“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Cor 6:14). *** I have been meeting with many Iranian parishioners, helping them prepare for their asylum court hearing. Our goal is for them to give a good defense of their Christian faith because, if their request is denied, they might well be deported. After one such meeting, my interpreter, who is enrolled at Riga Luther Academy (our online Lutheran seminary) remarked: “Did you know that quite a few Iranian Christians here in Hamburg attend church AND go to the local mosque? Isn’t that horrible?” “Of course, it is wrong. And yet, I can see where they might be coming from.” “But what they’re doing goes against Scripture!” he exclaimed heatedly. “For sure,” I answered, quoting 2 Cor 6:14. “In our Baptism we all are instantly justified—that is, we become immediately righteous in the Father’s eyes because of the merit of Jesus Christ. But sanctification—that is, our spiritual transformation by the Holy Spirit and our slowly changing our lifestyles to try to meet God’s standards—is a long process. These new Christians might well think they’re honoring their Muslim parents by still going to the mosque. Over time, they will hopefully realize that Islam and Christianity are opposites and that one cannot serve two masters. Also, consider that in some churches their new member classes only last one week—not twelve weeks like our baptismal preparation classes. They may simply not have learned that you can’t become a Christian and still attend the mosque.” “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” he replied after a moment of reflection. “There are probably many people who convert to Christianity as adults and have a tough time shaking off their old lifestyles, even if they weren’t Muslim.” “Indeed…” I thought, recalling my own conversion experience at age forty. And yet, in all these cases, as the Holy Spirit guides us in our sanctification, “The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him” (Dan 9:9).
The Tiews in Germany 