Christ&Muslimits

“A Common Word Between Us and You” is a symbolic bridge between Muslim and Christian religions. The Muslim religion lies on one side, and the Christian religion on the other—and the bridge itself can sometimes be shaky ground for the two. With so much animosity in the historical relationship between Muslims and Christians, it is a wonder that the bridge is still standing. The Yale response to the Muslim’s “A Common Word” was essential to the rebuilding of a stable relationship between Muslims and Christians, and without it, risk of further division and potential war could have been the result.

It really was in the best interest of the American people to respond, and respond quickly to the document sent out by the Muslims that proved to be an act of peace. It almost makes the Muslims appear as the bigger person for reaching out their hand first in the intent to find common ground. The risk of war seemed imminent, and that stemmed from the indisputable differences between the two religions. The authors of the document contend that, “without peace and justice between these two religious communities, there can be no meaningful peace in the world” (“A Common Word Between Us and You”). Diversity can sometimes form unity, but more frequently it summons conflict between what is superior, what is wrong, and what is right. But who is to judge whether Muslims or Christians are more righteous? This question would take many years to answer, but it’s important to look at the evidence within “A Common Word Between Us and You”, which provides a positive step in the right direction.

In the Preamble of the Christian Response they begin by apologizing to the “All-Merciful One” and to the Muslim community. This was a wise thing to do, and probably helped clear the air a bit for the Muslims. Although both Christians and Muslims wronged each other, the Bible tells us, “if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-16). Thus forgiveness is an essential part of being a Christian, for if one cannot forgive another, God cannot forgive her or him.

It is important to separate the wrongdoers from bystanders in these religious groups. In many instances those extremists within the Muslim and Christian religions are those who represent the groups in the media, and many times they do not share the beliefs of the whole body. That distinction is crucial to this argument, and taking that into account, both Muslims and Christians should be more reluctant to make generalities about one another as a whole. The Christian Response describes the task ahead and seeks to find out how God would require people to love both Him and one another. In order for this to occur, discussion and willingness to compromise must also accompany these two groups, as they seek peace within themselves and peace with one another.

Works Cited:

Volf, Miroslav, Ghazi bin Muhammad, and Melissa Yarrington. A common word: Muslims and Christians on loving God and neighbor. Grand Rapids, Mich.: W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 2010. Print.