What are we to think of the death of the wicked?

Twitter and Facebook were flooded last night with Theological battles over the proper Christian Response to the violent death of Osama Bin Laden. Great arguments on both sides were being made by people I respect. Great, scriptural, passionate arguments. 

Christianity Today even published a list of "The verses most quoted on Twitter and Facebook after the news of the death of Osama bin Laden" at http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/mayweb-only/osama-bible-twitter.html

Among the verses most often quoted:

• Romans 13:4 "For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." (Mark Driscoll accelerated this verse's popularity via his Facebook post.)
• Proverbs 11:7 "When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth" (KJV)
• Proverbs 24:17 "Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice."
• Proverbs 21:15 "When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers." (Rick Warren started this one)
• Ezekiel 33:11 "Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?"
• Ezekiel 18:23 "Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?"
• Proverbs 11:10 "When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy."
• Proverbs 28:5 "Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully."
• Ezekiel 18:32 "For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!"
• Romans 12:19 "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord."
• Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."

I was asked by some in my congregation to clarify what should be our response as Christians in an American context, seeing an enemy of our nation fall. This is one of those areas where we really desire a binary answer: yes/no — black/white — on/off. I am not certain it is that easy.

My own, personal, reaction? I take no delight in the death of Osama Bin Laden as an individual. I am sad that anyone ever has to die, but that is the consequence of fallen man on a planet. My heart as a pastor is always toward salvation and reconciliation. The ideal outcome from my perspective would have been for Osama to reject Islam, turn his heart to Christ, and work for peace. That, of course, was unlikely.

The second best outcome would have been his capture and imprisonment, but that would have been complicated by the ACLU, political posturing, international press reactions and could have resulted in a long, publicized legal battle.

Osama was trapped, apparently given an opportunity to surrender, but opted to fight to the death. When you choose the "fight to the death" alternative, it seldom results in anything other than death. He wanted to go out perceived as a martyr, and Seal Team 6 gave him his wish… HIS wish being the operative term. They didn't go in to kill him, they went in prepared to kill him if given no other choice.

The controversy doesn't really center on his death, which I think most understand was of his own ultimate choosing, but upon the reaction of American Christians to his death. Some are aghast that people are rejoicing and dancing in the streets, while others defend it as downright Biblical, recalling the celebration following David's slaying of Goliath —  “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” This is one of those moments when our human nature and our Christian ideals clash. 

I am not able to muster any sense of mourning for Osama Bin Laden's death, because he was in my mind an embodiment of evil, intent upon my destruction. There is a sense of relief and satisfaction in knowing that the chief architect and financier of radicalized Islam has come to an ignoble end, even while recognizing that his death will have little or no impact upon the conflict we face. Al Qaeda is a starfish organization, so killing one leader or one thousand leaders has little effect. (See: The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations) From a military/political perspective, however, it sends the clear message that America will not cease to pursue and punish those who seek our destruction, and that message will be heard by a culture in which strength is respected and weakness is ridiculed.

Many have expressed fear that Osama Bin Laden's death will provoke violent response from Islamic radicals. That should surprise no one, but the reality is that nothing America does, or fails to do, actually provokes such a response. The whole issue of radical Islamists distorting a belief system to justify hatred and violence is not new, predates the very existence of the United States and is in no way tied to any U.S. action or inaction. The Barbary Pirates in the 16th century were raiding, killing and stealing before there was an America, and they were capturing Christians to sell into slavery in Muslim nations. This is not a conflict between the U.S. and Islam, but a conflict between radical Islam and everyone in the world who rejects Islam.

So, back to the original question: what should our response be?

Rather than rely upon Old Testament examples of God sending armies to vanquish enemies, I keep coming back to a New Testament passage:

"...rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." Romans 13:3-4 (NIV)

I can't see a substantive difference between Osama's death and the deaths of criminals who opt for "suicide by cop" — drawing police officers (God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer) into direct conflict, drawing weapons on them, and forcing the police to shoot them or be shot.

Posted via email from Kahu Gary