A response to the usually indubitable Colin Hart's position on Qur'an burning
10/9/2010
Dear brother Colin Hart,
Dear brother Colin Hart,
Greetings in Christ Jesus.
I agree with you that Pastor Jones' proposed actions are
inappropriate and untimely, but you go far too far by describing
them as 'unchristian'. Was it wrong for the brethren in Ephesus to burn
their magic books (Acts 19.19), might the other practitioners of the
same arts have objected on precisely the same grounds you are raising
against Pastor Jones? Given the fierceness of devotion to deities like
Diana, might there not be needless offence, might there not be harm
done to innocent parties, the police and other law officials? Was it
apposite to witness? Are the writings of the Qur'an any less heretical
and sinful than the books that were burned?
The only telling distinction was that at Ephesus,
believers sought publically and openly to renounce and break from their
past, Pastor Jones seeks to express renunciation of an evil doctrine to
which he has never given profession. I would never object in the way
you have to a bold ex Muslim burning the book that had damned his
forebears, nearly damned him, and was in danger of beguiling his
family. On the contrary, it seems to me he would have an excellent and
a scriptural precedent in the New Testament, if he chose that
courageous course, notwithstanding your article.
It is easy to follow the chorus of secular critics and
the scoffers, but is it scriptural and is it wise, when the real issue
is not the act but the outrageous and savage threatened reaction?
Yours in the Beloved Son,
Charles Soper
