Sharing lives

The horrific outburst of violence between the Hamas and Israel this week is a challenge to all followers of Jesus not to resort to knee-jerk responses: on the one hand, of blind support for everything Israel does and, on the other, blanket condemnation and fear of all Muslims in general.

Much of the world rightly condemns the Hamas attacks and stands behind Israel’s right to self-defence. Yet Israel’s immediate response resembles what we have come to expect from Putin’s Russia. The blockade of the Gaza strip has left many of the two million inhabitants without food, water and electricity and led to over 2000 deaths, including UN workers, paramedics and journalists.  

Many European Christians are susceptible to becoming more Islamophobic after Islamic terrorist attacks. They have voted for extreme right-wing populist parties focusing on the perceived threat of the Islamisation of Europe. I have written before about such politicians who sow half-truths and fear.

Yet we must resist polarisation among the religious communities in our cities in response to current international tensions.

Bert and his wife Jenny are passionate about building bridges between Christians and believers of other religions, particularly Islam – whether individuals or institutions (churches, mosques, synagogues and temples). Bert observes that Christians and Muslims often live in the same town, neighbourhood or street, but do not necessarily interact. An average Christian does not naturally associate with Muslims. And vice versa. We tend to avoid each other rather than seek each other out. He encourages churches and mosques, as well as individual Christians and Muslims, to meet, interact and get involved in each other’s lives.

He has written a book and developed a course (available online), both called Sharing lives, which he and Jenny model in their own lives. Recently my wife and I were invited to their 40th wedding anniversary along with their family and close friends, including a good number of Muslims. 

We should respond to the presence of Muslims in our continent, says Bert, with: 

1. a compassionate heart: Paul told the Thessalonians (1 Thess 2:8): ‘We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well.’ 
2. an informed mind: We need to know who our Muslim neighbours are, where they come from, their dreams, aspirations, fears and concerns. 
3. an involved hand: All kinds of practical ways can bring us alongside Muslims: language, work, housing etc. They can become allies in dealing with problems in our city or neighbourhood, against social abuses (e.g. abortion, drug abuse, crime). 
4. a witnessing tongue: Once we are compassionately informed and involved, we will find opportunities to testify about Jesus in words given hands and feet in daily life. 

How can we peacemakers and bridge-builders in our neighbourhood?

Jeff Fountain, Director of the Schuman Centre for European Studies. This article was first published on the author's blog, Weekly Word.