Three Reasons to Not Burn the Koran

On September 11, 2010, the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, is planning on having a Koran-burning. Called the “International Burn a Koran Day,” this particular church has even put forward ten reasons why the Koran should be burned. As one might expect, condemnation for this scheduled event, and the attitude behind it, is pouring in from all over the world, with Muslims protesting in places ranging from Kabul to Indonesia, and both liberal and conservative Christians challenging the Dove World Outreach Center’s plan. Personally, I think that Dr. Terry Jones and the members of his church ought to be ashamed. Regardless of whatever real issues they might have with Islam, the burning of the Koran is arrogant and provocative, not to mention utterly tasteless. Furthermore, it mitigates the transforming power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, implying that cheap stunts are somehow necessary to demonstrate the contagious superiority of the matchless Savior Jesus. With that in mind let me offer three reasons why burning the Koran is, in fact, an inappropriate act put forward by small men. First, the Dove World Outreach Center, and for that matter all of us who claim to follow Christ, should “preach Christ crucified” (1 Cor. 1:23). It is noteworthy that the Apostle Paul, just before penning those three words, pointed out that certain religious types want to focus their attention on “signs,” that is, on spectacular things designed to demonstrate authority–things not unlike, say, burning Korans. But the Apostle Paul’s counsel is …See Entire Article

The Crying Bench

September 2, 2010
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The Crying Bench

Do you think that Jesus wept when he ventured off to that “desolate place” written of in Mark 1:35? Do you think he wandered away from Peter’s family’s home determined to find some space; some margin; some quiet spot where he could just sit and stare and summon his Father? The crowds hovered around him like a morning fog over a green pasture; their needs so deep, so complex, so understandably demanding. The newly formed band of brothers known as the disciples looked to him like puppies eyeing their generous master, waiting with great expectation for whatever unique and captivating …See Entire Article

The Power of Partnership

August 31, 2010
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The Power of Partnership

It was from the mouth of the venerable David Gergen that I first heard what has become one of my favorite quotes, which declares that “if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” Let me just say right here that he is exactly right. There is tremendous power in partnership. This is one of the things I love so much about the team of people at Bethel Church—the elders and the ministry staff and the supporting staff. And it is something I especially enjoy with Marty Thompson, with whom I have the …See Entire Article

How the Mighty Fall

August 27, 2010
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How the Mighty Fall

With apologies to Jim Collins, who I think is one of the world’s greatest leadership thinkers, and who has written a terrific book about the failures of great companies, entitled How the Mighty Fall, I cannot help but wonder why it is that the mightiest and greatest kings of Judah fell . . . and so often. Indeed, there is this sentiment commonly echoed throughout the annals of Judah’s royal history. It goes something like this: When this or that king was established and he was strong, he abandoned the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him. We …See Entire Article

Some Things Just Have To Be Done

There are those things that just have to be done sometimes. Even if it’s uncomfortable. Even if it provokes some blowback. Even if there are a million other things one would rather do; things more appealing; even more interesting. So it is we at Bethel Church have experienced a brief but important sermon series entitled, “Lies the Church Believes.” Throughout much of August we have explored the lie telling us that the prosperity gospel is legitimate. We’ve come to discover, much to our dismay, that so much of the thinking behind the prosperity gospel so valiantly preached by the likes …See Entire Article

The Missionary God

August 19, 2010
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The Missionary God

As Jesus’ disciples made their way up the eastern slope of Mt. Zion toward the magnificent temple mount, they must have felt a sense of exhilaration about approaching that familiar but still great place. It was, after all, the symbol of everything Jewish—that monument that evoked remembrances of the covenant God and His glory. But Jesus was not expressing the disciples’ anticipation. Having surveyed the scenery the prior night, Jesus was overcome with a distress that carved a determined pose across His weathered face. He knew what the others had forgotten—the Temple of Israel was to be a beacon for …See Entire Article

Bronze Serpents and Sacred Cows: A Reprise

Anticipating this weekend’s sermon from our series entitled, “Lies the Church Believes,” I’m reprising this posting from the Fall of 2008. This weekend’s message: “Lie #3: Tradition is More Important than the Mission of the Church.” The people of Israel mastered two tasks during their trek through the wilderness: winding their way through the mountain passes and desert straits, and whining as they went. In fact, their impatience was so irritating to God that at one point He sent poisonous snakes to smite them. Numbers 21:8-9 develops the story, saying, “And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent …See Entire Article

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