9/11
It is four years since the terrorists attacked the twin towers and our world is not the same anymore. It's like we are in a different planet altogether. The naive optimism that characterised much of the tech boom of the '90's seems like a faraway dream. Cynicism, revenge and bitterness appear to be the 'moral' guiding posts for many world leaders. It seems as if lashing out at one's enemies is the most logical thing to do, and anyone who opposes this creed is considered to be worthy of being ostracised.
As Christians, we are caught in a pickle. On one hand, we cannot ignore the fact that terrorists of the Al Qaeda variety cannot be handled with kid gloves. They have murder on their minds and their fanaticism makes discussions and negotiations fruitless. They'd rather be killed and become martyrs than sit down and trash out differences across the table. How can we even talk with people who prefer to do their conversation with a trigger?
And then, on the other hand, if we look at the gospel we will realise that our response to these people must be based on 'love'. We are asked to 'love our enemies', 'to show the other cheek', 'go one more mile'... ideas that can be best described as 'naive', if one goes by popular opinion. However, naive or not, as Christians, we are left with no choice about loving the unlovable and blessing them who desire our harm. Love, mercy and forgiveness are meant to be our characteristics because we are meant to reflect Christ through our lives.
After seeing the damages unleashed by Al Qaeda terrorists, it is easy for us to think of them as the worst thing to have happened to humanity. Or is it? One glance at history will reveal that Al Qaeda are not, particularly, unique. Empires and civilisations have been built on the corpses of innocent victims and the 'quality of mercy' has rarely found a resting place in the hearts of men and women down the ages.
So is it possible to love Al Qaeda?
On a human level, it is impossible to love anyone but we need the empowering of the Holy Spirit to enable us to do just that. We need to soak our hearts and our minds in God's word to find inspiration and strength. We cannot do this on our own. And yes, if we take another glance at history, we'll notice that the Christian response is not without precedent. The early church defied the mighty brutal Roman empire through their prayers and their faith based lives. Ironically, the empire that breathed fear in the hearts of nations is now only a footnote. Mahatma Gandhi was fascinated by the Sermon on the Mount, and using just a small portion of the gospel to fuel the agitation for independence he managed to unseat the British empire. The sun never set on this empire but it did, and all that was required was a man getting inspired by the words of Jesus.
These are just two examples, and I am sure there are many others. But the point is, yes, the situation may be horrible and the fears fully justified but all is not lost... God is still in control and His word is the best ammunition in this war on terror. But will anyone care to listen?
As Christians, we are caught in a pickle. On one hand, we cannot ignore the fact that terrorists of the Al Qaeda variety cannot be handled with kid gloves. They have murder on their minds and their fanaticism makes discussions and negotiations fruitless. They'd rather be killed and become martyrs than sit down and trash out differences across the table. How can we even talk with people who prefer to do their conversation with a trigger?
And then, on the other hand, if we look at the gospel we will realise that our response to these people must be based on 'love'. We are asked to 'love our enemies', 'to show the other cheek', 'go one more mile'... ideas that can be best described as 'naive', if one goes by popular opinion. However, naive or not, as Christians, we are left with no choice about loving the unlovable and blessing them who desire our harm. Love, mercy and forgiveness are meant to be our characteristics because we are meant to reflect Christ through our lives.
After seeing the damages unleashed by Al Qaeda terrorists, it is easy for us to think of them as the worst thing to have happened to humanity. Or is it? One glance at history will reveal that Al Qaeda are not, particularly, unique. Empires and civilisations have been built on the corpses of innocent victims and the 'quality of mercy' has rarely found a resting place in the hearts of men and women down the ages.
So is it possible to love Al Qaeda?
On a human level, it is impossible to love anyone but we need the empowering of the Holy Spirit to enable us to do just that. We need to soak our hearts and our minds in God's word to find inspiration and strength. We cannot do this on our own. And yes, if we take another glance at history, we'll notice that the Christian response is not without precedent. The early church defied the mighty brutal Roman empire through their prayers and their faith based lives. Ironically, the empire that breathed fear in the hearts of nations is now only a footnote. Mahatma Gandhi was fascinated by the Sermon on the Mount, and using just a small portion of the gospel to fuel the agitation for independence he managed to unseat the British empire. The sun never set on this empire but it did, and all that was required was a man getting inspired by the words of Jesus.
These are just two examples, and I am sure there are many others. But the point is, yes, the situation may be horrible and the fears fully justified but all is not lost... God is still in control and His word is the best ammunition in this war on terror. But will anyone care to listen?
Comments
D
Not only is the Lord our once-for-all and only sacrifice, He finds our bodies precious in His sight:
"...Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body" 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Therefore, we then hardly think the Lord would be pleased with anyone blowing themselves up or diving into buildings..."No, stop!" I want to say. "The Lord treasures your body, and loves you too much!"
During email relations with someone in the Middle East, whom I tried witnessing to about Jesus, told me that these type groups hated us because we (Christians) stemmed from the ancient "Crusaders" who slaughtered millions somewhere over there centuries ago. The ancient "Crusaders" claimed to be Christians. I tried explaining to this person that we were not the "Crusaders"; we were Christians, but do not carry beliefs of harming or killing others, and represent Jesus Christ, Who teaches "not to hate". If this is Al Qaeda's beliefs, then I can see why they hate us. It appears that they have us mixed up with those ancient groups, don't you think? How sad; the lies Satan has triggered from centuries ago!
And the money. For every martyr, families are paid well. What great (and selfish!) lengths they will allow their own child! This just breaks my heart...
In spite of it all, God does love these people, too. We need to pray for them; as well as to lift up courageous missions who are sacrificing their own lives with sending them the Truth and God's Word.
Be Richly Blessed,
J
Jesus said, "love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you." As you say, only the Holy Spirit can empower us to do this, and we should, at every opportunity, allow Him to do this. Should we simply stand by and let them do their dastardly deeds, blow up what they want, kill who they want, force their way of life upon us? Somehow I don't see this as a Christ-honoring response. If that were true then we should do the same with anyone who does evil. What about the laws that protect us? Do we just do away with them?
There are many hard questions that we need to answer, as Christ leads us. I know that living in the part of the world that you do, that you probably have to deal with questions like this first hand everyday. I can only imagine what it must be like. God help us as we all strive to be in the center of His will.
in His love,
D
I agree that governments ought to prevent terrorists and criminals from doing their dastardly deeds. There cannot be any wishy-washiness where these things are concerned. Governments MUST protect citizens and residents because that's their responsibility. When criminals and terrorists are jailed and punished... it's a good thing because it acts as a deterrent.
However, governments must also seriously work towards tackling the 'source' of crime and terrorism. Sometimes certain government policies and decisions create situations that are not healthy and produce a climate of economic inequality and poverty. Sometimes some administrations (not just US but all countries do that -- everyone is guilty) take help from dodgy characters to achieve short term goals. And soon enough, these dodgy characters want their pound of flesh and a bigger problem is created.
Most terrorism hotspots have been created from such recklessness and because of it... many innocent people are suffering. Jesus said, 'those who live by the sword die by the sword', and yes... we can also understand this verse to mean that those who depend upon violence as a policy will reap violence.
Al Qaeda, for instance, arose out of the ashes of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. People like Osama and the Mujahideen shouldnt have been asked to participate in the liberation of Afghanistan from the Soviets. No one even bothered to think that these Mujahideen may have some other agenda in their minds. Or even if they did, they didn't bother to work out the implications.
In some countries, autocratic regimes have been supported by most world governments and their brutality ignored because it is not considered convenient to do so. As a result, people revolt, get angry, they want to end the vicious cycle of repression and poverty... violence happens.
In India, terrorism in Kashmir, Punjab and the North-east happened because the government did not bother to address core issues -- elections were tampered with, cronies were given patronage and dodgy characters were given importance. The alienation of the people was not taken seriously enough and it was assumed that pumping in a lot of money will make people happy. Well, they weren't.
When we are asked to love our enemies, we need to get real about the cause of the enmity and pray against the spiritual strongholds that are perpetuating these 'causes'. This kind of 'love' or the Christ-like response takes into account the 'big picture' instead of looking for short-term gains. It is based on compassion on the weak and helpless and recognising that the socially disadvantaged have a place in society.
We need to realise that Al Qaeda and today's terrorists are a bunch of silly kids when compared to the Roman Empire. We also need to remember that the British Empire was a HUGE force when Mahatma Gandhi decided to use the Sermon on the Mount as his tool for agitation.
More than anything else, we need to pray that our governments are more 'loving' (in the agape sense) when it comes to drafting policies. We need to pray that
1) they speak the truth
2) they don't do anything that would perpetuate poverty, inequality and a feeling of alienation
3) they do not take the help of dodgy characters... ever!
4) their motives remain transparent and that no one will have cause to complain
5) they work towards the cause of justice for all and not some.
I know it is not easy to love but we have to because we are commanded to do so. And we need to pray that we will be able to influence others in our community to do the same.
Moved by the Spirit of God.
Concerned about the response [as we all should be].
Shalom ...
In His Grip
R