I am pleased to live in Colorado, for it is a state where the beauty of its natural resources and its people is completely incongruous to the events that unfolded in France last week. To the families of the innocent victims we at Think-Biblically.com offer our condolences and our prayers. To the families of the now dead perpetrators of these evil acts, and to all Muslims around the world whether practicing or not, we would like to say:

Turn away from evil and do what is right!
Strive for peace and promote it!
The Lord pays attention to the godly
   and hears their cry for help.
But the Lord opposes evildoers
   and wipes out all memory of them from the earth.
Psalm 34.14-.16

Many try to compare Judaism, Islam and Christianity but there is a marked difference between Islam and the other two. Neither in the Hebrew or the Christian Scriptures does God ever offer blessings in the afterlife for violent behavior in this one. Any violence toward another that is encouraged in the Bible is due to justice and not hatred. This is the very reason one may make the case that Islam is not a religion of peace, but rather a religion of evil.

This is not to say that all Muslims are evil. Statistically, 60% of Muslims are not “radical” which is to say that 60% of them are not practicing their faith. Of the 1.6 billion Muslims on the planet, the majority claim Islam in order to protect themselves or family members from persecution and death. There is a very real threat to those who live in Africa and most of the Middle East if a claim to any other faith is made. We urge this 60% to turn away from evil and to cry out to God – not Allah – but rather the great “I Am”, El, Jehovah.

It is at times like these that followers of Jesus need to be reminded of our kingdom’s policy toward terrorism. Often our initial reaction is to lash out and draw blood from our enemies, like Peter did in the garden at Jesus’ arrest (Luke 22.49-.51). The apostle Paul reminds us, however, that our struggle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6.12). Instead of attacking people, we attack ideas (2 Corinthians 10.4-.6). Instead of retaliation, we pray for God to rescue his people (Luke 18.1-.8). Instead of running into danger or away in fear, we stand firm and are ready to give our life (if necessary) to prove the faithfulness of God’s Word (Ephesians 6.13).

Remember Terry Jones, that Florida pastor that threatened to burn a copy of the Quran? Such an approach isn’t a part of Kingdom policy and is instead being provocative for the purpose of publicity. So what is the right approach? At Think-Biblically.com we’ve concluded that we should take the events of last week to launch a special initiative to find ways to talk to Muslim’s about Jesus. Reaching them with the truth of the gospel will make more of a difference than burning every Quran or any holy war.

For this reason I am taking a Nazirine Vow and devoting myself to the study of Islam for the purpose of finding a way to witness to Muslims. For 30 days I will research and work to develop a strategy that will be shared with our readers, and during that time I will adhere to the three terms of the vow, and conclude the time with shaving my head. It will be an exciting few weeks, one that will conclude with a video of the “hair ceremony”. The 30-days will begin following our study in 1 Peter, which will resume tomorrow.