the media was deafening in it's silence, eh what?]

It seems that only in context can we truly gain perspective, especially the context of the origins of Islam and Christianity.

As I understand it, Islam was founded by a man who had visions in a cave. He became a polygamist -- and considering how old he was when he married his youngest wife, some might call him a pedophile. He preached a message that included elevating an insignificant moon god as the only true God, and he was his only prophet, and he used the sword to impose that message as far and wide as they could. Muhammed and his successors were rather successful at it then, and his followers today still seem to believe they can be. Angry bloodlust seems to be ingrained deep within the fabric of Islam, and it is submission to Allah or death.

Christianity was founded by Jesus of Nazareth, the self-professed Son of God and who was anointed by God "...with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." [Acts 10:38] He opposed religious hypocrites and those who were self-sufficient and proud, but was ever ready to give grace to the humble and eternal life to all who would repent and believe His Gospel. And He still remains so. Christianity is also a very bloody religion, but it is the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, God's only begotten, which has been shed far and wide for the remission of sin of all who believe.

To paraphrase what Attorney General John Ashcroft put so eloquently, "Islam is a religion which demands the death of your son for their god, but in Christianity God gives the death of His Son for you."

All around us now, we are fully into the season of "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." [Luke 2:14] But some continue to try and insist that Islam is truly the religion of peace.

If anything, this latest assault ["teddy bear gate?"] on what believers in the Lord Jesus Christ -- the ONLY true and living God -- are commanded to think on -- "...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." [Philippians 4:8] -- should simply be the last piece of evidence any honest and unbiased observer needs to admit Islam no longer even tries to mask itself.

At best it is misguided. At worst, I suspect it is satanic.

It is a religion of bloodlust, anger and death. Allah should be relegated back to his status as an insiginifcant pretender to a throne, and the history of Muhammed should be truly reported as it was and is. We should no longer be patient for "moderate Muslims" to act -- if they exist any where outside the imaginative fancies of a media bent on self-loathing, self in this case being Western Civilization.

We should no longer buy into the lie that we can work out a peaceful resolution with Muslims and think we will be able to live in harmony with them -- notwithstanding efforts such as those in England, called "A Common Word Between Us and You."

[Why "notwithstanding?" This effort, started by "peace-seeking Muslims," now includes over 100 Muslim leaders and seeks to elicit a response from Christian scholars and clerics of every denominational stripe. They are promoting harmony among Christians and Muslims on the basis of "shared theological truths" and they quote proof texts from the Old and New Testaments and the Quran in which they try to establish shared theological truths. What shared truths? The Unity of God, the love of Him, and the love of neighbor.

They derive the name of their group from a passage in the Quran which ostensibly teaches Muslims how to approach Jews and Christians: "Say: O People of the Scripture! Come to a common word between us and you: that we shall worship none but God, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside God."

So what's the problem with this? It's several-fold. First, "peace-seeking Muslims" seem to be a distinct and not quite vocal minority. Second, any shared theological truths are slim and thin indeed. The Christian God is ONE, but He is Three-in-One, a Trinity. Giving Muslims the benefit of the doubt that they love Allah, it seems to be a much harder case to do that for the love of neighbor. And if the Muslim call is for us to "worship none but God," and if that means Allah and Allah alone, Christians can never go along with that. Allah and Jehovah Jesus are not the same, and they are not equals. --

-    Isaiah 44:6  Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
-    Isaiah 44:8  Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.
-    Isaiah 45:5  I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
-    Isaiah 45:21  Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
-    Hosea 13:4  Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.
-    John 8:58  Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
-    John 10:30  I and my Father are one.

-- Their reference to not ascribing a partner to Him seems to be a clear slam at the Virgin Birth, and again, Christians have One Lord and One God -- Jesus, not Allah.

Add to this the fact that this Muslim group has already brought their credibility into question by welcoming Muslims like Tariq Ramadan as signatories to their initiative. Ramadan is the President of the European Muslim Network and nephew and disciple of the founder of the radical Muslim Brotherhood. Even moderate muslims [such as Thomas Haidon] have called him a "false moderate," insisting those like him have won "the trust of non-Muslims and influential policy makers with their smiles, Western style suits, and promises of 'dialogue'," but for what purpose? Forgive me for believing it is a sinister one at best.

And, you will note dear reader, none of this has even touched upon the issue of Israel, which is another divide between Christians and Muslims... >>> Source for the facts and quotes in this parenthetical portion: World Magazine for Dec. 8, 2007 -- Page 25 -- Article entitled "Common word game" by Mark Bergin.

We should be ever vigilant about their growing influence in our own land, and we should be rightly concerned about what is being preached in their pulpits in the name of Allah and his only prophet, often in secret in their mosques, sometimes brazenly in the open.

And we should make no mistake: most politicians will deny we are in a holy war, but a large portion of Islam certainly seems to be in one with us: not simply us U.S, but us the Judeo-Christian West. The sooner we understand that, the sooner we might change our mindset, our approach, our strategizing and our tactics so that we might have results like what happened so long ago, and emulate Pres. Thomas Jefferson and his actions on the Barbary Coast, and the Marines success on those famed "shores of Tripoli."

We should be demanding that our borders be secured, and that where ever security is a concern, is should be focused like a laser beam on those who most need securing. Some might want to label that "profiling." In some cases I think it's simply a necessary, common sense initiative we are really late to be taking.

Really late, as in 9-11 late.

Finally, the next time someone wants to try to say that Islam is a religion of peace, we should remember Gillian Gibbons, and remember that the only religion of peace comes from the Prince of Peace Himself.

It might take a great effort not to want to offer them a teddy bear named Muhammed. While we're at it, we'll need to simply resist the temptation to respond, "Islam, a religion of peace? Bah-humbug!" At least I will. Just trying to be honest, my friends.

But while it will take some effort -- at least I know it will with me and for me -- I can still resort to prayer, and asking God for the grace to be humble -- and perhaps most important, because I truly want to love and serve our Lord -- I ought to be more concerned with trying to share His peace with them.

At least I will try to be, and I will try to do just that. Again, just trying to be honest, and elicit your prayer support as well.

I praise the Lord Gillian Gibbons has been reunited with her family, and I truly pray this inicident is a wake-up call for all, Christian or not. [And especially if someone considers themself a "moderate Muslim," to really take a long, hard look at the peace their religion brings and gives. It's not too much to hope that they will do so in the light of my Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ, King of all Kings, Lord of all Lords, very God of very God.]

So, what do you think?

Thanks again for stopping in, and for giving me a few moments of your time and attention.

Until next time, my blessings to you,
Timotheous, a brother in Christ