The single-minded hijacker: This distortion elevates a single concept without tempering it against the whole counsel of scripture. For instance, Osama bin Laden may have confused the merits of "jihad," a righteous struggle, with his desire to see a new world order.

Similarly, Christians may have misapplied teachings on upholding righteousness and defending God’s honor in order to promote the Crusades. Either way, human slaughter is justified. Evil is called good.

The eschatological (end times) hijacker: Christianity and Islam both teach the world will come to an end and everyone will be judged. How can this teaching be exploited for personal gain? Christians may justify squandering the earth’s resources because Jesus is returning soon — kind of like using up your medical and dental benefits before the end of the year. For Muslims, the promised rewards of heaven can be made to improperly support the glorification of martyrdom and the devaluation of human life.

Both of these end-times practices are deviant because the tail is wagging the dog. This idiom was the title of a popular movie, "Wag the Dog," where the proposed benefits of a war economy were used to justify a hypothetical war. I submit that the consequence of any practice should not violate our core beliefs.

The authoritarian hijacker: Scholars of both Christianity and Islam face a similar task here. There are teachings that may appropriately distinguish and support the unique role of the sexes. But to interpret them in a way that puts one person in bondage to another is surely a misrepresentation of the intent.

The misuse of authority is also never authorized. Women and children are no longer to be treated as property, either as slaves to others or falsely imprisoned in their own surroundings.

As a member of the Christian clergy, I relate to the struggle for religion to have meaning and relevance today.

Here is my encouragement to the Ankara-based Muslim scholars currently doing ijtihad (interpretation) for the new edition of the Hadith.

1. Articulate which meanings are within the acceptable range of possibilities and reflect the original intent.

2. Expose alternative views for what they are — distortions that suit a personal agenda.

3. Interpret according to reputable practices, such as universal truth versus what has been filtered through cultural and geographical lenses.

4. Ensure that no teaching has consequences that violate core beliefs.

It is my prayer that this article will help build a world of peace, dignity and prosperity for all. And that is where I find that the cross meets the crescent.