My first introduction to the evil of Nazism came not from a history book but from watching Indiana Jones at my grandmother’s house. In particular I remember the scene where books were being burned (toward the end of The Last Crusade) and though my young mind did not grasp what that meant I knew it was bad because Indy was disgusted by it. And if Harrison Ford is against it, who am I to argue?
Recently there was a man named Terry Jones who became quite famous (infamous, really) by staging a public burning of the Muslim’s holy book, the Qur’an (sometimes spelled ‘Koran’). Naturally there was a great outcry against him and his actions, while others rallied around him and his actions. First of all, let it be said that I love all Muslims. If a Christian doesn’t love even the most hateful violent muslim, then he’s not living up the standard expected of him by Christ:
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 5:44
At the same time, while children of God are to love those who do wrong, we are also to hate wrong doing.
Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
Psalm 119:104
So along comes this fellow, Terry Jones, who claimed he was on a mission from God. This man, Jones, called himself an advocate, which really annoyed me at the time (and still does), since an advocate is a person who holds a position on a topic that can be discussed on the debate stage. Small-government enthusiasts are advocates; environmental tree huggers are activists: They can debate their positions. Terry Jones has no position: How can he? He burns the book he seeks to discredit, and blindly-enrages the people against whom he would debate.
Setting aside the religious teachings of Mr. Jones, let’s consider the general issue at hand: Is it wrong (spiritually) to burn the Qur’an as he did? Consider three arguments against doing so:
THE GOLDEN RULE
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Matthew 7:12
Would I want some Muslim burning my Bible in a grandiose public display? Certainly not. Therefore I am commanded by Jesus not to burn their book. Some might counter-argue: “But Muslims ARE burning Bibles!” And this is true, but there’s an old axiom: Two wrongs don’t make a right. Just because they are doing wrong, doesn’t given me license to do wrong as well.
Notice carefully the words of Christ in the above quotation: Whatever that men SHOULD do to me, that I AM COMMANDED to do to them. In other words, people SHOULD be loving and kind to me – but often aren’t – but since I wish they SHOULD BE, I’m commanded TO BE loving and kind. People, unfortunately, don’t want to do that, often because it means having to display humility and meekness; despite the fact that humility and meekness are two principle-attributes of Christians.
“Yes, but the Bible really IS God’s word – the Qur’an isn’t!” some might argue. And while this is certainly true, the Muslim doesn’t know this. As far as Muslims are concerned, Terry Jones (and those who support him) are burning their holy book. Would a Christian like to see his Holy Book burned? Obviously not…so don’t burn theirs!
Furthermore, how can Christians reach any Muslim with the truth of the Gospel if we’re stooping to the barbarism and backwardness of book burning? “Oh, we’re not going to reach Muslims away.” some will say (and have); and shame on any Christian who would sink to such cynicism. Paul stood before Kings and Caesars – men who thought they had too much power and prestige to submit to the Gospel (Acts 26:28), and they killed him for his preaching. He preached it anyway; he didn’t run around burning down idol temples. Rather, he sat down with those misled people and taught them the Gospel (1 Corinthians 12:2). He didn’t take their holy books (pagan though they were) and toss them in the fire; he observed the command of the golden rule.
LAWFULNESS vs EXPEDIENCE
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
1Corinthians 10:23
Just because I CAN do a thing, doesn’t mean that I SHOULD do that thing. Take the religious element out for a moment, because what Paul says here is also just good common sense. Every American old enough to remember 9|11 ought to know that the perpetrators of the attack were men hyper-charged with aggression. They were ruthless and blood thirsty, and did not care how many innocent people had to die for them to make their point. Though the threat (we hope) has diminished since those surreal days immediately following the attack, the enemies of America are still out there. Why on earth would anyone go poke an already-angry bear in the eye with a stick? Yes you have the right, but is that right practical?
Terry Jones gained a lot of fame for his little demonstrations; he’s now the head of a political action committee. Meanwhile soldiers in harms way (fighting to keep Terry Jones safe) are that much more at risk, because Muslims sympathetic to the cause of freedom will be less inclined to help them.
Just to be clear: Terry Jones has the right to burn any book – generally speaking – and no judge should be able to take away that right of a US citizen. But is his right…right? Is it expedient, practical, or accomplishing some greater good for God or country? No.
THE FALLACY OF BOOK BURNING
Personally, this writer sees no value in book burning. Obviously, if a person wants to burn something (even a book) in the privacy of his own stove, then that’s his business. But why can’t it be that every book – no matter how malicious – has some value? Even if that value is in knowing what the enemies of God know and believe.
Some might point to the demonstration recorded in Acts 19:19, wherein many former partakers of witchcraft and paganism burned their unholy books in a grand (and public) display. The obvious difference is: Those demonstrators were converts from that religion, signifying their renouncement of such pagan ways. The circumstances with Mr. Jones down in Florida, however, is of an attention-seeker who has no connection with Islam other than in burning their books. One is done in demonstration of repentance; the other is done, at best, to protest a false religion, and at worst, to inflict emotional harm on those with whom he disagrees.
How else can we know what a Muslim believes if we don’t know his book? How can we understand the religion that is so contrary to Christianity, unless we study it? What other way can common ground be discovered between Muslim and Christian? Not compromise, mind you, but common ground. Paul quoted pagan poets when speaking to the polytheistic thinkers on Mars Hill (Acts 17:28). Why? Because he thought it was just good readin’? No, he quoted them because it was a common ground – a foot in the door, and an opportunity to reach them with the Truth.
Common ground can’t be reached by book burning. It’s bigoted, petty, and un-Christian: Therefore it ought to be condemned.
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