What is Chrislam?

What is Chrislam?

There is a growing theological phenomena, not isolated to the Western Church, which seeks to establish a link between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism as common Abrahamic faiths. This theological viewpoint has, in criticism, been coined as “Chrislam”.

Chrislam can be separated into two sub groups. The first is Syncretistic Chrislam, which is a movement predominately isolated to Africa and the Middle East. Such groups are, through demonic influence and/or ignorance, co-mingling Christianity and Islam. Even to the point of conjoining the Quran and the Bible together. The other group is much more subversive, and we have coined it as Ecumenical Chrislam. This group is a Western Church movement seeking to justify Islam as a Judeo-Christian religion. There is a movement within this group that is attempting to pass off Chrislam as Orthodox in nature.

The origin of Chrislam is attributed, by several sources, to the Chrislamic faith of Nigeria which joined Islam and Christianity into one religion in the 1970’s. It is often referred to as The Will of God Mission. A charismatic self proclaimed prophet named Tela Tella, received a message from an Angel to unite Islam and Christianity, creating the Chrislam sect. But is that the earliest and only reference to Chrislam?  Actually no.

An early point of Ecumenical Chrislam’s emergence into mainstream theology actually comes from Lebanon. If you recall world history, then you might remember that Lebanon received its formal independence in 1943, at which time a National Charter was written. This charter established unification between Muslims and Christians, obviously not to a particularly effective end. In 1989, following the long Lebanese Civil War, there was a new agreement reached; this was called the Document of National Entente. In this document there is a key ecumenical quotation “there is no legitimacy for any authority that contradicts the charter of coexistence”. Coexistence has become the battle cry for those who desire to prevent any disagreement based on religious differences. On its “Actions” page the The Islamic-Christian National Dialogue Committee makes this statement regarding the Lebanese Document of National Entente: “This charter provides scope for all citizens to fulfill themselves completely, in authentic diversity and harmonious integration with each other, in the framework of a unified state based on law.” What is the end of this type of repose? The hope of ecumenical movements is to see the abolition of defined religion,  substituting defined biblical Christianity with a convoluted pandering faith that diminishes the nature of God and the person of Jesus Christ.

In 2007 a group of Islamic scholars wrote an open letter to the west called, “A Common Word Between Us and You”. This letter was a statement of ecumenical design with rhetorically defined theological positions. The stated purpose of the letter was to open lines of communications with Western Christians as well as to voice complaints about the actions of certain Christians. The letter was received with overwhelming delight by most Christian organizations in America. The result was Chrislam leaning responses affirming the positions of the Common Word letter, these responses came from many religious or semi-religious organizations within the United States (2). Two very frightening confessions within the letter stated that Muslims, Christians, & Jews all serve the same god, and he “has no associates” (quoted from the Quran). This was a staunch denial of the trinity in compliance with orthodox Islamic belief.

On the evangelical side of this emerging movement we find the World Evangelical Alliance and their Peace and Reconciliation Initiative. This initiative, headed by Rick Love, is at the forefront of compromise with Islamic theology. Not to be outdone in controversy, we find Rick Warren was dabbling in his Kings Way plan (1) which, though still partially veiled in secrecy, seeks to establish common ground with Muslims through unified doctrine and common beliefs.

Many streams make a river; the same is true of Chrislam. We cannot accurately and conclusively identify a single source or origin for Chrislam. It is entirely elusive, and self propelling as it seems to divert and carry away the Lord’s people. Our goal then is not simply to identify or define Chrislam’s origins or participants, but is to shed the light of Christ against the audacious claims which are made by its proponents. Therefore we will “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Our responsibility is to warn Christians to maintain proper doctrine for this is the foundation of faith. How can you have saving faith and belief in the One true God if you do not have a true knowledge of God?

Fringe theological movements are constantly attacking Orthodox faith. So how do you tell the difference between Orthodox beliefs and a heretical movement? The answer is the Bible. God’s word is the revealed truth. Anything that contradicts, subtracts, or adds to His word can be defined as non-Orthodox and thus, false.

You are welcome to join us or request a free workshop called “Islam to Chrislam”, please check our calendar of events or Islam to Chrislam Workshop Registration for details.

Footnotes:

(1) – Kings Way Document Revealed

(2) - A Common Word Response (number 32 was signed by Rick Warren & Rick Love, just to name a few)