Burning The Koran

In Acts we read that it happened at Ephesus thusly:

"And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed."

In light of this passage would we be safe to say that if some Christian converts from Islam were to publicly burn their Korans, it could be a good thing that might even bring about a revival?

Mark Osgatharp

 

That is quite possible which would be perfectly in line with the events recorded in Acts:

"And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: so that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused: and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly."

Mark Osgatharp

 

So what if a convert felt led of the Lord to flush a Koran down the commode? How is flushing a Koran down the commode more disrespectful than burning one?

Mark Osgatharp

 

So do you think the Ephesians saints did wrong to burn their abhorent books? Remember the passage says,

"And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed."

For the record, I have not advocated censorship. Censorship is barring other people from reading what they choose. I have advocated doing what the Ephesians did - making a public statement of disapproval for evil books.

I especially disagree with your statement,

That is a totally ridiculous idea which elevates any idea that any wicked man had to the status of serious opinion, simply because it was committed to writing. But you said,

The reality is, bad ideas, once aired, flourish even when exposed by reason. Take the Koran, for example.

Mark Osgatharp

 

So you are saying it is good for converts from Islam to protest the Koran but not for those raised as Christians to do so? Why?

Mark Osgatharp