Militant Christianity vs Militant Islam – What is the Difference?
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In Abandonment Theology, a compelling expose by John Chalfant, readers are encouraged to engage in a spiritual battle to rally America back to greatness by identifying what he sees as the problem and then fighting to preserve what he believes is our religious heritage. However, the reader must be aware that this book is geared toward traditional Christian beliefs and emphasizes that Christ and Freedom are inseparable and purports that God’s dominion mandate makes it paramount that the church be in control until His return. The author further makes known that he believes our freedoms are under attack on many battle fronts including the public school system and that as Americans we allow affluence to make us numb to the danger that surrounds our souls. Frighteningly, to this reviewer, Mr. Chalfant apparently believes in a militant Christianity, not unlike the Muslims who believe in Jihad, and that it is their duty and obligation to uphold democratic principles at whatever cost.
It is therefore not surprising to find D. James Kennedy, Ph.D., Senior Minister, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church expounding on Chalfant’s book calling it a spirit-led revelation for every true minister of Christ and all believers. He then adds that all Patriotic Americans need to carry the moral torch of freedom and liberty by spreading Christ’s proclamations. My question is where does that leave Patriotic Americans who are Muslim, Buddist, and Agnostic or from cultures other than the white middle class. Being the cynic that I am, one must wonder if the decline in church attendance has affected the preacher’s income and life style to such a point that they are hoping that this book will cause a trend back to where preacher’s control man’s soul, in the name of the Almighty, so that their pocketbooks can be enhanced.
Don’t misunderstand me though as I do realize that there are genuine ministers out there who sincerely believe in their calling and live on little to serve their congregations. It is just that I have been jaundiced by the majority out there who demand their 10% from people who have nothing to feed their children and refuse to offer help to those in need. There are also some points that I agree with in the book, such as the fact that children in our public schools are exposed to subjects that encourage immorality and while I believe abstinence should be taught I believe that discussions of homosexuality and humanist atheism should be taught by parents not included in school curriculum.
Is America in danger? If you believe Chalfant the answer is a resounding yes because he believes that for this country to be great again the Christian clergy must become militant. By this, he means that the American people “are in a war for our God-given nation and freedoms, and the workers of iniquity are winning.” To give him credit he does acknowledge that non-Christians are not obligated to adopt the Christian faith” but he adds, it is “the duty of every American citizen to defend the Constitution and the Judeo-Christian pillars of law and liberty which grant us such freedoms.” Interesting argument. If you don’t support Christianity, then you won’t have the right to believe something other than Christianity. Again, how is this different than what the fanatic Muslims are doing in their countries as they seek to silence any who do not follow their beliefs? I don’t understand how a militant Christianity, some of whom bomb abortion clinics, killing practitioners and patients can be viewed as righteous when it is a judgmental and intolerant attitude, and yes perhaps greed that influences their decisions.
It was interesting for this reviewer to note a little history regarding Chalfant that revealed that he committed his life to serving Christ and
America after hearing a speech by Richard Arens. It was in this research series, on Soviet expansionism, that Aren’s began with the statement, “Two thousand years ago there was One who spoke these words: ‘No man can serve two masters,” comparing Jesus Christ, the “author of freedom,” to Karl Marx, the “destroyer of freedom.” Aren’s group, the HUAC, is legendary for its embrace and cultivation of widely differing points of view so how did Chalfant get to where he is today. Aren’s went on, over the next thirty years, to assist and fund the many Christian pro-defense leaders supporting the “SALT Syndrome.” This makes my question this: When did God instruct our nation that revival could only be obtained in the form of a missile defense system. Apparently, state and national lawmakers heard the call since they are hailing Chalfant’s book entitled “Abandonment Theology” as a foundation for their political platforms supporting the clergy stand despite that fact that America’s forefathers intended a separation of church and state.
Summarily, His book calls for a militant Christianity that will stop at nothing to ensure that the evil of differing views that he sees as evil are stopped and that they will prevail. To his views that a retreat from Christian duty is responsible for the undermining of America’s founding principles I say in some ways he is right but I cannot endorse a belief that places intolerance of others as a foundation block for their militancy against the innocent who are seeking God in their own way. Militant Christianity vs Militant Islam – what is the difference? None that this reviewer can see since it appears that the basis of both is control of the masses in the supposed name of the Almighty who I believe sent Christ to rid the world of intolerance, judgment and the Pharisees. America’s real revival will happen when these militant Christians go home, go to their room, close the door, take a deep breath – and take a good, long, hard look at themselves in the mirror and then, quietly and humbly and fervently ask God for help, insight, and direction.
[tags]Militant Christianity, Militant Islam, Chalfant, John Chalfant, Abandonment Theology, intolerance, injustice, pharisees, political separation of church and state, separation of church and state, political platforms, freedom of religion, Christian Jihad[/tags]
18 Comments
rob
April 4th, 2007
at 9:24am
Is that quote about Judeo-Christian pillars of law a direct quote from his book?
I’m asking because I find it quite humorous that he is a militant Christian that wants to support Jewish beliefs?!?!
Look up judeo-christian in a dictionary, wikipedia, whatever you want. It refers to concepts held by both judiasm and christianity…….
reflections
April 4th, 2007
at 9:44am
Dear Rob
Yes, the comment was quoted from a section of his book. I agree that his terminology leaves much to be desired but I assume that he links Judism with Christianity to the exclusion of all other beliefs.
Have a good day
Jackie
marc klink
April 4th, 2007
at 2:33pm
Aren’t we already having a “holy crusade” to Iraq? We are bringing them democracy, then we’ll cover Christianity.
As someone who considers himself a Christian, I certainly don’t want to be identified with any of the Republican party, as I firmly believe it is IMPOSSIBLE to be a Republican and a Christian. Beyond that, I also believe that religious beliefs and politics don’t mix, nor should anyone try.
If our president truly wished to show his Christian values, he would never have gone to war without COMPLETELY exhausting all other means to accomplish his stated goals.
It amazes me how far the apple fell from the tree, because, although I agreed with little that his father did, I never considered him to be STUPID, GREEDY, or possibly EVIL.
John Robbins
April 4th, 2007
at 8:00pm
You must have a problem understanding what the bible says and interpreting what is meant by what these people are saying. Are you a born again Christian? Do you read the bible? Do you understand any of the differences between Christianity and ” other religions”? If you don’t then you really should try to gain some insight as to the perspectives of Christianity before even attempting to share a confused perspective as in your article “Militant Christianity vs Militant Islam”. The main difference between Christianity and Islam, which should be clear to anyone who watches tv, is that Christians don’t want to kill Muslims, but Muslims want to kill Christians. Read Genesis 15, 16 and 17. The muslims are decended from Abrahams son Ishmael and the Jews from Isaac, hence the fight over the Holy Land and Jerusalem. The Muslims hate Christians because we help Israel, because of Jesus Christ, whose bloodline is that of Isaac. The controversy in this world is not between different religions, it is against Jesus Christ, through whom, people become Christians. Christianity is the only truly “exclusive” group of people because Jesus Christ is truly the only son of God. Other “religions” deny this fact which makes the “exclusive” nature of Christianity unacceptable to them and to most spectators, such as yourself. Each various “religion” accepts each others ways of worshiping or reaching God, Christianity accepts none of their ways since God can only be reached through his son, Jesus Christ! God works to draw mankind to the truth that Jesus really is the only way. Christianity is exclusive to all other religions, but not to any person or group of people because of their religion, such as Islam.
John
Trotter
April 4th, 2007
at 10:10pm
Militant Christianity is an oxymoron. I am a Christian, but nowhere in the bible do I find a call for Christians to be militant. Comparing militant Christianity to militant Islam is chilling, but they are not very different in their outlook or actions.
The author of the book needs to go back to the bible and read what the founder of Christianity, Jesus Christ, had to say about violence and oppression.
American Christianity is in danger, but that danger is not the same danger that the author says it is. The true danger lies in today’s generations disbelief in absolutes and the engendering of relativism.
reflections
April 5th, 2007
at 4:06am
Thank you for comments. I am also a Christian and agree with your thoughts. Have a good day
Jackie
reflections
April 5th, 2007
at 4:10am
Dear John
Thank you for your comments. Thankfully we all still have the right to express our opinions. However, if things continue as they are there may come a time when that is not a possibility. To answer your question about my faith. I was raised in parochial schools and attended both a Protestant Bible College and Bob Jones University as well, as a college in California. My beliefs are based on what I see happening and since I worked in a protestant church setting for several years I understand militant Christianity and the greed and selfishness behind many of the decisions that are made by the churches. I am sorry that my opinions differ from yours but I see the war in Iraq as evil and dangerous to the concepts Jesus taught.
I wish you well and hope you continue to enjoy your right to state your opinions freely. Jackie
reflections
April 5th, 2007
at 4:14am
Dear Marc
Thank you for comments. As you are aware they mimic my own. I also am a Christian but I hope one who can see that others have the right to be who they are. I believe that Jesus taught tolerance and love and that those principles can be used to bring about peace. If Bush were truly a Christian and not a war monger I believe he would exhaust all other possible choices other than war to solve our diplomatic issues with other countries. Have a good day. Jackie
Stl Hobbit
April 5th, 2007
at 7:16am
I agree with Trotter’s response.
From my own perspective as a “conservative” Christian with a passion for history - it seems to me that during the first 19 & 1/2 centuries of the Christian faith - its greatest dangers were from outside of the faith & the church, but during the last half century its greatest dangers have been from within the Christian faith & the church itself.
We tend to forget that “Christian” means to be “Christ-like.”
reflections
April 5th, 2007
at 7:24am
Dear Stl Hobbit,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate all input. Have a nice day. Jackie
Elric66
April 10th, 2007
at 11:25pm
You clearly have no understanding of Islam. I suggest you study up on the Qur’an, the Hadiths, the history of Islam before comparing Islam to Chritianity. You probaly even blame the Crusades on the Christians. Just remember, Islam is militant in itself. Jesus was a man of peace.
reflections
April 11th, 2007
at 4:12am
Dear Elric
Thank you for expressing your opinion. I do realize that some Muslims condone violence but many of their believers are peaceful. IT is similar to assuming that since the KKK exists in America that we are all prejudice or the that all Germans supported Hitler. I do believe that Jesus was a man of peace but I don’t believe that today’s preachers are all about helping the poor and the downtrodden. Since I was involved in church work for years I know first hand that many denominations are about the money they can put in their coffers even at the cost of their congregation.
Sorry to disagree with you but that is what has made America great. The right to express our opinions. Have a nice day. Jackie
Elric66
April 12th, 2007
at 12:00am
The Qur’an condones violence on the kaffirs, not just some Muslims that condone violence. I suggest you study what Islamic text actually say.
“Believers, take neither Jews nor Christians for your friends. They are friends with one another. Whoever of you seeks their friendship shall become one of their number. Allah does not guide the wrongdoers.” (5:51, Quran)
Elric66
April 12th, 2007
at 4:30am
For example here is a section of the Qur’an called “Spoils of War”
http://www.muslimaccess.com/quraan/arabic/008.asp
reflections
April 12th, 2007
at 10:09am
Dear Elric
Thank you for your input. Have a nice day
Jackie
Elric66
April 13th, 2007
at 4:19am
You have a nice day too. I hope you someday get your head out of the sand.
tee
May 1st, 2007
at 4:48pm
theres only one GOD in this earth, who is our lord and saviour~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!who has ascended to the heavens sitting on the right side of the throne
reflections
May 2nd, 2007
at 4:19am
Dear Tee
One God Yes but He goes by different names for different religions. Muslim’s are also descendents of Abraham through the line of Ismaael while Jews are descendents through the line of Isaac. They are all related and all believe in one God. Muslims call God, Allah. Jews call God Jehovah, and Christians call God, God. Neither Muslims or Jews believe that Jesus is the Son of GOd or that He was the Messiah.
When thinking about other religions one must remember that their followers believe just as strongly in what they are taught as Christians believe in the Bible. Also in all faiths there are hipocrites and there are true followers. I have known both in all faiths and what it came down to is that those who truly believed did not condemn those who believed differently nor did they judge others. Instead they prayed that all mankind would find the answer to their salvation similar to what Peter did when he said if one believes it to be sin it is sin for them. Have a good day. Jackie