Christiane Amanpour interviews New York Pastor Tim Keller about Christianity, America, and politics.

Most of us can relate to the frustrations of a 10-hour layover, but few know what it’s like to be held at the airport against their will. This afternoon I got a call about a Muslim friend who was detained at the airport for over 10 hours. Sadly, this isn’t the first time I’ve heard about things like this from my Muslim friends.

Today David Johnston continues his post from last week and endeavors to present readers with a pro-peace perspective on the Middle Eastern crisis. After explaining the roots of Christian Zionism and American Christianity, he goes on to explain the present situation in the Israel / Palestine area and to exhort Christians towards a pro-peace stance regarding the current conflict.

In this tiny and crowded piece of real estate, with numbers of Palestinians and Israelis soon to be equal (six million apiece), one has to go back to God’s original promise to Abraham and see God’s heart of love and compassion for all the nations. Yet as simple as this call to pray for both peoples together may seem, this turns out to be tough for us American evangelicals to do.

Pastor Joe was frustrated. "Rick," he said, "I am being accused of becoming liberal because I am seeking to love my Muslim neighbors." "I can relate," I assured him. "I have been accused of heresy and compromising the gospel because I am too positive toward Muslims and Islam."Here's what I told Pastor Joe...

A Muslim woman wearing a hijab was recently kicked off of a Southwest flight because someone thought she said, "It's a go!" (implying a terrorist attack), when all she said was, "I've gota go." Anti-Muslim protesters in California ranted and raved at Muslim families who were merely participating in a fundraising event by a Muslim relief organization focusing on the homeless. And Congressman King puts on hearings about problems of "radicalization" among American Muslims. What do all these events have in common? They depict Americans who equate Muslims with terrorists. But Muslims are not the enemy - extremism is.

In this blog I describe Sharia, as seen by Muslims, as divine, flexible and comprehensive. And so in the context of the current frenzy in several states to “outlaw Sharia,” I’m arguing that 1) it’s like telling a Muslim she can’t practice her religion at all; and 2) it displays a staggering ignorance about how Islamic law actually works; and 3) there’s nothing to fear about Muslims embracing Sharia.

When God turned my life toward peacemaking, I had a difficult time finding a mature evangelical leader who was both an authentic peacemaker and a faithful witness to Jesus. Where could I find an older coach or mentor to help me in this transition?

About fifty people from my church visited the Islamic Center of Phoenix for a Love Your Neighbor Dinner. During a time of Q&A, a member of my church asked the Imam how followers of Jesus could be practical peacemakers between Christians and Muslims. The Imam, Sheikh Mahmoud replied, "Read and obey the Gospel!" I think Sheikh Mahmoud is right.