What is Chrislam? (Christianty + Islam)

Chrislam? : Dialogue to Dilution
I came across this word recently on the Internet, and was immediately reminded of C S Lewis' “Last Battle,” the final book in the Narnia series. In the last days of the Kingdom of Narnia, where the Creator Aslan is God, the inhabitants are deceived into joining together with worshippers of Tash, and come up with a new name for their god: Tashlan. Fiction, or prophecy...? The name “Chrislam” is clearly a blending of Christianity and Islam, but what form does it take, where did it originate and how widespread is it?
In matters like this I find the internet to be a minefield of Christian hysteria, but I did find a sensible web site that's worth looking at: see www.reachouttrust.org

Chrislam originated in Lagos, Nigeria, founded by Pastor Shamsuddin Saka, who was formerly a Muslim. After a pilgrimage to Mecca 20 years ago, as he was praying, he believed the Lord told him to “Make peace between Christian and Muslim”. He began holding “Chrislam” services at his centre of worship, using both the Bible and Quran, and stressing the importance of loving God and your neighbour, a teaching contained in both. His teachings found a following with many Muslims and Christians disturbed by the country's sectarian violence and longing for peace. There is now an international following; recently on June 26th 2011, Chrislam services were celebrated in over sixty churches across the United States.

“Chrislam” has obvious appeal to some Christians, and Muslims, who long for a more peaceful world. But it is completely opposed to the fundamental faith in Jesus, his death and resurrection, as the only way to be saved. Muslims do not believe that Jesus died to pay for their sins, so we cannot pretend we are all on different routes to the same end. However, there is also a danger of overreacting, and labelling anything that is a genuine attempt at reaching out to Muslims as “preaching Chrislam,” as I saw in many internet articles declaring just that. The important thing to remember, on an individual and personal level, is that of course we should try to make friends with Muslims in our communities. And we will find many things to agree on. But we must be on our guard against diluting the message of the Gospel in the pursuit of “common ground” for dialogue. We mustn't leave out the important bits about Jesus and salvation. Because our aim is not a peace that is only temporary, of this world; our goal is eternal peace with God in His Kingdom, for everyone, through Jesus. (written by Bridget LEE)