Interfaith, Really?

Our devotion to the one true Jesus should propel us to defend His teachings, to relate the truth.  That He said there was one way to God our Heavenly Father, who said He was the way, the truth, and the life.  There are many religions who claim a path to divinity, but only one way to know God - that is through Jesus, and while we can show respect to people who practice a variety of religions, we can be upheld by our devotion to the truth of Scripture.  We read an account in Acts 4 (ESV), after Peter and John, by the power of God, had healed a man; Peter said:
12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. ”

The next verse relates:
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

The Christian Post reported recently:

Texas lawmakers are calling on the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport to clarify its policy on chapel use after a pastor was denied access following a publicly announced prayer service.

Tom Ascol, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral and president of Founders Ministries, reported the troubling incident on Sept. 26 at the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Meadows Interfaith Chapel after he responded to a “prayer service” announcement over the airport’s PA system.

Imagine the pastor's surprise when he found, as The Christian Post reported, "Ascol said an imam-led prayer service was already underway, with prayer rugs and a symbol on the ceiling pointing to Mecca, the direction which Muslims are commanded to pray."  

The article notes that Greg McBrayer, executive director of the DFW Airport Interfaith Chaplaincy, had issued a statement in which he described the allegations by Ascol as “disheartening,” and said, “We never refuse others from observing any service, or place requirements or restrictions on entering the space during any services.”  The Christian Post article related that, "McBrayer said upon learning of Ascol’s allegations, the chaplaincy — a nonprofit organization that operates independently from the airport — investigated the claims with its Muslim cleric, whom McBrayer said was 'shocked and saddened' by the report."

In a letter to the airport CEO in response, Texas U.S. Representative Chip Roy said, “DFW’s chapels are supposed to be open to all travelers, not closed off or co-opted for one group at the exclusion of others,” adding, “To deny Christians’ entry into a public chapel in one of America’s largest airports undermines the very mission of an interfaith space.”  He referred to the denial of access to Ascol and the ability to practice his faith in the public chapel. The Post had reported:

“I looked through the door, bags in hand, processing the fact that what the travelers in DFW were invited to was, in fact, Muslim prayers,” said Ascol.

Once the prayer was finished, Ascol said he attempted to enter the room to observe further, but was blocked by the man near the entrance as the chapel’s imam started speaking about Muhammad, who is considered a prophet in the Islamic faith.  

“He said there was a chair in the back for me, but that I must take off my shoes,” he said. But as Ascol moved closer to the door, he says the man “shifted his position to stand directly in front of me, making it clear that this prayer service was only for certain kinds of people, namely Muslims.”

The article noted: "According to the chaplaincy’s website, DFW Airport chapels are 'all inclusive...'"  The site also says that the chapels are "used by a variety of faith groups.” The site says, “We never refuse others from observing any service or require waiting for a particular service to end.”

So, here you have a Christian minister, pastor of a church, head of a Christian organization, and former candidate for President of the Southern Baptist Convention.  It was noted he was returning home from the funeral of his friend, Voddie Baucham.  He hears a generic announcement about a prayer service, and enters the airport chapel, only to find that a Muslim service was occurring, at which he was not welcomed.

Obviously, there was a communication problem.  There seemed to be confusion over the proper usage of this public facility.  There also was an issue about exclusivity, and that's where I want to land today.  There are Christians who claim that Muslims serve the same God we do.  But, they don't believe in a risen Christ, only that He was a good teacher - even though they don't adhere to His teachings.  The exclusivity exercised by Islam differs from what Christians believe, which is authenticated by the resurrection!  Jesus is alive, He rose from the dead, and that can increase our faith and confidence in Him.  Our Savior keeps His promises.

And, while we believe in the exclusivity of the Christian faith - that Jesus is the only way to God, the only way to eternal life in heaven - we also recognize that all are welcomed. Jesus died for all.

We should always make sure that we are inviting to people who do not know Jesus - but in our desire to make people comfortable, they should never feel comfortable in their sins. The essence of the gospel includes displaying the love of Christ so that others might see Him working through us, drawing people to Himself, realizing that they are sinners in need of a Savior, and making room for the Holy Spirit to work it the hearts of people.