The spirtual problem of radical Islam (part 2)

But I want to reiterate my main point--radical Islam is primarily a spiritual, not a political or military problem. Therefore it can ultimately have only a spiritual solution. And what would that be? Very simply--that Islam is confronted with Christianity: not Christianity as a political or military force, but simply Christianity as the Gospel. Now, in one sense this has barely happened in most Muslim lands. The strictures against the preaching of the Gospel greatly hinder its effectiveness. But it can happen in Western countries. That is, while many Westerners may fear the Muslim immigrant, in fact the openness of Western societies works against the closed spirit of Islam--as long as we do not lose our nerve. For in "competition" with the Gospel, all other faiths must finally fail. That is a divine promise. The Word is not our possession; it is the Lord's. His Word will not return to him void. What radical Muslims regard as our greatest weakness, our openness, in fact may yet be our most significant strength. But openness can only work if we can offer something in which we truly believe. If the only choices are the moral rigidity of the Muslim religion or the immoral dissolution of the modern West--guess which one will win? But a vivid and vibrant Christian faith is one against which the gates of Hell may not prevail, much less Islamic extremists.