On Thursday, July 18, 2023, an Iraqi Christian living in Sweden went to the Iraqi Embassy in Stockholm, where he kicked a copy of the Quran, Islam’s holy book, stood on top of it, and threatened to burn it, prompting protests and demonstrations in many Muslim countries.[1]

On Wednesday, August 14, 2023, Salwan Momika and Salwan Najem burned a copy of the Quran in Stockholm, again prompting protests and demonstrations throughout the Muslim world.[2]

An article on Aljazeera’s website explains that

The Quran is the holy book of Islam and its most sacred text. It is not merely a book but is considered the literal word of God, and Muslims treat it with utmost respect and reverence. . . . As such, Muslims see the burning of the Quran as a desecration of sacred scripture and an unacceptable act.[3]

However, this should never be true for Christians, because Chapter 1 of John’s Gospel makes clear that the Word of God is not a book, but a person.

The very first verse of John’s Gospel says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”[4] John goes on to explain that “the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.”[5] “The Word” was of course Jesus Christ, which means Jesus the Messiah.

The Bible records many of Jesus’s words, but it is not “the Word.” The Word of God walked on this planet 2,000 years ago. He taught, he preached, he told stories, he performed miracles, he died by crucifixion, he rose from the dead, and he now dwells at the right hand of God.[6]

As such, there is no reason for Christians to get upset if someone disrespects the Bible by kicking it, standing on it, or burning it, for it is not the Word. It merely conveys what the Word said and did, as well as what others said about him.

However, if such actions are upsetting for Christians, we still must try to obey this instruction from the Word:

But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors, do they not do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Even the Gentiles, do they not do the same? Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.[7]

So let us strive to “be perfect” by loving our enemies, as the Word would want us to do.

[1]. “Muslim-Majority Nations Express Outrage Over Quran Desecration in Sweden,” Associated Press, July 21, 2023, found at: https://www.voanews.com/a/muslim-majority-nations-express-outrage-over-quran-desecration-in-sweden-/7190173.html

[2]. “Copy of Quran desecrated outside Stockholm’s Royal Palace,” by Nils Adler, August 14, 2023, found at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/14/copy-of-quran-desecrated-outside-stockholms-royal-palace

[3] “‘Word of God’: Why Muslims are opposed to the burning of the Quran,” Aljazeera, July 31, 2023, found at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/31/word-of-god-why-muslims-are-opposed-to-the-burning-of-the-quran

[4]. John 1:1

[5]. John 1:14

[6]. Acts 2:33

[7]. Matthew 5:44-48