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ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to
Letter from Muslim Leaders
October 12,
2007
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding
bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and president
of the Lutheran World Federation, Geneva, responded Oct. 12 to an
Oct. 11 letter sent to him and several global Christian leaders by
138 Muslim leaders from throughout the world.
The 29-page
open letter, "A Common Word Between You and Us," calls for Muslims
and Christians to work more closely together for peace.
"Muslims and Christians together make up well over half of
the world's population," the Muslim leaders wrote. "Without peace
and justice between these two religious communities, there can be no
meaningful peace in the world. The future of the world depends on
peace between Muslims and Christians. The basis for this peace and
understanding already exists."
Information about the contents
of the letter is available on the Web from news
organizations
The text of the presiding bishop and LWF
president's response reads:
"Greetings to you in the name
of Almighty God, our Creator and Sustainer.
On October 11, a
copy of a letter was delivered to me from Muslim scholars and
religious leaders addressed to Christian religious leaders around
the world. As presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America, and president of the Lutheran World Federation, I receive
this letter in the sincere expression of faithfulness intended by
its drafters, and with the hopeful expectation for peace that calls
to us from the origins of our sacred texts and professions of faith.
I encourage prayer and planning for communities of justice, peace,
and security where Muslims, Jews, and Christians draw from these
origins as from essential wells of living water.
The letter
attests to both the love of God and our shared heritage of true
hospitality to one's neighbor. These commandments convey prophetic
witness for mutual and vital co-existence that Christians and
Muslims must embrace in one another. The letter further references
how the commands to love God and neighbor are linked "between the
Qur'an, the Torah and the New Testament." I encourage everyone
everywhere to read the beauty of these passages found in the sacred
texts of the Abrahamic faiths, which signify God's vision for how
and whom we love in a broken world. This common vision for Jews,
Muslims, and Christians signifies fidelity and fellowship in a world
where conflict offends our common heritage as children of God.
In 2005 I, along with an LWF delegation that included
General Secretary Ishmael Noko, met with His Royal Highness Prince
Ghazi, personal envoy and special advisor to King Abdullah II of
Jordan. Our delegation was grateful for the sincere hospitality and
friendship that were so freely displayed in our conversation. The
delegation spoke at length with Prince Ghazi about the origins of
the Abrahamic faiths in that region of the world. In another
meeting, Akel Biltaji, advisor to His Majesty the King, stated, "We
are honored to be servants and custodians of the Holy sites."
I acknowledge this letter in gratitude and recognition of
the need for its further study and consideration. I likewise accept
it in the belief that Jews, Muslims, and Christians are called to
one another as to a holy site, where God's living revelation in the
world is received in reverence among the faithful and not in fear of
our neighbors.
I pray for God's continued blessings among
Muslims, Jews, and Christians alike, and thank God for such displays
of wisdom and humility from their leaders."
The Rev. Mark
S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America
President, The Lutheran World
Federation
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