A Response to Osama bin Laden

Dear Friends,

I want to write this afternoon in response to the death of Osama bin Laden. I have heard much discussion and have been asked several questions about the proper way for a Christian to respond to such news. I must admit that when I awoke on Monday morning and heard for the first time that bin Laden, America’s number one enemy, had been killed my initial emotion was one of joy and satisfaction. But, as the day wore on, my emotions of joy were replaced by ones of sadness and even sorrow at the death of another human being. Immediately, I questioned, “Should I be joyful at the death of another human being, albeit an evil one?”The more I have thought about it, I have realized that the root of the question extends much deeper than my emotions. It is a moral question that leads to a conflict of emotions. And, my answer to the question is both yes and no.   

In one sense, bin Laden’s death is tragic and produces sorrow. But this sorrow is not solely from the loss of human life; it goes much deeper than that. The Bible teaches us that the final resting place of unrepentant sinners -- those who persist in rejecting the Savior, spurning the righteousness of God, the taking of innocent life, “the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, the murderers, the sexually immoral, the sorcerers, idolators, and liars” (Rev. 21:8) -- is Hell. Hell is a place of destruction and wrath. Jesus mourned and wept over sin, lost men and the impending judgement, and so should we. The fiery place of Hell reserved for unrepentant sinners should be no cause for joy in the lives of Christ’s followers. Therefore, given that we have no reason to believe that Mr. bin Laden was a repentant sinner, his death is tragic and drives us to sorrow. 

On the other hand, his death is the triumph of righteousness and should bring joy to our hearts. The removal of evil is the vindication of God’s righteousness, and such a vindication brings hope to and encourages the saints of Christ Jesus, particularly those in the midst of persecution. And there were many brothers and sisters in Christ who were persecuted at the hands of Mr. bin Laden. God’s justice in part has been carried out by human means as he has ordained it (Rom. 13:1-7). Righteousness has prevailed and God is vindicated, and that brings pleasure to God. Therefore, heart of the follower of Christ is joyful.  

So, I think it is certainly appropriate for us to feel both sorrow and joy at the news of the death of bin Laden. In fact, this tension is actually a good thing. It is a glimpse into the emotions of God. God doesn’t delight in the death of the wicked (Ezek. 18:23), but he pleasures in the triumph of his righteousness (Deut. 28:63). Such a tension means that you are, in the words of John Piper, “God-like.” To have one emotion without the other is to be unbiblical, but to wrestle with them both is to be fully human and, therefore, biblically Christian.  

May God grant you grace as you wrestle with the emotions of life. Remember always that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ will not be mocked nor stand for unrighteousness all the while desiring all men, women and children to be saved (1 Tim. 2). Let us, then, pray and live to that end. 

CHD