Calling yourself a “Christian” may be watering down the truth, but saying “I try to follow Jesus” surely isn’t watering down anything -in fact, quite the opposite.

Let me say it another way: What religion are people who are born and raised in Spain? What about Serbia? Columbia? Italy? THey are Catholic. Or as they would say “Christian.” Now we can argue with them if we want and say “No you’re not REALLY a Christian” and then see how that works…. OR we could drop and unhelpful and confusing term and focus on the reality. The biblical Jesus Christ who has provided for us a way to the Father.

While it’s true that for the last 2000 years some who have been called “Christians” have actually following the Christ, but so many more have not (think of the 2000 years in its totality, not your local church which is probably doing it well). So to hold on to a term that is misunderstood and confusing is not helpful.

That’s my whole point. It has nothing to do with ripping on the body of Christ, the local church or watering down anything – all quite the opposite if you can hear the point.

Does that help?

I totally get what you are saying. I don’t think you are bashing Christianity. You are just saying that we need to realize what “Christianity” means to those outside of our circles. To an American Baptist a Christian is a good thing. To a Muslim in Iraq, a western Christian means bombs and sanctions.

My Muslim friend told me they are fearful when people like us come to power. If you think of their logic — evangelical Christian Bush = bombing their children and destroying their country then it makes sense. Especially when they read that 75+ per cent of fellow evangelicals supported Bush and the Iraq War.

To them it’s the Crusades all over again.

We need to try that whole “overcome evil with good” thing and “love your enemies” command. It’s amazing how we call ourselves followers of Christ yet often are the first to support bombing our enemies.

I think Jesus would have fed those Iraqi children who were without food during those years of sanctions. And I think Jesus would take food and water and medicine to those suffering now in Gaza.

Yet the Christians still strongly support Israel because we think God expects us to. Even at the expense of compassion and love which Jesus so wonderfully demonstrated.

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In talking to Muslims and desiring to present Jesus, Carl writes, “Drop the arguments and forget the fight. It isn’t about who’s more right and who’s more wrong. It’s about pointing toward Isa (Jesus) and allowing his Spirit” to do the work. (pg. 110)

“If you want to reach a person, you have to look at them as an individual. . .. There can be no more generalizations and blanket distinctions.” (pg. 131)

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Thankfully God brought some Syrians into my life over 2 years ago and I can tell you for sure that what Carl says is true. When you stop the generalizations and take time to listen and love and build relationships, it’s amazing how God works in hearts and lives.

I hope all people can experience that same joy one day.

By the way, I just finished reading “Tea with Hezbollah” with one of my Syrian friends just last night. I read it to him on Skype until we finished. We discussed the book and had a great time learning from Ted and Carl’s adventures. And for me it was wonderful getting an Arab’s perspective on what Ted and Carl experienced and shared in the book.

I posted Samer’s and my notes on my blog. I think I’ll read “Muslims, Christians & Jesus” to him next.

My Muslim friends are way more impressed by people like Carl who actually love and care about them than people who go around trying to divide people.

Carl is about building bridges with Muslims not tearing them down. I think we’ve had enough tearing down by “Christians” so it’s time to demonstrate God’s love towards all people instead of being so divisive.

READ THE BOOK then come back here and ask Carl about his spiritual views if you still have questions.

Also I recommend Nabeel Jabbour’s “The Crescent Through the Eyes of the Cross” which helps explain the “western wrappings” we have that hinder Muslims from understanding the Gospel of Jesus. It’s a wonderful book from a Christian Arab who loves Muslims.

There is one thing we agree on, Mr. Medearis, and that is that it is not about religion. Yahshua is so much more/deeper than religion.

But, instead of making further assumptions about what you believe, I am going to ask you straight out.

1) Do you believe, as John 14:6 says that Yahshua is the ONLY Truth, LIfe, and Way to the Father?
2) Do you believe that Islamic Jesus is the same as Yahshua the Christ/Messiah?
3) Do you believe that Yahweh is of the utmost importance? Even more important than people?
4) Do you believe that it is possible to have love or peace at all without Yahweh?

I’m sorry to ask because I’m sure you’ve answered these before in your books and things, but frankly, I doubt I’ll read your books any time soon.

Anyway, I know you believe that Yahshua is your Lord and Savior, so you are my brother in Christ, whatever other differences/issues we might have, and so…

God bless!

I mean you no disrespect. I suppose I get a bit angry when I see things that want to water down Christianity and make it more palatable to the unsaved. It looks like this is what you are doing, and if it is not, I’m sorry. I am sorry that my anger has been so obvious in my posts. To clarify, I am not mad…just passionate.

I do think that my posts have all been on topic, though.

I would like to clarify another thing:

Main Entry: 3grandstand
Function: intransitive verb
Date: 1900
: to play or act so as to impress onlookers
— grand·stand·er noun

I am not trying at all to impress anyone. Because my identity is in Christ, and I don’t really care what anyone else thinks.

As for civility, I consider debating rather fun and nothing anyone says makes me any less civil to them. So….yeah. Like you, I appreciate controversy and debate. I respect all with whom I debate, though I may not respect their beliefs.

I would email you this instead of posting it here but 1) not sure where to find your email address or if you are offering that to the public
2) you publicly called us out, so I will publicly clarify

And I’ve read the whole Bible. And Jesus WILL COME BACK WITH A SWORD.

I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man,”[b]dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. ~Revelation 1:12-16

Note the “double edged sword.” Yes, it is the Word of Yahweh, but the Word will kill the wicked.

The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. ~Revelation 16:19

The wicked will drink the “cup of the fury of his wrath.”

When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

11Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. ~Revelation 20:7-15

ALL will be judged, and those whose name is not the the book of life will DIE.

Does that mean we get to judge? No. that’s Yahweh’s job. But He’s not some namby pamby “kumbayah” peace for even sin (note I said SIN, not SINNER) God. He is omnipotent and fierce! He is merciful, yes, but ALSO JUST.

You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil;
with you the wicked cannot dwell. ~Psalm 5:4