This week during our Zoom Bible Study here at CFC we got to talking about being a Christian in a multifaith world. We are exploring the Acts of the Apostles when the Jesus Movement eventually became Christianity and began to spread throughout the world. With all that is happening in the Middle East and another synagogue attacked here in the U.S., this topic is important to consider. The Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have a great deal in common. And there are real differences too. Not to mention similarities and differences within other World Religions like Buddhism and Hinduism.

Years ago theologian Brian McLaren wrote a great book, Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road?: Christian Identity in a Multi-Faith World.* As a Christian, McLaren wonders how Jesus would treat Moses, Mohammed, and the Buddha if they all came to a crosswalk together. Do we think Jesus would push some of these religious figures aside and demand to cross first? Would he insult them? Would he demand that they worship him? “Or would he [Jesus] walk with them and, once on the other side, welcome each to a table of fellowship, not demanding any special status or privileges, maybe even taking the role of a servant—hanging up their coats, getting them something to eat and drink, making sure each felt welcome, safe, and at home?”

McLaren reflected on feeling called to reach out to his Muslim neighbors after 9/11. He felt a voice speaking as if the voice were in his chest at a prayer service following the attack, “Your Muslim neighbors are in danger of reprisals. You must try to protect them.” From there, a relationship developed between McLaren’s church and a local mosque, a relationship developed between Brian McLaren (who was an Evangelical pastor at the time) and a Muslim imam named Ahmad.

As Brian McLaren reflects, “Some people were, I imagine, a little shocked to see a Muslim cleric walking through the church lobby as people chatted over coffee and bagels. But because our congregations had developed a friendship, he was soon recognized and welcomed. Several times, I remember someone coming up and whispering in my ear, ‘Brian, your imam is looking for you.’”

The truth is that we can have a healthy and faithful Christian identity in a multifaith world. It is possible.
We can be both strong in our own faith and kind toward people of other faiths (or no faith at all).
And when we do so, we are walking in the footsteps of Jesus himself who would have gone out of his way for people to feel welcome, safe, and at home.

Love,
Pastor Lauren

*Quotes from Brian D. McLaren, Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammad Cross the Road?: Christian Identity in a Multi-Faith World.

Photo by Daryan Shamkhali on Unsplash

Thursday Thoughts 3/19/26