Church Rot Update: Woke Pastors Now Embracing Islam
Chrislam is Infecting Churches Across America
Editor’s Note: This week marks three years since the founding of the American Faith and Freedom Blog. I want to thank all of you, especially those of you who have been with me since its beginning in September 2019! I’d also like to extend a warm welcome to all our new readers who have recently joined our growing community of Americans who still love God and country! — Jim McCraigh
Originating in Nigeria during the late 1970s, Chrislam is a movement among some Christians and Muslims to merge the two religions. The word Chrislam was formed by adding Chris for Christianity to lam for Islam. Chrislam groups consider the Bible and the Qur’an equally holy books and read from both during gatherings. Both Christian and Muslim holidays are celebrated. Under Chrislam, the God of the Judeo-Christian Bible, and Allah of the Qur’an, are considered one and the same God. Followers of Chrislam believe that Christianity and Islam are compatible... that one can be a Christian and a Muslim at the same time. Biblical Christianity is not a religion; it is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
True Christianity and Islam Are Not Compatible
Christians and Muslims do not worship the same God. Islam rejects the deity of Christ... in other words; they do not believe that Jesus is God. The Qur’an emphatically states that it is blasphemy to say that Jesus is God. Muslims also deny Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross and resurrection.
Islam teaches salvation by works, while Biblical Christianity teaches salvation by grace alone. For Muslims, forgiveness is based on a combination of Allah’s grace and their works. Muslims believe that if their good works outweigh their bad ones and if Allah so wills it, they may be forgiven of their sins and enter Paradise. In Biblical Christianity, the believer is saved unto good works, not by them. True Christian believers do good works because the Holy Spirit lives in them, not because they must do so to earn salvation.
“8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9 NASB).
While true Christianity includes good works, they are not the cause of one’s salvation... good works are a result of it. Unlike the Qur’an, the Bible never suggests that good works are enough.
The two are incompatible, making Chrislam a concept that Christians must reject.
“14 Do not be mismatched with unbelievers; for what do righteousness and lawlessness share together, or what does light have in common with darkness? 15 Or what harmony does Christ have with Belial, or what does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said.” (2 Corinthians 6:14 NASB)
Chrislam is Rapidly Spreading Throughout So-Called Christian Churches
With the full support of some prominent evangelical leaders and Pope Francis, Chrislam has begun to spread globally and in the United States. Rick Warren, the now-retired pastor of Saddleback Church in southern California and one of America’s most influential so-called Christian leaders, has proposed a set of theological principles that includes acknowledging that Christians and Muslims worship the same God. Through Warren’s influence, Chrislam has grown and now has infected hundreds of churches across multiple denominations across our country. A U.S.-based group known as Faith Shared is currently leading the American effort to merge Christianity with Islam. The following is taken directly from their website:
“Faith Shared asks houses of worship across the country to organize events involving clergy reading from each other’s sacred texts. (June 25, 2022) An example would be a Christian Minister, Jewish Rabbi, and Muslim Imam participating in a worship service or other event. Suggested readings will be provided from the Torah, the Gospels, and the Qur’an, but communities are encouraged to choose readings that will resonate with their congregations. The involvement of members of the Muslim community is key. We will also provide suggestions on how to incorporate this program into your regular worship services. And we will assist local congregations in their media and communications efforts.”
Hillsong’s founding pastor, Brian Houston (who resigned in disgrace this past March), has said publicly, “Do you know – take it all the way back into the Old Testament and the Muslim and you, we actually serve the same God. Allah to a Muslim, to us Abba Father God.” Numerous United Methodist, Episcopal, and Roman Catholic churches are now holding “Chrislam services”. (See a list of just a few of these so-called churches at the end of this post.)
Sadly, the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., is one of them. Sometimes called “America’s Church,” the cathedral has held State funerals for four American presidents, memorial services for eleven presidents, and prayer services for 14 others, including Joe Biden.
The concept of Chrislam is spreading with the full support of Pope Francis. The Roman Catholic pope has been actively promoting it for years...
In 2019, Francis traveled to Abu Dhabi, where he met with Sunni Muslim leader Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb. The two men signed a global peace covenant called the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace.
Also, in 2019, Pope Francis called for major theological reforms in Catholic schools to promote a “common mission” with Islamists.
On May 14, 2020, Pope Francis opened the Chrislam World Day of Prayer for Humanity, calling on all people of the world to do good deeds, observe fast, pray, and make devout supplications to their gods to end the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Early 2022, Pope Francis ordered the crucifix removed from the papal podium because he did not want to offend illegal Muslim migrants during a trip to Malta. Instead, the cross was replaced with recycled plastic bottles. Of the bottles, Francis said that "When you look deeper, you will see that the sea is made of recycled plastic bottles because there is more plastic than fish in our sea”.
Is the Pope so willfully ignorant that Sharia-based Islamic law is not in harmony with Bible-based Christianity? Is he ashamed of the cross and the Gospel? Where is his call to men and women everywhere to repent and declare Jesus Christ the Lord of their lives?
U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See (the Pope), Callista Gingrich, in an official January 16, 2020, statement on launching the “Abrahamic Faiths Initiative”. In it, she stated, “The Initiative serves as a powerful demonstration that, through fraternity, cooperation, and mutual respect between the Abrahamic faiths, peace in our world is possible.” She went on, “The Abrahamic Faiths Initiative was inspired in part by the seminal Document on Human Fraternity and Living Together, signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in Abu Dhabi in 2019.” (Callista Gingrich is the wife of Newt Gingrich, the former U.S. House of Representatives speaker.)
Mrs. Gingrich has expressed her desire for the United States to ‘fully support’ the Abrahamic Faiths Initiative, otherwise known as the One World Religion of Chrislam.
Really, Ms. Gingrich?
Palestinian-American philosopher Ismail al-Faruqi once wrote of all Muslims, “they believe in and will continue to strive for this unification of world religions until there is only one religion prevailing in the world, which is Islam.”
“One World Religion” refers to merging all current world religions into a single global religion. The ‘Abraham Accord’ appears to be the rocket fuel the Vatican needed to help launch Chrislam, also known as the Abrahamic Faiths Initiative. The idea that all religions are acceptable, and all should come together is not Biblical in any way, shape, or form. Sadly, the Catholic Church is at the center of the reconciliation efforts among the world’s different religious groups.
The New One World Religion Headquarters
The Catholic-Muslim Interfaith Council, created By Pope Francis, has announced its New Chrislam One World Religion Headquarters is scheduled to open in late 2022. To be known as the Abrahamic Family House, it will consist of a mosque, a church, and now a synagogue, along with an educational center to be built on Saadiyat Island, the cultural heart of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
The building’s design intends to capture the shared values between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Within each of the houses of worship, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about religious services, listen to holy scripture, and experience sacred rituals. The Abrahamic Family House will host a variety of programming and events... from daily religious services to international summits... (Perhaps for a one-world government someday?)
Are the end times beginning to unfold before our very eyes? Is Chrislam, the prophecy of Revelation 17: 1-14, and Revelation 13 fulfilled? Is it the One World Religion the Bible tells us will rise in the last days? Is Chrislam/Roman Catholicism the Harlot of Revelation? Whether one calls it the Abraham Accord or the Abrahamic Family Initiative, it all means Chrislam. And whatever it is, the Catholic Church is in the thick of it.
During these dangerous and uncertain times, Biblical Christians need to stand firm in their faith, be prepared to share the Gospel, and live out the teachings of the Bible. Only then will the true Gospel message be clear to Muslims who would seek salvation.
The continued embrace of Chrislam will be inviting the judgment of God upon us as a nation... if it hasn’t already.
In our Nation’s Capital:
The National Cathedral - Washington, DC
Roman Catholic:
North American Old Catholic Church - Washington, DC
Light of Christ Ecumenical Catholic Church - Longmont, CO
Cathedral of the Diocese of Vermont - Burlington, VT
Light of Christ Ecumenical Catholic Church - Longmont, CO
United Methodist:
The Chicago Temple First United Methodist - Chicago, IL
Hillview United Methodist - Boise, ID
First UMC Phoenix - Phoenix, AZ
Trinity United Methodist - Mountain Grove, MO
Christ Church United Methodist - New York, N
Saint John’s United Methodist Church - Austin, TX
Zion Methodist Church - Las Vegas, NV
Collegiate United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation - Ames, IA
Episcopal:
Grace Episcopal - Amherst, MA
All Saints Cathedral - Pasadena, CA
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church - Ely, MN
Grace Episcopal Church - St George, UT
Trinity Episcopal Church - Janesville, WI
St. Elizabeth’s Church - Honolulu, HI
St Paul’s Cathedral - Boston, MA
The Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist - College Park, GA
Cathedral of St. Andrew, the Episcopal Diocese of HI - Honolulu, HI
Christ Episcopal Church - Toms River, NJ
Presbyterian:
University Presbyterian Church - Tuscaloosa, AL
Wasatch Presbyterian Church of Salt Lake City - Salt Lake City, UT
First Presbyterian Church of Fort Wayne - Fort Wayne, IN
Baptist:
Northminster Baptist Church - Monroe, LA
Old Cambridge Baptist Church - Cambridge, MA
Lutheran:
First United Lutheran - San Francisco, CA
Cathedral of Hope - Dallas, TX
Seminaries:
Auburn Theological Seminary - New York, NY
Thanks, but this isn't news. "America's pastor" Rick Warren infected the churches here with this. Being he's a member of the intellectual intelligencia there is no challenging it, not without getting the backside of fellowship and being accused of being hateful, mean spirited and " obcessed" with politics. So many just keep quiet, except for their own private circles. It's interesting as so many within the body of Christ here in amerika, whine about cancel culture, yet it is firmly ensconced in the church. No? Try challenging the other members of the intellectual intelligencia, leadership of the Christian Coalition; Tony Campolo, Jim Challis, Jim Wallis, Tim Keller and now John Piper. All who are aggressively dividing the church with their attack on patriots via the Anti nationalist movement. Tools of the enemy to divide and conquer both the church and the nation to further the great falling away.
Lord help U.S. Jesus🙏
Happy anniversary Jim!
Puzzled by this new "religion"
Found this summary of differences on a site I've not had time to explore further. However, I agree with this much:
"God’s only begotten Son is Jesus. Allah has no begotten son.
God made salvation available by sacrificing His Son and promises salvation by grace to those who believe. Allah sacrificed nothing, and only saves if sufficient works are done.
God has a payment for sins—Jesus Christ. Allah has no payment for sins.
God’s Christ paid for the sins of mankind. Allah paid for nothing, and all men pay for their own sins.
God’s salvation is through Christ’s work. Allah’s salvation is through people’s works.
God’s saving work is, “Come to Christ.” The major part of Moslem salvation is to believe Mohammed was the sum and seal of the prophets.
God’s book is very different from Allah’s book. They contradict each other, so they cannot both be true. For example, the Bible says Christ was resurrected from the dead. The Moslems reject that as a lie.
God says his Son is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Allah says Christ is “only a messenger” (Chap. 5, “The Food” sect. 10, par. 75).
God treats men and women equally. Allah does not.
God says marriages today (Christian) are to be monogamous. Allah allows more than one wife.
There is no marriage in God’s Paradise. Faithful men get many virgins in Allah’s.
God says it is not necessary to have special days. Allah does: for example, Ramadan, the Moslem holy month during which Moslems fast during the day."
"This list could be multiplied many times over, but there is no point. We have a saying, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck it is a duck. God and Allah do not walk alike or quack alike. They are not the same and anyone who tries to say they are is blind to these obvious differences. To my knowledge, most Moslems do not say that Allah and the God of the Jews and Christians are the same being, which is a major reason Moslems count Christians as “infidels.” Why would they say that if they really believed we were worshipping the true God?"