We’re talking Radicals, Reformers, and Revivalists, three different ideologies that characterize Muslim activists.  To borrow from Joel Rosenberg’s Inside the Revolution, let’s describe them this way:

• Radicals: “Islam is the answer, jihad is the way.”
• Reformers: “Islam is the answer, but jihad is not the way.”
• Revivalists: “Islam is not the answer, and jihad is not the way.  Jesus is the way.”

When world leaders address the United Nations General Assembly, it is an opportunity for true colors to be exposed.  Yesterday, we identified a modern-day reformer, Jordan’s King Abdullah.  Today, we’ll identify two modern-day radicals.

Let’s look first at the lesser radical, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.  His speech was considerably different in tone and content than that of King Abdullah.  Rather than acknowledge the need for the security and stability of all, and rather than recognizing the global threat of terrorism, here are some points from Abbas’s UN speech:

• He accused Israel of “genocide and war crimes.” (But made no mention of the kidnap and killing of three Israeli teens that started the conflict.)
• He repeatedly blamed Israel for displaced Gaza citizens and destroyed homes, schools, hospitals, and mosques. (He said nothing about rockets and missiles being stored and hidden in those places, or that the IDF warned citizens beforehand of where they would attack.)
• More than once, Abbas indicated that peace talks with Israel are impossible. (Yet, he failed to mention the 11 ceasefires violated by Hamas during the Gaza conflict.)
• Despite the accusations levied at Israel, Abbas previously blamed Hamas for the prolonged war in Gaza. Yet, he sang a different tune in the UN speech, and failed to mention that Israel arrested almost 100 Hamas members who plotted to kill Abbas and overthrow the Palestinian Authority.

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani is even more extreme than Abbas.  This radical not only believes that Islam is the answer, but that Allah has called the Iranian regime to lead the world in jihad against all infidels.  He, too, points fingers elsewhere rather than taking responsibility.  During his UN speech, he blamed the West for Middle East extremism and insisted that US strikes in Syria and “military aggression” in Iraq and Afghanistan constitute an “erroneous strategic approach in the Middle East.”

Since the Iranian revolution in 1979, Iran has obsessed about developing nuclear weapons.  Though Rouhani and other Iranian leaders insist that their nuclear ambitions are for peaceful purposes, they consistently refuse to abide by agreements, and have failed to allow IAEA inspectors into their nuclear facilities.  Furthermore, Iran is the mothership of Shi’ite Islam, and believes it is their responsibility to prepare the way for the Islamic messiah.  To do so requires destruction of the great Satan (the United States) and the little Satan (Israel).

The Iranian regime, as well as extremists such as Osama bin Laden and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, are prime examples of radicals.  They believe Islam is the answer and jihad is the way.  For all intent and purposes, it is impossible to negotiate peace with them, as their religious beliefs are diametrically opposed to peace.

So, what are Christians to do?  The first thing is to realize that not all Iranians and Palestinians are radicals.  In fact, the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ is going out to millions of Muslims, and many are coming to saving faith in Him.  Pray for ministries such as Iran Alive Ministries who reach into very dark lands to shine the light of Christ.  Pray for salvation of many because only when the Prince of Peace indwells hearts and lives will true peace be realized in the Middle East.

Over the next few days I will introduce several revivalists who made the journey from the oppression of Islam to the freedom of Christ!  Come back to hear their stories!