By Jason Glenn, Pastor
Upton Baptist Church
Upton, Kentucky
Since I first heard about the Florida pastor who plans to burn a Koran in protest of whatever it is he’s protesting, my only reaction was, “What a nut! Move along people, there’s nothing to see here.” That’s typically what I think about anyone who wants to burn a book, any book. Book burning seems so “Nazi-like” and creepy and all. Wait, come to think of it, this guy’s “church” did originate in Germany. But I digress…
Anyhow, I figured if I was going to write this blog, I had better come up with a better reason to object to this Koran-burning stunt. So, I spent the better part of half an hour thinking about it and reading what’s being said out there concerning this guy, which, as it turns out, is a lot. This led me to the first reason why I think this is a crazy idea. I’m diametrically opposed to any action by any moron that makes me think, “You know, Hillary is right…”
But then I thought, “Come on. Be serious. That’s not how you ‘win friends and influence people.’” This led me to another reason to protest this guy’s protest. The Lord has commissioned His church to win the lost; and this ain’t how it’s done. The church is to be about the Lord’s business, which is proclaiming life and light in Jesus Christ to a dying world held captive by the kingdom of darkness. Apparently, “pastor” Terry Jones and his Dove World Outreach Center are only concerned with building a kingdom of themselves; there is no way the Kingdom of Christ can be advanced through what he’s doing.
Because of this, I say to “pastor” Jones, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” (Romans 2:24) God will hold him accountable.
This led me to another passage of Scripture, and to another reason I think this guy is a wing nut.
I suppose Terry Jones calls himself a Christian. I know he calls himself a pastor, as do the 40 or 50 members of his “church.” Here is my primary point of objection. I am a Christian and I am a pastor. I love the Lord Jesus Christ and I love the church and I love being a pastor. I love being called “pastor.” And I can’t even begin to praise God enough that He has called me to this high and holy calling. Wow!
I don’t believe that Terry Jones and I share the same Lord or the same calling.
As a Christian, I judge myself according to the ONLY book that has ever existed or ever will exist that IS God’s Word – the Bible. And especially as a pastor, I judge myself by the characteristics God says one must have to fill the office in passages of Scripture like 1 Timothy 3:1-7. When I read this passage with Terry Jones in mind, I especially thought of verse 7, “Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil’s trap.”
Terry Jones has fallen into a trap set by Satan, a trap that Satan sets for all pastors – acting in public in a way that scandalizes the name of Christ and the office of pastor. He is a disgrace and should repent of these actions, cancel his publicity stunt, and pray for God’s mercy.
The View From We2 
Jason, you have made your point perfectly and in a way that I know would please Christ. I could list so many reasons that make this man in Florida wrong. But to me the number one reason is that his actions are going to turn Muslims away from ever hearing and accepting Christ Jesus as their savior. There is an old saying that goes like this, "Once you've cut off a person's nose there is no point in giving them a rose to smell." Once we alienate the Muslim community by burning their Koran their is no point in trying to then share God's love for them becasue it will never be received. It truely breaks my heart to hear Christians angrily say burn their Koran because they burn our Bible. Of course the Muslims are going to act like sinners and want to kill Americans of course they will want to burn our Bible…. they are lost. They are only acting like the sinners they are. We should not do anything in return to them that will hinder God's love from penetrating their hearts. Thank You so much for your post!Jill Hedges