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	Rev. Colin Chapman

The majority of Muslim leaders in western countries condemned the terrorist acts of September 11^th in New York and July 7^th in London as behaviour which was. “un-Islamic”. So claimed the Rev. Colin Chapman in his lecture on “Islamic Terrorism: Is There a Christian Response?” given at Sheraton Hall, Wycliffe College, on Wednesday, November 1, 2006.

Based upon his experience living and working in the Middle East, he stated: “the historical and political issues are just as important as the theological questions. It is the combination of traditional Islamic theology with a particular set of political developments which has created the problem.” He elucidated a historical/political arena which many would argue has not been effectively communicated to the world outside of the Middle East.

In his experience Western countries have a poor understanding of the root causes of “Islamic Terrorism”. He pointed out that it is often the case that we make the, “immediate connection between ‘the Islamic doctrine of war’ in general and current ‘Islamic terrorism’ in particular.” 

“In the Qur’an … the word jihad as a Holy War is used in respect of waging it for defence against any aggression or taking an offence in unavoidable circumstances when the onslaught of the enemies is imminent.” Based upon the history of the region the terrorists believe that they are faithfully following this definition. Chapman drew some comparisons between the word jihad and our Christian traditional understanding of just war.

On historical/political concerns, he stated that, “in many cases there have been local, national issues which have provoked the anger and the violence. And in many cases the violence has been an expression of a more general anger over perceived injustices that have been done to the Muslim world as a whole over a long period of time.” Rev. Chapman also argued against the perspective of some Christians who believe that, “Muslim terrorists are actually more faithful to the spirit of the Qur’an and Islamic theology than moderate Muslims.”  He reminded us that as non-Muslims we have no right to claim that we know Islam better than the Muslims.

As to the appropriate Christian response to this conflict Chapman suggested that we consider Matthew 5:23-24,  that we should listen to what the other side is saying, and then we should ask ourselves whether their reasons for anger are well-founded. As Christians our faithful response to the words of the Gospel should inspire us to seek a righteous/just means of addressing this conflict (Matthew 5:6, 9). He proposed that the most effective manner of engaging this issue would be to insist that the negotiation move forward only within the realms of international law enforced for both sides. (Summary supplied by Natalie Sampson).

 Read the full text of the lecture below.