Pastor's Circle - Mark Durie

Dr. Mark Durie is a theologian, human rights activist and vicar of St. Mary's Anglican church in Caulfield, Victoria, Australia. You can visit his website here. He came on The Matt Friedeman Show to discuss the effects of 9/11. Here are the "CliffsNotes" of his interview.

I want to talk about 9/11. Have we learned anything from that experience?

I think we're more afraid than we were. But whether we're better equipped to deal with that I'm not sure.

It's very difficult for people to face up to the religious motivations for that act.

Obviously our lives have been changed. Flying is completely different now.

We live in fear now much more than we used to. I think that's a great loss.

What does the rest of the world think about this?

I think it rattled everyone.

Other parts of the world have had similar events. This is not an American issue, it's a global issue. But 9/11 was the wake up call.

I think the evangelical world is divided on how to respond to Islam. So in some ways it's been an effect that has divided Christians.

I think we should love Muslims, reach out to them, make friends with them, and share the love of Christ.

The real problem is the difference between Jesus and Mohammed.

The problem is when Muslims do terrible things in the name of Islam, they have an example in Mohammed. Whereas when Christians do evil things, they can't point back to Jesus.

We have to love, and still speak the truth. That's the challenge for us, I believe.

Are Muslims coming to the Christian faith?

More now than at any other time in history.

All over the world there are tens, even hundreds of thousands turning to Christ.

Research has been done on why Muslims convert to Christianity. The number one reason is that they see the quality of life and love in the Christian.

I've heard that many Muslims convert because of dreams.

And also through other miracles, healings, God showing up.

Jesus is calling to them. He wants them back.

Muslims are taught within Islam that dreams are very significant ways of communicating with God.