|
Please Visit the following site for the latest methodist news.
http://www.methodist.org.sg
Statement from the Executive Committee of the World
Methodist Council
Wesleyan/Methodist - Witness in Christian and
Islamic Cultures
The world's two largest religions, Christianity and Islam, are
today perceived by many people to be on a collision course, as
a result of militant religious fundamentalism and aggressive secular
militarism.
As Wesleyan/Methodist Christians, we believe that Christ Jesus
is the Lord of creation and history and the Savior of the world.
As followers of Jesus, we believe in the rule of love, the worth
of all persons, tolerance of others and his vision of a kingdom
of peace. As a consequence, we respect much of what we witness
in Islam. We share Islam's strong emphasis on prayer and fasting,
the call for the pursuit of personal holiness, and the focus on
charity and the dignity of every human being. We are aware that
Islam, like Christianity, is expressed in many different ways
in different cultures. We recognize the faithfulness of most Muslims
as they seek to live lives committed to Allah and free from the
perversions of this world. We also appreciate the many great contributions
of Islamic culture that have benefited humankind.
We are keenly aware that Muslims have been abused, oppressed,
humiliated, and enslaved by the political, economic, and military
forces of Western nations and that, even though these nations
have functioned primarily as secular entities, they have been
associated with the Christian community. Further, we clearly acknowledge
that the abuses of Muslims by Westerners connected with the Medieval
Crusades, the imperial colonialism of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth
Centuries, and the militarism of the Twentieth and Twenty First
Centuries have often been driven more by greed, self preservation,
and a distorted interpretation of the Christian faith than by
the peaceful and loving commandments of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. For these abuses by the Christian community, we seek the
forgiveness of Islamic people throughout the world.
We are also aware that Christians were abused and enslaved by
force in the establishment of the Islamic Empires. As disciples
of Jesus Christ, we abhor the terrorism of militant Islam and
the militarism of Western governments that are escalating in a
tragically violent spiral causing immense suffering, fear and
grief throughout the world. We join with peace loving persons
of both faiths to reject the use of Christianity and Islam for
the abuse. _ and enslavement of persons. The Qur’an and
the Bible call us to honor and respect all people, to submit to
the will of God in all things and to bring about a just and peaceful
society in which love and tolerance overcome hate and fear.
Aggression against people or nations, for any reason other than
self defense or the defense of others, is in conflict with the
teachings of Christianity and Islam, in both the New Testament
and the Qur'an. We call on all Christians and Muslims to bring
an end to the cycle of hatred and violence threatening all persons
and creation. Even though we recognize and affirm some similarities
between Islam and Christianity and between the Qur'an and the
Bible, we believe the distinctions between us are significant.
While we understand that Muslims believe that Allah is revealed
to the world in the Qur'an, we affirm that God is revealed in
the Bible and God's ultimate self-revelation is in the person
of Jesus Christ. While we understand that Muslims affirm the absolute
oneness of Allah, we believe that God is one and has been revealed
to us in three persons as God the Father who gave us life, as
God the Son in whom God's complete nature is disclosed, and God
the-Holy Spirit who abides within us and continues to give us
strength and guidance in all that we do.
While we understand that Muslims believe that all of life's realms
personal, religious, social, family, political, economic, and
military must come under the authority of Allah, Christians affirm
God's sovereignty and the Lordship of Christ Jesus over all of
life.
While we understand that Muslims believe that salvation comes
through complete submission to Allah through affirmation of the
declaration of faith (shahada), participation in daily prayers
(salat), giving of alms (zakat), observation of the Ramadan fast
(sawm), and participation in the pilgrimage (hajj), Wesleyan/Methodist
Christians believe that salvation comes through justification
by grace through faith in the revelation of God in the person
of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the singular, unique event in human
history which makes the salvation of all human beings possible.
This salvation received by grace is lived out in a life of discipleship
seeking holiness of heart and life. In a world ripped apart by
sin, fear, hopelessness and meaninglessness, we believe that the
coming of God in Jesus of Nazareth and the teachings, sacrificial
death and miraculous resurrection of Jesus offer healing, hope
and salvation for all. This salvation provides escape from the
bondage of sin, meaningful new life, the reconciliation of persons,
the renewal of all creation and the hope of eternal life for all
who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
We believe that God calls us to affirm the dignity and wholeness
of every human being, and we respect the right of all persons
to worship God in the way that is most meaningful to them. Therefore,
we hope and pray that governments will not impose laws that infringe
on the religious rights of their citizens. We affirm that if it
is acceptable to build Mosques in Christian cultures, it should
also be acceptable to build Christian Churches in Islamic cultures.
As Christians, we also believe that we are called to share God's
love, forgiveness, and gracious action in the person of Jesus
Christ with everyone. Christians seek to live in a world community
that is shaped by the reign of God, and we pray for and expect
the kingdom of God, righteousness, peace and love to come on earth
as it is in heaven. Therefore, all Wesleyan Methodist Christians
are called by God, first, to lovingly accept Muslim brothers and
sisters as persons of faith; second, to stand firm against violence
and hatred in all its forms; third, to stand with persons who
are being persecuted and are suffering for their faith; and fourth,
trusting in the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, to share
with all persons, including Muslims, the love and grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ through our words, deeds and signs by the power
of the Holy Spirit, and invite them into life-changing relationships
with God through Christ
Adopted by Executive Committee of the World Methodist Council
Port
Elizabeth, South Africa
September 18, 2004
|
