What Is Truth?
I think it’s fair to say that the situation in the Middle East is a wreck.
Again. It’s hard for us to know exactly what’s going on over there in Iraq
and Syria. We hear news reports of the Islamic State and Sunni Muslim
militants. Stories and even videos have revealed horrendous acts of mass
murder, beheading, crucifixions, and death by stoning. The reach and
power of the Islamic State appear to be expanding.
Christians are among those under greatest threat by the militants. They
have been forced to convert to Islam, pay heavy fines, or face death.
Significant and historic church buildings have been looted and burned.
But Christians aren’t the only ones targeted by the militant group. The
Islamic State is actively persecuting other Muslims, those belonging to
the smaller Shia denomination of Islam.
As hard as it is to know what is going on, it’s even harder to understand
why. How could human beings commit such terrible atrocities against
one another? Under whose authority are they acting? Little is known
about their Sunni leader, who goes by the name Al-Khalifah Ibrahim;
some sources say he earned a doctorate in Islamic studies from a
university in Baghdad. I’m haunted to think that this tragedy is being
promoted as a religious cause, in the name of God, or Allah, or any god.
The actions of the Islamic State are not an accurate reflection of Islam.
The word “Islam” is an Arabic word meaning “peace”. Muslims hold to
five pillars as the foundation of their religion: faith in one God, prayer,
charity, fasting, and pilgrimage. (These sound quite familiar to Christians.)
Islam is not a violent religion, just as Christianity is not a violent religion.
Still, history contains far too many acts of violence committed in the
name of Christ, not unlike Muslims justifying violence to honor Allah
(which means “God” in Arabic). Neither Christianity nor Islam can be
judged by the actions of extremists who misuse their religion for radical
agendas.
Somewhere at the core ideology of the leaders of the Islamic State is a
belief that their interpretation of religion is correct. That they are right.
That they have the truth. And everyone else must be wrong and false, in
such a way that justifies their destruction. These militant radicals
interpret life and faith to include only those who believe just as they do,
necessarily excluding all others, whether Christians or even “variant”
Muslims. They have the truth, and those who do not are enemies.
This begs the question, “what is truth?” It’s the question that Pontius
Pilate asked Jesus during his trial, before Jesus was taken away to be
crucified (John 18:38). Pilate asked that question of the man who
claimed, “I am the way, and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). We as
Christians believe that Jesus is the truth and that the way of Jesus is life
for us. Christianity centers on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus
above anything else.
Like other religions, Christianity makes exclusive claim to the truth. Over
the centuries this has, at times, resulted in persecution of others by
Christians. But Christianity at its best makes an exclusive claim on truth
for the sake of being radically inclusive. In love, God sent Jesus to save
the world, the whole world, not to condemn it (John 3:16-17). Following
Christ sends us to our neighbor with humility, respect, and love. We
worship the One who came in peace and gave his life for all.
To love Jesus is to love our neighbor, even those with whom we disagree
on what is truth. So what are we to do with the truth that we know in
Jesus? Love. Love, like Jesus. Love, without insisting on our own way.
Love our neighbors, and love our enemies. I think it’s safe to say that it’s
hard for us to know exactly how to love all the people of the Middle East,
let alone our next-door neighbor. God, help us all.
Praying that love wins,
Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate
your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”
(Matthew 5:43-45)