I'm curious what y'all think the Christian response to terrorism should be. With the most recent terror attacks in Mumbai, it's important that we think "Christianly" about this. Is it possible for us Christians to desire swift justice for terrrorists (including killing) and yet at the same time desire the salvation of their souls?
For some insight (and the apparent conflict) on this you might look to Romans 13 and then look at Jesus' statements in Matthew 5:43-48.
2 comments:
As for the Romans passage, a brief commment...
1) Flip back to the end of the previous chapter and notice how loving our enemies (chapter 12)quickly transitions into obeying authority (chapter 13). It seems a lot like Paul's style to refute questions that might arise - e.g. read chapter 12 and think, "Should we go on being evil so that good might come of it?", while chapter 13 then answers "certainly not!" (See this type of transition in Romans 3:1,3:5, 6:1, 6:15.)
...now time to make dinner for the girls. More to follow later, God willing....
While Romans 13 speak of authorities (who also "bear the sword" of justice) this is speaking of this station - of those in positions of authority - not the role of every Christian. In general it otherwise speaks of our submission to those in authority.
Included earlier in Matthew 5: speaks of Christ's truth regarding anger/murder (21-26) and retaliation (38-42) - quite contrary to our natural reaction in both cases.
While we are called to hate evil and love what is good, we need to depend on Christ that our desire for justice is not a cover for anger and hostility toward our enemies - including, as in this blog's example, terrorists. A man's desire for another's salvation is as stark as night and day depending on whether the man is redeemed in Christ. The difference is just as stark in a man's desire for justice: is this desire in Christ for the sake of God's justice (pure and true) or for some sense of personal retribution (out of anger, abhorrence, personal hatred or indifference)?
Rather than a liberal "flower child"-like (no offense - used for imagery) version of "turn the other cheek", there's a lot more we can each see in Christ's intention in commanding us to "turn the other cheek". For the unrighteous he walked in his Father's will to the cross - in that example I ask myself: do I think these legs are my own, to be dragged according to my will? - or are they now in Christ, that they would walk in God's will? ...even for the sake of the unrighteous? It is a daily struggle between the desire of my flesh and the desire of the Holy Spirit.
So, to the question: Is it possible for us Christians to desire swift justice for terrorists (including killing) and yet at the same time desire the salvation of their souls?
Yes, it is certainly possible... in Christ alone. But in Christ also heed God's advice to Cain: "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." Thank God for the guidance of the Holy Spirit that through the gracious gift of faith in Christ we who were slaves to sin have since been set free to live in Christ. Desire justice, but in it do not become a slave to the sins of anger and malice from which you were freed by the blood of Christ.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Post a Comment