Mar 22 2008
A Church in Saudi Arabia?
[Time]
Interfaith dialogue has become an important exercise in finding the right words to overcome both extreme violence and ordinary misunderstanding. True progress, however, is best measured in deeds. The inauguration last week of Qatar’s first Christian church — a small Catholic chapel bearing neither bells nor visible crosses — has been hailed as a welcome step forward in relations between Catholicism and Islam. But an even more dramatic development is under discussion just across the border: The Vatican has confirmed that it is negotiating for permission to build the first church in Saudi Arabia.
Read about it here.
[From me]
I wonder if this means evangelical churches can go in there legally?
What do you think?
[From me]
8 responses so far
My Islam professor, Dr. Shahid at SWBTS, said there was a secret group meeting for Bible study in the lower levels of the Royal Palace. Let’s hope all of this is true and Christ can be worshiped openly.
Kelly,
Thanks for the info. I pray God does something incredible there.
Kevin, this is exciting news. I doubt, however, that the Muslim world will respond favorably to such a move as establishing a Christian church in Saudi Arabia. That is “Holy Ground” for Islam. They got VERY upset when the King allowed US (read “Christian”) troops there to stage for Desert Shield/Desert Storm in the early 90s.
Here’s something else to consider, Islamic tradition allows for the freedom of Christians to worship in some Muslim lands, however, they are not free to evangelize or to convert Muslims — that’s where trouble is, and I’ll bet that doesn’t get mentioned in this deal.
One thing you gotta give the catholics: they aren’t afraid to declare their faith anywhere! They willingly and openly have their churches. They will glad die for their faith. Sadly, that can’t be said for Protestants.
Brother Kevin,
If they do allow a “church,” it will be monitored and locals who attend will continue to be subject to Saudi law. Churches are allowed in most Muslim countries, but they are there for those who have never been Muslim. And, as Matt noted, this is freedom for Christians to worship, but does not change the laws concerning evangelism. The answer is underground house groups.
Brother Kelly,
Please do not take this the wrong way, I know that you do not intend to cause issues. Please consider withholding specific information about “secret” groups that are meeting from the internet. The government you are referring to does search for information and they do act upon it. Persecution for faithfully and wisely following Jesus is normal, persecution for statements made on the internet by others is not necessarily to be desired. Again, I do not mean this to be rude, condescending or anything like that.
His peace be upon you all,
From the Middle East
From the Middle East’s last blog post..a secretary, a teacher and a housewife impact lostness
like I said, the catholics don’t do anything in secret . . . gotta give them credit for that. protestants are much more worried about being out in the open. I don’t believe the apostles worried a lot about staying hidden.
Mrs. Osipov,
Off the top of my head, you may want to check out the Apostles not wanting to meet with Paul just after his conversion. Barnabus had to vouch for him even to get an audience. Of course this took place after the martyrdom of Stephen and first great persecution breaking out… they were being wise. The Apostle John also records that Jesus, “No longer moved about publicly” after a plot was developed to take His life. Then there are examples from the Old Testament and from early church history. There is a difference between timidity and wisdom.
All over the world, God is doing amazing things… fortunately, in those areas where there is great persecution, it is not being reported as front-page news. If it were, our brothers and sisters would be hammered because of the news media and not because of how they live their lives among their own people. We should expect persecution as normal, but only persecution that is a direct result of our witness for Jesus.
His peace be with you,
From the Middle East
From the Middle East’s last blog post..a secretary, a teacher and a housewife impact lostness
Mrs Osipov,
You said: They will glad die for their faith. Sadly, that can’t be said for Protestants.
I must have initially overlooked this statement. My apologies. I would like to let you know that I personally know protestants who suffer daily for their faith in ways that we, here in the West, cannot even comprehend. They are BOLD, BOLD witnesses for Jesus, but they are witnesses in culturally appropriate ways. Just because someone does not build a building and impose Western/Roman tradition on a different culture, does not mean they are not effective, bold ambassadors for the Risen King. Praise be to God alone that what you read in the news and see on television does not represent all that God is doing among the nations!
May His face shine upon you,
From the Middle East
From the Middle East’s last blog post..a secretary, a teacher and a housewife impact lostness