Hello, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus. Today I need to address something that has troubled me for years—something that continues to happen and that fundamentally contradicts the way of Jesus. It's the deliberate desecration of the Quran by people claiming to represent Christianity.
Listen to these powerful words from Jesus in Luke 6:27-36:
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also... Do to others as you would have them do to you... But love your enemies, do good to them... Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."
This is the way of Jesus. And burning Qurans is not.
[The original incident - 2010]
Let me take you back to where this controversy began. In 2010, Terry Jones, senior pastor of Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, announced plans to host "Burn a Koran Day" on September 11th—the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The announcement sparked international outrage. General David Petraeus, U.S. commander in Afghanistan at the time, warned that the event could cost American lives and endanger the entire effort in Afghanistan. "It is precisely the kind of action the Taliban uses and could cause significant problems," Petraeus said in a statement to the media. "Not just here, but everywhere in the world we are engaged with the Islamic community."
Under immense pressure, Jones initially cancelled the event. But in 2011, he went ahead and burned a Quran at his church. The consequences were devastating. In Afghanistan, protests erupted. A mob attacked a United Nations compound in Mazar-i-Sharif, killing seven UN workers—none of whom had anything to do with the Quran burning. More than 20 people died in riots across Afghanistan.
[Subsequent incidents - the pattern continues]
Sadly, Terry Jones wasn't the last. In 2023, there was a series of deliberate Quran burnings in Sweden and Denmark. An Iraqi refugee burned a Quran outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm. Similar incidents occurred in Copenhagen. These sparked protests across the Muslim world, with demonstrations in Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and other countries. Iraq expelled the Swedish ambassador. Muslim-majority nations condemned the acts at the United Nations.
In 2024, there were additional Quran desecrations in Europe, with far-right activists deliberately provoking Muslims by burning or otherwise desecrating Islam's holy book in public spaces, claiming it was "free speech." And last November, in Dearborn, Michigan, during an anti-Islam rally, one participant wrapped the Quran in bacon as a direct insult against Islamic dietary restrictions.
[The argument for "free speech"]
Now, let me acknowledge the argument that's often made: "We have freedom of speech. We have the right to burn books, including the Quran. It's protected expression, especially when we're criticizing a religion that oppresses people."
And legally, in many Western countries, that's true. You have the legal right to burn a Quran, just as people have burned Bibles or American flags or other symbols.
But here's the question Christians must ask: Just because we have the legal right to do something, does that mean we should? Just because we can, does that mean it's wise, loving, or Christ-like?
The Apostle Paul addressed this exact issue in 1 Corinthians 10:23: "I have the right to do anything, you say—but not everything is beneficial. I have the right to do anything—but not everything is constructive."
[What would Jesus do? - the biblical standard]
So let me ask the question that became popular in Christian circles: What would Jesus do?
Did Jesus ever burn the books of other religions? Did His disciples? Did Paul go into Athens and desecrate their temples to their gods?
No! In fact, Acts 17 tells us that when Paul encountered the pagan idols in Athens, he was "greatly distressed," but his response was not violence or desecration. His response was to reason with people, to engage them in dialogue, and to preach the Gospel. He even quoted their own poets and philosophers to build bridges and communicate truth!
Has burning religious books or desecrating holy sites EVER won anyone to Christ? No. This is not the way of the cross. It is through love and sacrifice that the Church is built, not through hatred and shows of power.
[Biblical examples - the power of love]
Let me give you some historical examples of the right way to share Christ. What would have happened if the Christians who were taken prisoner by the Vikings had responded with hatred instead of love? Would the Vikings have ever been won to Jesus and stopped their murderous ways? No! It was the love and forgiveness of Christian slaves that eventually softened Viking hearts and led to the Christianization of Scandinavia.
What if Patrick had responded to his Irish captors with hatred and violence after escaping slavery? Would Ireland ever have become a powerful mission-sending country? No! It was Patrick's forgiveness and love that transformed Ireland.
What if the Pilgrims had shown fear, contempt, and hatred toward Squanto when he first approached Plymouth? Would they have survived? Would America be here today? God used an act of kindness and cross-cultural friendship to change history.
There are so many examples throughout history of the right way to share Christ versus the wrong way. Burning Qurans is the wrong way!
[The damage it does - multiple levels]
When Christians burn Qurans, the damage happens on multiple levels. First, it costs lives. Every time it happens, people die in the resulting protests and riots. Yes, the protesters bear responsibility for their violent response. Yes, Islam's inability to tolerate criticism is a serious problem. But we also bear responsibility when we deliberately provoke violence that we know will result in deaths.
Second, it endangers missionaries and Christians in Muslim countries. When Westerners burn Qurans, local Christians in Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, and other countries face retaliation. Churches get burned. Believers get killed. We're not just endangering ourselves—we're endangering our brothers and sisters who are already living under persecution.
Third, it destroys our witness. Muslims will only take the incredibly brave step of turning from Islam to Christianity (and I say brave because in many Islamic countries, conversion can mean death) if they see something different in Jesus.
If they see His love, His compassion, His forgiveness, His kindness in His followers, then they will see something different from Islam. But if they see hatred, fear, and desecration of religious books, then they're seeing nothing different from what they see in radical Islam.
[The right response - how Christians should engage Islam]
So what's the right response? How should Christians engage with Islam and Muslims?
First, love Muslims as people created in God's image. Yes, Islam is a false religion. Yes, we believe Mohammed was a false prophet. Yes, we disagree fundamentally with Islamic theology. But Muslims are people—people Jesus died for, people God loves, people who need the Gospel.
Second, we can and should speak truth about the theological differences between Islam and Christianity, about the oppression of women in many Muslim cultures, about the violence in Islamic history and teaching. But we speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), not in hatred or contempt.
Third, build relationships. Get to know Muslims. Invite them into your home. Learn about their culture. Show hospitality. Most Muslims in the West are peaceful people who want the same things you want—safety, prosperity, good education for their kids. Building genuine friendships opens doors for Gospel conversations that burning Qurans will never open.
Fourth, pray for Muslims. We've been focusing on prayer for Muslims throughout this podcast series. Prayer is more powerful than desecration. Prayer changes hearts. Prayer invites God to work. Prayer demonstrates that we actually care about Muslims' eternal destinies.
Fifth, support effective missions to Muslims. Give to organizations like Frontiers, Pioneers, and others that are reaching Muslims with the Gospel in culturally sensitive, loving ways. Support former Muslims who are sharing their testimonies. Fund Bible translation into languages spoken by Muslims.
[A challenge to Christians]
So here's my challenge for all of us as Christians - embody the way of Jesus. Show Muslims the love of Christ. Build relationships. Pray fervently. Support effective missions. Speak truth in love. Live in such a way that Muslims see something so different in each of us that they want to know our Jesus.
And if you see Christians planning to burn Qurans or desecrate Islamic symbols, speak up! Tell them this is not the way of Christ. Urge them to stop. Remind them that our calling is to win people to Jesus, not to provoke them to violence.
[Closing prayer and charge]
Let me close with this: Our primary motivation in life must be to witness for Christ in everything we do. Everything we do should point people to Jesus, not drive them away from Him.
I wonder if the people who burn Qurans have seriously pondered the question: What would Jesus do? Do you think Jesus would burn the Quran?
The answer is obvious. And if Jesus wouldn't do it, neither should we.
Let me pray:
Thank you for joining me today. This is a sensitive topic, but it needed to be addressed. Please share this with other Christians who need to hear it.
Until next time, remember—keep your eyes on the nations, and love them the way Jesus does!
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