What if your college student joined a group and, as a result of joining, went from weekly church attendance to an appearance of “becoming disengaged from the church”? What if your student’s Christian worldview was “reshaped”, focusing on the “peace, hospitality, love of neighbor and similar themes [that] are shared across religions,” thereby lessening her focus on the exclusivity of Christ and His atoning work? What if belonging to such a group encourages these students to carry their “lessons of humility, service, hospitality and interfaith dialogue,” yet leaves the central person of their faith, the Lord Jesus Christ, banished to the shadows, silenced, and untaught? What if, for the banquet of unity, Truth has been slaughtered?
The above “what ifs” are actually what was, as students from Christian colleges took on the role of interfaith interns with the Kaufman Interfaith Institute. As they share their stories, one can’t help but notice the lifting up of other faiths while the name of Jesus has become like “Old Aunt Mildred” put away in the nursing home that no one talks about.
If one reads many of the “Interfaith Insight” articles produced by the Kaufman Interfaith Institute which are published in the Grand Rapids Press or the Muskegon Chronicle on Thursdays, one finds that either Islam is often the religion of choice to lift up or they attempt to show that all religions are basically the same. For example, one recent article entitled, “Abraham is father of the faith for Jews, Christians, Muslims” states, “We are all children of God, made in God’s image. We may not think alike or understand God in the same way, yet we are called to love each other. That is the core of interfaith understanding.”
While on the surface that sounds good, it’s not the core of Biblical teaching. Love the Lord your God with ALL of your heart, soul, mind, and strength; love your neighbor as yourself. THAT’S the core of Christianity and Judaism.
The Kaufman Interfaith Institute brings in people who would lessen the exclusivities of these faiths. If religion were nothing more than a social club, that would be fine; but, the eternal destiny of one’s soul is at stake. Those who promote the meshing and melding of every religion into one seem to focus on the temporal, the now, without regard or serious thought to eternity, the state of one’s eternal soul, and the God who created each one of us for His glory and His purpose. The focus seems to be getting along with our fellow man rather than getting along with God.
One name that is no stranger to interfaith dialogue across America, in general, and with the Kaufman Interfaith Institute specifically, is Eboo Patel. This man is portrayed as a benign bridge builder, but he is dangerous on several levels.
First and foremost he (and interfaith dialogue) presents a spiritual danger to those who would listen without discernment. Eboo dresses well, chooses his words carefully, and passionately uses the Christian’s Bible to craft a scenario which draws people into a world where definitions are changed, religions are melded, and a guilty condemnation is placed upon any who will not buy into his web of deception. This man is actively engaged in spiritual and educational jihad.
When I heard Patel speak at Calvin’s January Series, he redefined salvation, ignored the exclusivities of Jesus and Allah, and focused on service rather than salvation. The Christian knows that there is no other way to God except through Jesus. The Christian is called to share the gospel message of reconciliation to God through the atoning work of Jesus. We are called “ambassadors of reconciliation.”
Instead of ignoring or fighting over our differences we must speak to the truths of our faith. It’s not about our comfort and temporal peace. The destiny of eternal souls is at stake!
Looking at things from a temporal view, Mr. Patel brings another danger as well. It’s a danger that took retired Department of Homeland Security agent, Philip Haney, to bring to light to the American people. Haney reported in his book, See Something Say Nothing, that six American Muslim leaders with significant influence on U.S. policy were Muslim Brotherhood operatives working inside the Obama administration. So much more could be said here, but we have and will continue to report on him.
With the dangers that Eboo’s teaching and Islamic supremicism bring to this nation, as Shariah law is hailed as equal to or surpassing our Constitution of the United States of America, as words, phrases and descriptors are purged from our vocabulary and government agencies, our freedom of speech and freedom of religion are becoming increasingly thin at an alarming rate.
(With the precious treasures of Scripture-based life and our freedoms being in jeopardy, the American Decency Association is sponsoring an event, bringing two top-notch speakers to address this topic: Sandy Rios and Frank Gaffney. At the end of this email, we’ll give you the rest of the details.)
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks was featured in another of the Interfaith Insight articles. He said, “The message of monotheism is not one God, one truth, one way; but rather the miracle that unity in heaven creates diversity on earth.”
“Not one God, one truth, one way” seems to be the chosen mantra for those who buy into the interfaith dialogue. That falsehood denies the truth that there is only one true God and only way to heaven. BUT—God ALWAYS has the final say.
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates …. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you.” Deut. 6:4-9; 13-14
Never check your brain at the door; always keep your mind engaged, especially when talking about spiritual things. Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing, of “ambassadors of peace.” Make it your habit to always be “looking unto Jesus…”
To help you keep your mind engaged and focused on the real issues, come join us for our fall conference entitled: The War is Real and the War Is Now. Come hear Sandy Rios from AFR talk show “Sandy Rios in the Morning” and Frank Gaffney of Secure Freedom Radio. If you care about your freedoms, you won’t want to miss out on this event. Two different days, two different locations, two different speakers with one common goal—informing the masses with truth!
Fremont: Friday, October 21, 2016 from 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm at the American Decency Headquarters—203 E. Main Street
Grand Rapids: Saturday, October 22, 2016 from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm at Calvin College; Prince Conference Center—1800 East Beltline SE
Be sure to make your reservations today by calling (231) 924-4050 or email Kimberly at kimberly@americandecency.org . Space is limited and seats are filling up fast!
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