Responding to 'A Common Word Between Us
and You'
In October 2007, 138 Muslim scholars combined together to write 'A Common
Word between us and you' last year.
It was a letter to Christians - and followed a previous letter written a year
earlier in October 2006 - after they were upset at a lecture given by the Pope
in Regensburg in September 2006.
The letter is based on verses from the Qur'an, it assumes there is only
one God and invites Christians to join them - a form of da'wa.
300 Christians responded in a statement organised by Yale. They printed the
statement
in a full-page ad in the New York Times.
We believe that the original statement by the Muslim scholars is not
something that Christians can support, as it is written on Muslim terms and
denies the deity of Jesus Christ.
We believe that the 'Christian response' co-ordinated by Yale University is
flawed, because it also writes as God as though they are agreeing that it
is the same god the Muslims worship. By acknowledging and accepting the Muslim
statement, a form of dhimmitude is being undertaken.
Barnabas Fund's Rev Dr Patrick Sookhdeo and Rev Dr Mark Durie have analysed
the original statement and the Christian responses:
Rev Dr Mark Durie:
Notes
for Christians on Understanding 'A Common Word Between Us and You'
On
the Yale Response
Rev Dr Patrick Sookhdeo:
28th November 2007 - RESPONSE
TO OPEN LETTER AND CALL FROM MUSLIM RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO CHRISTIAN
LEADERS
24th January 2008 - Barnabas
Fund Response to the Yale
Center
for Faith and Culture
Statement Author: Jenny Stokes | Modified: 14 February 2008 |
