Same God?

That's a Theological Statement:

Larycia Hawkins an associate professor of political science
                              at Wheaton College.

In the last few days there has been an enormous uproar over the fact that Wheaton College's professor, Larycia Hawkins, carefully articulated the notion that Christianity and Islam share the same God.  This statement alone, theologically, carries a gigantic weight and should not be perceived with passing ease or careless wonder.  Though I do not seek to comment on the governmental or institutional right in suspending the professor (I think the Chicago Tribune does a remarkable job in hitting on this subject -- the link is below), I do hope to assist in helping our young people think through this statement with biblical clarity and a Gospel lens.

In a pluralistic society it can become quite confusing when these types of issues come to surface, and even more disheartening when a small community like the Hmong people have an immediate connections to Wheaton College through youth events such as HLUB and SALT.  The Hmong District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) has forged a great relationship with the institution while their parishioners, mainly the younger generation, have cemented affectional ties to the school.
Through these endeavors there comes to surface a multitude of theological questions that begin to posture the Christian faith in a particular perspective.  And without the proper guidance and biblical scope, our young people can fall into syncretistic or integrative fallacies without even realizing it.

Trinitarian Issue:

Much of the questions that may arise surrounding this story is the legitimacy of Hawkins' claim.  Is the god of Islam and the God of Christianity the same?  Blog comments and FaceBook statuses have been filled with support for Hawkins and the surprising thing is not necessarily the support — because I understand the pluralistic state that America is in — but rather the evangelical support!  Most comments that I have come across are from evangelical believers who, for the sake of progress, don't see the theological fallout of the professor's claim.  How are we to understand the theological error of Hawkins' statement?

God — Three in One:

Clearly it can be understood that Christianity does not share the same God as Islam.  The vagueness to the descriptive nature of the term "god" doesn't help the issue at hand, but with a deeper look into Christian theology, in particular the doctrine of the Trinity, we can come to a definitive answer on the matter.  By looking at the intrinsic nature of the Christian God (intra-Trinitarian) we can begin to see that Jesus plays a central role in how we understand the differences between Islam and Christianity.

Scripture, Christianity's final authority, illustrates Jesus as not merely a good teacher, a moral guide, or a charismatic leader; but rather the incarnated Word of God that is distinct in personhood but is of the same essence as God the Father (John 1:1-2; Phil. 2:6).  In His very nature He is God; the exact imprint and image of the invisible God (Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:15).  Jesus Himself claims unity with the Father (John 14:7, 9: 15:24) and yet places Himself subordinate to the Father (John 5:19-29; Phil. 2:6).  Ultimately, Jesus "and the Father are one" (John 10:30 ESV, italics added).

Islam and Christianity clearly do not serve the same God, because if they did the Islamic faith would cease to exist and those who claim Allah would be praising, worshipping, and honoring the Lord Jesus Christ!

Jesus in the Beginning:

The claim for sameness of God in worship between Islam and Christianity is often linked to the origin of the respective faiths.  This claim can also be proven valueless if we view Scripture through the lens of biblical theology.  Johannine theology would lead us to conclude that Jesus was not a plan B for God following the fall nor was Jesus, according to Pauline theology, a created tool to clean up the mess of Adam.

John in his Gospel states that Jesus is the Word that brought forth the created order which encompassed the entire universe (John 1:3; Heb. 1:2).  It can be conceived, then, that Jesus' introduction into the narrative of redemptive history does not start at the break of the New Covenant with the book of Mark (the first of the Gospels to be written), but was evident in the opening sequence found in the book of Genesis.  On the account of John, Jesus was active when "God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1 ESV).

Hebrews 1:2 ESV, "2 but in these last days He has spoken to
us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things,
through whom also He created the world."

The Apostle Paul affirms John's theology in that Jesus was not an afterthought to the created order.  Jesus, in the words of John, "was with God and . . . was God" (John 1:1 ESV).  Paul articulates this reality by conveying the notion that "He (God) chose us in Him (Jesus) before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 1:4-5 ESV, italics added).  In Paul's mind Jesus was prior to creation and, therefore, was present during creation in which God's redemptive plan was put into motion.

Islam and Christianity clearly do not serve the same God, because if they did the Islamic faith would cease to exist and those who claim Allah would be praising, worshipping, and honoring the Lord Jesus Christ!

Centrality of Christ:

Christianity and Islam do not share the same God because Christianity is centered and focused upon Jesus Christ who is the God-man in the flesh.  He is the last Word from God in which all things conveyed by God will be known and understood (Heb. 1:1-2).  There can be no unification between Islam or any other faith based religion if Christ is not elevated to being supreme, ultimate, and only.

Though there is great sympathy for the followers of Islam and any other community that is contrary to Christ, we believers of Jesus Christ can not belittle our God in order to satisfy the pluralistic thirst of our day.  The call of the church is to be holy set apart (1 Pet. 1:16) and to be a pillar and buttress of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15).  The distinction of the church from the world is to center around the person and work of Jesus Christ.  Jesus commends His followers to be known by their love (John 13:35), and yet that love is to be defined by abiding in His Word (John 14:21; 15:5, 7) which is the wellspring and source to life (Ps. 1:1-3).

*** the link below to the Chicago Tribune ***
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-wheaton-college-islam-christian-larycia-hawkins-edit-1218-20151217-story.html

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McYoung Yang is the husband to Debbie Yang and the father to McCayden (7), McCoy (6), McColsen (4), and DeYoung (6 months).  He graduated from Crown College in Saint Bonifacius, MN with a Youth Ministry degree and has served as a Youth Pastor in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota for over 8 years.  He is currently studying at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY for his Masters of Divinity.  He hopes to use his training to serve the local church in living life through the Gospel lens.    

Tension Seeker

In or Out:

Growing up as a 2nd generation Hmong person has been — to say the least — interesting.  You find yourself being marginalized from both ends of the spectrum and you learn quickly to live within the tension.  Entering into the Hmong context you are never truly Hmong because the OGs constantly remind you that you can’t speak the language and, therefore, you have lost the genuineness of being Hmong.  When entering into your American context you are never truly American, because you don’t seem to look the part.  Its that moment when people ask, “Where are you from?” and a confused look is reciprocated back at you due to the fact that your response is “Indiana.”  Only if I had a dollar for every time that happened! 

Tension is somewhat of a norm for 2nd generation immigrants who ride the fence of their existence in America.  There were definitely times growing up where I felt overwhelmed at the notion of fitting into a context that was extremely contrary to who I felt I was.  Being from Indiana, Hmong people called me “Twinkie,” and being Hmong my caucasian surroundings called me “Ching Chong.”   Either way, I lost!  

Is There Something to be Learned: 

And yet through it all I think God used the tension to rub against me in order to teach me the intricacies of His grace and truth.  It is in those uncomfortable moments where God reminds us that He is enough and that He is bigger than what our little world can comprehend.  His plans for redemption and His movements for His glory are far beyond our imagination, and yet in our distress He meet us there and gives us the grace to press forward.  It is in the tension that we grow and mature into the image of the Son (Rom. 8:29; Col. 3:10).  It is in the tension that God shapes and molds us to reflect His character.  

I played college ball for a coach who taught me far more than the game of football.  He challenged me during weight training to push myself to the point of failure.  His motto was that muscle growth, like mental growth, can only occur when it is challenged.  True growth in muscle will not occur on the first or even the second rep, but rather finds its greatest opportunity for growth in the tension of failure.  When you get to the point where you can’t push the bar up any longer; that is the moment, he would say, when you should push for two more reps (with help from the spotter).  It was in the tension that growth occurred!  

It is my understanding that this principle is not merely for physical or mental growth, but spiritual growth as well.  

Tension Seeker:

If we look closely at the life of Jesus we find that He continuously places Himself in situations that you would typically think He would avoid.  Jesus looks for opportunities to rub against tradition and to question the (unbiblical) status quo.  I mean, being the author of Christianity, you’d figure He’d avoid some of the mess that He gets Himself into but, quite frankly, He’s a tension seeker! 

Awkward: 

In high school I use to avoid walking down certain hall ways because I didn’t want to encounter particular people, or be left in that awkward moment of chasing the “in” crowd.  To be honest, I’m glad that high school is over!  I just wanted to enjoy my time at school and not play this social pressure game of whose cool and whose not.  I avoided the tension at all cost! 

Well, Jesus was totally different!  When traveling from Judea to Galilee Jews would normally walk around Samaria due to the racial tension that had been historically evident between both 

parties.  Samaria happened to be located in-between the two regions.  Both sides would go out of their way to avoid any type of contact. How about Jesus?  He went straight through Samaria!  Not only did He go through Samaria, but He stops at a well and began to engage in a conversation with a woman!  Yeah, I said it, a woman.  Now to us that may not be a big deal, but to the culture of that day it was, simply put, inappropriate.  Even the disciples were thrown aback at the situation they found their master in.  And yet through the tension Jesus brought forth healing, restoration, and redemption.  In the end, “[many] Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony” (John 4:39, italics added).  

Jesus engaged in the tension and through His seeking the tension forgiveness of sin was granted to the woman, she was restored to the community, and the community was redeemed through the person of Christ.  Jesus engaged where others avoided.  

Not in My House:

Another incident, among many others, that showcased Jesus’ eagerness to enter into the tension was His encounter with Zacchaeus (Luke 19).  Socially Zacchaeus was a man who had burned many bridges.  Not only was he profiting economically from his kinsmen through unethical means, but he was funding the oppression and abuse of the nations via the Roman military.  On many levels Zacchaeus was a man with many enemies.  How does Jesus respond to this situation?  “Zacchaeus, I wanna eat at your crib!”  (paraphrased) The tension does not stop there.  As Jesus is making His way to the home of His new found friend people begin to murmur at the fact that Jesus is entering into the home — let alone sharing a table with — a sinner like Zacchaeus.  Sharing a table, in those days, meant that you were embracing the person — the whole person!  

In light of all the carnage that was unraveling before the eyes of the people, Zacchaeus received the free gift of grace in Christ Jesus  and not only exited out of the tension a new man, but reconciled with all those who he had exploited for economical gain.  Zacchaeus found forgiveness from his sins, restoration back into the community, and the community saw on display the infinite mercy of God in Christ.  Jesus engaged where others avoided.

By His Name: 

In an age where emotional tension tends to be swept under the rug, Christ has shown us that by His grace we can enter into the tension and find healing, relief, and reconciliation.  During this holiday season many may be facing relational turmoil that has caused dissension within their social structure, but I hope that the cross would be the source of our humility and meekness that brings forth the possibility of reconciliation.  Our relational situation may not be ideal, but by engaging in the tension we may have the opportunity to not only address the hurt that has been done to us, but be awakened to the self-righteousness that we are all guilty of.  In any case, we all need the mercy of the cross!  

Tension can be deafening in the moment, but through the chaos may we keep our eyes focused on Him looking to please and make much of His glorious Name.  May His fame be the center of our engagement.  Regardless of the consequences, may all things be done for the glory of His Name and the joy of our hearts.

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McYoung Yang is the husband to Debbie Yang and the father to McCayden (7), McCoy (6), McColsen (4), and DeYoung (6 months).  He graduated from Crown College in Saint Bonifacius, MN with a Youth Ministry degree and has served as a Youth Pastor in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota for over 8 years.  He is currently studying at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY for his Masters of Divinity.  He hopes to use his training to serve the local church in living life through the Gospel lens.