As I listen to some Christian leaders and read some current Christian literature, I am becoming aware of a growing concerted and apparently orchestrated effort to lead Christian folk to think that Islam is compatible with or is a friend of Christianity. There seems to be a thinking that we Christians should not be opposed to this faith but embrace those who are committed to it with open arms as fellow children of Abraham, "our cousins."

To a certain extent, this attitude extends to those of the Jewish faith, and even to non-believers. In fact, the effort is to cause Christians in effect to deny the uniqueness of Christianity by denying that Jesus is the unique Savior of all mankind.

Among many Anglicans in Israel, this attitude has been given the label "rainbow theology." For example, Jews have salvation in adherence to the Torah, Moslems have salvation in adherence to the Koran and the doing of good works, and Christians have salvation in Jesus by faith, thereby comprising a rainbow of salvation theology of the children of Abraham, each on a different path but leading to the same end result.

It is important that it is understood I am not referring to Arabic peoples in general, but specifically to the faith of the Moslems, which is Islam. It is also important to note that I have not heard or read explicit statements that Islam is compatible with Christianity. What I am saying is that Christian leaders, in their efforts to speak out against the suffering of Arabic peoples, use language which strongly implies that we Christians are one with Arabs, including Moslems.

On the surface, a caring person would agree with this message. However, upon further dialogue and careful listening, we never hear from these leaders the command of Jesus to evangelize these folk. If their message is not an outright denial of Jesus as Christ, it is certainly non-compelling and vague to the extent of being non-discernible as to the uniqueness of Jesus being the Christ.

I have recently returned from an extensive trip to the Middle East, during which I had an opportunity to meet with principal Orthodox leaders, Chalcedonian and non-Chalcedonian, and to speak extensively with a Coptic bishop. If one wishes to get a true perspective of the inherent animosity and incompatibility of Islam and Christianity, spend some time with leaders of these Christian disciplines in that part of the world. One will learn quickly what it means to live as Christians with and under Moslem regimes. It is not the same picture that those American Christian leaders who are sympathetic to Islam are attempting to paint for us.

In one context, it would not be so sad if I were talking about nominal Christian clergy or laity, but this is not the case. I am speaking about significant church leaders. Within our own church, I would include Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning and his wife, Patti, and several diocesan bishops. These persons are very much involved in humanitarian efforts to ease the sufferings of Palestinians - Christian and Moslem - for which we can be thankful. However, in their efforts it seems clear that there is no compelling imperative to proclaim that salvation for all peoples, including Moslems, is in Christ Jesus alone.

With all the good works these folks do for the suffering Palestinians, particularly those who are adherents of the Islamic faith, without leading them to Christ as their only Savior, Moslems will die in their sins to an eternal life apart from the grace and mercy of God. They will have received a "drop of cool water" here in this life, but in the eternal life to come they will be damned to an everlasting parching horrible thirst.

Compounding this error is their effort to hold up Islam as a religious faith we Christians should be comfortable with, thereby leading Christians to deny the uniqueness of Jesus by word or deed. Too many times I have heard it said that the Moslem looks upon Jesus as a great prophet and therefore has great respect for him and sees him as an important figure. This may be somewhat true. However, over and over again the scriptures tell us that if we do not acknowledge Jesus as who he truly is, the Second Person of the Trinity, the Divine God/Man, then we do not know him and we know only a fictitious person. As many of us heard in the Middle East many times, "If Jesus is not Lord of all, then he is not Lord at all."

From our brothers and sisters in the Middle East, I bring you an exhortation to which I add my own, and that is to renew the call upon all Christians at all times and in all places not to let anyone deny the uniqueness of Jesus. Whenever you hear anyone who so denies, even if only vaguely, then boldly and confidently call him or her to task, hopefully in love with loving words, but if necessary in the end with forceful words, for you are contending for the Christian faith and the honor of Jesus. Whenever you read anything which denies the uniqueness, write and challenge the author for what may be only an implication, but is in effect a sure denial. We Christians must not let our Lord and Savior be demeaned. Those Christians living in Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Egypt will joyfully tell you why, for they live this necessity every day of their lives. q

Donald F. Brown is the executive director of Adventures in Ministry. He resides in Bakersfield, Calif.