Exclusive Christianity...

Being a Christian New Yorker who works as a full-time missionary with Campus Crusade for Christ, I can't help but feel the need to comment on the recent events surrounding what's become known as "ground zero". You can read our National Staff position here or in the New York Times article.

I won't go on and become all preachy, but I'd like to make a few points that I believe ought to be true to every Christian, which in definition is a "Christ-follower". My Pastor, David Epstein, at Calvary Baptist Church in NYC does a great job at explaining the biblical reasons a Christian ought to be opposed to the burning of the Koran as well as biblical reasons the Muslim ought to be more sensitive to the building of the Mosque in the financial district of Manhattan. You can listen to his comments here.

Pastor Timothy Keller of Redeemer Church in NYC has a few sermons online addressing the "Problems with the Christian God" that I think have been divinely released to the people at this time "for such a time as this". He boldly states "the ultimate reality for a Christian is the visible man on a cross loving people who don't love him, forgiving people who abuse Him, and serving people who oppose Him." If we as Christians take hold of this ultimate reality and live with the gospel of Christ at the center of our lives, Keller goes on to pray: "The exclusivity of Christian teachings will lead to humble service, reconciling behavior, non-patronizing and non self-righteous love of people who differ with us."

As a believer, I believe that Florida Pastor, Terry Jones, has lost sight of the ultimate reality of a Christian and has allowed his self-righteous pride to blind him from speaking and acting in a Christ-like manner. Christians are not to act as the world acts but rather "love their neighbor as themselves" with "consideration & respect"!