Showing Friendship and Respect to Muslims
By Steve Blow, Columnist
Dallas, TX
A prominent Dallas pastor denounces Islam as an “evil, evil religion.” A pastor in Florida does him one better and roils the world with plans for a Quran burning.
But another conservative, evangelical minister in our area takes a very different approach to Muslims—friendship and respect.
I’ll be candid with you,” the Rev. Bob Roberts Jr. told me last week. “If I hadn’t worked around the world, if I didn’t know Muslims, if all I had to go by was what I saw in the papers and on television, I might be scared to death, too.”
But Roberts’ mission-minded ministry has taken him into Muslim countries. He has studied Islam. His NorthWood Church in Keller, Texas has met and worshipped with local Muslims.
“Muslims and Middle Eastern people are some of the most gracious and kind people. We just don’t know them,” he said.
“Yes, there are radicals. There are terrorists. They have their full-blown nut cases, just like we do. But the vast majority of the people are just like any other people on the face of the earth.”
Contrary to the dire e-mails that circulate so widely, Roberts, 52, sees nothing inherently evil or dangerous in Islam. But he sees tremendous peril in the growing hostility toward Islam.
“Direct vilification of another religion will destroy us,” he said. “It’s a horrible approach.”
Now, don’t assume Roberts is a loosey-goosey “Kumbaya” kind of Christian. His traditional Baptist roots run deep—a preacher’s son, Baylor University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In fact, it’s his very traditional theology that drives much of his attitude toward Muslims.
“I’m a passionate believer in what’s called the Great Commission,” he said, referring to Jesus’ instruction to carry the gospel to all people.
“If I want someone to hear the good news of Jesus Christ, I’m not going to go to that person and start by insulting his culture, insulting his practices, insulting his views of God,” Roberts said.
On the contrary, he said, you earn the right to share your faith in building genuine friendships first. And you maintain those friendships even if beliefs remain unchanged, he said.
“Even if you never become a Christian, you and I need to be friends because we are in this world together,” he said. “There is a common good that we should all work for.”
Earlier this year, Roberts arranged for members of his church to worship and have dialogue with members of a Jewish temple in Dallas and a Muslim mosque in Irving.
They have since cooperated on other projects, including women’s cooking classes and some home makeovers for families in need.
An even more ambitious effort is set for November, when NorthWood Church will host the Global Faith Forum, bringing important religious leaders from around the world to talk about their faiths.
“Instead of talking about each other, we’re going to talk to each other,” Roberts said.
But don’t call it an “interfaith” event. Roberts said that term often means focusing only on shared beliefs and staying mum over differences.
He prefers to talk about “multifaith” gatherings, meaning everyone is encouraged to talk freely and plainly about their beliefs—differences and all.
Roberts believes such honest, loving conversation is the key to creating a world of religious freedom and peace.
“I tell my Muslim friends that I hope to baptize them one day. They love it,” he said.
“They tell me I would make a great imam.”
This column first appeared in the Dallas Morning News (9/12/10) and is reprinted by permission.
