Not much more than a decade ago, Radical Islam wasn’t even a blip on most American’s radar screen. If anyone had heard of it, it was a problem happening somewhere “over there”--far from our school districts, neighborhoods, shopping centers and airports. Today, of course, is a different story. Ten years after 9/11/2001, the continuous threat of attack from an extensive, international Islamic infrastructure is hard to ignore (although that doesn’t stop people from trying). As Western Christians or American citizens, we need to acknowledge that Radical Islam is no longer a distant, foreign issue that can be safely ignored.
The House of Radical Islam, wherever it operates, is based on an understanding that the world is divided into only two categories: the house of Islam (Dar al-Islam) and the house of war (Dar al-Harb). Dar al-Islam is wherever Islamic rule has been established, and the remainder of the world is considered Dar al-Harb, a field of war in which the opposers must be fought to conquer their territories for Allah. Their end goal of global domination is stark and irrevocable, with no room for negotiation.
The complex nature of Islam stems from the fact that Islam is not simply a religion, but a system of rule. Radical Islam, is this sense, is actually a redundant term because those who actually live by the dictates of the Quran and the teachings of Muhammad are, by modern definition, radical.
The notion that Islamic aggression toward the West stems from political discord or fiscal inequities imposed on the Arab world is a ruse. Regardless of other factors, the enmity disseminated by the Arab world is a result of how their religion teaches them to view us as “infidels” to be converted, conquered or killed in their quest to dominate the planet. The terrorist attacks that have come to Western nations demonstrate that such acts do not originate from the attackers being societally disadvantaged. The bombers in the deadly London attacks of July 2005 were well-educated, established professionals with successful careers, whose indiscriminate acts of violence originated from their radical Muslim beliefs and not from underprivileged status.
Radical Islam will never be able to peacefully coexist with the non-Muslim world or with Muslims of different beliefs. Consider the genocide and oppression of Christian minorities who have no political influence or power within Muslim majority countries. The subjugation and brutality these Christians suffer has nothing to do with politics! There is no political reason to massacre or persecute these innocent Christians. These acts should put to rest once and for all the assertion that terrorism is politically-motivated, rather than what it is: an ideological and theological tenet of Islam.
Sobering stuff. I realize this is not easy. I realize this is not pleasant. I’m not offering you “nine easy steps to a stress-free Christmas” or “four ways to be liked by everyone at church.”
The question remains: Are we as Christians going to respond to Radical Islam, which is the most violent, anti-Christ force on the earth today? Are willing to have our priorities challenged and our comfort zones altered? Are we going to live lives worthy of the calling we have received?
I realize I don’t know you, but I do know this: you and I have been uniquely selected to be alive at this strategic hour in human history. Lives hang in the balance. Whole people groups hang in the balance. There are “multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision” (see Joel 3:14). They are actively seeking a voice to guide them toward the only thing that will ultimately satisfy their souls. They are listening for a voice. Will they hear yours?
Mitchell D. Silber and Arvin Bhatt, Radicalization in the West: the Homegrown Threat, New York Police Department Intelligence Division, 2007, http://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/testimony/344.pdf, 25-26.
"No We Can't: Radical Islam, Militant Secularism and the Myth of
Coexistence” available at eagleswings.to. Published by Chosen books.
Copyright 2011 by Robert Stearns. All rights reserved. ISBN:
978-0-8007-9520-7.
Robert Stearns is the founder and executive director of Eagles' Wings, an international relational network of believers, churches, and ministries committed to the lifestyle of biblical spirituality, the unity of the Body of Christ, and God’s enduring covenant with Israel. Robert’s ministry flows out of deep passion for Jesus characterized by a distinct prophetic edge. He has ministered in 30 nations around the world and maintains a significant burden for the Eastern United States and Israel. Robert also serves as co-chairman of the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem, and Publisher of KAIROS Magazine. Robert and his three sons live in New York, and spend a great deal of time in Jerusalem, Israel.
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