In this newsletter:
EEA General Assembly – What I take away
“In the past centuries of history there has hardly ever been a peaceful encounter between Christianity and Islam. The advances of Islam were always met with brute force by the Christians in Europe. This has left vivid memories and wounds in Muslims minds.” Timo Keskitalo, Finland, then asked: “How will it be this time with so many Muslims flocking into Europe? Will there be a different response by Christians? Will we overcome the old pattern with sacrificial love?”
I had never thought about this from that angle until it was put to me this way at the EEA General Assembly.
I am not talking about a response by European governments to terrorism. But I am talking about the way Christians engage with Muslims. Or better said how Christians do not engage with Muslims.
Bert de Ruiter, EEA Muslim Consultant, keeps telling us his goal: “Each European Christian having at least one Muslim friend.”
This would surely help the old pattern getting broken. It would help integration. It would prevent extremism. It would make the love of Jesus Christ being visible and tangible.
I want to make sure this comes true in my life within the next 12months. What about you?
Thomas Bucher
In this newsletter:
“In the past centuries of history there has hardly ever been a peaceful encounter between Christianity and Islam. The advances of Islam were always met with brute force by the Christians in Europe. This has left vivid memories and wounds in Muslims minds.” Timo Keskitalo, Finland, then asked: “How will it be this time with so many Muslims flocking into Europe? Will there be a different response by Christians? Will we overcome the old pattern with sacrificial love?”
I had never thought about this from that angle until it was put to me this way at the EEA General Assembly.
I am not talking about a response by European governments to terrorism. But I am talking about the way Christians engage with Muslims. Or better said how Christians do not engage with Muslims.
Bert de Ruiter, EEA Muslim Consultant, keeps telling us his goal: “Each European Christian having at least one Muslim friend.”
This would surely help the old pattern getting broken. It would help integration. It would prevent extremism. It would make the love of Jesus Christ being visible and tangible.
I want to make sure this comes true in my life within the next 12months. What about you?
Thomas Bucher
