The Muslim jihad and Christian warfare are worlds apart. Although moderate (read "liberal") Muslims tend to define jihad as a struggle to be faithful to Islam or the effort to improve their society. To the Muslim fundamentalist today, it is their Holy War against the Infidel West.
Warfare in the context of Christianity or the New Testament is always a spiritual war. As Jesus pointed out to Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence" (John 18:36). As Paul expressed it, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). When Paul instructs Christians to put on the armor of God, he points out that our sword is, "the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17).
Although, historically, Muslim wars or jihads were often against their fellow Muslims they were physical and carnal. The Crusades (1095-1291) were the effort by European nations to protect their citizens traveling to the Holy Land.
The 9-11 destruction of the twin towers is this generation's Pearl Harbor - or at least it should be! This unwarranted attack on the White House (failed), the Pentagon, and the Twin Towers caught America unaware, unconcerned, and unprepared. This contemporary jihad or war by Al-Qaeda (under Osama bin Laden) is global in nature. It has no standing army or territory. It is gorilla war on an international scale. Four of the six major attacks (battles?) have been aimed at the great Satan (America). This jihad did not begin in 9-11-01 but rather in 1998 or 1989. The first attack was against U.S. troops on the way to Somalia and took place in Yemen. They destroyed the wrong hotel. The second was a truck bomb in the basement of the World Trade Center in 1993. The next efforts were in the late 1990s and included a plot to assassinate president Clinton in Manila; the destruction of the U.S. embassy in East Africa; and the U.S.S. Cole. The last major attack was again the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center 9-11-01.
The Muslim world talks peace and tolerance but walks war and terror. On the other hand Christ is the Prince of Peace. He brings peace to the heart of the troubled and salvation to the obedient. He stated, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6).
Dale I. Royal
Elk City OK
