Christian Reformed Church (CRC) Laments Plan to Burn Quran

Post 6

Christian Reformed Church (CRC) Laments Plan to Burn Quran

First of all, a comment or two by myself. I republish the CRC statement below, because it is a good, simple and succinct. Secondly, because it is the church to which I belong and largely represents me. Sometimes the CRC aggrevates me; sometimes, it makes my proud. This statement is not of the quality to evoke pride, but it is sufficient and says what needs to be said. I have also recently republished a statement on the subject by Barnabas Foundation on the Companion Blog .

A footnote may be needed to prevent confusion. I have earlier identified myself as a Canadian, but this statement presents the church I belong to as American. In fact, it is an international denomination found in both Canada and the USA. This statement comes out of the American office, since it addresses an American development.

The document embraces also a statement by the much larger National Association of Evangelicals, of which the CRC is member.

And now, the two-in-one statement:

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September 9, 2010—Rev. Jerry Dykstra, Executive Director of the Christian Reformed in North America (CRCNA) has joined with other Christian leaders to express sadness and concern about a Florida church's plan to burn copies of the Quran on September 11.

"At at time when Americans reflect with sadness and pain on the events of September 11, 2001, the Christian church is called to bring the shalom of Christ to a divided and broken world", Dykstra said. "The extreme actions of few in the burning of the Quran do not represent the church of Jesus Christ. As those who follow the Prince of Peace, we are called to be people of peace and reconciliation."

Dykstra strongly affirmed a statement made yesterday by the National Association of Evangelicals, of which the CRCNA is a member. That statement reads as follows:

The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) asks Muslim neighbors to recognize that the plans announced by a Florida group to burn copies of the Qu’ran on September 11 do not represent the vast majority of Christians.

“To all followers of Islam: Please do not judge all Christians by the behavior of one extremist,” NAE President Leith Anderson said. “One person with 30 silent followers does not speak for 300 million Americans who will never burn a Qu’ran.”