Reflections on Islamic Reformation and Berean
In a recent article by Dianne Muir (from Washington Post) reprinted in Straits Times, she discussed the implication of Islamic Reformation. There are reformers who want to go the way of the Renaissance. They encourage their believers to read the Quran for themselves without the dependence on scholars, imams, etc to interpret for them. It would be interesting to see how this will pan out if the current evolution leads to a spiritual revolution in the Islamic world. She warns: Be careful what you wish for
You never know! in searching the Quran for themselves they may end up knowing Christ because they have begun the search without the veil! The poverty of spirit will be filled by the true Word.
The article reminds me of our call within the churches of Christ to all Christians to go back to the scriptures. Our clarion call is: Speak when the bible speak and be silent when the bible is silent. Our favourite example is the Berean Christians.
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
This call as the author of the news article suggests will cause division. Just as the Reformation movement by men like Luther and Calvin created big division in Europe, it will cause a schism in the Islamic world. The democratization of the gospel interpretation will lead to many views. It is unavoidable because each of us has different background, competence, maturity, and also baggage. What is good is that lies and false teachings will be under greater scrutiny and sacred cows will be minced beef. It is a dangerous phase at the same time full of great learning.
When Christ came he said something that was unpleasant.
Matthew 10:34-42 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
What will this sword do and to whom and in what form?
For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
The Word of God is the Sword. It will cut and divide us away from lies, false teachings and any allegiance that puts God second place. It will create division before it can unite. Like a surgeon’s knife, cutting away, the Sword is meant to heal not kill. Sin kills. When we are sanctified or set apart by the Word, we are truly free. Are we?
After 50 years, how many of us in this part of the world can say we have been true to this call. There is still a dependence on some Christian “imams” to issue fatwas from US on those who do not fall in line. For more gripes, despair and suggestions from me on this matter, go to “I plead Euodia and Syntyche”.
As I grow older in faith I am questioning more of what I was taught. Since the gospel was brought to us from the west, I ponder how much of the interpretation is Westernized viz. Americanized. How would the people from the land of plenty, a majority of them who have never step out of their mid west kampong see the world? How has their parochial culture influence their teachings?
I am not advocating throwing the baby with the bathwater. When you study the scriptures for yourself, there are many clear teachings taught to us which we can check out. Many of the doctrines taught to us in the churches of Christ are correct and scriptural. I do not question the teachings per se. I question especially the way we put into practice locally.
There is an advantage of central control. It ensures conformity. With good shepherds, alignment ensures consistent behavior but alas! we are mere men and tend to stray even in the best intention. If either way has weakness then which way is best? The biblical way of autonomy is best. To do so requires an act of faith especially those who hold dear to sacred cows.
In such a situation, we need another clarion call for moderation and to all wise brethren to arise and share wise counsel.
1 Corinthians 6:5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
I question and search in faith into dangerous grounds for 3 reasons.
Firstly, God’s word will not return void
Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Secondly, His Grace is sufficient even if we have misinterpretation in the process of searching. Mistakes are unavoidable part of learning. Learning from mistakes is part of the experience and is only possible when there is Grace.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Thirdly, the Holy Spirit is well capable of His own quality control.
Ephesians 3:19-20 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Add comment August 31st, 2007
