The news continues to flow out of Israel and the Gaza Strip, and there is only so much one can say about indiscriminate rocket fire on innocent Israeli citizens, and responses of Israeli airstrikes on terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip.  So, today I want to focus a little differently.

When it comes to the mindset and thinking in the Middle East, I have to admit that I am intrigued because it seems so backward in many ways to our Western mindset.  However, what I have come to know in greater depths over the years, is that worldview matters!  It is not about Eastern vs Western mindset, it is about one’s actual starting point in determining right and wrong, good and evil.  In the context of what is happening in the Middle East, it is about our anchor point.  Specifically, is it the Bible or the Qur’an?

Let me explain.  Here are some facts about the current conflict in Gaza:

• Terrorists are firing rockets at innocent Israeli citizens.
• In some cases, those rockets are being fired from civilian areas such as mosques, schools, and hospitals.
• Kidnapping and murder have been used (by both sides) as means of retaliation toward the other.
• Terrorist groups inside the Gaza Strip are being supported, financed, supplied, and controlled by government factions from Iran and Syria (among others).

Are these things right or wrong?  Are they good or evil?  That depends upon your anchor point.  What determines right or wrong, good or evil?  Is it popular opinion?  If so, then what happens when opinion changes?  Does good become evil, and evil become good?  What about those holy books…do they carry the authority to define good and evil?

I believe we have to have a rock solid starting point from which to anchor our assessment of right and wrong, good and evil; and I believe there is only one true anchor, the infallible Word of God…the Bible.   You see, the Bible can be trusted because it is the very Word of God.

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.  ~2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Bible is powerful, and able to judge the thoughts and heart of man.

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  ~Hebrews 4:12

The Bible also “proves” itself.  In fact, the Bible has a very unique self-validating feature that proves its veracity:  prophecy.  Bible scholars indicate that there are approximately 1000 prophecies in Scripture.  Roughly half of them have been fulfilled EXACTLY as predicted.  For example, here is a list of prophecies about Jesus that were perfectly fulfilled!   (For more, check out Foundations of the Word: Prophecy by Mark Martin.)

 

The Bible is trustworthy.  It is the righteous, infallible Word of God.  (Psalm 119:172, Psalm 19:7)  It is timeless, in that it hasn’t changed… because truth does not change!  (Psalm 119:89, Isaiah 40:8)

Dear friends, if the Bible is our anchor…the basis of our worldview, then we have to submit to its teaching.  The Bible undeniably values human life.

• Psalm 139: 13-14 (Read the entire chapter to learn just how dear you are to God!)
• Exodus 20:13 (One of the 10 Commandments: “You shall not murder.”)
• Genesis 1:27, Genesis 9:6 (We are created in His image.)
• Jeremiah 1:5  (We are known by God even before birth.)
• (Google “Sanctity of Life Bible verses” for dozens of additional references!)

Furthermore, the Bible also teaches that God’s character is peace, and we are to be like Him.  (Isaiah 9:6, Philippians 4:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 13:20-21)

Thus, using the principles of Scripture as our anchor, we are equipped to rightly judge right and wrong, good and evil.  By that standard, we know that acts of terrorism are evil.  Notice, I did NOT say we are equipped to judge people!  There is only one lawgiver and judge, and His name is Jesus Christ!  (James 4:12)  We are not to condemn those engaged in evil, but to condemn the evil acts.  PRAY for the people, condemn the sin.

Finally, Christian brothers and sisters, remember that the fight is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, powers, and world forces of darkness.  There are spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places that are at work bringing about evil.  (Ephesians 6:12)  Here is an interesting way to think of it: those engaged in sin are held captive by it.  They are prisoners of a spiritual war.  The enemy of Jesus Christ our Lord is at work through Islam, and peace will not reign until Jesus Himself returns to make all things right.  As believers, we have that Blessed Hope!  Please pray that those prisoners of a spiritual war will find peace in the Blessed Hope before it is too late!

Stay tuned!  I provided only one side of the Bible vs Qur’an equation.  In a day or two, I will follow up by approaching the same idea from the Qur’anic perspective.