1. APPLYING THE BIBLE TO CURRENT EVENTS

2. Burning the Qur’an? God told Israel to destroy spiritually harmful things Deut. 7:1-5, 25-26 (20:16-18) 12:1-4 The Christians at Ephesus destroyed books of the occult Acts 19:18-20 If it is a stumblingblock, get rid of it Mt. 5:29-30 “Protest” is not the way of Christ 2 Cor. 10:3-6 Demonstrations are political tactics Intimidation is a carnal weapon Lying and misrepresentation are carnal weapons

3. Burning the Qur’an? “Protest” is not the way of Christ 2 Cor. 10:3-6 Acts 14:8-18 correcting misconception Acts 17:16-31 provoked but sought common ground Acts 19:37 Paul did not specifically attack their goddess 2 Timothy 2:24-26 not provocative Mt. 7:12 Colossians 4:2-6 pray, live, speak wisely 2 Thessalonians 3:1-4 pray for deliverance

4. Burning the Bible? Jehoiakim tried it Jeremiah 36 God’s word abides forever 1 Peter 1:22-25 The word abides in us Col. 3:16, 2 Cor. 3:1-3 Matt. 5:17-20 Disobedience worse than destroying printed copies We are to reason with others Isaiah 1:18 and refute false arguments 2 Cor. 10:4 Honor the word by living it; then others will learn to respect it 1 Peter 2:11-12; 3:15

5. Allowing a Mosque Near Ground Zero? Relenting from burning Qur’an = removing location of Islamic Cultural Center from Ground Zero James 3:17 “willing to yield” Christian principles not American principles (example: capital punishment, carnal warfare) Christian principles not Muslim principles Christianity is not imposed on others (Islam is) Christianity is love 1 John 4:8 (Islam is fear) Where is forgiveness in Islam? Where is basis for forgiveness? Where is basis for hope? 1 Cor. 15:1-4,17,58

6. Allowing a Mosque Near Ground Zero? Relenting from burning Qur’an = removing location of Islamic Cultural Center from Ground Zero James 3:17 “willing to yield” Christian principles not American principles (example: capital punishment, carnal warfare) Christian principles not Muslim principles Christianity is not imposed on others (Islam is) Christianity is love 1 John 4:8 (Islam is fear) Where is forgiveness in Islam? Where is basis for forgiveness? Where is basis for hope? 1 Cor. 15:1-4,17,58; Romans 6:3-4