My Facebook news feed was buzzing about Osama last night. Nearly every status update had something to do with bin Laden's death. Sprinkled in amongst all the celebratory comments were occasional posts that basically urged people to not be so happy about it, since God takes no pleasure in the death of his enemies (Ezekiel 18:32) and we should be saddened that Osama was no believer.
I agree with that sentiment, but I'm not going to fault people for rejoicing in his death. His death means much, much more than "Hey, we finally got that sucker." His death is symbolic; it carries with it the weight of the 3000 souls lost on 9/11. The death of this one man is a whole lot bigger than he was. His death was personal to multiplied millions of people. What people are rejoicing over, I think, is Justice. So I won't chide folks for being happy that he's gone.
When it comes down to it, Osama's death is the same as Joe Schmoe's down the street in that anyone who expires apart from Christ is lost, and lost to the very same degree. Osama's soul is no more depraved than mine. The extent of his crimes was farther reaching, perhaps, but his sinful affront to God's holiness separated him just as effectively as I did in the past with my own sins. And let's remember that God has saved worse critters than bin Laden...
I agree with my friends who say we shouldn't celebrate someone's death, who urge compassion. But I also celebrate in a fashion with everyone else that we finally got this evil man. Didn't people in 1945 mourn Hitler's death? Anyone remember Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his part in the plot to eliminate Hitler?
Ultimately we need to understand that there's more than one thing at work here: there is Justice in which a cold-blooded murderer has been dispatched; there is the power of a nation's memory stirring up sincere emotions; there is the eternal Truth that souls who perish apart from Christ are eternally, horribly, lost.
I agree with that sentiment, but I'm not going to fault people for rejoicing in his death. His death means much, much more than "Hey, we finally got that sucker." His death is symbolic; it carries with it the weight of the 3000 souls lost on 9/11. The death of this one man is a whole lot bigger than he was. His death was personal to multiplied millions of people. What people are rejoicing over, I think, is Justice. So I won't chide folks for being happy that he's gone.
When it comes down to it, Osama's death is the same as Joe Schmoe's down the street in that anyone who expires apart from Christ is lost, and lost to the very same degree. Osama's soul is no more depraved than mine. The extent of his crimes was farther reaching, perhaps, but his sinful affront to God's holiness separated him just as effectively as I did in the past with my own sins. And let's remember that God has saved worse critters than bin Laden...
I agree with my friends who say we shouldn't celebrate someone's death, who urge compassion. But I also celebrate in a fashion with everyone else that we finally got this evil man. Didn't people in 1945 mourn Hitler's death? Anyone remember Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his part in the plot to eliminate Hitler?
Ultimately we need to understand that there's more than one thing at work here: there is Justice in which a cold-blooded murderer has been dispatched; there is the power of a nation's memory stirring up sincere emotions; there is the eternal Truth that souls who perish apart from Christ are eternally, horribly, lost.
6 comments:
Thanks for this brother. We share similar feelings on this matter!
On a separate note, how are we not FB friends?
Well we are now! LOL :)
Very good word son, love your insight and expression of it. Mom
Great post, I am working on one as well. It will not be as good as your's though! Brian
False humility, Brian! :) You're very good with words...
http://gobblercomin.wordpress.com/2011/05/04/where-is-osama/
Let me know what you think Blaine
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