Musings...

It may be outside of the scope of this blog and its stated purpose of fostering a more civil public discussion of issues and it is certainly with some "fear and trembling" that I add to the spate of words written on the demise of Osama bin Laden. The writer of Proverbs said, "When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy." (Proverbs 11:10). Certainly I shed no tears at the news of the death of Osama bin Laden and I am grateful for the courage and skill of those Special Forces who took part in the operation that rid the world of a man responsible for so much evil and suffering. Strangely, though, I'm uncomfortable with the gleeful celebration of his death. Justice may demand such punishment, but is such seeming delight over the death of anyone, even a heinous crimimal such as bin Laden, the response that reflects the heart of God? One of the first thoughts that came to me on getting the news of bin Laden's death was that from the book of Ezekiel: "Do I take pleasure in the death of the wicked? Declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?" (Ezekiel 18:23) "For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!" (Ezekiel 18:32). I trust no one will misunderstand...a man responsible for the misery and death of thousands, even tens of thousands, must face justice and judgment. Yet was justice served? Perhaps it was not possible, but might justice have been better served to bring this man to trial and before all the world, face the consequences for his cruelty? Do we really think that the death of bin Laden will be a "game-changer" in terms of the necessity of vigilance in counteracting terrorism? Recent years have demonstrated the power of fanaticism as literally hundreds of men, women, and even children have been willing to blow themselves up for a perverted "cause". We should also be sobered by the thought that a dead "martyr" may wield more influence than a live fugitive. Perhaps most troubling of all in the midst of this celebrating is that we lose perspective on the nature of evil. We believe that evil belongs to "others" ("them") who deserve to pay for their sins because of the gross character of their misdeeds, blinding us to the fact that evil also resides in us and that we all stand under the judgment of God. Were it not for the grace of God in Christ, we would stand before God without hope. "Do you think that those Galileans were worse sinners than all the Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." ( - Jesus Christ: Luke 13:2-3)