#STOP ISLAM

After yet another massacre by radical Islamic terrorists (in Belguim) calls are heard for the banning or destroying of Islam. #Stop Islam How? By war, laws...? I don't know how these people think. All I know is that this is not the way Christians should think. Jesus made it clear that we are not supposed to propagate His Kingdom by the sword, but by the preaching (and living) of the Gospel. The Gospel is the Good News that Jesus took on Himself our sins, paid the punishment (by his death on the cross) so that everyone who believes in Him would receive eternal life.

We can only show this way to people when we love them, and therefore Christians, while we condemn all terrorism and violence should love all Muslims. (even members of ISIS) That was in fact the clear message of our Lord Jesus Himself. "Love your enemies!"

"...but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;" (Matthew 5:44)

PESHAWAR AND PETER

- the rebuke received by the apostle teaches us something about the difference between the Gospel of Jesus and Islam.

[Condolences to all who are affected by the tragedy of Peshawar]

Friends in grief and sorrow, please consider: All over the world...Pakistan, Australia, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Nigeria, Somalia, Kenya...the list goes on and on... The culprits : Taliban, ISIS, Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab... the common source and cause is obvious, radical Islam! But radical Islam is still Islam and rooted in the teachings of Mohammed. The horror of the tragic school killings in Peshawar (and please don’t forget the killing of 80 people at a church not so long ago) by the Taliban is now fresh in the mind. Some other facts are not so fresh in the mind :

There is little doubt that many Afghans who initially joined the Taliban movement were educated in madrassas (religious schools) in Pakistan.

Pakistan was also one of only three countries, along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which recognised the Taliban when they were in power in Afghanistan from the mid-1990s until 2001.

It was also the last country to break diplomatic ties with the Taliban.

Although Pakistan has in recent years adopted a harder line against Taliban militants carrying out attacks on its soil, new Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif - who was elected in May - has said talking to the militants is one of his priorities. (BBC)

Muslims worldwide and Pakistan itself (as a Muslim country) has a lot to answer for! I know, not all Muslims are radicals, but Islam in itself is a radical violent religion! It is a religion that has been propagated by the sword from the very beginning. Jihad is part of Islam! And at this very point the contrast with the teaching and conduct of Jesus Christ becomes very clear. When the apostle Peter tried to defend Jesus during his arrest in the garden by drawing his sword and cutting off the ear of Malchus, Jesus rebuked him : “Put your sword away!” (John 18:10,11) The kingdom of Jesus Christ was never to be promoted through violence! Jesus Himself went to the cross like a Lamb!

Yes, I know about the Crusades, about the Spanish Inquisition and many other deplorable acts of violence done in the name of Christianity. But these were done in clear disobedience to Christ’s teachings. He taught us to turn the other cheek and even love our enemies!

ALL PEOPLE, MUSLIMS AS WELL ARE IN NEED OF THE GOSPEL OF SALVATION!

Muslims are by the way not my (or our) enemies. We see them as people in need of the liberating gospel (Good News) of Jesus! (just as all other people) The cruelty of Peshawar underlines this need in a shocking way! Please friends, consider the teaching of the Gospel (Injil)! Islam leads to destruction, here and now, but also to all eternity!

FORGIVENESS NOT REVENGE

The Christian message (Gospel) is a clear alternative for revenge and bitterness. It is about hope en full forgiveness through Jesus... yes, even forgiveness for Taliban terrorists who repent and accept Him as Saviour!

Dear people of Pakistan, may you find strength in this time of sorrow. May you see the love of God showed by our Lord Jesus Christ! He invites you, NOW!

WHAT KIND OF HERO?

May celebrities violate God’s decrees and laws? Should we stay silent?

The death of South African football star Senzo Meyiwa is horrible and should be condemned like all murders in that lawless country. (The very recent murder of yet another farmer and the rape of his 16 year old granddaughter once again remind us about the dark crime situation under the ANC government)

My topic is however not the evil of crime, but the evil of making heroes from people who don’t respect the Word of God! Senzo, a married man was killed when visiting his girlfriend. Indeed it doesn’t at all justify such a wicked deed, but we should not be silent about the sinful evil of abandoning one’s wife! We should deplore all sin and urge people to repent while there is still an opportunity. All the sudden deaths of the past week serve as a grim reminder, that death and judgement stand at the door! Were these facts mentioned at the funeral in Durban? Was the Gospel preached to the crowds? The Good News that saves from sin, also the sin of adultery?

THE CRUCIFIED CHRIST IN KAOKOLAND

- Himba people worship Jesus the Saviour from sin!

God reveals Himself to people even in the remotest parts of the earth like Kaokoland in the north west of Namibia. Through the sacrifice of Jesus they are founding forgiveness and peace. The result is a turning away from ancestor worship and serving the one true God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Read more, click  THE POWER OF GOD IN KAOKOLAND.

A short summary of the Gospel (Good news) in the Otjiherero language spoken by the Himba people.

Ombuze ombwa : Jesus wa paperwa kotjikoroise. Jesus wa țira omauvi wetu. Eye wa pakwa na u pendurwa movakoke meyuva oritjatatu.

Indjo ku Jesus!