Resources - Leadership

December 2001

SWORD DEFENDING

How Should we Respond?

Rev. David Groenenboom

People my age have not seen their nation at war – although I can remember vague rumblings about Vietnam. September 11 has created some interesting reactions – I have learned how pragmatic I can be. When the news reports informed me that Australia had committed troops to assist the US, I started asking “What good will it do? How do we know these are the culprits? How do you wage war on “terrorism”? Won’t it be another Vietnam? Where is the front? What are the rules of engagement?” I have no real answers to these questions.

But on the other hand, I remind myself that questions of war have never been settled by whether “it works”. There is a sense where we have to respond to evil, and in no uncertain terms, even if the task looks complicated.

No doubt, this is a tough question. No one enjoys seeing a response with guns and tanks and bunker buster bombs. But neither would anyone be comfortable if the US would accept the reality of this aggression, and say, “These terrorists will be hard to find, and perhaps impossible to conquer. Let’s leave it at this and hope it will never happen again.”

Further, terrorism is voracious and never satisfied. The man convicted of the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Centre came to the US with the express purpose of killing as many people as possible. Given the chance, he would do it all again.

It is right to respond, because we live in a universe where we seek justice, and where actions have consequences. You drink and drive, and not only are you a #*!#& idiot, but you deserve to be punished. Your irresponsibility could cost your life and the lives of others. What we need to remember is that on September 11, we did not merely see the actions of fanatics, we saw evil itself. “Evil may be hard to express and comprehend, but you know it when you see it. And the world, on September 11, witnessed the heart of darkness”. In our post baby-boomer naivety we tend to think such is a thing of the past – but not all the world shares this view. There are some whose deepest desire is to cause as much terror, death and suffering to the West (especially America) as they can. September 11, for them, was a reason to celebrate.

The perpetrators of these evil acts should be brought to justice. Justice requires that those who are responsible should receive their due. When we remember that we are dealing with people who delight in killing as many civilians as possible, the necessity of response, capture, and retribution is critical. In that sense response is an absolute necessity. We cannot allow evil people to rule the world, and if we do not respond, that’s exactly what they will do.

But we can’t leave it there. If we depend totally on a military retaliation and warfare, have we dealt with the root of the problem? Have we addressed the sin of the human heart?

The Bible says, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. …Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”. [Romans 12:9,21]

We should hate evil. Because when we hate evil, we hate the root of terrorism.

But when we hate evil, don’t forget, we hate also something that is inside each of us – at least in part. The Bible reminds us that people are not consigned to their wickedness. Sure, we have a heart problem, but God has the cure: a heart transplant! (see Ezekiel 36:26). His Gospel transforms people into His righteousness (2 Cor 5:17-21). What a tremendous hope! Even the deepest wickedness of the human heart can be changed! People can be made new. That is the power of the Jesus Christ we worship (Titus 3:3-8).

No doubt, every fanatical Muslim prays that all Christians will either be conquered or converted to their faith. And all Christians pray the all Muslims will become Christians. The difference is that Jesus our Saviour and Ruler rose again. His mission is for people to be rescued and redeemed from sin and death. His method was not terrorism and violence, but through the work of His Spirit and Word, through His Gospel turning people from their evil violence into peace-loving, God-loving, people-loving disciples.

This month we celebrate the birth of Jesus, Prince of Peace. And His followers everywhere will be deeply in prayer that His Gospel will conquer this clear and present evil in our dark world.
 

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