Every year I teach a class in early Church history to a group of young
people attending the Ambassador Bible Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. One
of the sections we cover is the controversy in the fourth century over
the question of whether Jesus Christ was indeed the divine Son of God
come to earth in the flesh or whether He was merely a good man who founded
a new religion and was elevated to a divine status by tradition. This
theological argument created enormous conflict that is with us to this
day. Though church councils negotiated a truce about it at that time,
it still stirs religious tension.
Looking at our articles for this issue, I am struck by the connection
between this ancient debate and today's war on terror. Both involve deep
issues of religious belief that have never been effectively resolved.
The issue comes down to the question, Who is God? It is the dividing point
between the major world religions. Until this question is resolved, there
will be continued religious strife.
The conflict between radical elements of Islam and Western Christian
society is a clash over who is God—Allah or the Christian God? Is
there a fundamental incompatibility between the two? Is it possible for
the two faiths to coexist and work together in one society? Several European
nations, such as the Netherlands, Great Britain and Spain, are being forced
to examine that question. Bombings and the killing of innocent civilians
going about their daily lives could impel leaders to more drastic measures
to protect their nations.
History shows that when differing views of faith and God divide people,
there is no easy or permanent solution found in the councils of men. This
is a hard fact to accept, yet it must be understood in today's conflict.
