I find the current Muslim reaction to the Pope's comments to be rather ironic:

VOA News - West Bank Churches Attacked as Muslims Protest Pope's Remarks on Islam

Arab op-ed: Pope’s remarks may lead to war


As for the speech itself, it actually had only a very little to do with Islam. Perhaps it was ill-advised to quote such a harsh statement from the Byzantine emperor without a disclaimer (unless the Pope actually meant to whole-heartedly endorse the emperor's statement, but I don't get that sense at all from the text of the speech.)

In reading the speech, I am impressed with the Pope's ability to express himself in quite subtle academic terms. He was a professor for many years, I guess. I can also see why he could be surprised that Muslims are reacting so strongly - his point was that we should be able to have real dialogue between Christianity and Islam, as long as we accept reason as the starting point and set aside violence. I can see why he could be surprised, but unfortunately, I don't think he should have been surprised. After the cartoon riots a few months ago, quoting someone that said that Muhammed brought only evil into the world is bound to lead to trouble.

Still, it seems like there ought to be some more balanced voices in the hubub. Surely there must be Muslim scholars who understood the Pope's point and agreed, even though they would doubtless deplore the quotation. Perhaps the views of such scholars are not "newsworthy," however.

I have the privilege of providing some attempt at spiritual care to an elderly retired pastor in a nursing home every few weeks. He is quite senile, and often dwells on his childhood memories when we talk, but every once in a while something will break through that really catches my heart.

Yesterday morning I decided to read Psalm 91 to him when we met. After I read the passage, I made a comment about liking vv. 5-7, and their promise about our refuge from harm in the Lord. I am always struck particularly by the words "Though a thousand fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, it will not come near you." Even if all the world around us is falling apart; even if every argument seems to be discredited, and every ministry in disgrace, still those who "dwell in the secret place of the Most High" will be defended from ultimate harm.

This dear old man's response was something like "Those were tough people back then. They didn't pussy-foot around. They just knew what they needed to do and did it."

I can't remember his exact words, but it struck me that he was communicating - or trying to communicate, through the Alzheimer's - something really profound. The Lord is in the business of making people strong. Not just good. Not just kind. Not even just holy. Strong.

Psalm 18:29-34

29 For by You I can run against a troop,
By my God I can leap over a wall.
30 As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the LORD is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
31 For who is God, except the LORD?
And who is a rock, except our God?
32 It is God who arms me with strength,
And makes my way perfect.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of deer,
And sets me on my high places.
34 He teaches my hands to make war,
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.


Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.


Hebrews 11:32-34

32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

[Note that the stuff immediately after this about suffering persecution is precisely in line with what I'm saying here as well.]


Part of the reason why some of our prayers go unanswered, I think, is that the answer we are being given is ourselves. We are called to strength. We are called to be living out the power and authority of Christ over the world, the flesh, and the devil. That means that when we say "I can't stop sinning," we are in unbelief. It may be a battle that we have yet to win, but it is one for which the power to win is available to us. If we say, "I can't stop worrying," we are in unbelief. If we say "I can't do anything about such-and-such an evil," we are in unbelief. It may be that we can't do much; that what we do may have little effect - but it will not have no effect. And who are we to judge the ultimate effect of prayer?

Our culture claims victim status constantly. We are told to "stand up for our rights" - which often seems to mean that somebody else should take care of us and live our lives for us so that we don't have to suffer. It is a culture of complaint - almost of whining. We are called instead, to relinquish our rights and stand up for our responsibilities. We are called to stop being victims; stop being weak; stop complaining, and start taking God at His word and acting on His promises.

How do we get there?

Well, one place we might start is Nehemiah 8:10 - "The joy of the LORD is your strength"...