Faith Club by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 09/30/2006 at 10:56 PM

In a world of religious tension, three New York women claim to be making a difference. Their book, The Faith Club, is a memoir of their interfaith dialogue since 9/11. Over coffee and chocolate, Ranya Idliby, a Muslim; Suzanne Oliver, a Christian; and Priscilla Warner, a Jew, celebrate a relationship they claim has overcome religious barriers. Honest interfaith conversation. Sounds positive.

Here's the rub. USA Today reports:

For anyone who reads the Quran or the Bible literally, rather than metaphorically or in cultural context, the women say, their views will be too liberal. For people who believe there is exactly one way to one heaven, described and delineated only by their own faith, The Faith Club may not offer a template.

Dr. Albert Mohler, calling The Faith Club "a postmodern parable for our times," writes in his blog:

The only interfaith dialogue worth having would involve orthodox believers of various belief systems — not the moderates and liberals. The more liberal members hold to such a plastic concept of religious truth that conflict with other groups is translated into etiquette rather than a true exchange of convictions. Liberal Christians, liberal Jews, and liberal Muslims have little ground for serious disagreement. Instead, it's all a matter of respecting each other's traditions and ceremonies. When the exclusivity of the Gospel is denied from the onset, the "Christianity" that shows up at the dialogue is not classical biblical Christianity.

I agree with Dr. Mohler that this story is telling of our times. Acceptance of all views, no matter the cost, is a cultural value. My own conversations with unbelieving friends have brought this home to me. While it is helpful to understand other religions — and speak words seasoned with salt (not arsenic) — believers must be careful not to lose their potency by relinquishing truth in favor of relational harmony. And that makes The Faith Club not only a parable but a cautionary tale.

Faith Club by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 09/30/2006 at 10:56 PM

In a world of religious tension, three New York women claim to be making a difference. Their book, The Faith Club, is a memoir of their interfaith dialogue since 9/11. Over coffee and chocolate, Ranya Idliby, a Muslim; Suzanne Oliver, a Christian; and Priscilla Warner, a Jew, celebrate a relationship they claim has overcome religious barriers. Honest interfaith conversation. Sounds positive.

Here's the rub. USA Today reports:

For anyone who reads the Quran or the Bible literally, rather than metaphorically or in cultural context, the women say, their views will be too liberal. For people who believe there is exactly one way to one heaven, described and delineated only by their own faith, The Faith Club may not offer a template.

Dr. Albert Mohler, calling The Faith Club "a postmodern parable for our times," writes in his blog:

The only interfaith dialogue worth having would involve orthodox believers of various belief systems — not the moderates and liberals. The more liberal members hold to such a plastic concept of religious truth that conflict with other groups is translated into etiquette rather than a true exchange of convictions. Liberal Christians, liberal Jews, and liberal Muslims have little ground for serious disagreement. Instead, it's all a matter of respecting each other's traditions and ceremonies. When the exclusivity of the Gospel is denied from the onset, the "Christianity" that shows up at the dialogue is not classical biblical Christianity.

I agree with Dr. Mohler that this story is telling of our times. Acceptance of all views, no matter the cost, is a cultural value. My own conversations with unbelieving friends have brought this home to me. While it is helpful to understand other religions — and speak words seasoned with salt (not arsenic) — believers must be careful not to lose their potency by relinquishing truth in favor of relational harmony. And that makes The Faith Club not only a parable but a cautionary tale.