Hello All,
Had a nice day really. I wish I could tell you more about what I did, but suffice to say I spent most of the day with a talented theologian and friend who can intelligently answer questions about, say Rahner's theology of the Trinity, off the top of his head. And had a great lunch.
I will write an answer to Sherry and Shaw's comments tomorrow, but for now I think our new brother has said it very well:
His Holiness has sent an explicit and revolutionary message to a Church that until now has been too prudent in the conversion of Muslims, abstaining from proselytizing in majority Muslim countries and keeping quiet about the reality of converts in Christian countries. Out of fear. The fear of not being able to protect converts in the face of their being condemned to death for apostasy and fear of reprisals against Christians living in Islamic countries. Well, today Benedict XVI, with his witness, tells us that we must overcome fear and not be afraid to affirm the truth of Jesus even with Muslims.
--Magdi Cristiano Allam
And how wonderful that his name, magdi, is Arabic for "my glory."
2 comments:
I cannot believe that Allam gives his own opinions here; he was not baptized by the Pope to immediately embarrass him with some strongly worded statement about a new vision of the Church that does not reflect the views of the Pope. I believe that we hear the words, at least the mind, of the Pope himself in Allam's words.
And that is amazing. For all Christians in the Muslim world, whether they are Roman-Catholic or not, this is a very encouraging new approach of the Pope. If I am not mistaken, our brother Benedict XVI wants to see Jesus lifted high, and vigorously evangelize Muslims!
Yes John, I think you are quite right. If you read the full testimony of Mr. Allam it is quite clear that there has been some high quality communication between Allam and the Vatican, so yes I agree with you.
And I do think Mr. Allam is a fine person to take this responsibility. He is not some young kid who doesn't know what he's getting into. He's already been threatened by some Muslims because of other views, so lives with a security detail, and is a fine and articulate writer and thinker.
Post a Comment