News

Violent Christianity

What Muslims think of Christian concerns about Islamic violence.

Christianity Today January 2, 2008

I’ve had more than one conversation recently in which a sincere and devout Christian has argued that Islam is inherently violent and that Christianity is not. Each has pointed to Koranic verses that advocate violence, and to current events that demonstrate Muslim violence.

This line of argument I find unconvincing: Christian history (Crusades; conquest of the New World, etc.), current events (Rwanda genocide; IRA; Christian-Muslim clashes in Nigeria and Indonesia), and a reading of the Old Testament (“Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones [Babylonian babies] and dashes them against the rock!” Psalm 137:9) can hardly be dismissed with a wave of a hand.

And anyone who is aware of Muslim perceptions of Christians knows how unfortunate this entire argument is. Read, for example, “Muslim Violence, Christian Non-Violence: People in Glass Houses Should Not Throw Words” by Sheila Musaji, editor of the website The American Muslim. Ms. Musaji is hardly a radical. She is, in fact, extremely moderate–if moderation can be so described. Admittedly, her argument is not tight, and there is some confusion of categories, but it is her perceptions of Christians that is crucial to note, and to note that this perception is grounded in a great deal of fact.

Instead of us worrying about Islamic violence, perhaps we should take the log out of our own eye and ask, “Is Christianity inherently violent?” I don’t think it is, but I’d have a hard time proving that to a lot of people, especially Muslims.

Our Latest

Indian Churches Encourage Couples to Leave and Cleave

For many couples, in-laws are a major source of marital strife.

The Bulletin

A Third Presidential Term, South American Boat Strikes, and ChatGPT Erotica

Trump hints at running in 2028, US strikes more alleged drug boats, ChatGPT produces erotica.

Review

Finding God on the Margins of American Universities

A new account of faith in higher education adds some neglected themes to more familiar story lines.

From Prohibition to Pornography

In 1958, CT pushed evangelicals to engage important moral issues even when they seemed old-fashioned.

Tackling Unemployment

The head of The T.D. Jakes foundation on job assistance and economic empowerment.

The Just Life with Benjamin Watson

Stephen Enada: Exposing a Silent Slaughter

Unpacking the crisis facing Nigeria’s persecuted Church

The Strangest Enemy I’ll Ever Meet

Scripture speaks of death as an enemy Christ conquers—and the door through which we see God face to face.

Review

First Comes Sex, Then Comes Gender

A new book acknowledges both categories as biblically valid—but insists on ordering them properly.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube