What Will it Take to Counter Radical Islamic Jihadis?
Two nations are in mourning after ISIS has broadcasted to the world the beheading of Japanese journalist Kenji Goto and the burning to death of Jordanian pilot Lt. Moath al-Kasasbeh—evidence that Islamic extremists are intent on violence against all nations.
These recent atrocities, says Southern Evangelical Seminary (SES, ses.edu) President Dr. Richard Land, reemphasize how only a worldview that adheres to the biblical truths about good and evil can counter and defeat radical Islam. Moral relativism will not suffice.
“As things stand now, the world talks a ‘good game’ but has largely lacked the moral fortitude to step up and destroy ISIS,” Land said. “After these tragedies that have made their mark on the entire globe, we must remember that ISIS has no interest in negotiation, and it’s naïve and dangerous to believe that anyone can negotiate with radical Islam.”
Land also referenced President Obama’s remarks at last week’s National Prayer Breakfast when the President said that every religion has, at one time or another, justified violence in the name of a higher power.
“The President is certainly historically accurate to point out that Islam is not the only religion to have violence done in its name,” Land added. “But during his watch as President, the overwhelming majority of acts of extreme violence have been committed in the name of Islam, and it is obtuse at best and an obfuscation at worst to say otherwise.”
SES will focus on issues that surround Islam at its upcoming conference, “Answering Islam: What Every Christian Needs to Know,” set for 9 AM to 4 PM March 21 on the SES campus. To register or for more information, visit ses.edu/about-us/
The upcoming conference on Islam will ask and answer such questions as “What do Muslims believe about Jesus?” and “What are the differences between the God of the Bible and the God of the Quran?”
Land continued, “The reality is that radical Islam and jihad are, as the president rightly noted in his remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast, a ‘death cult’ that has taken root within Islam. While the threat of radical Islam must be addressed head-on as a matter of national security, the Christian response to Islam as a whole is to love and serve Muslims with the gospel, and that will be the focus of the upcoming conference on Answering Islam.”
Recognizing the importance of understanding Islam, SES is home to the Institute of Islamic Studies, which offers the Certificate in Islamic Studies designed for those interested in increasing their knowledge and effectiveness in reaching Muslims. The certificate prepares pastors, teachers, missionaries and lay persons for apologetic and evangelistic ministry and outreach to Muslims around the world. Students already accepted into a degree program may add this as a Concentration in Islamic Studies. Courses offered in the Certificate or degree concentration require students to do special research on Islam.
