Is Acceptance of Religions Key to Stability?
A commentary by Randy Stiver
United Church of God pastor, Columbus and Cambridge, Ohio
Will religious diversity and tolerance save our world?
On November 6, for the first time in history, the Pope granted
an audience to the king of Saudi Arabia, Keeper of the Two Holy
Mosques of Mecca and Medina. Benedict XVI met King Abdullah publicly
at the Vatican before they visited privately through interpreters
for half an hour.
How far will this meeting of the top representatives of the world's
two largest religions push forward international stability and hoped
for world peace?
I borrowed the title for this commentary from American columnist
Thomas L. Friedman. But his title, "Acceptance of Religions
Is Key to Stability" was a statement. While the earth surely
needs stability, Bible prophecy and history disagree with Mr. Friedman's
title.
But if acceptance of religions is not the key to stability, then
what is?
Ask Paul of Tarsus. He was one of the great apostles of Jesus Christ.
Under divine inspiration he authored many of the letters included
in the New Testament. And...he started a talk show...in
Athens!
Athens was where Athens is today. In the first century it was a
center of Greco-Roman religion and learning. Acceptance of religious
plurality was practiced. "For all the Athenians and the foreigners
who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell
or hear some new thing" (Acts 17:21).
However, the Jews in Greece weren't so tolerant—especially
of renegade rabbis, which many considered Paul to be. Understand
this, the Romans until sometime in the mid 60's AD considered
Jesus of Nazareth a rabbi and "Christianity" a sect
of Judaism because the apostles and their converts kept the seventh
day Sabbath and the annual holy festivals of the Bible—but
as Christian holy days and festivals.
Some antagonistic Jews had pursued Paul from town to town in northern
Greece. The other ministers and members spirited Paul away from
his persecutors in Thessalonica to cool his heels for awhile in
Athens.
The fiery apostle was on the lam. With nothing to do but wait,
this creative dynamo and true preacher of Jesus as the Messiah found
a way to occupy his time; he started a talk show.
Talk about acceptance of religions! Athens was a city full of idols
and temples dedicated to every god or goddess the Athenians could
think of! Paul knew—as can you—that these religions
had no root in the truth of the great God who created everyone and
everything.
An evangelistic educator, Paul the professor was struck by the
lack of true spiritual light in the city. He set up shop in the
marketplace, talking about the one true God and His Son Jesus Christ—an
early, literal "talk" show.
He had callers from his first minutes "on the air" in
the arena of ideas, talking to Jews and pagans alike. Within days
his talk show gained the attention of the educational establishment.
In their quest for diversity some Stoic and Epicurean philosophers
invited him to address the Areopagus, the elite club of Athens' sagacious
thinkers.
Paul's famous but short message is a must read: The Sermon
on the Unknown God (Acts 17:22-31).
Enamored with the idea that acceptance of religions is key to stability,
the Athenians placed empty, statue-less pedestals around the city,
inscribed: "To the Unknown God." They didn't want
to offend any religion or deity. How similar their societal climate
is to ours today!
Paul the dauntless had his angle. "Men of Athens, I perceive
that in all things you are very religious [read: politically correct
plus culturally and religiously diversified]. I found this inscription
to the Unknown God...I know Him! Let me tell you about Him.
This God made from one blood all nations to dwell on earth...and
is willing to overlook these times of ignorance, calling upon all
men to change their minds and ways to come under the merciful judgment
of His Son" (paraphrased).
Pope Benedict's and King Abdullah's meeting aside,
the world today is headed for an internationally religious cataclysm.
Man can attempt religious acceptance on a wide scale, but if one
religion or faction advocates holy war (in whatever language), there
will be "holy"—or rather unholy—war.
Acceptance of religions is not the key to stability. Acceptance
of the true religion, headed by the Jesus that Paul spoke of, is.
But understand, Christ's Christianity doesn't look like
traditional Christianity—or any other kind of religion. All
nations will find stability only when Jesus returns to this earth
to become Head of both Church and State!
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