Dec. 19th marked the second “Hot Topic” discussion. This month’s topic, “The religion of Islam” is truly a HOT TOPIC, not only for the Christian community but for the United States of America as a whole. One of tonight’s members said, “My co-worker is a Muslim, and I’d like to lead them to Jesus Christ.” One of the purposes of these meetings is to become informed of the facts. So we surveyed the origins of Islam, the teaching of Mohammad, and the culture in which this religion emerged. We learned that Christianity and Islam differ sharply, which is not what main stream secularist would have one to believe. Ultimately, the primary goal for gaining understanding in other religions and other “Hot Topics” is to grow to be a more effective witness for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
One of my professors, Dr. Barclay Brown of Indiana Wesleyan University says, “The present conflict over Islam makes the message of Christianity more important and distinctive. God may be using this conflict to spur that distinctiveness in a way that will make the person of Christ a more talked about figure. Our world is ripe for some message of salvific proportions and Christianity has such a message for such a time as this.”
I would encourage all believers to be “ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ (1 Peter 3:15-16, KVJ).
Come Join us at Union Chapel, Next 3rd Sunday at 6pm, Jan 16th 2011
