Pastor learns about Islam, tries to bridge gap with Christians

The Journal-Constitution ^ | 08/01/08 | JOHN CHRISTENSEN

[forkinsocket]

During lunch 18 months ago, Dr. Ben Johnson had an epiphany as Dr. Aisha Jumaan, a Muslim, spoke to him about her faith and her experience of God.

"It came to me that this woman loves and worships the same God I do," says Johnson, a Christian. "I had this sharpened awareness that in that moment she was in touch with God, just as I was. It was a dawning and an awakening, and it was liberating because it liberates you from standing on a pedestal and looking down on someone else."

It also inspired Johnson to take on a life-changing mission.

At a time when many Christians, including some in his own church, were openly hostile towards a religion they believed advocated terrorism and was at war with the United States, Johnson initiated a dialog aimed at bringing Christians and Muslims together.

He has conducted a series of lectures and small-group gatherings at which more than 500 Muslims and Christians have shared their faith with each other. Not, Johnson hastens to point out, to convert anyone: "Just to understand each other."

Sunday Johnson will present another lecture, "Beyond 9/11: Christians and Muslims Together — A New World Vision" at Shallowford Presbyterian Church in Atlanta with a vision clear in his mind.

"The dream," he says, "is that we can find a way to bridge the chasm between Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus and Buddhists and make Atlanta a model city. That over the next year or two, we can develop an interfaith immersion program."

[forkinsocket]

.

[Vercingetorixbc]

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2Tim 4:3-4

[Ingtar]

You must have one god for the one religion of the end times to come into being.

[princeofdarkness]

Sadly, Dr. Johnson will fail in this mission. You can't reason with people who worship a religion of death.

[Pining_4_TX]

Rooster doo.

Do any of these boneheads wonder why Jesus had to die a horrible death on the cross if all roads lead to the same god? They are saying His sacrifce was meaningless. If you believe all religions are equal, then you really believe nothing at all. As Chesterton said, “Tolerance is the virtue of the man with no convictions.”

They are free to hold this opinion, but I wouldn’t want to be handcuffed to any of them when they die.

[weegee]

If Islam means peace and we all worship the same god(s), this Pastor should attempt to bring his religious text (Bible) into Saudi Arabia, the head of the Islamic empire. And he should ask to be permitted entry into Mecca, the capital of the Islamic empire. As a kufir, he would be on the receiving end of a death sentence. So much for peace love and understanding.

[Tex Pete]

The god of muslims and the God of Abraham are not the same.

[EyeGuy]

“Tolerance is the virtue of the man with no convictions.”

One of my favorite Chesterton quotes.

Similar to the chestnut about the open mind being an empty one.

[endthematrix]

God's Bridge: The Cross Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between God and people.

The Bible says..."For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ." 1 Timothy 2:5 "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." 1 Peter 3:18 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 God has provided the only way. Each person must make a choice.

[John Valentine]

Is that the mind-deadening strains of Kumbayah I hear?

[Republic_of_Secession.]

Great point. The merger of the Christian faith with the Muslim one is most probably part of the agenda to bring about a one world religion.

[Tolkien]

Dr. Johnson.

If it is as you say, then Christ died on the cross in vain. Why would Christ sacrifice Himself to wash away your sins, if blowing yourself up with a bomb while killing as many Jews as you could would do the same thing?

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved

[newberger]

Islam denies that Jesus died!

Muslim’s believe that is only *appeared* as if he was killed. It is commonly taught that someone (probably Judas) was killed in his place.

I certainly do not agree with their teaching but this is what they believe.

[LiteKeeper]

AMEN!

[fieldmarshaldj]

This is all it is, and all it ever will be. Senseless death, destruction and submission to Satan.

[miele man]

You are quite right and to which I would add, “”Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”. John 14:6

[G8 Diplomat]

Beyond 9/11: Christians and Muslims Together--A New World Vision

The question should be, would you be willing to adopt this "new world vision" ON 9/11?

19 Muslims following what Islam truly teaches killed 3,000 Americans in an inferno of fire and metal, and we're supposed to move on and live in harmony together? And I thought Harry Potter was fantasy! As long as the dragon hunts you, there will not be peace. You have to kill the dragon to achieve peace.

"It came to me that this woman loves and worships the same God I do," says Johnson, a Christian.

Newflash, Mr. Johnson. Muslims don't believe in the Trinity, so their concept of God is flawed. Yes, Christian Arabs also use the word al-Lah ("the God"), but in their case it actually refers to God.

[Jeff Chandler]

Moslems are just like Christians. Except for that head-chopping part.