Burning bridges instead of building them

There are many ways to show the light of Christ to the world. Setting a bonfire is not one of them.

In less than a month, Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center in Florida plans to host "Burn a Quran Day" to mark the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

The pastor, author of the book "Islam is of the Devil," is using the burning to urge American Christians to "stand up" to what he describes as a monolithic Muslim threat. A Facebook page for the event has accrued thousands of "likes" and Jones has said people have been mailing him Qurans to burn.

In what way does this further the kingdom of Christ? Does it make people more or less receptive to the message of the Gospel? Does it promote peace between peoples or discord?

The "Outreach Center" justifies its actions on its website, assuring people this isn't a case of Nazi book burning. They go on to cite Acts 19 as an example of Christians burning scrolls. What they fail to realize is this was a case of new believers publicly renouncing their previous lives, NOT a case of the established believers going out of their way to offend their neighbors. The scripture is being misapplied, particularly when one considers this:

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

"Burn a Quran Day" is just as provocative in its way as the efforts to build a Muslim "Community Outreach Center" near the site of the 9/11 attacks (how's that 'interfaith outreach' working out for you, by the way...). There are deep and profound differences between the Christian and Muslim faiths. It's important to have that discussion, but it can only be productive if done with respect. We need far fewer noisy gongs in both camps if the objective really is to find truth and lead others to it.

All these 'outreach' centers are doing is stirring the pot to create followings, pitting 'us' against 'them' with no real regard for reaching out to the 'them.' Jesus had no use for 'religious' leaders like that. Neither should Christians today.