Apprentice 2 Jesus

We have a need to rescue American Christians from bad theology and bad habits of biblical studies, or lack thereof.

One example: in a meeting I attended that was geared to pray for Muslims, the speaker (a pastor) referred to Ishmael. In his view, the whole division between Palestinians and Jews goes back to Ishmael. Muslims are naturally fighters because of Ishmael.

His conclusion was that we need to pray for our enemies (meaning all Muslims are really our enemies), we need to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and we need to pray for Jesus to come back quickly.

This errs in several areas. First and foremost, Ishmael is not to blame for Muslim/Jewish conflict. As a friend of mine, who is a missionary to Muslims, pointed out, the blame is with Muhammed. He is the founder of Islam, not Ishmael. Ishmael was born of an Egyptian mother. So what? Joseph’s two sons, who inherited land in Israel, were born to an Egyptian mother as well!

To pray for “our enemies” is to equate all Muslims as our enemies. That is a horrible view! It is damaging.

All of this out of poor biblical study. And we take it!

We need to know the Word! Spend time in the Word! Search the Scriptures! Find out where the “fault” lies. Find out why Ishmael gets a BLESSING in Genesis! Understand the world scene without being politically inflammatory.