GlocalNet

I’ve had people email me, twitter, and even call asking me to blog about the experience last night at Temple Shalom in Dallas where we had our first stop of the trialogue for this weekend gathering of Christians, Muslims, and Jews.  You can read 2 blogs back and the story in the Dallas paper for more information and if you want to be a part - it’s not too late - you can go to the northwoodchurch.org web-site and get the details and come. 

First, it wasn’t an interfaith worship service.  Last night was the Jewish worship service and we Christians and Muslims watched – and, where we were comfortable, participated.  If we wanted that, we would have one service - but that would not be honest to who we each were.  I LOVED the music, the recitations - keep in mind they use, for us Christians, the Old Testament - so obviously I was OK with that.  So whether I read Psalms in my church or in their synagogue - it touched me.  I’ve never been to a synagogue - so watching people worship in the faith of my ancient roots and history was very moving to me.  I did feel a connection.

Second, the people were so gracious at Temple Shalom.  They went out of their way to welcome us - I felt like they probably felt overrun by us - we had a few hundred there - not sure how many - but lots.  They kept coming up to our members and introducing themselves to us.  They had a huge spread of food.  They even had a religious bookstore - I think our members cleaned a lot of it out buying different Jewish items.  They thanked us for coming - I was told again and again they never dreamed an evangelical pastor from Dallas would ever enter a synagogue let alone with his congregation.  It made me sad - what impression have we given these people? 

Third, this was about our 3 congregations members - not religious leaders, theologians, etc., so the conversation was so different from what I’ve experienced when we bring together religious leaders of different faiths.  Everyone wanted to get to know one another.  No one was positioning for anything - they’d probably never see one another again - they simply wanted to talk.  And talk they did - asking every conceivable question possible before the service and then during the Q & A. 

Fourth, we positioned it as multi-faith.  So it was not impolite to disagree and anything was up for grabs.  They started with me - the first question was do I believe in eternity and how do you get there?  My answer: yes - and Jesus.  The Imam - yes - heaven or hell - and you believe in one God, and follow the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed.  The rabbi - only 1% in the Bible talks about life after death - if you were living in the past you offer sacrifices.  We all disagreed and no one got upset or uptight.  They asked about the Bible, the Trinity, why do think we can’t get along.  It was more of a “relational” conversation than a “theological” conversation - I believe that’s what’s been missing and is exactly why religious leaders on interfaith can’t make much headway.  We need to live with the differences and be OK with them. 

One of the last questions asked was why is it we can’t get along?  I told them I’d just returned from Gaza and to me - the fact that we, the 3 monotheistic faiths, at a minimum can’t treat one another with respect is a sham to all of us.  Rabbi Schneider said the majority of it was misunderstanding.  I told them because we all value truth - our truth has made us arrogant instead of humble.  The sign of truth is how it humbles us - not how it makes us superior and arrogant to others. 

Fifth, the imam, the rabbi and I tried to model what we wanted for our people by:  treating each other with respect and disagreeing honestly because of the truth we hold on to with our faith.  It was like nothing I’ve ever been a part of in public.  Much of it was just like what I experience around the world in closed doors with leaders - this was public and with congregants, which says to me the time for this is now.  The world is longing for leadership and intelligent response that goes beyond positioning all our doctrinal statements.  I cannot ignore the words of Jesus. I cannot deny the Bible, the cross, Jesus Christ as revealed in the New Testament and in my life.  Neither can I ignore another human being that God has created to live here on the earth together. 

The conversation has been in the wrong arena - religious leaders - it needs to break out to the laymen.  The platform has been interfaith - it needs to move to multi-faith.  Truth isn’t truth if it can be changed just so we all agree.  Truth is truth regardless. 

Jesus was with us there.  The Holy Spirit didn’t stop as we entered the temple - but stayed right within us.  Jesus was magnified and glorified in that we didn’t compromise who we know him to be - but also were willing to reach out in love to those we disagree with. 

I feel like I’ve met some friends - and I’m excited about it.  It helped me even understand Jerusalem and some of what I experience when I’m there. 

THANK YOU TEMPLE SHALOM - Rabbi Paley and Rabbi Schneider - you were incredibly gracious, hospitable, and warm.  Thank you Imam Zia - you were honest, direct, and not afraid to state the differences yet be friends.  I think God is smiling. 

Now - on to the mosque . . . . . 1:15 today . . . . Everyone dress modestly, conservatively, and women if you have a scarf it would be good, but not required.