All Comments for: Talk to Iran | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

Free Newsletters:

RSS Feeds |

Audio |

Twitter

Home > 2008 > July

Christianity Today, July, 2008 |

Talk to Iran

The Christian message is reaching where diplomacy can't.

A Christianity Today editorial | posted 6/27/2008 08:50AM

Some bad news about Iran's nuclear program: In late May, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a U.N.-affiliated watchdog group, reported "serious concerns" that Iran was hiding information that ...

[Reader Reviews]

Average User Rating:

Rate and Comment on this article

Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 comments.

Page: 1

Show All

Chadzilla

Posted: July 03, 2008 8:40 PM

It's important to remember that the most effective diplomacy always happens when you negotiate from a position of strength. Reagan was effective with the Soviets in '88 because he spent from 1982 through 1987 loading Western Europe full of tactical nuclear weapons. Clinton was effective in the Haiti in 1994 because Carter could truthfully (and dramatically) say during negotiations that troops were in the air and on the way. Yes, as believers we need to reach out to the people of Iran that can be reached. However, we must remember that Iran is not a democracy and its government does NOT represent its people. It is a separate animal altogether...the type best dealt with from a position of strength.

Bob Nolan

Posted: June 30, 2008 11:56 AM

The economic sanctions haven't worked "yet." Preaching on the airwaves hasn't worked "yet." So which is better? The threats upon Israel haven't taken place "yet." Meanwhile, nukes are being planned, if not produced. Iran's threats are AT LEAST as real as sanctions and preaching. At least the sanctions have some teeth. Just like capital punishment AT LEAST keeps a killer from killing again, nuking Iran's nukes would keep them from nuking Israel, or America. Nuke 'em. Now. And you won't even need and interpreter.

Robin Zander

Posted: June 28, 2008 11:33 PM

>We don't expect that Iranian hardliners will suddenly be transformed into peacemaking lovers of religious freedom due to a few radio broadcasts or website hits. CT may not think this, but this belief is the conventional wisdom of the New York Times, Newsweek, et al crowd. >But American foreign policy must make greater allowance for the use of influence beyond military or economic threats. Yes. And John McCain has talked about this all the time-- as has his supporters. This is not controversial. >It's not too late for Iran to chart a new course toward freedom and away from terrorism and corruption. The rhetorical slight of hand here is breathtaking. There's absolutely nothing wrong with meeting the Iranian government IF there are preconditions. But assuming that we can go into a meeting with them after they say that they'll never, ever compromise, period, and somehow magically cause a black-white change in their policies just by talking... it's ludicrous.

Philip

Posted: June 28, 2008 8:04 PM


The only way to approach Iran is to bomb its nuclear facility FLAT. That is the only language these ISLAMISTS understands.

H. D. Schmidt

Posted: June 28, 2008 4:19 PM

Excellent article! Did Ronald Reagan not talk with the Soviet leader and finally that system evarporated? Did JFK not talk to Kruschev while the world stood on the brink of blowing itself up. However, the blood of Saddam will forever remain a stain on America as he even asked to talk to the one President ever, who claimed Jesus as his hero! Yes this same evil man he was already, America went to bed with him and encouraging him to get after the Iranians who kicked out the Sha, the oil boy of America? Did the Iranian strong man not want to talk to this same president? And so did other so called American enemies. Yes, in close analysis it has ever been so, that all Empires have always created their own problems while trying to conquer and conquer. Yes, self-destroying at the same time. General MacArthur said this: "I am concerned for the security of our great nation; not so much because of any threat from without, but becasue, of the insidious forces working from within".

Robert

Posted: June 27, 2008 6:05 PM

This is an important topic and CT's posted a very timely editorial, but I'm confused as to what's being suggested. Who's supposed to do what, and in what capacity? It needs to be stated that while the "hearts and minds campaign" -which I suspect is less coordinated than the article implies- is in action, it's quite possible that Iran's religious, civil and military leaders are overseeing the creation of nuclear warheads. We don't know how much time is available, so how should we approach this? The question which wasn't asked: Which effort will pan out first? And to close with another question that should give us pause: Which group is the most dedicated?

Brad Ryden

Posted: June 27, 2008 12:04 PM


The wisest and best article I have seen on Iran in a long time. I like the comprehensive approach to the problem, that is replete with mercy and compassion for the Iranian people. All of what you have said with a liberal dose of prayer can help unleash the Holy Spirit on an oppressed people. Thank you for the insight. bnr

Page: 1

E-mail this page

Write CT

Print this article

Post a comment