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How Should Christians Respond to the Death of Osama bin Laden?

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We ought to rejoice in justice (Psalm 58:10) but not in death (Ezekiel 24:11).

Here are a few articles of cultural commentary, that I have found helpful in wrestling with the issues. What about you? What do you think?

The Death of Osama in Laden: What Kind of Justice Has Been Done?

Understandably, news of Osama bin Laden’s demise at the hands of U. S. Navy Seals provoked cries of celebration. The mastermind of terror, even against civilians (indeed, against fellow Muslims) has been brought to justice. But what kind of justice?

Osama bin Laden and the Value of Justice

There are really two questions to answer: 1) Did Osama bin Laden deserve to die? 2) Did those who killed him have authority to do so?

Some Thoughts on the Death of Bin Laden

Perhaps a recognition of this kind of Justice would be less likely to result in patriotic celebrations in the streets and more likely to produce a kind of somber, humble gratitude for the common grace of God. I am not righteous, but God is.

Is God Glad Osama Bin Laden’s dead?

God’s emotions are complex—like yours, only a million times more. Right now, your emotions about bin Laden are not simple, i.e. not single. There are several, and they intermingle. That is a good thing. You are God-like.

In response to Osama bin Laden’s death, quite a few tweets and blogs have cited the biblical truth that “God does not delight in the death of the wicked.” That is true.

It is also true that God does delight in the death of the wicked. There are things about every death that God approves in themselves and things about every death that God disapproves in themselves.

The Trial that Still Must Come – The Death of Osama bin Laden and the Limits of  Human Justice

But, as is always the case, we are left with a sense that a higher court is still needed. Christians know that Osama bin Laden escaped the reach of full human justice and a trial for his crimes, but he will not escape the judgment that is to come. Bin Laden will not escape his trial before the court of God. Until then, sober satisfaction must be enough for those still in the land of the living.

Comments

  1. Great evangelism question: when talking with others, a good ice breaker question might be ” hey, do you think osama is in heaven or hell right now?” If the answer is hell, ask why and use it as a platform for the gospel.
    If the answer is heaven, also, ask why; because of the gospel it is a plausible answer– praise God. Who knows, he may have responded to Christ’s message of pardon before the seals arrived.
    The bottom line: osama is not in hell because of 9/11 or his affairs in international terrorism; nor for his antagonism towards Israel. He is there because of his personal rejection of Jesus Christ. Jesus taught that unless one repents they will perish.

    • I agree that any tragedy presents the opportunity for presenting the gospel. I am deeply grieved over the tragedy of 911, How ever equally grieved by the death of OBL or for any terrorist as well as those killed by them. I find myself retuning with Jesus to the grave of Lazarus. I join HIM in weeping for the pain that comes to the hearts of those effected by death.

  2. What OBL did was not right killing inocent people, in the Bible it says to forgive your enymes. But OBL will have to answer to GOD for what he did on earth and GOD will make that choice!!

  3. Bin Ladens death
    Proverbs 24:17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, There is something deeply wrong with this picture. By celebrating death, even of someone as evil as Bin Laden, we let our worst impulses trump what Abraham Lincoln called “the better angels of our nature.” We look petty, juvenile, and small. And we should all be worried about that. It reminds me of the Arab people firing off thier rifles in the air after they have inflicted some damage on their foes. This is indicative of people that are childlike in the way they handle their distress. Second, I recognize that revenge is a natural reaction to tragedy, violence, and injustice. Ever since Homer’s Illiad, where Achilles goes on a rampage to avenge the death of his beloved friend Patroclus, poets and playwrights have reminded us about the powerful role of vengeance in human affairs. But a natural impulse isn’t necessarily a good one. Yes, we feel the need to exact revenge from our enemies. But our key religious scriptures as well as our greatest political leaders warn us against this dark human desire, which transmits our feuds and vendettas to future generations. Indeed, we are at our most human when we have fallen back into our unregenerated nature. . Time for sober reflection, not silly celebration. That’s why Lincoln concluded his second inaugural address, in March 1865, by promising “malice toward none” and “charity for all.” Lincoln and his generation bore witness to the greatest bloodletting in American history; whereas fewer than 3,000 died in the World Trade Center attacks, over 600,000 would perish in the Civil War. But Lincoln rejected calls for revenge against the soon-to-be-defeated Confederacy. Instead, he called upon all Americans to recognize the essential humanity of us all. It would not be easy. But Lincoln understood that, too. That’s why he invoked our shared national destiny, insisting that America had something hugely important to teach the world. To Lincoln, and to millions of Americans since, the United States represented “the last best hope of earth.” In striving to meet his charge, we would establish a model and an example for people everywhere.
    And last night, in celebrating the death of Osama bin Laden, we lost sight of that responsibility. And don’t think the rest of the world didn’t notice, either. Remember when Palestinians danced on the streets of the West Bank, to rejoice over the World Trade Center attacks? That’s what we looked like last night to many of the very people whose hearts and minds we’ve spent billions to win. Obadiah 1:12 But do not gloat over the day of your foe in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of thier distress.

    • Proverbs 13:9
      Proverbs 24:20

      Let’s all rejoice in the trustworthiness and precise truth of scripture. Amen!

  4. There are many lost souls to weep over. This one was just of a higher profile.

    Let us continue to pray for and witness to (when given the chance) all of those who are lost in Islam and every other thing that separates people from their God and Creator.

    Vengeance is Mine, says the Lord. And thank God that we do not have the burden of judging anyone! Since that burden has not been given to us, it would be good for us to not touch that which is not ours.

    I pray that the Lord’s peace will envelope you and cleanse you and soften your heart, as I do for myself. When we are called upon to speak to Islamic extremists and the like , I pray that we will do so with gentleness and respect and without fear. May the Lord keep you and use you for the praise of His glorious Name.

    Do not be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, because in it there is life for all who will accept it.

    Blessing to you.