Evangelical Christian leader Chuck Colson says a move by Muslim clerics calling for interfaith cooperation to achieve world peace has no merit until Islamic scholars renounce violence.
More than 250 Christian leaders signed an official response to “A Common Word Between Us and You” — a document drafted by 138 Muslim scholars and clerics. The document calls for dialogue to foster better relations between Islam and Christianity. It also seeks to reshape Christian and Muslim communities. But Prison Fellowship founder Chuck Colson says there are many problems with the proposal. “The position I took immediately was Christians ought not to respond until Islam scholars will renounce violence,” Colson advises.
“So these guys, [these] imams, may be well meaning, but until they’re ready to renounce violence, I’m not ready to talk to them. I think it’s a mistake to talk to them.” Prominent Christian leaders signing the response included Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church, Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Community Church, and Harvard theologian Harvey Cox.
In an earlier interview, Colson shared his contention that most radical Muslims have a better understanding of their faith than most Christians have of Christianity. That stems, he said, from churches that offer “therapy” instead of biblical truth and fail to call believers to stand boldly in defense of what they believe.