Newsletter August 2012

In June this column was about standing up for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. July was about Lutherans as part of the whole Christian church. In light of the opening of the first mosque in Grand Forks this August column is about Christians and other world religions.


According to the June 30, 2012 Grand Forks Herald Muslims have been worshipping in Grand Forks for more than 20 years in borrowed space at UND. But now they have purchased the former United Church of Christ building across from Sharon Lutheran Church and Red River High School for use as an Islamic Center which includes a mosque (that is, a place to worship Allah). The UCC congregation will rent space in the Islamic Center, reversing the relationship of the past year when the Muslims rented space from the Christians. This is indicative of a long trend in the northern Red River Valley where some Christian congregations are fading, the Jewish synagogue ceased to function a long time ago, and the Muslims are increasing in number. On the other hand, some of the most vibrant Lutheran congregations in the valley are located in Grand Forks, such as the aforementioned Sharon Lutheran Church.

America is an increasingly pluralistic society as immigrants from Asia and the Arab world come to this land of opportunity. It is easy to see this pluralism in the major metropolitan areas of the country, but increasingly it is becoming evident in rural areas, too. Those who practice other religions deserve the respect of Christians and the freedom to practice their faith as they see fit as long as what they do is legal and recognizes the rights of others in this society, including the rights of women. There is no place for discrimination against people or worship sites simply because they are different from the dominant culture or new to the region. There should be not merely tolerance, but respect and equal rights under the law. This is the Christian way despite the sad history of intolerance at times and the infamous anti-Semitic writings of the aging Martin Luther. Christ taught us a better way to treat our neighbors who are different.

Furthermore, Christian people can make common cause with those of other religions in the areas of peace and justice. There are appropriate times to work together on common projects that are good for the whole community. For instance, Lutherans and Muslims might work together to help poor, often monolingual, Somalis who have fled the violence that has wracked their country for so long for the freedom and safety of America. After all, in the most celebrated parable Jesus told it was a Samaritan who helped the Jewish man who was beaten and robbed and left for dead by the side of the road. This was in response to the actual question “And who is my neighbor?” and the implied question “to whom do I own my help and assistance?” (Luke 10:29-37)

Having said all that, it still is the Christian claim that the way to the heart of God is through Jesus Christ and him alone. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) St. Peter preached “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 [than the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth]. (Acts 4:12) This has been the bold assertion of the Christian faith from the very beginning while still recognizing the good works, quality of life, and learning in the other world religions. Remember the compliments St. Paul paid to the pagan Athenians while still pointing to Jesus Christ as the savior of the world. (Acts 17:22-21)

While every religion has equal rights under the law in America, and this is as it should be, not every religion is of equal value. There is only one way to God’s forgiveness and favor, and that is through faith in Jesus Christ who offered his life on the cross for the sins of all people of every race, clan, and nationality. As he himself said, in the end he will be the judge of all the nations of the world without exception. (Matthew 25:32) Some may deny him today, and they have the right to do so, but one day “every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)

In this increasingly diverse and multi-cultural society, Christians are called to make the claim of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone while respecting the rights of other religions and the dignity of all human beings no matter what they believe. At times it is difficult to do this, as when a place once dedicated to the glory of Jesus Christ now reverberates with the cries of “allahu akbar” without reference to Jesus. I catch myself yearning for the little Lutheran enclave in which I grew up. But this is the world in which we live today and in which we are called to witness and serve in Christ’s name with respect and dignity.