From Badr to Bondi: Is Islam Inherently Violent? Part 1

Once again there is terrible news of innocent people killed by terrorists associated with Islamic State (ISIS), this time 15 Jews celebrating Hanukkah on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. Once again, the spectre of antisemitism and violence raised its ugly head. But is Islam to blame? Is Islam inherently violent? How do the majority of Muslims distinguish between what they believe to be a foundational, revered episode in Islamic history, such as the Battle of Badr, and a reprehensible, un-Islamic terrorist attack, such as that at Bondi, which they consider to be against all that Islam stands for? In this 2-part blog, Richard McCallum looks at Christian responses to these questions:
Part 1 of this blog looks at the causes which some Christians propose that may be said to be ‘internal’ to Islam.
Part 2 will look at those which are ‘external’ and rooted in international affairs.
Christian writers and leaders tend to favour one or the other explanation - internal or external causes - although the reality is always more complex.