Evangelical pastor and theologian John Piper contributes today a thoughtful article on the current Muslim uprisings over the Danish cartoon representations of Mohammed. Writes Piper:
What we saw this past week in the Islamic demonstrations over the Danish cartoons of Muhammad was another vivid depiction of the difference between Muhammad and Christ, and what it means to follow each. Not all Muslims approve the violence. But a deep lesson remains: The work of Muhammad is based on being honored and the work of Christ is based on being insulted. This produces two very different reactions to mockery.
The commentary is helpful not so much for what it says about Islam as what it demonstrates about the nature of Christianity: namely, that our call is to bear reproach and scoffing in the present day, even as Jesus himself did. This is a helpful reminder in an era when many of us are tempted, not to riot in the streets, but nonetheless to protest loudly every insult against us.
I plan to take up the topic today with Paul Marshall of Freedom House as I guest-host the “Albert Mohler Program” on the Salem Radio Network.
