Holy War
Why do some Muslims become fundamentalists?Are we facing a clash of civilisations? Tensions between the West and the Muslim world run high. Some Western media equate Muslims with fundamentalists - a serious error.
Nevertheless, in Muslim countries, anger with the West is widely seen as justified, particularly for the West's tolerance of injustices in Palestine. While grievances persist, there will be no shortage of willing Muslim martyrs, or Muslim attacks on Western targets.
Islam itself tends towards fundamentalism. The Prophet Muhammad gained control of Mecca by the sword. By the sword's equivalent today some Muslims seek to fulfil their interpretation of God's will.
How should Christians respond to aggressive Islam? "The challenge of the 21st century," writes Dr Musk, "is to draw back from seeing Muslims or Islam as the enemy. The kingdom of God grows in people's hearts, not via the sword but via the cross."
The Rev. Dr Bill Musk has previously worked with Operation Mobilisation, the Episcopal Church in Egypt and CMS. He is currently the minister of a multi-ethnic Anglican church in London.
