To the editor:

Islamic terrorists specialize in the use of fear. The headline in the October issue of “The Voice of the Martyrs” is “Deny or Die.” Nigerian Christians report about Islamic terrorists who say this to non-Muslims. In the 47th Surah of the Koran adherents are commanded, “When ye encounter the unbelievers, strike off their heads, until ye have made a great slaughter among them.” 

Contrast this to Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 5:43-44, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.”

Our nation has an obligation to the ordinances of God according to the Apostle Paul who speaks of a ruler when he says in Romans 13:4, “For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.” Whoever does wrong, wherever they come from. 

A Christian should love and pray for their persecutors; but at the same time be used by the government to resist evil; even if means using the sword. We can be like Joshua who God commanded in 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”