in any discussions regarding the differences between christianity and islam, particularly the differences in how each approaches political scholarship, i think it is terribly important to bring an historical analysis to the table.
so here’s a [i:838cc8cdf9]very[/i:838cc8cdf9] brief outline: islam was founded in the 7th century, approximately 600 years after christianity (1st century). christianity, after being intertwined with political empire for 1300 years or so, finally distanced itself from government and empire in 1648 with the treaty of westphalia, during the reformation. islam, after being intertwined with political empire for about 1200 years or so, finally distanced itself from government and empire in 1918 with the fall of the ottoman-turk empire after world war 1. interestingly, islam is currently going through its own period of reformation, with reformers taking up their cause all over the world.
islam, then, is following a very similar historical trajectory, making a comparison between 17th century christianity and modern islam a more accurate juxtaposition. and i’m pretty sure we wouldn’t hold up popular christian social thought from the 17th century as a model for christian political involvement (think spanish inquisition and salem witch trials).
does that make christians better than muslims in regards to the question of engaging political systems? no, it simply means we’ve had about 350 more years of practice figuring things out. while we don’t often like to admit it (or, more accurately, we don’t often recognize it), God is a God who works through history to make God’s purposes clear.
but this diversion hasn’t addressed the main issue of the post at all and i’d rather not derail that discussion, so …
laurencer
Aug 20 2004
08:13 am
in any discussions regarding the differences between christianity and islam, particularly the differences in how each approaches political scholarship, i think it is terribly important to bring an historical analysis to the table.
so here’s a [i:838cc8cdf9]very[/i:838cc8cdf9] brief outline: islam was founded in the 7th century, approximately 600 years after christianity (1st century). christianity, after being intertwined with political empire for 1300 years or so, finally distanced itself from government and empire in 1648 with the treaty of westphalia, during the reformation. islam, after being intertwined with political empire for about 1200 years or so, finally distanced itself from government and empire in 1918 with the fall of the ottoman-turk empire after world war 1. interestingly, islam is currently going through its own period of reformation, with reformers taking up their cause all over the world.
islam, then, is following a very similar historical trajectory, making a comparison between 17th century christianity and modern islam a more accurate juxtaposition. and i’m pretty sure we wouldn’t hold up popular christian social thought from the 17th century as a model for christian political involvement (think spanish inquisition and salem witch trials).
does that make christians better than muslims in regards to the question of engaging political systems? no, it simply means we’ve had about 350 more years of practice figuring things out. while we don’t often like to admit it (or, more accurately, we don’t often recognize it), God is a God who works through history to make God’s purposes clear.
but this diversion hasn’t addressed the main issue of the post at all and i’d rather not derail that discussion, so …