Angela Merkel's Gift

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is showing courage and clarity on a level not often seen in any political leader, and almost never seen coming out of ‘post-Christian’ western Europe. Her latest contribution ought to be posted on bulletin board of every Christian church in America.

Speaking at a youth conference of her political party, she stated very plainly that multiculturalism has ‘utterly failed”. She was referring first and foremost to the non-assimilation of Muslim immigrants in Germany. And then she spoke a profundity that gets right to the core of the theological problem between Islam and the west:

“We feel bound to the Christian image of humanity — that is what defines us. Those who do not accept this are in the wrong place here.”

Whether intentionally, ignorantly or just carelessly, the Christian ‘authorities’ in America and elsewhere in the world do not articulate the proposition Ms. Merkel so simply and elegantly captured: the “Christian image of humanity” is radically different than the Islamic image of humanity, and the differences matter to humanity’s future well-being.

People familiar with the Bible know that “image” is a word found in Chapter 1 of the very first book of the Bible, when ‘male and female’ are said to be created ‘in the image and likeness of God’. A simple yet profound element of logic is compelling humanity to consider the undergirding of Ms. Merkel’s statement: who or what is the God that men and women are the ‘image’ of?

If the Allah of the Koran is the pattern for humanity, the result tends toward tyranny, hatred, oppression and bloodshed. If the God of the Bible—and especially of the New Testament—is the pattern for humanity, the result tends toward greater love, mercy, brotherhood, justice and goodness.

At the inception of this website, we noted similar thoughts in the description of our essay category of “Religion Matters”:

”What people believe God to be, and what they believe themselves to be in relation to God, determines their concept of freedom, virtue, justice and the purpose of life. The ‘war on terror’ may be discussed in terms of economic conditions, number of angry males under age 30, territories, skin color, or oil, but the core conflict is based on radically different views of what God is—and what a man (and woman) created by that God is. The good news is that truth exists and is not in conflict with itself, and eventually all humanity will be blessed as it wakes up to this fact.”

Religious and political figures do not want to wade into this territory; they see it as too explosive and divisive. Some are probably even unsure as to whether there really is such a thing as truth, and even if there is, it is immodest and unwise to say so. “Who am I to say what’s right and what’s wrong?” is the popular refrain thought to capture the height of nobility, when it’s often just cowardice.

To state as truth that the Judeo-Christian God is the one God and the source or model from which the male and female image and likeness is made is not to espouse hatred of Muslims; it is not to imply, suggest, or condone the idea that war and violence toward Muslims is the only solution to this conflict. But what is humanity to do?

Ms. Merkel seems to be suggesting a peaceful parting of the ways, as we did back in July.

A little more than a month ago, we also posted these thoughts:

Here’s one idea we don’t hear voiced much: how about worldwide public encouragement of all people to read the Bible, especially the Gospels, and the Koran? To examine for themselves the historical accounts of Jesus and Mohamed?

Of course Islamic teaching prohibits the exploration of other faiths, and confers the penalty of death on those who leave the Muslim faith. (That by itself should tell common sense thinkers around the world that something isn’t right with Islam). But the public encouragement to read both holy books and examine both ‘prophets’ doesn’t compel anyone to leave any faith. It would, however, do much more than might appear on the surface to open humanity’s thought on an issue critical to its well-being.

Sure, there would be camera-seeking Imams all over the place issuing fatwas against any reading of anything besides the Koran. There might even be a few Florida pastors ordering their Christian flocks not to read the Koran. A certain portion of humanity would dutifully fall into line as directed by either ‘authority’. But the thinkers would not fall into line; they would keep questioning and questioning—and the only thing left standing after all questions have been answered is Truth itself.

For many, all of this may sound a little too lofty and philosophical for the muddled species called humanity. But understanding and choosing between the theology of Christianity or of Islam is actually the calling of the era. It can't be ducked.

The world can thank Chancellor Merkel for not ducking. Here’s hoping her speech has stirred some fresh thinking about what the world is facing.

Paul Gable

October 22, 2010